High Performance Driving School Weekend at Buttonwillow

Friday, May 19, 2023 8:00 AM 08:00
Sunday, May 21, 2023 6:00 PM 18:00

Buttonwillow Raceway Park 24551 West Lerdo Highway Buttonwillow, CA, 93206 United States (map)

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Registration is now open! Click here to register

Early Bird Pricing available through March 31!

Whether you are new to performance driving or a seasoned “track rat,” we have a full weekend lined up offering loads of track time! Get your car on track to refine your driving skills, explore your vehicle’s capabilities, and have fun with like-minded Club members.

Our Chapter has over 30 years of history providing top-level education to drivers wishing to enjoy their car and develop their driving skills within a fun, safe, and controlled environment. We are enthusiasts who support fellow club members to learn and improve their driving skills. Our instructors have extensive experience in mentoring and developing students at all levels.

Driving School

Using a racetrack provides a well-managed environment, and the emphasis is on safe, smooth, and controlled driving. You will use your own car and at no time will you be pressed to go any faster than is comfortable for you. Participants will be grouped according to experience. Instruction is tailored to different skill levels. Beginner and Intermediate students will have an in-car instructor paired with them for track sessions throughout the day, along with dedicated classroom sessions (typically four of each). We believe that what you learn at a High Performance Driving Event (HPDE) will benefit you in your normal day-to-day driving, especially when confronted with emergency situations.

Beginner/Novice Group – Drivers with little to no track experience.

Intermediate Group – Drivers with experience at several driving schools.

A-Solo Group – For the most advanced students, who can provide details of their track history, we offer an A-Solo group with no in-car coaching.

Advanced Drivers Day Option

On Friday, May 19, for very experienced A-Solo drivers and Instructors, we’ll have abundant track sessions available for you! You can expect twice the amount of regular track time—approximately four hours worth! Friday will follow the usual BMW CCA HPDE structure, and the normal safety protocols apply, including mandatory point-bys for passing.

Advanced Data Coaching (Sunday Only)

This optional program uses in-car data acquisition devices to provide objective measurement and analysis of driver performance. One-on-one coaching will help drivers review their technique and develop goals for the next track session. ADC is limited to A-Solo drivers.

Vehicles

Any car make and nearly any model are welcome to join in our HPDE. Daily drivers, as well as fully track-prepared cars, are encouraged and welcome. High ground clearance vehicles, such as SUVs (other than BMW X models), and convertibles (soft-top or non-integrated hard-top) are not permitted at this event.

Tech Inspection

Your vehicle must pass a Tech Inspection prior to the event. This inspection must be carried out by a qualified individual who is familiar with the make and model of the vehicle and must have been inspected within the four (4) weeks prior to the event. The Tech Form is required to be signed by the inspector and the participant and handed in at registration.

Download the Tech Inspection form.

Helmets

Helmets must be worn during all track sessions at speed. Helmets must be rated to the following Snell or FIA standards:

• Snell SA2015, SA2020, M2015, and M2020 are allowed.

• FIA 8860-2010 helmets are accepted until 12/31/2028; FIA 8859-2015, FIA 8860-2018 and 8860-2018APB helmets currently do not have an expiration date.

• A DOT rated is NOT sufficient.

A limited number of rental helmets will be available to reserve during registration.

Track Configuration

Race #1 Clockwise

Event Requirements

You must be a current BMW Car Club of America member to register for and participate in this event. Not a member of BMW CCA? Join at www.BMWCCA.org or call BMW CCA National office at 1-800-878-9292.

Driver Qualification: By the date of the event, all drivers enrolled in the driving school are required to have a full operator’s license that does not require another qualified party to be a passenger in the vehicle in order for the license to be considered valid. Anyone under 18 may only participate if he or she and a parent/guardian have executed and signed the Parental and Minor Release Waiver.

COVID Policy

We encourage everyone attending this event, participants, guests and staff alike, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including the bivalent booster. Vaccination is encouraged, but not mandatory. Masks are encouraged, but not required, indoors and in-car (while engaged with in-car instruction).

Registration Fees

Full weekend event (No single-day registration)

Driving School Students: $525 *Early Bird price* | After March 31: $575

Friday Advanced Drivers Day add-on: $350 ($275 for Instructors)

Advanced Data Coaching add-on: $100 (for A-Solo students)

Lodging

The host hotel is the Vagabond Inn, located at 20638 Tracy Ave, Buttonwillow, CA, (661) 469-4146. (Standard rates apply)

Other lodging options in the area include the Best Western Heritage Inn, 253 Trask, Bakersfield (off I-5, 16 miles from track) (661) 764-6268 and Best Western Plus Wasco Inn and Suites, 1704 CA-46, Wasco (on HWY 46, 19 miles from track) (661) 758-1111.

Registration Check-in Mixer

Friday evening, 7:30-9:00 p.m. at the hotel. Light refreshments will be available. Check in and submit your Tech Inspection form, Medical Information form, and SNELL 2015+ helmet to be signed off and finalize your registration.

At the track

Plan to arrive at the track by 7:00 a.m. to park, unload, and check-in at registration (if you didn’t do it Friday night). All drivers must attend the Mandatory Drivers Meeting in the morning.

Buttonwillow Raceway Park is located at 24551 Lerdo Highway, Buttonwillow, CA