Hey folks - I just attended day one of the two day performance driving school being offered by BMW in California (California Speedway in Fontana). It was so much fun it must be illegal, immoral or fattening - I'm not sure which . Seriously though, all of the instructors are professional drivers, provide excellent guidance and they are more than happy to explain any differences between rear and front wheel drive cars. The cars are all new BMW's and are provided. At $895, for two days with lots of wheel time it is one of the best values going. I know there are more classes scheduled over the next couple of weeks so if you get the chance I highly recommend it.

PS - I do not work for BMW and am a vocal as anybody in their general over-pricing for services. This is one occasion where they have gotten it right.

 

I'll check to see what they have in the Midwest, if nothing shows up it could definitely be worth a trip west.

 

The BMW CCA puts on great driving schools across the country. Anyone interested should definatly check them out.

 

Day two was even better - cannot stop smiling

 

I'm ready to go, I'll definitely be checking into it.

 

Check out the "Driver's school" forum. Join the BMW CCA, attend their schools, get hooked and enjoy!

mb

 

There's not a BMW CCA close, but I'll keep an eye out. Thanks.

 

Sure there is: BMW CCA's Hoosier Chapter, based in Indy, puts on a school every April at Putnam Park, near Greencastle, about 2 1/2 hours drive from Fort Wayne.

Other regional BMW chapters put on numerous schools throughout the season at Grattan, Gingerman, Mid Ohio and again at Putnam Park. All of these tracks are within 3 hours drive of you. We always have plenty of Minis attending our schools these days.

The next, and last, school of the season in this area is at Mid Ohio the last weekend of October.

Feel free to PM me if you need more info. But be warned: it's addictive!

Neil
Chief Instructor, Hoosier Chapter BMW CCA
05 MCS
96 M3

 

I have only been to the Saab driving class that was offered in the UK 4 years ago when I was visiting family. If the BMW class is anything like the Saab one, it is deffinately worth the price of admission. A must-attend for anyone interested in performance driving.
The Saab class required you to be a recent Saab owner to attend the class though. Is it the same for this one?

 

Is there anything like the BMW CCA driving class, but with Minis?

 

Interesting, I visited the BMW CCA site and entered a search based on my zip and it showed the closest chapter being in Michigan. Thanks for the info, I'll track down the link and save the page in my Mini favorites.

 

You're welcome to bring MINIs to BMW CCA classes.

 

Phil Wick's is probably the closest to an all MINI-centric class. Most of his instructors are MINI owners too (and some participate in the forums here and on MINI2)...

Not sure though how his classes compare to a BMWCCA class cost/driving time wise...

 

Well not sure how fare you are willing to drive but Skip Barber puts on a two day driving school at Road America in Elkhart Lake Wis. which is awsome!!!!!


Here is a link.

http://www.skipbarber.com/

Good stuff and boy is it great!

 

Thanks a bunch, I have saved the link.

 

Fort Wayne techically falls into the Michiana Chapter's area. However they're essentially based in Michigan, and while they do auto-X they haven't held any track schools since the late 90's. So although I'm in Fort Wayne also, I belong to the Hoosier Chapter because track events are my principal interest.

You can choose to belong to any BMW CCA Chapter you want, or even to several (with slight extra membership dues). You do need to belong to attend a BMW CCA school, but you don't need to own a BMW - thus neatly sidestepping the question of whether a Mini is a BMW or not! - and you don't need to belong to the organizing Chapter.

There's a national events calendar on the BMW CCA central web site, but you have to belong to access that area.

Neil
05 MCS
96 M3

 

I'll be watching the Hoosier chapter and watching for events, thanks for the info.

 

Hi Boneman. I have been a BMW CCA instructor for about 15 years and I feel we have an excellent DE program with lots of bang-for-the-buck. I'm across the country from you (Mississippi) but our typical driver's school at a premium track(i.e.Road Atlanta, Barber Motorsports Park) is about $350-400, at a lesser track (Roebling Road) from $225-275. You do use your own vehicle in our format and you must have a 2000 Snell SA rated helmet. This price usually includes about 4 hours of track time, and 2 hours of classroom.

If nothing else this gives folks an alternative. BMW ownership is not required to be a member of the BMW CCA (Car Club of America). Just $40 per year for an excellent magazine that includes periodic articles about tne new Mini.

Godspeed,

Lee Cornett

 

Phil puts together a nice school, but his prices have really shot up since he went to his MINI racing circuit. He charges a lot more now for a one day HPDE [proportionately speaking] than most BMWCCA schools charge for 2 day school.

 

That's why I've not done the Phil Wicks DE. The closest one was a 4+ hour drive, compared to 1 hour to Road Atlanta. The cost was almost double the BMW CCA school, so for way less drive time and the same amount of money I can do 2 BMW Schools, so no brainer for me.
If Phil Wicks ever offers a DE at Road Atlanta or Barber, I'd reconsider, but I've heard the insurance at those 2 tracks is the issue?
Annette

 

Hi Annette. I saw your post and had to comment since I met you Sunday at Road Atlanta! I can't speak for the insurance but I know that the track rental fees are ENORMOUS at the two aforementioned tracks. If I'm not mistaken, Barber is $15k DAILY! That's why these two schools cost so much more than some of the others. You might consider Roebling Road at Savannah, Ga in February with 'CCA. It is usually in the $250 range for a 2 day school.

Take care and thanks for pointing me to NAM.

Lee