[midlifecrisis]

I'm a member at NJ Motorsports Park's Drivers Club. It's one of the best things I ever did for myself!

I joined almost a year before the track opened. I remember taking a tour in a pickup truck and seeing stakes in the ground which marked where the tracks were going to be built.

I got a sweetheart deal - $5,000 initiation. It's up to $15,000 now, and still worth it. As part of the membership, you also get VIP access to all of the track's paid events - Grand-Am, AMA, ARCA, etc. Track days are $165, and include breakfast and lunch. Dues are $2,400 per year. They have at least 30 member days per year, and reciprocity with 4 other tracks. Does it cost more than just going to open track days? Yes, probably. On the other hand, nobody that belongs to a country club justifies the expense by the cost per round of golf. It's the same deal with the racetrack clubs.

Between CCA events and NJMP member days, I spent 17 days on track last year. I'll have to back it off a little this year - I've got 2 college tuitions and a wedding to pay for this year. My tire and brake pad budget is a little smaller than last year!