by Dan Tackett

The San Diego Chapter knows how to have a good time! (photo by Bryan Gaier)

One hundred of our Chapter members had another day full of fun in the sun at the BMW Performance Center. We made our annual trek to The Thermal Club near Palm Springs, a members-only motorsport complex with three glass-smooth race tracks. Lucky for us, it’s also home of the Performance Center West. The 100 openings filled up within days, and all drivers who joined us had an amazing time exploring the capabilities of the latest BMW M and M Performance models.

We were greeted by comfortable weather and a clear blue sky. Our first surprise was seeing the upcoming second-generation M2 parked right in front. While the design has raised some eyebrows, its performance should match the amazing M3 and M4 in a fun-size package. Many of us were pleased to see a 6-speed shifter poking through the floor and a pair of snug carbon bucket seats inside for us to try out. Those track-focused seats were best sampled before the lunch spread, which was a delicious buffet prepared on site. Next, we filed into the large classroom for a Driver’s Meeting conducted by Lead Instructor Rob Stout.

After a presentation about performance driving basics and the day’s format, we split into groups to experience six individual events:

Drag Race with a stop box to test our precise application of both pedals, featuring pairs of the M5 Competition and X6M Competition.

Rat Race to perfect slide control around a slick, polished concrete skidpad in rear wheel drive M340i’s.

Sample Test Drive on a winding course, with a choice of an X6M Competition, an M2 Competition, or an M850i convertible.

A Timed Autocross in the M2 Competition ending with a tight stop box, with each driver’s best 3 times counted and trophies awarded to the top 3 finishers.

The Lead-Follow Racetrack Experience in the impressive M3 Competition, doing several laps around the Desert Palm Circuit as an Instructor led each group while describing the ideal line with in-car radios.

As our final event, we were invited to hang on tight to feel the full capability of the M3 Competition, drifting around an autocross course with an Instructor (and the M3) in full beast mode.

At the end of our day, lots of fuel and tires had been consumed, and big grins were seen everywhere. We all received a special Performance Center hat which cannot be bought; it’s only given to people who participate in a driving experience there. At last they congratulated our top 3 Autocross finishers:

The hottest hot shoes take the top 3 spots in the Autocross (photo by Bryan Gaier)

  
    	1st
      	Travis Brown
        22.05
    

    	2nd
      	Ramon Henares
        22.20
    

    	3rd
      	Neelu Yeoh
        22.36
    

Next year, we have even bigger plans. In 2024 we will mark our 10th event at the Performance Center, featuring our usual Saturday program. But, our friends in the Golden Gate Chapter have coordinated their event scheduling with us, and will be hosting a full-day M School on the next day. This way, we can make a full weekend out of our trip to the Performance Center, with an evening dinner and/or car show on Saturday night. And it is during the MLK holiday weekend, so many will have a free Monday.

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