[hoyasaxa]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Today I had the chance to do a half-day at Thermal Club, courtesy of BMW. This was also my first chance to drive the M2.

Thermal is about a 3-hour drive from all parts. People drove in from San Diego, Los Angeles, and even Phoenix, and the experience was well-worth the drive in.

We took the long way out to Thermal, and on the way passed what appeared to be two Fisker Karmas in full-on zebra camouflage. I was so shocked and confused--Fisker went out of business. and then came back IIRC--that I didn't have time to snap a photo. But, once I got to the end of Banner Grade, their presence made a lot of sense.




Thermal Club is still under construction, and the GPS was a little confused about where the entrance was; fortunately, BMW had big flags out front directing traffic. The guard at the gate was expecting us and let us right inside. If the public bathroom is any indication, Thermal Club has five star facilities. This bathroom even had a shower, complete with marble.










Plenty of BMWs were on display while we wander around waiting for our day to start, including this M4 GTS.









... and this safety car (which looked basically stock but with a bunch of M-Performance parts and lights).



After a bit of wandering around, it was time for class.



And then on to the cars!














We were provided:

• M4 - timed autocross
• M5, M6, X6 M - drag races
• M3 - lead-follow laps
• M2 - lead-follow laps
• M3 - instructor hot laps

All of the cars were loaded, some had M Performance parts, and all were DCT. We were allowed to drive in M-Dynamic Mode, but were not allowed to fully defeat DSC. Frankly, I think this was a good thing -- it kept the fun-factor high without ruining the day with wannabe heroes crashing or going off-track.

For me, the best part of the day, hands-down, was the M2 lead-follow laps. Now, I am biased--just check sig--but this was awesome. The entire time, I kept thinking "I can go faster, I can go faster." I never felt like the car was going to kill me, and I felt (whether true or not) like I could reach the car's limits, before I reached mine. Once we were done with that portion of the day, I thought about it, and remembered that so many M2 reviews say basically the same thing. This car will let you explore the limit without killing you. For that reason, it was a huge blast.

The M3 lead-follow laps were also lots of fun. I have to admit, though, I am what you would probably generously describe as an aspiring novice driver. Unlike with the M2, it became clear after a couple quick(er) laps, that I was reaching the limits of my so-called "skills" with the M3. It was just much easier to go fast in the M2.

I have no doubt that the M3/4 is faster overall, though. The instructor hot laps were outrageous and (I have to say) must have been choreographed. These guys are real pros, and were pulling off some pretty great passes on each other--spontaneous or no.

BMW fed us, gave us a thermos & a reusable bag, and then sent us off into the sunset.




I happened to drive home about half-way with this guy. Not sure if he's a member here, or not. mtrack is a user, but lists a different car in his profile. Either way, this E46 M3 was in the lot with us at Thermal Club, and was very clean.





Thanks to BMW and all of our instructors. It was a great day. Those of you who are signed up for later on in the weekend are going to love it.

PS- the winning autocross time was in the 27.xxx range. I was not in that range.

[TheUtahX5M]

The whole event was absolutely awesome and my favorite was the M2 laps. BMW put on such a great event and inspired a lot of loyalty in me.

[hoyasaxa]

Originally Posted by TheUtahX5M

The whole event was absolutely awesome and my favorite was the M2 laps. BMW put on such a great event and inspired a lot of loyalty in me.

I think I know who your photographer was

[TheUtahX5M]

I thought so!!

[///M4ster Yoda]

Nice. This is psyching me up. The wife and I are doing the 2 day M school at Thermal in a few weeks.

[bartginger]

I was there for the morning session on September 21. Like the original poster I too had a blast and I too fell in love with the handling and driveability of the M2. I drive an M235i presently and am waiting for an allocation now. The M2 just stuck and stuck and stuck through the turns and felt so safe to drive at speed like it would just never spin out or understeer. Like glue through the long 270 degree left hander that just goes on and on. I will never forget this experience and cannot wait for my M2!

[m4282]

Surprising they had the m3/4 for autocross instead of the m2

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by bartginger

I was there for the morning session on September 21. Like the original poster I too had a blast and I too fell in love with the handling and driveability of the M2. I drive an M235i presently and am waiting for an allocation now. The M2 just stuck and stuck and stuck through the turns and felt so safe to drive at speed like it would just never spin out or understeer. Like glue through the long 270 degree left hander that just goes on and on. I will never forget this experience and cannot wait for my M2!

I was in the same session and I'm pretty sure I was sitting next to you at lunch as I remember you telling me about your M235i and the M2 you have on order.

My wife and had a great time that day. We really enjoyed the M2 and I know how excited you are to get it. Hopefully the time flies by for you and your M2 is here before you know it! Great talking to you!

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by m4282

Surprising they had the m3/4 for autocross instead of the m2

My wife and I had the same thought.

[hoyasaxa]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

My wife and I had the same thought.

I was glad, honestly. It was a lot of fun to get the M2 up to speed. One of the instructors told me the M2 was fastest of all their cars on that autoX course though.

[mhanism]

Nice, I'm going next week for the half day as well!

Question - how many total laps did you get in?

[blake9220]

Man I'm so pumped to be there Wednesday. We had a great time last time. bmwtrix

[bmwtrix]

Originally Posted by blake9220

Man I'm so pumped to be there Wednesday. We had a great time last time. bmwtrix

Its going to be awesome....

[pruettfan]

I will be doing the 2 day M School on the 2nd and 3rd, can't wait to drive the M cars, especially the M2!!

[M3 Number 86]

I went on Tuesday and it was a rainy day. You guys missed out.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by hoyasaxa

Today I had the chance to do a half-day at Thermal Club, courtesy of BMW. This was also my first chance to drive the M2.

Thermal is about a 3-hour drive from all parts. People drove in from San Diego, Los Angeles, and even Phoenix, and the experience was well-worth the drive in.

We took the long way out to Thermal, and on the way passed what appeared to be two Fisker Karmas in full-on zebra camouflage. I was so shocked and confused--Fisker went out of business. and then came back IIRC--that I didn't have time to snap a photo. But, once I got to the end of Banner Grade, their presence made a lot of sense.




Thermal Club is still under construction, and the GPS was a little confused about where the entrance was; fortunately, BMW had big flags out front directing traffic. The guard at the gate was expecting us and let us right inside. If the public bathroom is any indication, Thermal Club has five star facilities. This bathroom even had a shower, complete with marble.










Plenty of BMWs were on display while we wander around waiting for our day to start, including this M4 GTS.









... and this safety car (which looked basically stock but with a bunch of M-Performance parts and lights).



After a bit of wandering around, it was time for class.



And then on to the cars!














We were provided:

• M4 - timed autocross
• M5, M6, X6 M - drag races
• M3 - lead-follow laps
• M2 - lead-follow laps
• M3 - instructor hot laps

All of the cars were loaded, some had M Performance parts, and all were DCT. We were allowed to drive in M-Dynamic Mode, but were not allowed to fully defeat DSC. Frankly, I think this was a good thing -- it kept the fun-factor high without ruining the day with wannabe heroes crashing or going off-track.

For me, the best part of the day, hands-down, was the M2 lead-follow laps. Now, I am biased--just check sig--but this was awesome. The entire time, I kept thinking "I can go faster, I can go faster." I never felt like the car was going to kill me, and I felt (whether true or not) like I could reach the car's limits, before I reached mine. Once we were done with that portion of the day, I thought about it, and remembered that so many M2 reviews say basically the same thing. This car will let you explore the limit without killing you. For that reason, it was a huge blast.

The M3 lead-follow laps were also lots of fun. I have to admit, though, I am what you would probably generously describe as an aspiring novice driver. Unlike with the M2, it became clear after a couple quick(er) laps, that I was reaching the limits of my so-called "skills" with the M3. It was just much easier to go fast in the M2.

I have no doubt that the M3/4 is faster overall, though. The instructor hot laps were outrageous and (I have to say) must have been choreographed. These guys are real pros, and were pulling off some pretty great passes on each other--spontaneous or no.

BMW fed us, gave us a thermos & a reusable bag, and then sent us off into the sunset.




I happened to drive home about half-way with this guy. Not sure if he's a member here, or not. mtrack is a user, but lists a different car in his profile. Either way, this E46 M3 was in the lot with us at Thermal Club, and was very clean.





Thanks to BMW and all of our instructors. It was a great day. Those of you who are signed up for later on in the weekend are going to love it.

PS- the winning autocross time was in the 27.xxx range. I was not in that range.

Which day did you go? CalSE won the autox if it was wed.

[hoyasaxa]

Friday, actually. It was great fun. Looking forward to seeing what you guys think of the M2.

Ditto the poster above - turn 1 / the sweeping left-hander was so much fun in the M2.

[Charlie@McKennaBMWService]

Thermal is a great track! Glad you had fun!

[J415]

I was just there on Thursday Sept 22nd. It was a great event! Sorry for

[pruettfan]

How does one get selected for an invitation to these events?

[J415]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

How does one get selected for an invitation to these events?

No invitation necessary (however, I believe that some have gotten an invitation or that might be for another event).

Visit the below site and see about availability at a track near you.

https://mtrackdays.bmwusa.com

[roastbeef]

so what was the daily schedule like? i'm going this thursday, but i need to be back home in oc by about 6. its it pretty broken up so i could duck out about 330 or 4?