[Neptune7]

I'm thinking of taking an M class in the BMW Center in Thermal CA.

Is this a good school? Also, any recommendations for a good place to stay nearby? The classes appear to start at 6am

[VPRKLR]

I did a class there a few years ago, it was awesome.
It's also pretty hot in the summer.
You will need to stay in Palm Springs, plenty of hotels.

[Ex_Stig]

Originally Posted by Neptune7

I'm thinking of taking an M class in the BMW Center in Thermal CA.

Is this a good school? Also, any recommendations for a good place to stay nearby? The classes appear to start at 6am

The facility is beyond amazing. Thermal is a top notch venue and the eye candy alone is worth the trip.

As for places to stay, ask the Performance Center which hotel they use (I think it changed recently and I can't remember). You might be able to get a discounted rate.

[Neptune7]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

The facility is beyond amazing. Thermal is a top notch venue and the eye candy alone is worth the trip.

As for places to stay, ask the Performance Center which hotel they use (I think it changed recently and I can't remember). You might be able to get a discounted rate.

Thanks! I called BMW and they said they no longer had discounted rates - they did recommend Residence Inn La Quinta. Maybe I'll stay at Palm Springs as the hotels seem nicer there

[calbears]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

The facility is beyond amazing. Thermal is a top notch venue and the eye candy alone is worth the trip.

As for places to stay, ask the Performance Center which hotel they use (I think it changed recently and I can't remember). You might be able to get a discounted rate.

Hotel Paseo in Palm Desert is what they switched to. Great location and great hotel

[Neptune7]

Originally Posted by calbears

Hotel Paseo in Palm Desert is what they switched too. Great location and great hotel

What do you mean by switch to? Do they have an arrangement with them? The rep on the phone said there weren't any discounts.

I'll check out the hotel regardless, thanks

[calbears]

Originally Posted by Neptune7

What do you mean by switch to? Do they have an arrangement with them? The rep on the phone said there weren't any discounts.

I'll check out the hotel regardless, thanks

If you do a 2-day school, it usually includes hotel. I know that's been optional since COVID. That is the price of the school, includes the hotel. The Performance Center used to work with the Miramonte Indian Wells Resort, but that changed just prior to COVID.

[irablumberg]

I plan on taking my "free" 1/2 day class at Thermal some time this winter (when a trip to the desert will be a welcome get away from cold, soggy Portland). I'm sure it will be fun as I did a corporate event at the BMW demo center outside Munich a few years ago.

However, and this is not to denigrate the BMW program, if you are interested in a more serious high speed driving class, I strongly recommend the AMG driving school programs. There are several advantages over the BMW offerings. First, you get to drive the AMG GT cars, including I believe the GT-R which is a more serious sports car than anything BMW offers. Second, you can take the class at some of the best actual race tracks in the US. I have taken AMG classes at Laguna Seca ("aim for the tree" - universal advice for navigating the corkscrew) and COTA. These tracks are amazing and driving on them gives new insight when watching professional races at these venues. Third, depending on the skill level of the drivers in your particular class, when doing the lead/follow exercises that make up the majority of your time, you can hit some really serious speeds. Several years ago at COTA, in a mere AMG GT-S, the class was hitting 140+ on the back straight.

I have done the beginner, intermediate and advanced classes with AMG and fully enjoyed every minute. The only downside is you don't get to do open lapping until the advanced class. Prior to that, it is all lead/follow, but realistically, many of the students aren't ready to solo until the advanced class anyway. One other benefit is that when you complete the advanced class, you are certified for an SCCA license.

For a final aside, one of the other tracks that AMG has used (don't know if they still use it) is Auto Club Speedway and they include the high banked curve. Driving that curve at high speed is a unique experience. Never before have you felt pushed down in your seat with increasing force the faster you go around the curve.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by irablumberg

I plan on taking my "free" 1/2 day class at Thermal some time this winter (when a trip to the desert will be a welcome get away from cold, soggy Portland). I'm sure it will be fun as I did a corporate event at the BMW demo center outside Munich a few years ago.

However, and this is not to denigrate the BMW program, if you are interested in a more serious high speed driving class, I strongly recommend the AMG driving school programs. There are several advantages over the BMW offerings. First, you get to drive the AMG GT cars, including I believe the GT-R which is a more serious sports car than anything BMW offers. Second, you can take the class at some of the best actual race tracks in the US. I have taken AMG classes at Laguna Seca ("aim for the tree" - universal advice for navigating the corkscrew) and COTA. These tracks are amazing and driving on them gives new insight when watching professional races at these venues. Third, depending on the skill level of the drivers in your particular class, when doing the lead/follow exercises that make up the majority of your time, you can hit some really serious speeds. Several years ago at COTA, in a mere AMG GT-S, the class was hitting 140+ on the back straight.

I have done the beginner, intermediate and advanced classes with AMG and fully enjoyed every minute. The only downside is you don't get to do open lapping until the advanced class. Prior to that, it is all lead/follow, but realistically, many of the students aren't ready to solo until the advanced class anyway. One other benefit is that when you complete the advanced class, you are certified for an SCCA license.

For a final aside, one of the other tracks that AMG has used (don't know if they still use it) is Auto Club Speedway and they include the high banked curve. Driving that curve at high speed is a unique experience. Never before have you felt pushed down in your seat with increasing force the faster you go around the curve.

Those classes sound like fun. But the Performance Center also offers Advanced M School (which has taken place at such tracks as VIR, Road Atlanta, and Charlotte. They also have a GT4 experience, where you're lapping the factory racecar. Can be done at Thermal and last month, I did this at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. You can also get your race license with the Performance Center.