2019 M Track Days Are LIVE

[auggiem3]

I'm still holding out hope.

I also tried calling the number from my 2017 and 2018 confirmation (different last 4 digits) and got the busy tone.

If you think through the evolution, it was free in 2016 and then the price jumped up to $250 for '17 and '18. It's a great marketing tool - I heard the cost was to make sure folks showed. If it's a loss (ie marketing expense) why not bump it to $300 or $400 rather than cancel? They sold out fast and created a lot of good brand equity that hopefully translated to sales.

The website still shows 2019 Coming Soon. A few weeks ago it went down so someone had to refresh it. If the event was off, why not wipe the site and other references to it at BMW USA's experience page?

[Grip Addict]

Originally Posted by auggiem3

I'm still holding out hope.

I also tried calling the number from my 2017 and 2018 confirmation (different last 4 digits) and got the busy tone.

If you think through the evolution, it was free in 2016 and then the price jumped up to $250 for '17 and '18. It's a great marketing tool - I heard the cost was to make sure folks showed. If it's a loss (ie marketing expense) why not bump it to $300 or $400 rather than cancel? They sold out fast and created a lot of good brand equity that hopefully translated to sales.

The website still shows 2019 Coming Soon. A few weeks ago it went down so someone had to refresh it. If the event was off, why not wipe the site and other references to it at BMW USA's experience page?

You should try the BMW M Performance School number. I do know that all the instructors come from that school.

And I agree. If they weren't doing it I don't think they would have updated the site to say 2019 coming soon.

My guess is it is starting later in the year.

[frankiebones]

Typically, the email with dates and registration links goes out around mid may. anyone know if they are repeating M Track Days this year?

Thanks.

[M3Fahrer]

They are definitely a little late this year with opening up registration and/or sending out emails with invitations. I got the email link 2 years ago, last year I didn't but I kept an eye on the website and was able to register once they opened it up. Best thing to do is check this link a few times a week (Still says coming soon) so you don't miss out on registering.

https://mtrackdays.bmwusa.com

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by M3Fahrer

They are definitely a little late this year with opening up registration and/or sending out emails with invitations. I got the email link 2 years ago, last year I didn't but I kept an eye on the website and was able to register once they opened it up. Best thing to do is check this link a few times a week (Still says coming soon) so you don't miss out on registering.

https://mtrackdays.bmwusa.com

Thank you sir.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Darth One

instruction in the M5

There was no one-on-one instruction in the M5 nor any other cars for that matter, just normal lead follow and a few laps with Bill Auberlein in the M5 ripping around the track while you were in the passenger seat

[Grip Addict]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

There was no one-on-one instruction in the M5 nor any other cars for that matter, just normal lead follow and a few laps with Bill Auberlein in the M5 ripping around the track while you were in the passenger seat

Bill Auberlun is Bill Auberlun.

But I bet the one hot lap you get with him if you compare it to a hot lap with any of the other instructors, I bet no ones butt dyno can tell the difference other than to say that Bill Auberlun took you for a lap.

[BMWILUVU]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

There was no one-on-one instruction in the M5 nor any other cars for that matter, just normal lead follow and a few laps with Bill Auberlein in the M5 ripping around the track while you were in the passenger seat

The extra half day was skidpad, M5 lead follow, and Bill hot laps.
The extra $500 was IMO was not worth that.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Grip Addict

Bill Auberlun is Bill Auberlun.

But I bet the one hot lap you get with him if you compare it to a hot lap with any of the other instructors, I bet no ones butt dyno can tell the difference other than to say that Bill Auberlun took you for a lap.

Oh it was awesome for sure, Bill is a class act and a hell of a driver. Kind of disappointing that they seemed to advertised it as one-on-one instruction FROM Bill but it was more like one-on-one driving/question time with Bill. I learned some things from watching his lines and how he drove/braked though.

[Grip Addict]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

Oh it was awesome for sure, Bill is a class act and a hell of a driver. Kind of disappointing that they seemed to advertised it as one-on-one instruction FROM Bill but it was more like one-on-one driving/question time with Bill. I learned some things from watching his lines and how he drove/braked though.

So its 1on1 with him in the car?

That is a little better than the normal hot laps where 3 people are jammed in the M3s.

And you have a 2 in 3 chance of being in the back of the M3. I have been lucky and always grab a spot in the front seat.

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Grip Addict

So its 1on1 with him in the car?

That is a little better than the normal hot laps where 3 people are jammed in the M3s.

And you have a 2 in 3 chance of being in the back of the M3. I have been lucky and always grab a spot in the front seat.

It depended on the situation/group. My group was small and I waited to drive with him so I got to go with him by myself, most others had at least one other person(another participant) with them and Bill. Bill was the only one to drive when you went with him for those hot laps.

In the lead/follow in the M3/M4 you drove with one other participant(got lucky and got to drive by myself a lot) and an instructor would be the lead car with 2/3 cars behind following and getting some tips by walkie talkie. All drivers got to be the follow car right behind the leader and also bring up the rear, they shuffled us around while driving.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

Typically, the email with dates and registration links goes out around mid may. anyone know if they are repeating M Track Days this year?

Thanks.

Yes, only 4 stops this year: Monticello, COTA, someplace near Chicago, and Thermal. Bill Auberlen returns for the full day program. Prices will likely be going up.

[GNALUZU]

The car may hold up well in 120°, but I don't. Lol

Laguna is an awesome track. I did 2 days there with Skip Barber and absolutely loved it.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by GNALUZU

The car may hold up well in 120°, but I don't. Lol

Laguna is an awesome track. I did 2 days there with Skip Barber and absolutely loved it.

I did ok, I drank tons of water and went to bed by 7pm the first day

[Grip Addict]

Originally Posted by calbears

Yes, only 4 stops this year: Monticello, COTA, someplace near Chicago, and Thermal. Bill Auberlen returns for the full day program. Prices will likely be going up.

Know any dates?

[Darth One]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

There was no one-on-one instruction in the M5 nor any other cars for that matter, just normal lead follow and a few laps with Bill Auberlein in the M5 ripping around the track while you were in the passenger seat

Well i guess that makes me feel better. It certainly sounded like instruction was being offered, which to me means something very specific - i drive and you sit there teaching me how to do it better. So i was very disappointed not to get that opportunity...

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by Darth One

Well i guess that makes me feel better. It certainly sounded like instruction was being offered, which to me means something very specific - i drive and you sit there teaching me how to do it better. So i was very disappointed not to get that opportunity...

Yeah don't feel too bad, they def made it seem like one-on-one instruction which was one of the reasons I did full day. But it's ok, it was still worth it to me. I made a trip out of it and drove a track I will probably never get to drive again.

[Grip Addict]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

Yeah don't feel too bad, they def made it seem like one-on-one instruction which was one of the reasons I did full day. But it's ok, it was still worth it to me. I made a trip out of it and drove a track I will probably never get to drive again.

Good way to look at it. At a track like Monitcello, its on lock down 95% of the time except to members who pay $$$$$$$$$.

[calbears]

Originally Posted by Grip Addict

Know any dates?

All I know is that the Thermal date(s) will be in October

[sunsetsail]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

The extra half day was skidpad, M5 lead follow, and Bill hot laps.
The extra $500 was IMO was not worth that.

Sounds like the half day is the best value in terms of pure seat time / normal track driving.

[IllSic_Design]

I don't know how much time they had on the tracks on half day, but I can say we had A LOT of track time on the full days. Like as much or more than an HPDE.

[LuvMyE92]

For those of you who have not done it, the events at the BMW performance center (either in SC or CA) give you lots of seat time, most of it lead/follow except for skidpad when you have an instructor in car. And there's usually some kind of autocross challenge when you get to turn DSC OFF OFF OFF OFF. I've done several, at both locations, and although it's expensive, it is a blast. Typically you get M2, M3 and M4 to drive. Once they also had M5. All DCT. Big savings if you do an event through the BMW CCA.