I attended the One-Day Car Control Clinic at the BMW Performance Center West at the end of October. My views on the class.
Invitation and reservation
Back in April I got an email inviting me to a free one-day course — via their “under the hood”-style newsletter of news, benefits and events. I don’t know their algorithm, but I’m on my second BMW; perhaps that’s why.
I couldn’t reserve online — I had to actually call. Once they explained the class and pointed me to the site listing openings, I picked a date and booking was relatively painless. In my case they picked up the tab for the class only, not accommodation, even though I was flying down from San Jose to Southern California. Several other participants did get accommodation covered, though their situations may have differed.
I have to say: this center is way out in the boonies. It took a long time to get there, no freeway nearby — even the nearest hotels are quite far.
Curriculum
Check-in was smooth; most of my info was preloaded. The day (8:30–4:30) starts with an hour’s classroom lecture on safety, the basics of car control, and the objectives (become better drivers, have fun). Good, but could be half as long — the highlight was a demonstration of weight transfer using a half-empty water bottle. They also covered correct posture: knees at 45 degrees, hands at 9-and-3 (I’m used to 10-and-2), seat back almost upright (closer than I’m used to). One more short talk after lunch; the rest of the day is spent in the cars.
Cars
Eleven people in our class (multiple classes ran concurrently). We were paired up and taken to the cars: 340i M-Sports and M240is, apparently quite new (probably 2019 models). I drive a 340i, so I liked that.
Slalom
First up: cones in a straight line, go around them at increasing speeds. The key is to look where you want to go and hold a steady speed without braking in the turns. Our group did this in the 340s.
Emergency braking
Brake hard enough to trigger ABS, come to a full stop — then turn. At 20 mph we could stop before turning; at 50 mph we were forced to turn. BMW brakes are good. To trigger ABS you have to slam the pedal, not squeeze it. The head-up display helped: eyes on the road while still hitting the right entry speed.
Laps
We switched to the 240s for a small circuit to get comfortable with the cars and track — the most fun part for me. The 240s were very enjoyable; I drifted a little and didn’t post quick times, but boy was it fun. Lesson learned: smoother is faster, and don’t brake during turns — brake before, then power through (braking hard mid-turn got the tail wagging). My co-driver confessed he’d expected us to leave the track several times. We never did — but I clearly wasn’t in full control for the first few rounds.
Lunch
A buffet upstairs with a good view of the track: salad, pasta, sandwiches, dessert, drinks. Pretty good — I only wish there were more vegetarian choices.
Skid pad
After another short lecture, out in the 340s to the wet skid pad for controlled skids. The surface is slippery and they spray it with water; cars slide at 20 mph. After a demo, an instructor rode 1:1 with each of us. I was hopeless — 360s, steering the wrong way, correcting too slowly. I managed 2–3 reasonable maneuvers while others lapped the circle in controlled slides.
Emergency lane change
Change lanes as if an obstacle appeared, then stop: hard left, hard right, straighten, full brake — no braking until the lane change is done. I hit one cone (the same one) almost every time, meaning I was turning right too soon. Increasing speeds, as before.
After a break, back in the 240s for timed laps on the morning circuit. My co-driver left early, so I drove solo and got twice everyone’s rounds. Didn’t help my times 
— my best was 23.882 against a winning 22.865. Not much in it. The fastest lap is the smoothest one, but not necessarily the most fun; drifting is more fun (and slower).
Rat race
Final driving exercise: two cars at opposite ends of a circuit chasing each other. Catch the other car and you win; otherwise first to three laps. Winner stays on. I came in third. Not bad, methinks.
Hot lap
The pièce de résistance: a hot lap in an M5 with an instructor. I hung on for dear life as we slipped, slid and rocketed around at seemingly insane speeds. Absolutely laugh-out-loud fun.
Loot bag
A debrief, prizes for the contest winners, and loot bags for all.
Muslim friendliness
As mentioned, the lunch could use more vegetarian options. I didn’t need to pray on site (traveling, I combine the midday and afternoon prayers, so I had time to get back to the hotel), but I imagine there was plenty of space to do so.
Parting thoughts
All in all: I learnt some things, but most of all had a lot of fun. Well worth it.
Originally posted on the old ReviewSity, October 2018.