BMW Performance Center - West...anyone been?

[$hah$]

I received an invite to attend a day at the Performance Center in Thermal, CA for a day of testing out a various number of M's around the track by driving laps, hot laps with an instructor, race for the fastest time on the drag, and a couple of maneuvering exercises around corners, brakes, and acceleration.

I am not a track guy and I have never tracked a car...even though it has always been on my bucket list. It sounds like fun but it is a couple hours away from me and on a work day, which would require me to take a day off. As anyone done one of these invites (goes from 9am - 3pm) and what was your feedback/impressions. Also any recommendations for hotels in that area?

Appreciate any feedback as to what to expect and if it is worth the trek out there. Thanks!

[Shmelgy]

I loved it and got invited again this year. I took my dad with me who had never tracked a car, and he loved it as well. Needless to say, he's coming with me again in September.

[mrduder]

Yeah I went last year and it was a blast. You'll love it. Just don't go during the summer if you can pick when you want to go. It's CRAZY hot in Palm Springs during the summer. It's a nice cool high of 123 degrees today out there hahahaha.

[$hah$]

Cool, what hotel did you guys stay at?

[mrduder]

Originally Posted by $hah$

Cool, what hotel did you guys stay at?

I live in Orange County so I just drove there for the day and drove home. If I had to do it again I wouldn't do that though. hahaha It was a LOOOOOONG day! I was so exhausted by the end of the day. That hour and a half drive home sucked so bad! hahahaha I think when you do the two day they set you up at the La Quinta. But here's a list of one's they recommend

http://www.thethermalclub.com/hotels.html

[AtlantisF80]

If that is for the BMW M Track Day in the 2nd half of September this year, that event is booked up.

It's definitely alot of fun. I went in March of this year when it was much cooler. I will go again on September 28th. Hoping for cooler temps.

[$hah$]

Originally Posted by mrduder

I live in Orange County so I just drove there for the day and drove home. If I had to do it again I wouldn't do that though. hahaha It was a LOOOOOONG day! I was so exhausted by the end of the day. That hour and a half drive home sucked so bad! hahahaha I think when you do the two day they set you up at the La Quinta. But here's a list of one's they recommend

http://www.thethermalclub.com/hotels.html

Thank you!

[rr006rbc]

Do it. Hands down one of the best experiences I've had to rip on M cars all day and not worry about cops/gas/tires. Get out there and just test your abilities behind the wheel. It'll be worth taking the day off and using some PTO.

[AtlantisF80]

The Thermal Club is like a "compound"; totally secluded and gated with high walls. If you didn't know any better you would have thought there was something top secret or someone was selling/mfr drugs.

But once you pass through the "gates" you enter into automotive track heaven. =) Membership required.

http://www.thethermalclub.com/

http://www.latimes.com/business/auto...809-story.html

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Originally Posted by $hah$

Appreciate any feedback as to what to expect and if it is worth the trek out there. Thanks!

Arguably one of the best and modern tracks in SoCal... You're going to have a ton of fun, be sure to dress light because it will be hot and you're basically going to be there all day. I personally drove up there early in the morning on multiple occasions and drove back, for a "first timer" to the track it may be exhausting for you to drive back after a track day so to speak, I would just Yelp some good local hotels in the area.

[Jorgem2009]

How do we get invited?

[AtlantisF80]

Aside from ponying up lots of money, the best way to get into Thermal is registering for events like the BMWCCA Los Angeles Chapter, M Track Day for $215 on March 2016. I went to that one and it was amazing. First time driving at a track. The program for the M Track Day in September is essentially the same as the BMWCCA event.

Unfortunately, the invite for the BMW M Track Days is already full...

https://mtrackdays.bmwusa.com/index.php

Other BMWCCA chapters may be hosting future events at Thermal. Just keep your eyes peeled on any new events from the BMWCCA website.

[$hah$]

Originally Posted by mrduder

I live in Orange County so I just drove there for the day and drove home. If I had to do it again I wouldn't do that though. hahaha It was a LOOOOOONG day! I was so exhausted by the end of the day. That hour and a half drive home sucked so bad! hahahaha I think when you do the two day they set you up at the La Quinta. But here's a list of one's they recommend

http://www.thethermalclub.com/hotels.html

Originally Posted by Charlie@McKennaBMWService

Arguably one of the best and modern tracks in SoCal... You're going to have a ton of fun, be sure to dress light because it will be hot and you're basically going to be there all day. I personally drove up there early in the morning on multiple occasions and drove back, for a "first timer" to the track it may be exhausting for you to drive back after a track day so to speak, I would just Yelp some good local hotels in the area.

Nice, I am excited

[$hah$]

Originally Posted by Jorgem2009

How do we get invited?

Not too sure, I was invited to a private event sponsored by the dealership I purchased my M from. I formed a good relationship with my sales associate, so I was emailed and invited to a full track day that will have a good variety of M's to choose from and doing a number of activities. Let's just hope the GTS will be one of the toys to choose from.