[e34brian]

Hey everyone!
Due to the great interest we had last time, I set up another track day for the BMW owners of Orange County at the BMW Performance Track in Palm Springs, CA. The cars, gas, tires, brakes, etc. are provided by BMW. YOU ARE NOT TRACKING YOUR OWN CAR, CARS WILL BE PROVIDED.

It is a full-day event (6:30am-1pm) with lunch provided. Date is Sunday, August 6th, 2023. Cost is below. PM me for payment options. Feel free to bring guests, spectators are free, but guests on track will need to purchase a spot.

Track Info:
- After a 30 minute driver's meeting:
- 5 hrs of performance driving (I believe Z4 M40i, M2 Competition, X5M, etc.), autocross (2022 M240i Coupe), drag race (I believe X3M, M550i, M850i), and big track with the G80 M3 Competition
- Event is in their cars, not your own! No need to worry about your car, brakes, tires, or gas.
- If it's your first time on track or want to learn car control, this is the best way to start. Also a great networking opportunity with like-minded BMW enthusiasts in Southern California!

Price is as follows:
Normal pricing: Booked by July 2nd - $660
Late pricing: Booked by July 30th - $670

This is a great price. I worked out a special price with BMW for our group, booking individually is $1k, and through BMW CCA is $800 as far as I know. Hope you can join us!

[1Boxer]

Is anything like this ever done is Northern California? I would love to attend but can't get away from work and family to go play around with cars, even though I would love to just drive down there for the weekend in my X5. If not, I might just have to make the trip and make it a work related activity..

[e34brian]

Originally Posted by 1Boxer

Is anything like this ever done is Northern California? I would love to attend but can't get away from work and family to go play around with cars, even though I would love to just drive down there for the weekend in my X5. If not, I might just have to make the trip and make it a work related activity..

Unfortunately only two tracks BMW have are in Thermal, CA and South Carolina. We had a few people from NorCal come last time and several from NorCal this time! Would love to have you join us!

[goobies818]

Not that it matters too much but I would just add the performance center isn't really in Palm Springs, and rather past Indio (site of Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals).

Drive time between downtown Palm Springs and the Thermal Club is around 45 mins. there isn't much in terms accommodations in the immediate vicinity to the performance center.

I stayed in Indian Wells when i had my performance center experience this time last year.

[e34brian]

Originally Posted by goobies818

Not that it matters too much but I would just add the performance center isn't really in Palm Springs, and rather past Indio (site of Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals).

Drive time between downtown Palm Springs and the Thermal Club is around 45 mins. there isn't much in terms accommodations in the immediate vicinity to the performance center.

I stayed in Indian Wells when i had my performance center experience this time last year.

Yup! I mentioned Thermal in the post above yours Just figured out-of-state people would understand the general location of Palm Springs better! Great note though, thank you!

[Hammerhead13579]

Is this a custom class? Or just the standard 1-day driving school? I couldn't find anything on their website that had a full day of those activities you described for $1000

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Dumb q - how does insurance work? Is it included or need to buy separately?

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by alanzyy

Dumb q - how does insurance work? Is it included or need to buy separately?

It's in BMW's cars, not yours. It's all included in the price.

[aaaaaaaaaz]

Originally Posted by GerryC

It's in BMW's cars, not yours. It's all included in the price.

I see, does it work like a rental that they claim against your insurance, or more of a “damage waiver” kind of thing?

These car would definitely be very expensive if damaged…

[eelnoraa]

This is heck of a deal. If you use your own entry level BMW on such a similar events the maintenance you need to spend will be more than $1000. They give your M cars to drive, and came with quality instructors and briefing debriefing.

As for safety, it is like air travel vs car travel, safety record in track event is a lot higher than average American road traffic. People generally know what they are doing, plus there are strict rules to follow on track. You can get kicked out for the first reckless action observed.

[tdlutz24]

Originally Posted by Hammerhead13579

Is this a custom class? Or just the standard 1-day driving school? I couldn't find anything on their website that had a full day of those activities you described for $1000

The $1000 1 day course is offered at the South Carolina site. They also have 2 day events.

https://bmwperformancecenter.com/driverschool

[GerryC]

Originally Posted by alanzyy

I see, does it work like a rental that they claim against your insurance, or more of a “damage waiver” kind of thing?

These car would definitely be very expensive if damaged…

I've never heard of them going after anyone for damages. They're running a driving school. It's not racing. They're all about safety. The only thing I've seen damaged are the plastic cones.

As long as you listen to the instructor and do as you're told, you'll be fine.

[tdlutz24]

Originally Posted by GerryC

I've never heard of them going after anyone for damages. They're running a driving school. It's not racing. They're all about safety. The only thing I've seen damaged are the plastic cones.

As long as you listen to the instructor and do as you're told, you'll be fine.

The instructors at the Spartanburg facility were sharing experiences of a few of the wrecks that happened, (very few) but all they do is pull out another car for the driver and move on. They have over 135 cars available to use in SC