News
Life in the fast lane: Climate, terrain made Willcox the top choice for Inde Motorsports Ranch
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| In the lead Carolyn Kujala of Tucson, in her No. 57 Mini Cooper, leads the pack of racing enthusiasts on opening day Saturday at the Inde Motorsports Ranch on West Airport Road near Willcox. (Dave Brown/ARN) |
By Carol Broeder/Arizona range news
A private motor sports club off of West Airport Road in Willcox held its opening day Saturday, drawing racers from as far away as Texas, California, and Nevada, as well as Tucson and Phoenix.
Inde Motorsports Ranch (IMR) lies in the rolling hills about 11 miles outside Willcox on the road to Cascabel.
Vice President of Marketing and Sales CJ Dorland describes the site as being more than "1,700 sprawling acres of pristine land."
The track - a 2.75-mile road course - and facilities takes up about 250 of those acres, he told the Range News.
"This place is unique, not only for Willcox, but for the whole Southwest," said Dorland.
The brochure distributed Saturday calls it "a truly unique motor sport experience that can be enjoyed by our members and their guests over 350 days per year."
Dorland and his father Graham, who is the owner and CEO of Inde Motorsports Ranch, searched all over the country before settling on the Willcox location.
"My Dad's a car collector and enthusiast and wanted to run his car without getting a ticket," he told the Range News.
"My whole life has been as a builder of things," said the senior Dorland, a successful entrepreneur who was the founder and CEO of Airborne Express, from which he retired in 1992.
Graham was also a partner in the development of DC-9 hush kits, as well as founder and CEO of Nautamatic Marine Systems, Inc., which used patented technologies for marine autopilots.
He sold his company to Garmin in 2008.
"I've been looking to build a track for two-and-a-half years," said Graham, who set out to find the ideal location to build a challenging yet enjoyable track for people like himself, who are passionate about the driving experience.
That site selection took more than two years until he found "this hidden gem," a ranch previously owned by Phoenix car dealer Tex Earnhardt.
The climate was certainly a factor in the decision.
"Willcox has a climate where you can race year around," said CJ, adding, "And definitely the seclusion of it -- It's a hidden gem."
The site also provides the track with great elevation changes, as well as breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
"We've modeled it after a European touring road," he explained.
The road course features 85 feet of elevation changes with sharp, challenging corners to offer members a highly technical course. The longest straightaway is 2,200 feet and the fastest cars and motorcycles can reach nearly 180 mph.
The track can accommodate 30 unique configurations and can be bifurcated to simultaneously run two separate circuits.
"I wanted to do it my way," said Graham, adding that he wanted the facility to have a comfortable, Western ambience.
The Dorlands pay tribute to the Apache tribe, including Cochise and Geronimo, who once inhabited the area the club now occupies.
The name "Inde" comes from the Apache word for "the people," and the logo integrates the Apache symbol for "maker of dreams and visions," represented by the blue, red, and yellow lines.
"We chose this name and symbol not only because of our respect for the Apache, but also because we have created a track and overall environment that allows our members and their guests the flexibility, freedom, and independence to enjoy each track experience as they see fit," the brochure says.
The Dorlands enlisted the help of Barry Ellis to design the track layout. He is president and one of the minority owners of the ranch along with CJ.
Ellis has an extensive racing background, providing custom fabrication for high horsepower vehicles, said Graham, adding that six of his vehicles, including Corvettes, Supras, and Vipers, have broken world records for horsepower in their class.
Graham has nothing but praise for Ellis, who "began this project in April and had it done by November," he said.
According to documentation from Cochise County Planner Keith Dennis, Ellis sought a special-use permit in February to legitimize an existing private airstrip on 465 acres.
Last November, the commissioners approved a special-use permit for outdoor recreation on the acreage. Though the landing strip was considered an accessory use during the property's ranch days, the designation change from agriculture to outdoor recreation eliminates the accessory use of it. To be in compliance, the airstrip's special-use permit had to be approved by the commissioners.
"The county has been great," said Graham, adding his belief that the project may not have been completed elsewhere in Arizona.
"We wouldn't have had this if it wasn't for Cochise County. We couldn't do this in Maricopa, Pima, or Pinal Counties." he said. "We have been fortunate to work with Ron Ellis and Benny Young."
Graham believes that the club is adding $4 million to the county's economy within its first year of operations.
"We figure we'll add a million and a half to the Willcox economy annually in hotels, retail, and tourism," CJ said.
Membership information given in the brochure indicates the club is an exclusive one, with a $50,000 initiation fee for founding membership; $17,500 for an executive membership; $8,000 for an annual membership; and $120,000 for a corporate membership.
"We are the only private motor sports club that incorporates an FAA approved private airport, a quarter-mile drag strip, hangar, clubhouse, and private garages with the finest racing and touring road course for automobiles, motorcycles and karts anywhere in the country," the brochure tells prospective members.
"It can be quite an investment, depending on the level you want to do it," said founding member Carolyn Kujala of Tucson, who races with the "Gila Monsters."
While she's been "in the car" three-and-a-half years, Tucson resident Kujala has been involved with racing for 35 years.
"I'm smack in between here and Firebird Raceway in Phoenix. I prefer the road course, as opposed to the oval track or dirt track," explained Kujala, adding, "Firebird is a road course, but is pretty much flat. And this one allows more freedom because it's a private country club."
"It's for people who just like to come out and have fun and drive faster than the law will allow."
"The Dorlands looked all over the country to do this, until they found this little gem of a property," Kujala said.
Graham, who is currently a resident of Washington State, also owns a home in Tucson, and plans to become an Arizona resident soon.
His son CJ moved to Tucson last December to head up the sales and marketing program for the club.
A graduate of the University of Arizona, CJ lived in Los Angeles where he worked in commercial real estate development.
"One day I said, 'Hey, I have a track in mind, can you work for me?" said Graham, adding, "He has done a magnificent job."
"It is wonderful to be able to work with my son," he said.
"Of course, as a father I have certain expectations, and CJ wants to do everything on his own. But by happenstance, we ended up here together."
For more information, call 520-384-0796 or visit www.indemotorsports.com.
Inde Motorsports Ranch (IMR) lies in the rolling hills about 11 miles outside Willcox on the road to Cascabel.
Vice President of Marketing and Sales CJ Dorland describes the site as being more than "1,700 sprawling acres of pristine land."
The track - a 2.75-mile road course - and facilities takes up about 250 of those acres, he told the Range News.
"This place is unique, not only for Willcox, but for the whole Southwest," said Dorland.
The brochure distributed Saturday calls it "a truly unique motor sport experience that can be enjoyed by our members and their guests over 350 days per year."
Dorland and his father Graham, who is the owner and CEO of Inde Motorsports Ranch, searched all over the country before settling on the Willcox location.
"My Dad's a car collector and enthusiast and wanted to run his car without getting a ticket," he told the Range News.
"My whole life has been as a builder of things," said the senior Dorland, a successful entrepreneur who was the founder and CEO of Airborne Express, from which he retired in 1992.
Graham was also a partner in the development of DC-9 hush kits, as well as founder and CEO of Nautamatic Marine Systems, Inc., which used patented technologies for marine autopilots.
He sold his company to Garmin in 2008.
"I've been looking to build a track for two-and-a-half years," said Graham, who set out to find the ideal location to build a challenging yet enjoyable track for people like himself, who are passionate about the driving experience.
That site selection took more than two years until he found "this hidden gem," a ranch previously owned by Phoenix car dealer Tex Earnhardt.
The climate was certainly a factor in the decision.
"Willcox has a climate where you can race year around," said CJ, adding, "And definitely the seclusion of it -- It's a hidden gem."
The site also provides the track with great elevation changes, as well as breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
"We've modeled it after a European touring road," he explained.
The road course features 85 feet of elevation changes with sharp, challenging corners to offer members a highly technical course. The longest straightaway is 2,200 feet and the fastest cars and motorcycles can reach nearly 180 mph.
The track can accommodate 30 unique configurations and can be bifurcated to simultaneously run two separate circuits.
"I wanted to do it my way," said Graham, adding that he wanted the facility to have a comfortable, Western ambience.
The Dorlands pay tribute to the Apache tribe, including Cochise and Geronimo, who once inhabited the area the club now occupies.
The name "Inde" comes from the Apache word for "the people," and the logo integrates the Apache symbol for "maker of dreams and visions," represented by the blue, red, and yellow lines.
"We chose this name and symbol not only because of our respect for the Apache, but also because we have created a track and overall environment that allows our members and their guests the flexibility, freedom, and independence to enjoy each track experience as they see fit," the brochure says.
The Dorlands enlisted the help of Barry Ellis to design the track layout. He is president and one of the minority owners of the ranch along with CJ.
Ellis has an extensive racing background, providing custom fabrication for high horsepower vehicles, said Graham, adding that six of his vehicles, including Corvettes, Supras, and Vipers, have broken world records for horsepower in their class.
Graham has nothing but praise for Ellis, who "began this project in April and had it done by November," he said.
According to documentation from Cochise County Planner Keith Dennis, Ellis sought a special-use permit in February to legitimize an existing private airstrip on 465 acres.
Last November, the commissioners approved a special-use permit for outdoor recreation on the acreage. Though the landing strip was considered an accessory use during the property's ranch days, the designation change from agriculture to outdoor recreation eliminates the accessory use of it. To be in compliance, the airstrip's special-use permit had to be approved by the commissioners.
"The county has been great," said Graham, adding his belief that the project may not have been completed elsewhere in Arizona.
"We wouldn't have had this if it wasn't for Cochise County. We couldn't do this in Maricopa, Pima, or Pinal Counties." he said. "We have been fortunate to work with Ron Ellis and Benny Young."
Graham believes that the club is adding $4 million to the county's economy within its first year of operations.
"We figure we'll add a million and a half to the Willcox economy annually in hotels, retail, and tourism," CJ said.
Membership information given in the brochure indicates the club is an exclusive one, with a $50,000 initiation fee for founding membership; $17,500 for an executive membership; $8,000 for an annual membership; and $120,000 for a corporate membership.
"We are the only private motor sports club that incorporates an FAA approved private airport, a quarter-mile drag strip, hangar, clubhouse, and private garages with the finest racing and touring road course for automobiles, motorcycles and karts anywhere in the country," the brochure tells prospective members.
"It can be quite an investment, depending on the level you want to do it," said founding member Carolyn Kujala of Tucson, who races with the "Gila Monsters."
While she's been "in the car" three-and-a-half years, Tucson resident Kujala has been involved with racing for 35 years.
"I'm smack in between here and Firebird Raceway in Phoenix. I prefer the road course, as opposed to the oval track or dirt track," explained Kujala, adding, "Firebird is a road course, but is pretty much flat. And this one allows more freedom because it's a private country club."
"It's for people who just like to come out and have fun and drive faster than the law will allow."
"The Dorlands looked all over the country to do this, until they found this little gem of a property," Kujala said.
Graham, who is currently a resident of Washington State, also owns a home in Tucson, and plans to become an Arizona resident soon.
His son CJ moved to Tucson last December to head up the sales and marketing program for the club.
A graduate of the University of Arizona, CJ lived in Los Angeles where he worked in commercial real estate development.
"One day I said, 'Hey, I have a track in mind, can you work for me?" said Graham, adding, "He has done a magnificent job."
"It is wonderful to be able to work with my son," he said.
"Of course, as a father I have certain expectations, and CJ wants to do everything on his own. But by happenstance, we ended up here together."
For more information, call 520-384-0796 or visit www.indemotorsports.com.
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