Thermal Motorsports Club Breaks Ground

The Coachella Valley will soon be home to one of North America’s premier luxury racing clubs. Thermal Motorsports Track and Club held a breaking ground ceremony Thursday, to begin work on a safe and fast track that will provide a first-class driving experience.

“If you think of a good country club, a golf country club, change that to a car and that’s what you’ll have,” said Thermal Club developer Tony Renaud.

The track will be built on a 344 acre plot of land in Thermal, next to the Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, and will cost nearly $90 million to build. Renaud said the entire project is privately funded.

The experience goes beyond just the track. Thermal has teamed with PGA West and the La Quinta Resort to offer their members full access to the amenities at their clubs. The unique partnership will be the first of its kind in the nation.

“When you have the opportunity to combine two major sports, motor racing and golf, this presents an opportunity that first of all, is landmark,” said PGA West executive director Mike Kelly. “This is unprecedented across the United States today.”

The track’s benefits go beyond just its members though. It will provide many jobs for people in the east valley.

“I mean to think that we’re going to create somewhat around 400 jobs in this economy is pretty remarkable,” said Thermal Club developer Tony Renaud.

100 of those job are slated to be permanent.

The track is projected to open by the end of the year.