Club Auto Sport gives Silicon Valley collectors, enthusiasts, and automotive businesses a place to call their own
by Steve Sharp
San Jose, Calif. — Ralph Borelli and John Davis created Club Auto Sport as a place where automotive enthusiasts and collectors could congregate and enjoy the benefits of a club atmosphere.
“Club members enjoy a variety of benefits,” General Partner Borelli said, which include storage, vehicle service, a gym, and an event center.
General Partner Ralph Borelli stands in the Club Auto Sport Event Center next to his 1984 Mazda Lola C2 Prototype. “Our venue brings together Silicon Valley’s best and brightest to network and enjoy a fabulous collection of cars and related businesses,” he says.
“Our facility brings together Silicon Valley enthusiasts in a spectacular automotive-based venue for viewing parties, car shows, and charity events,” he said.
“This year we have had more than 22,000 people come through our doors attending one of our 125-plus events,” Club Auto Sport Property Manager Ellie Cesario said. “We have had events for companies such as Google, LinkedIn, and the California Baron’s Ball,” she said.
“Our goal was to create a brick and mortar version of Facebook, bringing people together with automotive interests to collaborate and network,” Borelli said.
People can buy, lease, or lease to own an area to store vehicles, have a business, or house a “man cave,” Cesario said, adding that membership includes access to the facility, events, round-the-clock video security, Wi-Fi, plus business support.
Borelli Motor Sports offers concierge-level service, storage, repair, prep, and support for investment quality, exotic, vintage, and racing vehicles.
“Club Auto Sport provides a secure, climatic-controlled environment to store investment-level vehicles and, through Borelli Motorsports, the expertise to maintain them,” Borelli said.
The event center acts as a business partner, bringing high-end customers through the door on a daily basis, Borelli said. “With the net worth of Silicon Valley, there are lots of car investments. What was lacking, however, was a gathering place for them to talk cars and naturally their businesses. Club Auto Sport is that place.”
Besides events, Club Auto Sport offers tenants and members professional business support led by Sterling Lanier of Vistage International, Borelli said. The business program gives club members the chance to share knowledge and experience, discuss challenges, and learn from the experiences of others. Vistage International is the world’s leading executive development firm, he said.
One of the regular events held at Club Auto Sport is “Caffeine and Cars.” The event allows the public to show off their cars and visit the shops and facilities of Club Auto Sport. Here, a visitor checks out a Lotus at Dietsch Werks.
“Whether it is our management series, an Indy 500 viewing party, or one of our charity events, Club Auto Sport creates a cross-pollination of top executives from a variety of industries who benefit our tenants, members, and commercial partners.”
Heading the list of tenants is Borelli Motorsports, owned by club co-founder Borelli. Borelli Motorsports provides a concierge level service for tenants, storage, and racing customers, he said. “For those who do not want to buy or lease their own area we can provide á la carte storage and service. A storage customer can call up and our technicians will have their car cleaned, serviced, and full of fuel upon their arrival.”
Borelli said that besides collector vehicles and exotics his company services vintage and historic racecars. “We do race prep, transportation, and trackside driving and technical support,” he said.
Borelli Motorsports also offers airport service and shuttle. “Customers can drop off their vehicle and we will perform the required maintenance or service, such as tires, alignment, and oil change, and have it ready upon their return.”
As an example of Borelli Motorsports expertise, Borelli cited Technician Dave Graff, who has more than 35 years of experience as a chassis, suspension, and alignment expert. “Regardless of the customer’s needs, their vehicle will be readied either by our in-house experts or one of our outside resources,” he said.
Club Auto Sport General Partner John Davis drives his No. 68 Mazda Lola, which won its class in the 1984 24 Hour of Le Mans race, at the recent Rolex Sports Car Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The No. 67 car owned by General Partner Ralph Borelli finished third at the 1984 Le Mans event.
Borelli said the type of customers they attract expect the best facility, equipment, and technicians. “Cost is not the concern, it is about trusting the people to get the job done right in an environment they are comfortable in,” he said.
Club Auto Sport will expand to 120,000 square feet by the second quarter of 2012. “The primary tenant in the new building will be Goodies Speed Shop,” Borelli said.
“We continue to attract new companies who want exposure to our upscale clientele. Companies such as Club Sportiva, which offers rental and time-share exotic cars, and Cartelligent, a personal shopper for new cars, are perfect for our members.”
Other businesses such as Lotus specialist Dietsch Werks, Precious Metal Motorsports, and Miller Vinyl Graphics, follow the automotive theme.
Nonautomotive companies have benefited from being located at Club Auto Sport as well, Borelli said. “Systems integrator Integrated Media Technologies, construction management firm Ingram and Associates, Jenkins Insurance, and Ameriprise Financial are but a few of the companies to have offices at Club Auto Sport,” he said.
Club Auto Sport has units from 791 square feet to more than 3,200 square feet that can be used for retail, office, and light industrial or automotive use, Cesario said. “We also offer executive suites for as little as $350 a month that allow firms or individuals to participate in our dynamic business community.”
Club Auto Sport is a unique facility combining collectable cars, events, business opportunities, and concierge-level service in a 120,000-square-foot facility in San Jose.
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