11-30-2019, 08:20 PM | #1 |
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High Perf Driving Schools?
I am the new owner of a 2016 228i. Loving it!
I went on a passenger ride with a friend of mine to a charity lap track day and had a blast and considering attending a high perf driving school. I live in NC, VIR and Charlotte tracks are within driving distance as is the BMW location in SC. Has anyone attended one of these that can offer their thoughts/recommendations on the experience? I don't want to do any real racing but improve my general driving and attend some of the high speed track events as a driver. Thanks, Tommy |
12-01-2019, 01:44 AM | #2 | |
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And here is the funniest part: my instructor, a fantastic woman, ended up one of my wife's long lost high school gal pals. Funny how the world works. |
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12-01-2019, 06:25 AM | #3 |
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I've been to quite a few driving events and recommend them to anyone who wants to experience the full range of what our cars can do. Your local BMW chapters sponsor events at VIR and Charlotte and would likely be good clubs to join for an introduction to driving on the track. One advantage BMWCCA events offer is that the club is committed to high-quality instruction of novice and intermediate-level drivers. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to share your on-track experiences with drivers who are driving cars either just like or very similar to your own.
A quick look at the BMWCCA site (https://www.bmwcca.org/) shows that the Tar Heel and Blue Ridge chapters are closest to you: http://www.tarheelbmwcca.org/track.html http://blueridgebmwcca.org/. Let us know here or in the Tracking /Autocrossing section if you have any further questions.
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12-01-2019, 08:47 AM | #4 |
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You're very sensible: I'd always recommend doing some driver training on a track before switching to SPORT+ on a public road. Here's myself and another driver in a Euro 1 Series M140i RWD at Goodwood Race Track in the UK, at the start of the preliminary wet track session, simply taking off as fast as we could. The surface is fairly smooth and obviously wet, but not anything more. After about a half hour we'd progressed to doing reverse J-turns, which up to then I'd thought impossible in an auto - particularly useful for getting away quickly after parking at the supermarket.
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12-01-2019, 08:57 AM | #5 |
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https://www.porschedriving.com/atlanta
there's been some changes in cornering technique in the past few years. a combination of amazing tires and on board data collection. |
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12-01-2019, 10:46 AM | #6 | |
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Tarheel BMW Club is your best choice
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They run a very safe event with a coach in the car the entire weekend. The Sandlapper Chapter of BMW also runs at Carolina Motorsport Park in October. But VIR is a much better track. Join the club, just $30 if not a member of the National BMW Club and see you at the track. Here is the link to the Tarheel BMW Chapter http://www.tarheelbmwcca.org/ |
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12-01-2019, 11:31 AM | #7 |
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Warning: this is extremely habit forming; it is like a crack addiction with a much bigger carbon footprint. No prudent person should consider it, even once. The risk to health and safety (of your bank account, and neighborhood decorum) is just too great. See you on the Tracking pages next summer.....
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12-01-2019, 11:50 AM | #8 | |
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I think I passed 200 days at the track this year, and I'd do another 200 days if I wasn't getting too old to keep it up. AFAIK, that's the only reason to stop. Well, except for running out of money to support this wonderful habit!
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2017 M240i: 23.8K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic; Suntek PPF |
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12-01-2019, 12:24 PM | #9 |
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There's like, some automated safety shutoff to prevent this, right? Like for the low tire pressure..... <nervous laugh...glances at your build summary again...reminds myself that I have willpower and I can stop whenever I want to...>
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12-01-2019, 12:56 PM | #10 |
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Join the PCA (Porsche Club of North America) and attend one of their 2-day HPDE events throughout the year. I used to live in the Raleigh-Durham area and would drive just over an hour to VIR. PCA puts on a great HPDE and welcomes BMWs. VIR is a phenomenal track! I think the BMW CCA does at least 1 HPDE there each year as well...you would have a blast and learn a ton in the process!
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12-01-2019, 01:01 PM | #11 | |
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Excepting common sense (always a variable commodity, so unworthy of discussion here), that's the only shutoff device I'm aware of. Just my 2 cents, of course.
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2017 M240i: 23.8K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic; Suntek PPF |
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12-01-2019, 08:23 PM | #12 | |
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I bought a track (mostly) car as a result and I've done more than half a dozen track days and spent more than a few bucks since. I can't recommend the M school in SC enough.
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12-03-2019, 12:08 PM | #13 | |
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12-04-2019, 10:14 AM | #14 |
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Many thanks for all the responses! Just what I was looking for, I am checking out the BMW club chapter classes next year.
Did you guys who took the BMW class, did you do the one or two day? And if you took the one day did you end up wishing you had done the 2 day course? Tommy |
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12-04-2019, 01:57 PM | #15 | |
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12-04-2019, 03:07 PM | #16 |
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I did one day at the performance center. It was awesome. I'd start with a single day if you haven't done something like that before, you'll be wiped.
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12-04-2019, 03:33 PM | #17 | |
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Please let us know what event you end up doing, and what you thought of it!
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2017 M240i: 23.8K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic; Suntek PPF |
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12-04-2019, 07:59 PM | #18 | ||
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BMW Club M-Days are great value, but different than an HPDE
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- My understanding this is about 70% of the 2-day class. - All the cars are M Cars. M2, M3, M4, M5s - They put two drivers, all fellow BMW Club members from TarHeel or National Chapter in the car. Which is how they keep the cost down. This is a much different experience than driving your own car on a track at speed. But it is a hoot! I have done it twice. I also did 6 days at VIR with my 228i this year. I am very glad I did both. |
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12-04-2019, 09:04 PM | #19 | |||
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12-04-2019, 11:07 PM | #20 |
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AFAIK, you're free to choose which chapter(s) you wish to join. I'm a member of two chapters - one is in Ohio, and the other is in Massachusetts.
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2017 M240i: 23.8K, 28.9 mpg, MT, Sunroof Delete, 3,432#, EB, Leather, Driving Assistance Package, Heated Front Seats | Sold: E12 530i, E24 M635CSi, E39 520i, E30 325is, E36 M3 (2)
TC Kline Coilovers; H&R Front Bar; Wavetrac; Al Subframe Bushings; 18X9/9½ ARC-8s; 255/35-18 PS4S (4); Dinan Elite V2 & CAI; MPerf Orange BBK; Schroth Quick Fit Pro; GTechniq Crystal Serum Ultra Ceramic; Suntek PPF |
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12-05-2019, 08:51 PM | #21 |
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If you're in the VA Beach area, the Tidewater Chapter is the closest. As mentioned, you can choose to be a member of a different chapter. The National Capital Chapter is the largest in the country, and one of the most active. In addition to events at Summit Point & VIR, the chapter has several M Days at the Performance Center (east & west). The NCC M Day events will give you more laps than the PC events.
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12-05-2019, 09:50 PM | #22 | |
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