What Construction of a 750-Acre Racetrack Actually Looks Like

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When evaluating the proposed DeFuniak Racetrack, also known as Emerald Coast Motor Club, one of the most important questions is simple:

What does a private motorsports facility of this size actually look like while it’s being built?

To understand that, we can look at a comparable project: P1 Motor Club.

P1 is being developed on approximately 650 acres, similar in scale to the now 750-acre footprint described for the proposed Private Racetrack in DeFuniak.

Their public construction updates show:

• Massive land clearing and earthmoving

• Multi-mile paved racing surfaces

• Infrastructure for multiple circuits (main track, drift, karting, rally)

• Large-scale drainage systems

• Heavy equipment operating across hundreds of acres

• Members already driving on portions of the property during phased development

This is not light construction. It is industrial-level site transformation.

A Key Question for Walton County

At P1, members are already driving on a cross track while the full circuit and amenities are still under construction.

That raises a reasonable question:

If Emerald Coast Motor Club follows a similar phased model, will racing activity begin before full buffers and mitigation measures are installed?

That question deserves a clear public answer before any approvals move forward.

And to be clear:

The DeFuniak Racetrack has NOT been approved.

The Emerald Coast Motor Club proposal still faces zoning reviews, environmental evaluation, public hearings, and regulatory hurdles. There are significant steps remaining.

Understanding what 650–750 acres of racetrack construction looks like — and how phased activation typically works — is essential before a decision is made.

Because once land is cleared and asphalt is poured, there is no undo button.