Performance Driving - Teen School

[Raz335]

I agree that it's one of the best things you could do before your kids get out on the open road. Knowing how to respond in emergency situations and not freaking out if the wheels cut loose (ie slamming on the brakes) is extremely important in everyday driving. The only downside is the extra expense of them getting hooked on driving events :-)

[ksflatlander]

It would be GREAT if every new driver was required to know those things you mentioned! I've been to the M School and they do a great job instructing.

Kudo's to you for educating your kids and putting some decent drivers on the road. We all know all too well that "many" drivers on the road have no clue what they are doing.

I wish it was much harder to get a license!!

[mamadub]

Chris, I'm so happy to hear the kids liked the school and learned some valuable information. You are a cool dad!

[SchnellM3]

Glad to hear that they had a great time! Sounds like your son will be doing HPDE's with you before you know it

[CBS]

Originally Posted by Raz335

I agree that it's one of the best things you could do before your kids get out on the open road. Knowing how to respond in emergency situations and not freaking out if the wheels cut loose (ie slamming on the brakes) is extremely important in everyday driving. The only downside is the extra expense of them getting hooked on driving events :-)

Thank you - Yes, I should have realized that they would want more! $$$$!

Originally Posted by ksflatlander

It would be GREAT if every new driver was required to know those things you mentioned! I've been to the M School and they do a great job instructing.

Kudo's to you for educating your kids and putting some decent drivers on the road. We all know all too well that "many" drivers on the road have no clue what they are doing.

I wish it was much harder to get a license!!

I agree, Accident Avoidance Skills are not required to obtain a License and it was these skills that the BMW Teen School concentrated on.

Originally Posted by mamadub

Chris, I'm so happy to hear the kids liked the school and learned some valuable information. You are a cool dad!

Thanks very much Cheryl! And YOU are one Very Cool Mom!!!

Originally Posted by SchnellM3

Glad to hear that they had a great time! Sounds like your son will be doing HPDE's with you before you know it

Thanks Zach! My Son has already joined me at my local track (Pocono Int'l Raceway). Looks like I may have two Daughters now interested in joining too! My Wife is not too pleased with me, she didn't think (and nor did I, silly me!) that the Teen School would ignite their passion for more Driving Schools! Apparently the Apple doesn't fall too far from the Tree (God Bless their future Husbands!).

[GT3 Tim]

Originally Posted by CBS

It makes my heart glad that my 4 Teenagers are into their Cars! I feel I have partially succeeded as a Parent (LOL).

On February 11th and 12th I really get to influence them when I take 3 of them to PDC for the 2 day Teen School. My Wife took our oldest last year. This year I get to go. Has anyone done this - what can I expect? I assume they don't want me hanging around so is the Factory open during the weekend?

For background: I have attended PDC Car Control and M School. Very cool.

Thank you,

Chris

I have instructed at the local BMW Teen Driving Clinic here in the Sacramento area before. I am sure all of the schools/clinics are a bit different. At any rate, parents were welcome to hang out and watch. Here is what our local event consisted of:

1 day event -- Students bring their own cars

Four Station they rotated through throughout the day:

Emergency lane change and getting used to ABS, or threshold braking.
Slalom
Wet Skid Pad
Auto-X Course (fairly short)

We had four groups of kids that rotated through each station. I followed my group and rarely instructed the same student twice.

I was amazed as how fast the kids picked up on everything. I was especially impressed with the female drivers. Most went from timid to being wonderful at car control. The boys tended to think they knew "how to drive" already and were not as receptive to input, but still learned a great deal. One girl that sticks in my mind was about 17 years old was literally drifting here mid-sized SUV through the slalom at the end of the day. It was awesome to watch her go from very unsure and timid to slamming the car through the slalom, probably as fast as I could.

It is WELL WORTH IT to put your kids into this sort of program. They will learn how to control their OWN car, not some pricey, well-balanced BMW (unless they are lucky enough to have one). It could save their lives someday....my kid will definitely be attending one (ie: several) once she is old enough.

[CBS]

^ Fully agreed Tim and thanks for sharing your experience. Sounds very similar to what BMW put on.

My Kids were intimidated by the skid pad initially but by the second day were having a blast drifting through it.

My Daughters actually did much better than I expected and had a similar experience to what you saw. They want more!

All of them want to now take M School and join me at BMW HPDE's!

[CBS]

UPDATE: Taking my last Teenager to Teen School next weekend.

Finally all of my Kids (4) will have gone through BMW's 2 Day Teen School. She was scheduled to go a few weeks back but had to reschedule (fine with me, I get to return to Mecca!).

Anybody want aything????

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by CBS

UPDATE: Taking my last Teenager to Teen School next weekend.

Finally all of my Kids (4) will have gone through BMW's 2 Day Teen School. She was scheduled to go a few weeks back but had to reschedule (fine with me, I get to return to Mecca!).

Anybody want aything????

You are honestly a cool dad. Wish your kids the best success in life. Planning on doing that with my little boy when he is old enough.

[CBS]

^ Thanks cmk227 - it's the only time I get to see my Teenagers actually get excited about something!

Oh, but I think I have created several Monsters - they all want to know when I plan to sell the M3.....