Scrap the Track DeFuniak - Stop Emerald Coast Motor Club
Protect the Alaqua and Woodlawn Neighborhoods in DeFuniak Springs
A 651-acre private racetrack and entertainment complex is planned in DeFuniak Springs — right in the middle of small farms, churches, and 100’s of families in the Alaqua and Woodlawn neighborhoods, and less than a mile from North Walton Hospital.
This isn’t just a racetrack — it’s a private playground for the ultra-wealthy, many of whom will fly in from elsewhere, enjoy the thrill, and fly back out — while local residents are left with the noise, the disruption, and the long-term consequences.
We’re not against racing, and we’re not against a racetrack in Walton County — we’re against putting it in the middle of our neighborhoods, where it would bring 66 hours a week of brutal engine noise, year-round, to hundreds of families. It threatens our peace, property values, and rural way of life.
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Spring-Fed & Environmentally Sensitive Blount's Creek Running Right Through the Racetack Project
Stop the Emerald Coast Motor Club Racetrack
The proposed Emerald Coast Motor Club (ECMC), part of the global Tilke Club of Clubs organization, is a members-only racetrack and luxury entertainment complex planned on more than 651 acres in DeFuniak Springs — right in the middle of hundreds of families, small farms, churches, and less than a mile from the town’s main hospital.
Plans include a 3.25-mile FIA Grade 2 racetrack, a professional karting track, 130 residential “villas,” and two-story trackside “garage condos” described as customizable “sports mancaves.” At other Tilke-designed clubs, these condos are often used as weekend retreats, even though they’re marketed as non-residential.
A Racetrack in the Wrong Location
Most Tilke Club racetracks are built in remote areas or near interstates and airports—strategically placed to minimize disruption. Emerald Coast Motor Club (ECMC) is the exception: it’s planned in the middle of rural neighborhoods, surrounded by hundreds of families.
The few Tilke clubs built near residential areas have all caused serious problems—from failed sound barriers and noise ordinance violations to long-running legal battles. One in Vancouver Island even sued its municipality after an expansion was denied, costing taxpayers millions in legal fees over the years.
These projects don’t just disrupt neighborhoods—they create a permanent burden for local governments, leaving behind a trail of conflict, cost, and community harm.
Questionable Financial Viability
ECMC isn’t a local racetrack—it’s a luxury motorsports club promising nearly $500 million in property value and a destination-scale operation. But independent research and regional comparisons raise serious questions about whether this location can support a project of that scale.
Other Tilke Club of Clubs racetracks are located near major metro areas with deep concentrations of wealth and access to large airports—critical to attracting the elite membership base these clubs rely on:
Atlanta Motorsports Park draws from Atlanta’s large, affluent metro population.
The Concours Club sits in the heart of Miami, one of the wealthiest and most globally connected cities in the U.S.
Motor Enclave (Tampa) and P1 Club (Port St. Lucie) are within two hours of Orlando, Naples, Jupiter, and Palm Beach—all high-income areas with vibrant car cultures and major airports.
DeFuniak Springs and the surrounding Northwest Florida Panhandle, by contrast, are rural and economically limited, with no major airport nearby and a much smaller concentration of high-net-worth individuals within a two-hour radius.
Based on patterns seen in similar motorsports developments, the economic conditions and geographic isolation of this site raise legitimate concerns about the project’s long-term financial viability—and what happens if it fails to deliver.
Land Use Conflicts
The project would require rezoning and land-use changes that many believe conflict with Walton County’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, which are designed to limit urban sprawl and protect rural landscapes.
What is Emerald Coast Motor Club?
ECMC is part of the Tilke Club of Clubs, a global network of private racetrack clubs for high-net-worth members. The Walton County proposal includes:
3.25-mile FIA Grade 2 racetrack for modified street and pro-level cars
Professional karting track
130 “recreational villas” marketed as non-residential but designed as luxury retreats
Trackside two-story garage condos buyers can fully customize—at other Tilke clubs, often used as weekend residences
Private clubhouse with dining, fitness, and driver training facilities
651+ acres of planned pavement, concrete, and construction on elevated, sloped terrain, likely worsening flooding and drainage impacts
This project represents urban-style density and intensive non-residential development in an area intended to remain rural and agricultural.
Why This Racetrack Threatens Walton County
This project is not just a racetrack. It’s a private, high-density luxury compound and entertainment complex—intensely loud and disruptive to surrounding landowners—dropped into the middle of quiet farmland and family homesteads. Here’s why it doesn’t belong here:
Noise Pollution
Track is immediately adjacent to hundreds of rural homes, farms, two churches, and North Walton Doctor’s Hospital is less than a mile away.
“No nighttime racing” and “Limited Operating Hours” sound harmless—until you realize it means 66 hours a week of engine noise, all year long, in the heart of rural neighborhoods.
The 3.5 mile proposed DeFuniak racetrack is shoutin’ distance from hundreds of families.
Infrastructure Burdens
The developer said he plans to extend water and sewer nearly a mile for 40 rezoned acres, while 600+ acres of track, villas, garages, landscaping, and private restaurants will arguably put an additional strain on utilities.
The racetrack site lies directly within the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed.
Environmental Impact
The construction and operation of the racetrack will harm local wildlife and destroy ecosystems.
Environmentally sensitive Blount’s Creek, which runs right through the proposed racetrack site, is home to endangered and protected plants and wildlife, making contamination and habitat loss a direct ecological threat.
Traffic & Safety Hazards
Highway 331, Cuchens Road, Forest Oak Road or Progress Lane –whichever one of these small country-lane roads is selected by the developer as the main club entrance– cannot safely handle a constant barrage of race teams pulling specialty car haulers and race transporters along with member and guest traffic, hospitality rigs, service vehicles and event crowds–no matter how much the developer or county improves the roads.
Property Values
Property values near racetracks drop 10–30% (National Association of Realtors) due to constant noise, traffic, and environmental damage. These losses can make it harder for families to sell their homes, reduce generational wealth, and shift the economic burden of the project onto surrounding landowners.
Would YOU buy a home next to a 3.5 mile professional private racetrack and club?
Community Disruption
The racetrack threatens the rural lifestyle residents’ value and is an insult to the culture and traditions of the community. Daily engine noise, traffic, and activity would replace the peace families have enjoyed for generations, permanently altering quality of life and the community’s character.
Comp Plan/LDC Violations
This project requires questionable rezoning and density changes that arguably violate Walton County’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Codes by encouraging urban sprawl and converting agricultural land to incompatible uses with surrounding properties.
Economic Burden vs. Benefit
The racetrack serves a small group of wealthy members while shifting costs to the community. Taxpayers could bear expenses for utility extensions, road upkeep, and added public services, while nearby property values decline from noise, traffic, and environmental impacts. Most financial benefits flow to the private club, not Walton County residents.
Flooding & Environmental Risks
The property sits on 25%+ wetlands and Flood Zone A; paving and construction will funnel toxic runoff (oil, fuel, brake dust, heavy metals) into Blount’s Creek, adjacent neighborhoods and the Choctawhatchee Bay watershed. The project will have what independent studies estimate to be, an estimated 32% of impervious surface—2X Walton County guidelines, risking floods and runoff
Other Tilke racetracks, like Atlanta Motorsports Park (AMP), began as private clubs during the approval process but quickly expanded—adding public events, nighttime racing, and relaxed noise controls despite early promises. ECMC has made these same promises –no nighttime racing, no nighttime lighting, no PA system, and no public events– history shows more expansions almost always follow.
The Heart of Walton County at Risk
What’s at Stake
Generations of Walton County founding families—Cosson, Burgess, Foreman, Permenter, Cuchins, Evans, Foreman, Sconiers, Dorriety, Blount, Cruickshank, Hafers, and Winegarner, to name a few—have farmed and lived here for decades. ECMC threatens to replace their peaceful rural way of life with relentless daily racing noise, flooding, pollution, and sprawling development.
This isn’t about stopping progress—it’s about keeping growth responsible, protecting our environment, and ensuring development follows Walton County’s Comprehensive Plan, not carves out exceptions for corporate profit.
Our commissioners are under no obligation whatsoever to change the property’s land use and zoning, especially to accommodate a gated project whose out-of-town developers appear to show little or no regard for their neighbors in North Walton County.
More Than 70% of ECMC Adjacent Land is Residential
Disclaimer: Recreated from publicly-available Walton County records.
The racetrack site is surrounded on more than 70% of its border by residential neighborhoods, with hundreds of families and small farms in the Alaqua and Woodlawn communities of DeFuniak Springs. This isn’t remote or industrial land—it’s people’s homes, livelihoods, and rural way of life.
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We regularly post county filings, hearing updates, and research findings so you can see the facts for yourself.
Common Questions About Our Cause
Explore answers to the most pressing questions about the impact of the proposed racetrack on Walton County.
What is the Emerald Coast Motor Club?
Emerald Coast Motor Club (ECMC) is a members-only motorsport country club and luxury entertainment complex with a 3.25-mile racetrack—proposed for 651+ acres in DeFuniak Springs– right in the middle of quiet farmland and family homesteads.
Can DeFuniak Springs residents go to races at ECMC?
No. ECMC is a private members-only club, with hefty membership fees and entry pricing.
Will this racetrack help Walton County’s economy?
Developers claim $3.6 million in tax revenue and 150–200 full-time jobs, but research shows comparable racetrack clubs employ far fewer staff, mostly event-based. Most profits will flow to out-of-county race team support vendors and currently all economic projections by the developer are speculative.
Does the ECMC project comply with county planning rules?
No. Several proposed zoning and land use changes conflict with Walton County’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, which were created to discourage urban sprawl, protect rural landscapes, ensure infrastructure is appropriate for growth, and developments are compatible with the surrounding land.
Will the proposed private racetrack project damage the environment?
Yes. The property sits within the Choctawhatchee Bay Watershed, contains 25+% wetlands, is partially in Flood Zone A, and includes Blount’s Creek, home to protected plant and wildlife species. Paving and heavy construction will worsen flooding, water contamination, and habitat loss.
Join the Movement to Protect Walton County
Help stop a luxury racetrack and entertainment complex from paving over our rural lands, threatening our families, and undermining the county’s planning rules designed to protect this community.