The Flat 6 Fest At Miami’s Newest Luxury Automotive Club: How The Concours Club Is Changing What A Motorsports Club Can Be

Having opened its doors to members in July 2021, The Miami based Concours Club is setting a new standard in luxury driving experiences. The idea of quality over convention is especially crucial to founder Neil Gehani’s vision for the space, which is located within the Miami Opa Locka Executive Airport, a short drive from Miami’s city center. The Сoncours Club members can take their vehicles out on the club’s state of the art racetrack, invite friends and family over for gourmet dinner, and be back in Miami’s city center in a matter of minutes. The club is also conveniently located near two private airports, making it easy for out of state members to enjoy a short getaway to the track. According to Aaron Weiss, the club’s president, location was key to bringing Neil Gehani’s vision to life; while most motorsports clubs tend to be removed from large cities and isolated, The Concours Club counts its proximity to Miami as one of its most desirable features. By using the urban core as a starting point for the entire space, the club’s design team was able to imagine an exclusive complex that went far beyond the automotive element.

In describing The Сoncours Club’s planning stages, Aaron Weiss highlights the unique niche created by amateur motorsports competitors and gentlemen drivers; or, to put it simply, people who choose to experience one of a kind vehicles on their own time, at their own pace. With that in mind, Weiss and his team designed the site with amenities, customer service and comfort at the forefront. Their identity as a resort and country club is upheld by a number of services available to members, including private Auto Lofts, gear laundering and storage, and on-site dining at the acclaimed Verge restaurant, headed by Chef Brad Kilgore. The restaurant offers a private dining room open for private bookings, and features a curated wine and spirits menu spearheaded by Master Sommelier Dan Pilkey. Weiss cites his experience growing up around country clubs as a major inspiration for the site and the way it merges amenities, exclusivity and the automotive recreation at the heart of it all.

Members have the option of driving their own cars or trying out one of the club-owned options. Headed by Chief Instructor Rod MacLeod, the driving program at the club allows instructors to remain connected to members who are out on the track without actually being present in the vehicle. Remaining in constant communication with drivers, instructors can offer tips from afar while allowing members a degree of independence on the track. The racetrack itself is inspired by Aaron Weiss’ appreciation of the form and function of European F1 tracks, and is outfitted with the latest automotive technology to ensure seamless communication and maximum safety.

Auto Loft garages are available to members for vehicle storage, and gear is kept pristine by the club’s staff. Each loft holds up to 12 vehicles and includes an expansive viewing area on the second floor. The ground floor houses a locker area, kitchenette, shower, toilet and additional room that can be designated according to the client’s preference. While the club is open and fully functioning, construction on further elements like more Auto Lofts is still underway- and measured by member demand. An events center by Italian design firm Pininfarina is an example of one of the highly anticipated projects still in the works. The club’s designers are constantly aware of usage patterns and member needs, which in turn inform additional spaces and, as Weiss puts it, “organic growth.” Currently, prospective members can only gain access to the club by being referred by active members.

In an example of its ability to branch out beyond the track, on Saturday January 14th, the club hosted an exclusive event celebrating the history and passion of the Porsche brand. Comparable to events like Luftgekuhlt, Flat 6 Fest drew Porsche enthusiasts and collectors to The Concours Club for a one of a kind vehicle showcase. Featured Porsches included multiple Carrera GTs, the 959, and historic cars like the 962. The 917 and Bruce Jennings’ 911s were also present along with multiple 911’s reimagined by Singer, and various rare models spanning the latter half of the 20th century.

The event also honored the Specialty Porsche-based brand RUF by hosting Ruf’s founder. Alois Ruf Sr., and replicating the RUF museum in Germany in an effort to celebrate its designation of The Concours Club as its North American headquarters. The dealership will be spearheaded by one of the Club’s Founding Members, Victor Gomez- the Flat 6 Fest rang in 2023 by honoring this special partnership and plans to host a future annual gathering at The Concours Club. The event also featured artwork and sculptures by renowned global Porsche artists including Manu Campa, The Whale Tail Project, and Rafael DelCeggio.

Marrying motorsports, luxury, and the hospitality of any lauded resort, The Concours Club brings the automotive club within the urban core, altering convention. With plenty of plans for the future and the ability to act as an amenity-rich events space, the club is a fluid take on the amateur motorsports experience- here, success relies on passion, a dynamic that remains evident in every element of the club complex.