Home for the Drive: Rally Point East

The Hamptons is home to some of the world’s most affluent individuals where having it all means you can also have it all - including a large arsenal of recreational, adrenaline-pumping toys to play with on the weekend.

But there isn’t quite anything like the newest members club that has lists of the elite knocking at the door to get in. Make sure you buckle up and fill out your application – this is Rally Point East.

A first of its kind, this premium members-based club located in the Hamptons is centered around the automotive experience. The energy of the club is to speak directly to those who call themselves passionate car enthusiasts, in any sense of the form. From F1 fans, classic and vintage restorers or those who strive to pack their garage full of the latest and greatest hypercars, you’ll never know who-owns-what sitting next to you. The idea, which came to founders Chris and Kelly DiJorio about a year ago after searching for something similar to enjoy stemmed from the true passion of petrol and bonds formed between a member’s club. Providing a destination to drive is one thing, but paring it with a stunning space to both work and play, climate-controlled car storage, and exceptional roster of seasonal programming, Rally Point East has taken a bespoke approach to re-envisioning your typical motoring club.

The first and only facility of its kind is located within the private Gabreski Airport, just a short distance from the Hampton Hills Golf Club and notable vacation destinations. Chosen for its accessible location to points across Long Island and beyond the club definitely intrigues you from the minute you pull up. Greeted by a tastefully designed lobby just adjacent to the members private conference room and business center, you enter to a vast, utilitarian warehouse facility all designed with a sense of warmth and purpose in design. The space is finished with polished concrete floors and white walls that present an almost gallery-like stage splashed with unique automotive memorabilia and curated works throughout. In partnership with brands like Gallery Momentum, Paul Oz, After the Race, House of Spoils and Maranello Design you will see hand-selected pieces from their collections along with curated reading materials from Retromotive artfully gracing the sleek surfaces. Speaking of surfaces, Lichen, the Brooklyn-based design firm, designed and outfitted the space with historically significant pieces representative of automotive club culture. Master and Dynamic has fully outfitted the club’s audio system and the team has also gone so far as to curate a signature scented candle by Hamptons Handpoured and a hand-selected Club Roast coffee from Hampton Coffee. The coffee can be enjoyed at their coffee bar, along with a highly tailored selection of other beverages -- all non-alcoholic of course -- as this club does involve driving both physically, and even virtually on one of their two racing simulators. We’re not sure what is more unique: that you can project and view any race you desire across the expansive wall or dine next to an ever-changing array of modern and classic supercars that are set right inside.

What’s even more captivating than the space is the list of inaugural programming to take place.

With the increased number of New Yorkers who have made The Hamptons their new permanent home, a new community of clientele has begun to search for new ways to spend their time, places to meet and the ideal places for enthusiasts to convene. Following the initial Rally Point East opening announcement, the club’s traction gained an immense amount of interest, so much so that we were told to-date they are ‘way more than pleased’ with the membership rate, but as a club would not disclose the current number. Following the completion of your application process and brief interview, your yearly dues are collected which are in the several-thousand(s) and admittance is granted. When we said that people are lining up to get in, we meant literally. Applications are rushing in with such rapidity that they cannot keep up. The first group of founding members was invited to join the launch event rally that took place at the end of March to signify the kickoff and the beginning of something bigger yet to come.

Last week, Rally Point East teamed up with Manhattan Motorcars to hold their first charitable rally. Along with partners like Abushi, Berkshire Hathaway International Realty, The Baker House 1650, Diane Hendricks Catering and The MJS Groupe, the event aimed at helping raise funding for St. Mary’s Hospital for Children. With registrants entering both their vehicles and a donation into the roster, all participants gathered at the Manhattan Motorcars Porsche Dealership in New York and were greeted by Robert Marchhart, Director of Marketing for the dealership group, along with Rosco Abushi, owner of Abushi Automotive and Robert Heicklen, advocate for St. Mary’s. Following the welcome breakfast, attendees started their engines and began the 86 mile drive out east. Over 50 cars participated in the day’s rally event which included a few notable novelties like a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder, Lamborghini Huracan Performante & Aventador SV, Ferrari Testarossa, Custom Restored Ford Bronco, 2019 GT3 RS, Lamborghini Gallardo signed by Valentino Balboni and Roll-Royce Wraith along with several other Ferraris, Porsches and Aston Martins.

The day wouldn’t have been complete without a member’s pre-rally happening in tandem, which started from the Rally Point East location taking a more local route and having both groups convene back at the same time.  Welcoming members, VIPs and friends of the club, guests were invited to view the 65 cars that were on display both inside and out as well as to enjoy a scrumptious brunch selection crafted by Chef Diane Hendricks.

In total, the members and attendees raised just under $10,000 for the charity, which will be part of an ongoing mission for the St. Mary’s advocate Robert Heicklen. 

Rally Point East offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences for their members, much like being a part of a charitable rally, and to even hold a rally of their own private event. In addition, the club is envisioned as the home for many new luxe events like car launches, fashion week events, art installations and brand activations. In the queue are events like an exclusive Ferrari F8 Tributo and Ferrari Roma test drive event by Ferrari Long Island, Brunch & F1 Screening and the much-anticipated reveal and drive event of the Bugatti Chiron Sport and Chiron Pur Sport.

This is where you come to feel at home amidst a tight-knit community of individuals with an unwavering passion for all things automotive. A home, your home for the drive.

Michael J. Snell Luxury Contributor Polo Lifestyles 2021