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      05-27-2021, 12:51 PM   #1
DougVA
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Best way to learn? Novice here.

I have an M2C arriving in a few weeks. I'm not shy about admitting that I've never driven a car with this much capability and power. What's the best way to develop and improve driving and safety skills for an M2C? Any particular track or training program you'd recommend? A particular instructor?

In Northern Virginia. Looking for your sage advice. Many thanks.
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      05-27-2021, 01:48 PM   #2
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Any HPDE should suffice.
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      05-27-2021, 02:01 PM   #3
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Congrats on the new car and welcome! I haven't driven a Comp but love my OG M2. I'll preface the below by saying I'm assuming you don't have experience with any of these types of events. If that's wrong my opinion would stay the same, you can just ignore the extra info.

I think a good place to start is with autocross, specifically through BMW CCA. It's relatively low-speed and low-risk compared to a track event, and way cheaper, but you still learn a ton about how your car handles and where its limits are. CCA events are also zero-pressure and people are super helpful with any newbie questions, and generally you can get an instructor to ride along with you for each run. In-car instruction has been on hold for COVID reasons, but maybe they're getting more flexible this summer?

All of this year's auto-x events for the National Capitol Chapter are being held at Summit Point, and since there's almost always a separate track event or two going on the same day, you can always stop over after your runs are complete and check those out as well. The only caveat is that the helmet loaner program is on COVID pause, so you'd either have to invest in your own before trying it or have a friend who can loan you one.

Otherwise, I don't have any personal experience (yet), but from what I understand the NCC HPDE (track) events are very well run and you'd learn a ton there too. I think it just depends on your comfort level with higher speeds and risk tolerance as to when you'd feel comfortable jumping onto the track.

The great thing with any M2, but especially the M2C, is that you can show up to either type of event with a totally stock car, at least for your first time. You'll see recommendations to change your brake fluid to a higher temp version for the track, but I doubt you'd be running your brakes hard enough for it to matter your first time out. For auto-x, fully stock is totally fine. Preferable, even, so you can learn how things work as is before making any changes.

Regardless, great choice of car and great decision to seek out training on how to extract maximum enjoyment out of it! Maybe I'll see you around - I'm in DC in the gray 2017.

- Mark
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      05-27-2021, 05:34 PM   #4
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Good advice from the previous poster.

Since you're in nova I might also recommend a thing at Dominion Raceway just south of Fredericksburg VA called TrackAttack.

It's one step Id say before a full HDPE where you need a helmet and tech inspection etc.

This is more low key - just show up and drive. It's a lead/follow arrangement and you'll typically go no more than say 100mph on the straights and you get to learn how the car feels in the twisty bits and so on.

I've done it a couple of times in my new M2C just to get used to the car before I start looking for a full HDPE next.

Only costs around $120 or so.

PM me if you want more info!
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      05-27-2021, 06:08 PM   #5
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I’m not trying to sell you on it, but if you haven’t become a BMWCCA member by now you should def consider that. Your local chapter will likely have multiple HPDE around the year, and they will negotiate the rates for the club members possibly on better terms that you could on your own.
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      05-27-2021, 08:43 PM   #6
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Good advice so far. Autocross is easier to start with, less risky, and doesn't wear through consumable parts as quickly as tracking/HPDE's. However, I think doing track events are a lot more fun and provide a ton of instruction to help you improve as a driver and understand the limits of your car. TrackAttack is good introductory program and there is the Track Night in America program, which is a similar.

BMWCCA is allowing in-car instruction now as long as both driver and instructor are fully vaccinated.

The NCC's HPDE program is going to be at Summit-Shenandoah in a month and then at Summit-Main in early October. The events are really well run and they focus on safety and instruction throughout each event. NCC requires students to go through skid pad training which will teach you an incredible amount about traction control, losing traction, and how to correct it. There have been talks about doing full-day skid pad training and I think these would be an excellent starting point but I haven't seen any official announcements on that yet.
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      05-28-2021, 04:46 AM   #7
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This is all great advice. Many thanks to all!
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      05-30-2021, 05:41 PM   #8
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I forgot to mention these before, here are links to two other introductory programs offered by Summit Point. The first one is really basic and short. The second is like a normal track day and they offer a few novice only sessions during the year.

https://summitpoint-raceway.com/my-track-time/
https://summitpoint-raceway.com/prog...-at-the-track/
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      06-03-2021, 04:41 AM   #9
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Thanks, Yetti! I will definitely sign up for one of these this summer.
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      06-04-2021, 05:45 PM   #10
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I ended up signing up for the 2 day M driving school out of Spartansburg, SC. It was a little pricey, but I liked the idea of learning on M cars and not ragging on mine yet.
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      06-14-2021, 02:20 PM   #11
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Highly recommend you try Auto X at least once, great way to improve your driving skills.
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      05-08-2022, 08:00 AM   #12
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Digging up an old thread but found it very insightful so I’m bumping it to the top. If anyone has anymore suggestions I would love to hear them. And OP I’d love to hear all the different things that helped you!
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      05-09-2022, 02:39 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jurassic_Sean View Post
Digging up an old thread but found it very insightful so I’m bumping it to the top. If anyone has anymore suggestions I would love to hear them. And OP I’d love to hear all the different things that helped you!
Bmw cca has 2 hpde events coming soon in the area (summit point)! I'm headed to my first one next month hoping to improve my skills with some help
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      05-09-2022, 04:22 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by swampfox94 View Post
Bmw cca has 2 hpde events coming soon in the area (summit point)! I'm headed to my first one next month hoping to improve my skills with some help
Thanks! Joining now, what’s your member ID? Was going to use you as my referral for the CCA
Edit: I would PM but the forum still will not let me
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      05-09-2022, 04:23 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jurassic_Sean View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by swampfox94 View Post
Bmw cca has 2 hpde events coming soon in the area (summit point)! I'm headed to my first one next month hoping to improve my skills with some help
Thanks! Joining now, what’s your member ID? Was going to use you as my referral for the CCA
602243. Thanks! I'm gonna be in a black m2c if you end up at the June event. Say hello!
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      05-09-2022, 06:58 PM   #16
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In addition to weekend autocross events, my local BMWCCA chapter also hosts Car Control Clinics, which I think have a more specific focus on how the car handles at the limit, skid pads, panic braking, and similar. I'm gonna start with that later this summer. Might be the gateway drug to more track time! If nothing else, I'll be a more confident driver in my first RWD car.
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      05-10-2022, 05:21 AM   #17
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Leave traction control on. Drive it in MDM mode. Once you turn traction off, anything can happen.

IF you do turn it off, make sure it's warm, tires are warm, and you have enough space to save yourself in a worst case situation.

This goes on to my next point. Always keep in mind what the weather is (hot, cold, fog, it rained an hour ago, etc), tires temps & conditions, uphill/downhill, and so on.

If you have healthy tire tread, it's above 60 during the day time & traction isn't fully off, you should be fine.

Also remember that punching the throttle mid corner and going from 1st to 2nd will usually be the most dangerous positions you'll find yourself in.

Be safe, enjoy in good health, and always think ahead
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