[the_man_in_blue]

Anyone going?

May 11-21

cool kids unite! (got one of those emails that go out every so often)

I'm scheduled for May 15 @ 9am.

There's many dates and times still available, but many are full for Auto-X. I got a free invite (BMW Monrovia FTW!) and did the full day driving day at the Palm Springs last year and I'm sure this won't compare, but will still be fun.

[drummerlauw]

Originally Posted by the_man_in_blue

Anyone going?

May 11-21

cool kids unite! (got one of those emails that go out every so often)

I'm scheduled for May 15 @ 9am.

There's many dates and times still available, but many are full for Auto-X. I got a free invite (BMW Monrovia FTW!) and did the full day driving day at the Palm Springs last year and I'm sure this won't compare, but will still be fun.

I'll be there on the 15th also. Not sure what time yet.

[chums]

May 11 in the afternoon

[Budget M3]

13th @ 9-11am

[15Blk428i]

I'll be there on the 11th in the afternoon

[Mr. Big]

12th in the afternoon for me. Gonna see if they'll allow me to try my C7 Corvette on the course.

[Mattshokri3]

may 17 at 11 am

[the_man_in_blue]

I know I started this thread, but what exactly is this day going to entail? looks like 2 hours of autocross in a 5 series. Anything else?

[MR__laraM3]

I was there on Saturday 13th at 11:00 am and What an awesome experience the autocross was in the 5 series. The city drive part that allowed me to drive the i3, 6 series and others was great also.

[mreddiekim]

was there the 11th. Pretty cool experience

[DG20]

Today at 11am, should be fun!

[CoopersF15]

Originally Posted by AW F30

Today at 11am, should be fun!

How did you like it?

Was the autoX in a 540 or a 240 (or just the 30i?)

From what I have read It seems like you do the auto cross 3 up (you, the instructor and another punter) I'd prefer it if it was just me and the instructor if I'm honest, and improve my lap time :

Going this Saturday myself, looking forward to it regardless!

[DG20]

Originally Posted by CoopersF15

How did you like it?

Was the autoX in a 540 or a 240 (or just the 30i?)

From what I have read It seems like you do the auto cross 3 up (you, the instructor and another punter) I'd prefer it if it was just me and the instructor if I'm honest, and improve my lap time :

Going this Saturday myself, looking forward to it regardless!

It was incredible. We were booked for an 11 am session but we were like 10 minutes late for it so they rescheduled us for a 2pm. We had the day off so it worked.

In those 3 hours, we spent all of our time doing the street test drives. It was so cool, after you get your credentials, you head to either the pavilion, where they have some snacks, a coffee bar and a photo booth, or you could do some test drives. I went for the test drives and drove an M240i, 340i with MPPSK, a 440i convertible, a 540i, a 650i coupe, a 750i, an X4 M40i, and lastly the X6 50i. It was great! All you do is give them your name and what car you want to drive and they preload a test route (outside of the event area) and you're on your way! Drives are anywhere from 20-30 minutes! Nobody comes in the car with you My favorite cars that I test drove were the 650i, the X6 50i and the M240i. That M240i is awesome.

Anyways, 2pm came and it was time for the event! It was great! In groups of 3, you are paired up with an instructor. You go on a slow lap first and then the instructor shows you their skills by doing a fast lap! Then each one in your group does a lap with all of you in the car. After that, you do a solo timed lap with your instructor and who ever gets first place out of everyone advances to the semi finals and so on... If you get first place out of all 5 cities where the Ultimate Driving Experience is held, then you get a free complete experience and performance school at the Thermal racetrack. Pretty awesome! By the way, the Autocross was in a 540i. I really found it weird the way BMW USA specced the cars. No M Sport, no track package or anything like that, and a lot of drivers assistance packages. They were all specced the same except in different colors. Pretty weird to spec cars like that that are going to be driven pretty hard! I wonder what they do with these cars after these types of events.

Overall, this was one of the best events that I've ever attended! Definitely recommend to anyone!

[CoopersF15]

Great write up! Thanks for that - Its nice know what to expect and plan accordingly. You were fortunate to be able to reschedule - they are fully booked this weekend so I'm planning to be early to get some drive time in before.

I wonder why it's normal street spec 5 series for the auto cross too- maybe it just shows that all their cars can hoon?? I guess it also makes it a safe car that won't spin out for inexperienced drivers?

The quickest times seem to be 16secs which sounds bloody rapid or a stupidly short course

[DG20]

Originally Posted by CoopersF15

Great write up! Thanks for that - Its nice know what to expect and plan accordingly. You were fortunate to be able to reschedule - they are fully booked this weekend so I'm planning to be early to get some drive time in before.

I wonder why it's normal street spec 5 series for the auto cross too- maybe it just shows that all their cars can hoon?? I guess it also makes it a safe car that won't spin out for inexperienced drivers?

The quickest times seem to be 16secs which sounds bloody rapid or a stupidly short course

Yeah i think that's the reason they spec them like that! And wow.. I can't imagine being in the car with someone who did it in the 16s

[the_man_in_blue]

I finished 3rd in my group at 40.xx seconds. Took third. That was for the 1 7/8th lap

[CoopersF15]

What a great event - so worth the price of admission (precisely zilch) took 2nd in my group - off by 0.7secs - soooo I was first loser!

It's my first autoX and I was up against people who had done it before so pretty happy with the result and confident I wouldn't have had a chance in the dead heats to compete for the M Track day experience...and now have the bug to do it myself!!


Shopping List:
Dinan S1
M Perf Brakes
Track specific wheel and tire set

And the wife approves