Team
Since 2008, a dozen groups have proposed motorsports clubs in Florida of a size and scale large enough to support an extraordinary racetrack. None have been able to secure community support or land approvals to proceed. Until now.
We have secured critical approvals to create The World’s Pinnacle Motorsports Community™, with over 10 miles of private racetracks, including two monster 4.5-mile and 3.2-mile circuits, over a million square feet of customizable trackside garages with second-level living space options, 125 private residences, club facilities and amenities, and more. That's because we have a proven track record in the design, construction, and management of exceptional automotive country clubs as well as race sanctioning, commercial, and residential real estate development experience.
Founding Partner/CEO
Ari Straus
While private club tracks are a relatively new concept, one of the first was Monticello Motor Club (MMC), now in its 17th year and widely recognized as the world’s premier automotive country club. Ari is a founding partner and served as managing partner/CEO for 12 years. He developed MMC's 667-acre master site plan that was approved with overwhelming community support, oversaw major expansion projects, and tripled club membership. Ari retired from MMC in 2022, but remains an owner and member of the club.
Previously, Ari founded mdINR, a healthcare service provider sold in 2010 to Lincare. Earlier, Ari worked for Coca-Cola, Deloitte Consulting, and served as GM for Walmart.com. He attended Franklin & Marshall College (BA) and Emory University (MBA).
Since 2000, Ari has competed as a “gentleman driver” in dozens of professional series including IMSA Rolex/WeatherTech, Ferrari Challenge, Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, IMSA Prototype Challenge (IMSA Lites), Radical Cup, and Mazda MX-5 Cup. Ari is also a scuba diver, private pilot, and served as a fire fighter for a decade.
Ari and his wife, Molly, live in Tampa and have three children: Asher, Simone, and Aurora (an actual professional racecar driver - unlike her dad).
Founding Partner
Molly McCoy Straus
Molly McCoy Straus is a professional consultant who specializes in developing compelling business communications, including logic structure, supporting visuals, and clear, efficient language. She has practiced at McKinsey & Company, as well as Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting). As an owner at Monticello Motor Club, Molly was involved with many aspects of the business, focusing on teen and family programs and communications.
After leaving management consulting, Molly worked with small start-up companies developing initial business plans for presentation to potential investors. Prior to entering the communication field, Molly managed treasury relationships with large corporate customers at Bank of America.
Molly attended Duke University as an undergraduate and Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg School of Management for business school.
Molly and her husband, Ari, live in Tampa, not far from Molly’s childhood home in Land O’ Lakes. They have three children: Asher, Simone, and Aurora. Aurora is a professional racer and founder of "Girls With Drive,” an initiative that aims at mentoring and inspiring young girls to pursue careers in the automotive industry. During Aurora's freshman year at Harvard, she and Molly created and managed the world’s first sleep-away race camp for teens, a program they continued to expand at MMC for several years.
Founding Partner
Aurora Straus
Aurora Straus is a professional racecar driver, founder, and consultant. Aurora was most recently a management consultant at Bain and Company, where she specialized in growth strategy and go-to-market design.
Aurora made her professional racing debut at 16 years old. Since then, she has made history across various series, including as Rookie of the Year in IMSA, as the runner-up champion in Pirelli World Challenge, and as the first woman globally to win a race in Radical Cup North America. In 2018, Aurora founded “Girls With Drive,” an initiative that introduces young girls to careers in the automotive industry. Along with Founding Partner Molly Straus, Aurora also co-founded and managed the world’s first sleep-away teenage motorsports camp, a wildly popular program that has since kickstarted multiple professional racing careers.
Aurora attended Harvard College as an undergraduate and is an incoming MBA candidate at Emory University.
Founding Partner
Al Guibord
Al Guibord is a serial entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for motorsports. Upon a successful career in the software industry, Al transitioned to commercial real estate development, as well as specialty retail and the manufacturing sector.
Al has raced extensively for over 20 years in Formula Ford and Formula 2000 race cars all over the country. As an avid motorsports enthusiast, Al also enjoys racing his NASCAR Modified, dirt biking, and has competed in 24 Hours of Lemons events. In 2006, Al founded and created Formula Race Promotions (FRP), which has developed into one of the largest and longest successfully running race promotion organizations in the country for open-wheel cars. FRP consists of three different national championship series: the F1600, F2000, and Formula Atlantic Championship Series.
Al resides in New Hampshire with his wife, Becky, and two children, Connor and Taylor.
Founding Partner
Gregory Schain
Greg is a founding partner of New Mill Capital Holdings (NMCH), one of the world's largest buyers of closed turnkey manufacturing plants and industrial assets for auctions and repositioning.
Since founding NMCH in 2011, Greg has led acquisitions on over 25 million square feet of industrial properties in over 30 states and Canada. These properties run the gamut of industry types, ranging from food, pharmaceutical, and chemical to paper mills, printing plants, textile mills, and aluminum smelters. In recent years, the investment profile has expanded into other real estate product types, including residential development, net leased retail and industrial acquisitions, and special situation investing. One recent example is a mixed-use development in Austin, Texas, "Petrol Lounge West", that includes auto-enthusiast car condominiums and clubhouse.
Greg holds a BA in Business Economics and Public Policy from UCLA and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three young children.
Founding Partner
Eric Schwartz
Eric Schwartz is president of Tresser Properties, a family office with interests in multiple asset types of real estate, including warehouse, multifamily, office, and hospitality. Eric began his career as an attorney at a large multi-national law firm based in New York, followed by a decade at Deutsche Bank where he was co-head of US commercial real estate. Under his tenure, Deutsche Bank became one of the world’s largest real estate capital providers. Eric also co-founded a fund that acquired several large real estate service companies. He remains actively involved in the development of numerous assets, including large-scale entertainment-related venues.
Partner
Mike Watkins
Mike Watkins is a builder and developer in upstate New York. After graduating from Lafayette College with a degree in Economics, Mike spent 10 years in the technology field, serving as chief technology officer for several internet startups. Mike started his first building company in 2005, and has become one of the premier builders in the Catskills. Since then, Mike has completed over $200M in residential and commercial projects. In fact, some of Mike’s homes and buildings have been featured in well-known magazines, books, and television.
Mike created Motor Club Estates, one of the first residential communities in the country that focuses on race cars and racing, adjacent to Monticello Motor Club (MMC). He also provided complete design and build services to MMC for many of its facilities including its member clubhouse, expansive car gallery, state-of-the-art service center, employee housing, and car condominiums.
At P1, Mike will apply his decades of building experience and unique expertise in private automotive clubs. He will oversee all construction, from infrastructure and water treatment to the clubhouse, GarageMahals, Autominiums, and residences.
Mike is also a fellow motorsports enthusiast. He started racing Spec Miatas in 2014 and Porsche Cayman racecars in 2019. In 2018, he won MMC’s club championship. Mike believes in contributing to the community and serves on two non-profit boards: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts and the Signal 30 Foundation to support State Troopers and their families in times of need.
Director of Fun
CHRIS DUPLESSIS
Chris Duplessis is a name that resonates with motorsports enthusiasts worldwide as a former factory driver for Scion and Ford, a four-time National Champion in Performance Rally, and one of the few Americans who have competed in the prestigious FIA World Rally Championship, the pinnacle of rally racing.
From 2012 through 2021, Chris served in various leadership roles at Monticello Motor Club (MMC) from chief instructor to racetrack and facilities manager to director of experiences, overseeing all the automotive activities and events.
Returning to his rally roots, he created and launched MMC’s first off-road performance courses and member competition series utilizing cross cars, an FIA-certified chassis enjoyed by thousands of racers across Europe and Asia for its safety record and versatile use on dirt or asphalt.
Director of Membership
Sarah Foss
Having grown up in a motorsports family (her brother is pro racer Eric Foss), Sarah Foss understands (and loves!) the nuances of the motorsports lifestyle, and is passionate about fostering relationships with those who share that enthusiasm.
With over 15 years of sales experience in the hospitality and luxury service industry, her specialties include increasing customer base, creating go-to-market strategies, and running sales operations. Her most recent endeavors include three years as the director of sales at a motorsports club, as well as three years working in the Ivy League/college admissions consulting space.
Now, Sarah is focusing her varied skills on fostering positive growth at P1 Motor Club as it becomes The World's Pinnacle Motorsports Community.
Owner’s Representative
Tom Wackrow
Tom Wackrow is a seasoned construction executive and will oversee all construction throughout P1’s development. He has two decades of experience with Related Companies and others, overseeing iconic multimillion-dollar real estate development projects, including the Waldorf Astoria New York, Hudson Yards Vessel, and Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
James Redman
James Redman is the owner, director, and organizer of Targa Sixty Six, the longest running premier track day club in the United States. In fact, 2025 will be Targa Sixty Six's 34th year. James brings over 35 years of experience in the motorsports industry, including hospitality and customer service, to P1's team. He also brings his ample driving experience in open wheel, sports racers, and production cars.
James is the founder, race director, and organizer of the Watkins Glen/Porsche Double 50, Porsche Rennsport Reunion I at Lime Rock Park, and Porsche Rennsport Reunion II and III at Daytona International Speedway. He’s hosted events at the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, Roebling Road Raceway, and Summit Point Motorsports Park, where he was race director and organizer of Brian Redman's Jefferson 500 for over 20 years.
Behind the wheel, James has driven a Chevron B19 to second and third overall at Historic Sportscar Racing Enduros at Sebring International Raceway, along with a Lola S2000 to second overall, and a Porsche 914/6 to a class win at Summit Point Motorsports Park. James has also driven/raced at Road America, Roebling Road Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Palm Beach International Raceway, Lime Rock Park, New Jersey Motorsports Park, Pocono International Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, and Monticello Motor Club.