BMW M SCHOOL
BECOME MASTER OF M
The modern BMW M car is so capable, with a TwinPower Turbo engine, sport-tuned suspension and M xDrive all-wheel drive, that you’ll be astonished by what it can do on track. Our pro instructors guide you over the course of one or two full days, and by the time it’s all over, you’ll see just what M (and you) can do.
Unleash True M Power
PRO DRIVING INSTRUCTION
Our professional driving instructors have years of racing experience and are with you every step of the way, offering feedback and encouragement via radio. They’ll always perform the initial exercises with you, demonstrating everything from proper seating positions to the best way through a corner.
REACH YOUR OWN LIMITS
We practice challenge by choice, so you’re always at a level of performance that you feel comfortable with. Our instructors provide instant feedback and positive reinforcement while encouraging each driver to have a little fun. Okay, maybe more than a little.
A LITTLE PHYSICS, A LOT OF FUN
Your day begins in the classroom, where our instructors will go over the basics of your experience. Everything from the proper seating position to how far ahead you need to look will be covered.
SKILLS AS ONLY WE CAN TEACH THEM
Our closed course is the perfect place to understand what happens when you lose you control of a car and how far down the road you need to look. These are skills that you’ll be able to call upon for the rest of your driving life.
YOUR RACE PACE
Our lessons are all about pace – picking up the pace as you feel comfortable and going at your own pace for each driving exercise. It’s not about how fast you go here but how well you can keep it all under control.
CONE THRONE
Our fun obstacle courses include cones and slick surfaces, giving students a first-hand look at what happens when a car suddenly stops doing what they think it will do.
PRO DRIVING INSTRUCTION
Our professional driving instructors have years of racing experience and are with you every step of the way, offering feedback and encouragement via radio. They’ll always perform the initial exercises with you, demonstrating everything from proper seating positions to the best way through a corner.
REACH YOUR OWN LIMITS
We practice challenge by choice, so you’re always at a level of performance that you feel comfortable with. Our instructors provide instant feedback and positive reinforcement while encouraging each driver to have a little fun. Okay, maybe more than a little.
PREPARE FOR THE DRIVE OF YOUR LIFE
Handling Course
These tracks are set up to be short, with aggressive turns that require a balance between throttle and brake. You’ll learn this dance by looking as far ahead as possible and planning the proper drive lines through compromise corners.
Skid Pad
Take one M car, subtract grip. Feel the difference between understeer and oversteer, and learn to control the back of the car with steering and throttle. It’s called CPR, or Correct, Pause and Recover, and it will give your heart a jump start.
Timed Autocross
Once you’ve mastered handling, you’ll head back in the afternoon for some timed runs against the other drivers. Smoothness is the key here. Win the day and you’ll be Master of M.
High-Speed Lapping
Take all the skills you’ve learned and combine them for a high-speed lapping session. This builds up to a high speed lapping session putting altogether under guided instruction to build stronger and better skills through each pass.
Corner Entry
It’s not how you start – actually, it is. Entering a corner properly will allow you to exit faster, so you’ll practice entering a single 90-degree turn to focus on braking, vision, steering, apexing and acceleration through the corner exit.
Rat Race
A wet asphalt oval, and you lined up on the opposite side of your foe. Step on it and see if you can catch up to them. But be alert – no traction control allowed here.
Section Training
During the second day of Two-Day M School, you’ll separate the track into two sections – the inner loop and outer loop. Then you’ll combine them into a full afternoon lapping session.
Figure 8
This Two-Day M School activity has you in a cloverleaf layout on the skid pad, where you’ll smoothly connect drifting transitions. It’s like ballet but with more horsepower.
Hot Laps
Just how good are our pro instructors? They’ll be happy to show you. Hop into an M car with one and go for a full lap of our BMW track. It’s breathtaking, inspiring and unlike anything you’ve experienced.
ONE-DAY BMW M SCHOOL, OR TWO?
Pro instructors, the most advanced BMWs and our closed course – it’s all here for both one-day and two-day events.
| Event | ONE-DAY M SCHOOL | TWO-DAY M SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| Handling Course | ||
| Skid Pad | ||
| Timed Autocross | ||
| High-Speed Lapping | ||
| Rat Race | ||
| Hot Laps | ||
| Double High-Speed Lead/Follow | ||
| Section Training | ||
| Clover |
ONE-DAY BMW M SCHOOL
Your day begins in the classroom for important racing concepts and driving information. Then it’s track time with Skid Pad, Corner Entry and Handling Course. After lunch, test your skills with our Rat Race, Timed Autocross and Lead/Follow exercises. End with a breathtaking Hot Lap.
TWO-DAY BMW M SCHOOL
Everything during the first day remains the same, but the second will ramp up the intensity with extra Lead/Follow sessions, the clover and Section Training.
Ready for even more? Try Advanced M School in our Thermal location. And once you graduate from Two-Day M School or Advanced M School, you’ll be eligible for Race License School, again exclusively at Thermal.
BOOK YOUR BMW M SCHOOL
BMW One-Day M School
$2,099
Agenda
Schedule Subject to Change
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Arrival, registration
8:30 am-9:40 am
Class discussion
9:40 am-12:00 pm
Track time
12:00 pm-1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm-1:20 pm
Classroom
1:20 pm-3:40 pm
Track time
3:40-4:00 pm
Hot laps and closing
SUMMER AGENDA
Valid from June 1 – September 13.
6:00 am - 6:30 am
Arrival, registration
6:30 am - 7:30 am
Class discussion
7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Drive time
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Lunch
Upcoming BMW One-Day M School Driving Events
BMW Two-Day M School
$4,100
Agenda - Day One
Schedule Subject to Change
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Registration Check-in
8:30 am - 9:40 am
Arrival and registration
9:40 am - 12:00 pm
Track time
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Classroom
1:15 pm- 4:00 pm
Track time
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Closing and M School dinner
Agenda - Day Two
Schedule Subject to Change
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Arrival
8:30 am - 9:40 am
Class discussion
9:40 am - 12:00 pm
Drive time
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm- 1:15 pm
Classroom
1:15 pm - 3:40 pm
Track time
3:40 pm - 4:00 pm
Hot Laps and closing
See summer hours - valid from June 1 - September 13
Upcoming BMW Two-Day M School Driving Events
GIVE THEM THE GIFT OF EXCITEMENT
Give someone a driving gift they’ll never forget. Good toward any class, each BMW gift card is delivered electronically, so it’s also perfect for last-minute gift giving.
SWEET SPEED DREAMS
With so much to see and do outside the track, you’ll want to turn your speedy adventure into a full-on South Carolina vacation.
THE THERMAL CLUB
Set against the backdrop of a beautiful mountain range, The Thermal Club is an exclusive racetrack location that offers three unique layouts, plus our own challenge course to encourage maximum thrills.
Learn about the track
HOTELS, DINING AND MORE
Downtown Palm Springs is just 35 miles from the Thermal Club, and it’s filled with luxurious hotel and dining options. You can also get a discount for your stay if you book with a lodging partner.
Explore the Palm Springs area and hotelsBMW M SCHOOL AT A GLANCE
Where does the BMW M School take place?
We currently have two locations in California and South Carolina.
BMW Performance Driving School West
86-050 Jasper Lane, Thermal, CA 92274
(888) 345-4269
Is the BMW Performance Driving School affiliated with area hotels?
Please visit our Hotels page for more information.
Will I be doing full lapping of the track?
We section off our track into various configurations for each exercise. Our Two-Day M School features Lead/Follow lapping sessions on the high-speed track.
How old do you need to be to participate in BMW M School?
You must be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license.
Which cars will I drive in BMW M School?
We have the latest BMW M models, including the M2, M3, M4 and M5 in our fleet. Availability will vary, based on the class and exercise.
Can I drive my own M car on the track?
No. Only official BMW Performance Driving School cars are allowed on track.
Are instructors in the car with me?
No. Instructors will communicate with you via two-way radio.
Am I driving alone or with another participant in the car?
Both One M School and Two-Day M School have you alone in a BMW M car.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations for a full refund must be made within 60 days of your payment date. Cancellations made after the 60 days of payment will receive a credit to use toward another date or event. There will be no rescheduling if the cancellation is made within 14 days of your school or event.
I’ve purchased the M Driver’s Package – can I upgrade to an M School class?
Yes, you can use the credit from the BMW M Driver’s Package toward a One-Day M School (complimentary) or Two-Day M School for an additional charge. Please call 888-345-4269 for more information.
