Flying Lizard Motorsports, 16-time sports car racing champions, is relocating its central operations from Sonoma, California, to a new 15,000-square-foot facility at Apex Motor Club in Maricopa, 35 minutes southwest of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and less than an hour drive from downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The 280-acre private membership motorsports club provides high-tier racing facilities, private garages and professional driver training.
In 2004, founder Seth Neiman entered the Flying Lizard Motorsports team in the American Le Mans Series, competing in the GT class until 2012. The following year, the team moved to the GTC class, while also competing at the 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Daytona and eight times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Neiman sold the team in 2014 to members Darren Law, Thomas Blam and Tommy Sadler; with his guidance, they had earned three team- and three driver-championship titles. The new owners began running two Audi R8 LMS in the TUDOR Championship; the following year, they added two Porsches in Porsche Club racing.
The Flying Lizard team finished the 2015 season winning at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill with Toyo Tires, repeating this in 2016, 2017, and 2018. In the 2020 season, they secured four titles in the GT4 America championship.
The team has become a customer racing effort, supported by clientele in the Valley, throughout the country and worldwide. Sadler is now technical director, Blam team manager and Law program manager.
The new facility at Apex, which should be complete in third quarter 2023, will also allow Flying Lizard Motorsports to offer on-track testing and driver-development opportunities for professional and amateur customers; this was less convenient in the former location, where the team will continue to operate from four shops at Sonoma Raceway until the move is complete.
“Sonoma has been an amazing home for us, but as our team continues to grow, our organization needs a central headquarters with room to grow, and the Apex facility perfectly fits the bill,” says Law. “Apex is really an ideal location for us because both myself and one of my business partners, Tommy Sadler, live locally. The racing community in the area is larger than one would expect, and it is rare that a race facility is in a location such as this.”
Matt Williams, managing partner and vice president of Apex, adds, “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Flying Lizard to Apex.” Jason Plotke is company co-principal.
Apex Motor Club has become a destination for privateer teams, automotive enthusiasts and manufacturer track-day programs. Currently, Williams and Plotke are expanding the 2.27-mile circuit with a 3,400-foot straightaway that will become a 4.20-mile, multiple-configuration circuit with elevation changes and banking corners.
“Our development has always been about being the best, and our association with the Lizards is one more instance of that,” Williams says. “We look forward to working cooperatively with them on the final design of our second track as well as utilizing their input on member activities and driver education.”
The team will also work with the facility as the development of the property continues, providing input as a successful customer racing program, Law explains.
“This is a great move for Flying Lizard. Our program has seen a lot of changes over the last few years, and it has only made our business more successful,” he says. “It will be great to have all our cars and programs under one roof and in a brand-new and popular facility!”
For more information, see lizardms.com and apexmotorclub.com.
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