On December 1 the BMW Performance Center announced several new additions to its curriculum, including combined classroom and track packages using the M4 GT4 customer race car, and a new SCCA-Certified Race Licensing School. The new programs will be run at The BMW Performance Center West in Thermal, California.
There are three M4 GT4 experience packages. BMW’s description of each follows:
BMW M And M4 GT4 Experience
A full-day program includes driving various BMW M cars and the M4 GT4 race car. Students start with a classroom session that reviews proper driving technique. After an overview of the car, they are outfitted with a racing suit and helmet. Then it’s time to experience this amazing machine on one of the Thermal Club’s world class racetracks. Students run guided laps behind a BMW instructor to experience the M4 GT4 at speeds up to 140 mph. This is the exact customer race car offered by BMW Motorsport.
In addition, the class includes:
- VBOX data and video system in the M4 GT4 to record the session.
- Access to professional instructors, trackside crew, and support.
- All driving gear for the duration of the class including racing suit, helmet, gloves, and shoes.
- Lunch at the BMW Performance Center café.
- Insurance, with a $2,500 deductible for vehicle or property damage.
The program is priced at $2,795.
M4 GT4 Private Coaching With Data And Video – 125 Or 250 Miles Of Lapping
The programs are identical except for the amount of lapping time. Both start with a classroom session that reviews proper driving technique before the student is fitted out for the M4 GT4 session.
The class includes:
- VBOX data and video system in the M4 GT4 to record the session.
- Time in the BMW M4 GT4 race car, one professional instructor, and trackside support.
- All driving gear for the duration of the class including racing suit, helmet, gloves, and shoes.
- Lunch at the BMW Performance Center café.
- Insurance, with a $2,500 deductible for vehicle or property damage.
- More miles can be purchased on the day of training. The program is designed for one driver. However, two drivers sharing a car can be arranged upon request.
- The schedule is flexible. Please call 888-345-2269, and one of the BMW Performance Center driving instructors will reply to answer any questions and schedule the coaching session. Discounts are not allowed for this program
The 125-mile option is priced at $4,995, and the 250-mile option is priced at $9,995.
Race Licensing School: The Path To Professional
BMW says that, “For those who desire more training after the Advanced M School or Two-Day M School, the BMW Performance Center now offers an SCCA-certified school to take the first steps to becoming a pro driver. Students can even add this one-day school to an Advanced M School or Two-Day M School session and get qualified all at once.”
What will be learned:
- Learn the colors, like green, yellow, and red. No, there aren’t any traffic lights on the track, but there are flags, and you’ll learn what each represents while you’re out there to maintain safety.
- Passing—Don’t let off. It starts off with you in a BMW, behind your instructor in theirs. They will coach you through the art of passing under both braking and acceleration. Then, we’ll bring on a classmate and coach you both as you battle for first place.
- Keep rolling—Practice race starts. In racing, how you start can impact how you finish, and we’ll show you how to get started right in a grid set up, as well as rolling starts. Learn how to navigate with other cars on track while setting up for that first turn.
The race school is priced at $2,495.
Schedules and more detailed descriptions of the programs noted here and other BMW Performance Center programs are available on the Performance Center website. Courses can be booked online or by calling 1-888-345-4BMW.—Brian Morgan
[Photo courtesy BMW NA.]