1 day M school thoughts?

[W Cole]

I have taken my M3 to the track numerous times and also track and ride motorcycles. I am thinking about doing the 1 day M school out at thermal with some of my buddies with a similar amount of track experience. I have always wanted to get out to thermal but its private so this seems like a great way to get out there.

For those of you with some track experience that may or may not have done the 1 day M school, do you think I will be bored/it will be a waste of money? I understand schools like this probably have to be taught to the lowest common denominator.. someone with no track experience?

Any thoughts appreciated Thanks in advance.

[FogCityM3]

Think you would be too advanced for it, it's designed for beginners (esp the 1 day).

[Longboarder]

Can you get out on the big track for M school?

When I went there the BMW section was just large open area that looked like it could be fined off for auto cross.

[macdude357]

I did the half day BMW driving experience with BMWCCA at Thermal. I was talking to someone that did the 1 day M school there and she said it was pretty much the same events, just more of each event. We did get out on the South Palm track but in Lead/Follow only (in a new M3). Lead/Follow was hit or miss. If someone in your group can't keep up, then the pace remains pretty slow since they will only go as fast as the slowest person in your group.

It also included a autoX (340i), skid pad (m235i), drag race (M5/M6/X5M) and a few laps on a very small road course in an M4 (less than 1/2 mile). That was my first exposure to driving on the track. it was fun, but now that I've taken my own M3 on a couple of tracks I wouldn't do it again. I'd rather spend the $ on a regular HPDE event.

If you really want to get on that track, there's a coach that's posted here before that offers lessons at that track.

[roastbeef]

while we are on the topic of schools- anyone have a good idea of a 1-2 day school that focuses on braking, cornering, control approaching the limit, etc.?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

while we are on the topic of schools- anyone have a good idea of a 1-2 day school that focuses on braking, cornering, control approaching the limit, etc.?

I went to Bondurant last year. They have a bunch of different courses (though I think they've changed them since I attended now that it's all SRT cars instead of Corvettes).

Happy to speak in more detail about what we covered in my one-day school.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by macdude357

I did the half day BMW driving experience with BMWCCA at Thermal. I was talking to someone that did the 1 day M school there and she said it was pretty much the same events, just more of each event. We did get out on the South Palm track but in Lead/Follow only (in a new M3). Lead/Follow was hit or miss. If someone in your group can't keep up, then the pace remains pretty slow since they will only go as fast as the slowest person in your group.

It also included a autoX (340i), skid pad (m235i), drag race (M5/M6/X5M) and a few laps on a very small road course in an M4 (less than 1/2 mile). That was my first exposure to driving on the track. it was fun, but now that I've taken my own M3 on a couple of tracks I wouldn't do it again. I'd rather spend the $ on a regular HPDE event.

If you really want to get on that track, there's a coach that's posted here before that offers lessons at that track.

Drake Kemper used to offer it. Dunno if he still does. I understand he races BMW's and used to own an M3 as well.

Reminds me that I should give him a call. It ain't cheap probably at least $1,000 for his fee plus the visitor fee he has to pay on your behalf just to get you on track.

But it's an awesome track. Got to run it with GMG with only 5 cars that day. Pretty much heaven as I had unlimited open track and one of the beast tracks anywhere in SoCal.

[W Cole]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Drake Kemper used to offer it. Dunno if he still does. I understand he races BMW's and used to own an M3 as well.

Reminds me that I should give him a call. It ain't cheap probably at least $1,000 for his fee plus the visitor fee he has to pay on your behalf just to get you on track.

But it's an awesome track. Got to run it with GMG with only 5 cars that day. Pretty much heaven as I had unlimited open track and one of the beast tracks anywhere in SoCal.

I wonder what his relationship is with thermal that they let him do this? Maybe its low key and they don't realize he's running a business?

[macdude357]

Originally Posted by W Cole

I wonder what his relationship is with thermal that they let him do this? Maybe its low key and they don't realize he's running a business?

He's a member and members are allowed to bring a certain number of guests each year (at $250 per person).

[///Mobbin]

Some tracks will allow pro instructors to take students out for a fee on slower days. Perhaps a more exclusive track (like COTA or Thermal) doesn't allow this as often but I'm sure anythings possible for the right price. One of my buddies had Patrick Long instruct him in his car once, would love to do that one day.

Oh and I did 1-day M school in Greenville back in 2008. It was a blast but that was before I tracked my car, don't think I would enjoy it now. Good intro to the hobby though and probably what led me to the track a few years later. Perhaps a much more advanced course would be fun as I do like test driving the new M cars.

[///Mobbin]

Review of Advanced M School at VIR

This is more like it and probably a good way to test drive the F80 on track. That said, it would probably be cheaper to ship my car to VIR for an HPDE. And actually, I think I would rather do Laguna Seca first!

[lorinzo]

I did the 2 day M school at Thermal last year. We did not touch any portion of the Thermal track until day 2.

I would guess that anyone with previous track experience is not going to get much value from a 1 day school. And, 1-2 hours spent in the classroom discussing basics is time that you could be in the seat at some other driving experience.

However, if you are looking for an excuse to hang with buddies . . . Thermal is a cool place, fun to burn tires, brakes and fuel in someone else's M and you could spend a day playing golf or hanging out by the pool in Palm Springs.