Created for Flatrock Motorclub
About 30 minutes west of Knoxville, where the green hills of the Cumberland Plateau roll out beneath wide Southern skies, something unexpected is taking shape. It’s a Members-only motorsport playground called Flatrock Motorclub. Now accepting membership applications, though likely not for long, the destination is a world-class racetrack where high-performance driving, luxury amenities and residential real estate ambitions converge.
“It’s one of the best driving experiences you will ever have,” says Rusty Bittle, Flatrock’s Founder, President, and CEO, describing the club’s new Tilke-designed circuit. “We designed the track to be the best of both worlds—approachable for beginner drivers but challenging and technical for our more seasoned Members.”
A businessman and serial entrepreneur, Bittle conceived the vision for what became Flatrock Motorclub more than two decades ago. His idea took shape as he became increasingly involved in car collecting and amateur racing.
While his passion for motorsport came later in life, Bittle’s vision for Flatrock has been clear from the start: “We’re passionate about delivering the best Member experience possible. That means using innovative design, the latest technology, hiring service-minded professionals, and offering world-class residential options. We’re not trying to copy other motorclubs,” notes Bittle. “Our approach is to make Flatrock stand out among the world’s best private clubs—something that requires a fresh, even radical, approach.”
The facility begins with the track itself—challenging, technical, and visually striking. Designed by the legendary Tilke Engineering firm, whose résumé includes some of the world’s most revered F1 circuits, Flatrock’s layout rewards both precision and confidence. The 3.5-mile circuit features 23 turns and 127 feet of elevation change, with design cues inspired by F1-caliber tracks. It’s fast, flowing, and unforgiving in the best way—technical enough to challenge professionals but accessible for newer drivers who show it respect. Plans are also underway for a second, longer 2.5-mile Grand Prix circuit, along with three CIK-standard karting tracks and an advanced skidpad to complete the driving ecosystem.
Beyond the track is Flatrock’s world-class Clubhouse, slated to open in Spring 2026. Inside the 30,000-square-foot space, Members will enjoy fine dining in two restaurants, a wine cellar and tasting room, a luxury spa and fitness center, and a spacious infinity-edge pool. Each amenity offers Members a chance to unwind after a day on the track, while family and friends can relax or play nearby.
“The goal isn’t just to build a motorsport facility but to create a private luxury destination where families, friends and car enthusiasts can gather, stay, and share a lifestyle rooted in performance and hospitality,” Bittle explains.
Residential real estate is also central to Flatrock’s vision. Its on-site residences allow Members to live full-time or part-time within the track experience or tucked into a secluded corner of the property. Flatrock’s real estate options include luxury estate home sites for custom builds, Garage Lofts and Paddock Garages with one- and two-bedroom options, and a distinctive multi-story residential concept known as The Villas, located along the motorclub’s signature Turn 3.
Members are arriving from across the United States—even as far away as Alaska. “Each week, we host prospective Members who belong to other private tracks and race circuits,” says Bittle. “They tell us Flatrock is something truly special.”
And yet, the track is only the beginning.
“We’re building a community where it’s common—not rare—for kids and grandkids to be around cars again,” Bittle says. “They’re out on the track, talking with our professional driving coaches about everything from tires to engines. They’re in awe of it.”
That attention to detail shows in everything from the layout of the paddocks to the plans for a public-facing karting facility designed by the same Tilke team. It’s also why the club’s initial Founding Memberships sold out faster than expected, with ongoing demand for additional Membership opportunities—Platinum, Premier, Social and Corporate. Flatrock has plans for continued expansion by introducing an 18-hole golf course, winery, and outdoor amphitheater to the property.
“This isn’t about filling a geographical hole or reinventing the wheel,” says Bittle. “It’s about doing something intentional—designed around the landscape, for our Members and reflective of the lifestyle we’re creating here.”
If early Member enthusiasm is any indicator, Flatrock’s future is as dialed-in as its layout. “When you pull through the front gate, you instantly know where you are,” says Bittle. “It’s not just about the cars—it’s about the experience. From the landscaping to the track, the way Flatrock makes you feel is what sets us apart.”
As construction continues and the Club accelerates toward its full expression, there’s no pretending this is a finished story. It’s a build in motion—and that’s exactly what makes Flatrock so compelling right now: the chance to see it, drive it and be part of something truly extraordinary.