BMW RACE LICENSE SCHOOL
THE PATH TO PROFESSIONAL
Want even more? You can get SCCA certified with this school and take your first steps to becoming a pro driver. You may even add an extra day to a Two-Day M School or Advanced M School session and get qualified all at once.
You must take a Two-Day M School or Advanced M School within 12 months before participating in Race License School.
Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a dated Certificate of Completion and have one year to apply for their SCCA license. See our FAQ for more information.
THE FIRST STEP IN YOUR RACING JOURNEY
PRO DRIVING INSTRUCTION
Our professional driving instructors have years of racing experience and are with you every step of the way, offering feedback and encouragement via radio. They’ll always perform the initial exercises with you, demonstrating everything from proper seating positions to the best way through a corner.
REACH YOUR OWN LIMITS
We practice challenge by choice, so you’re always at a level of performance that you feel comfortable with. Our instructors provide instant feedback and positive reinforcement while encouraging each driver to have a little fun. Okay, maybe more than a little.
A LITTLE PHYSICS, A LOT OF FUN
Your day begins in the classroom, where our instructors will go over the basics of your experience. Everything from the proper seating position to how far ahead you need to look will be covered.
SKILLS AS ONLY WE CAN TEACH THEM
Our closed course is the perfect place to understand what happens when you lose you control of a car and how far down the road you need to look. These are skills that you’ll be able to call upon for the rest of your driving life.
YOUR RACE PACE
Our lessons are all about pace – picking up the pace as you feel comfortable and going at your own pace for each driving exercise. It’s not about how fast you go here but how well you can keep it all under control.
CONE THRONE
Our fun obstacle courses include cones and slick surfaces, giving students a first-hand look at what happens when a car suddenly stops doing what they think it will do.
PRO DRIVING INSTRUCTION
Our professional driving instructors have years of racing experience and are with you every step of the way, offering feedback and encouragement via radio. They’ll always perform the initial exercises with you, demonstrating everything from proper seating positions to the best way through a corner.
REACH YOUR OWN LIMITS
We practice challenge by choice, so you’re always at a level of performance that you feel comfortable with. Our instructors provide instant feedback and positive reinforcement while encouraging each driver to have a little fun. Okay, maybe more than a little.
TECHNICAL TEACHINGS
LEAD/FOLLOW
Follow our leader. This exercise puts you in an M car behind one of our instructors, as they lead you through twists and turns at ever-increasing speeds to learn the proper driving line. Can you keep up?
SANDWICH LAPPING
No, not lunch in the car. While M School has you following the instructor through guided laps, here the instructor has you leading each lap while they coach you on the radio from behind. They’ll help you understand the appropriate level of brake application, turn-in, apex and track out.
PASSING
When is it safe to pass? Hint: not all the time. Here, we’ll break down passing technique, application and etiquette. Understand what appropriate passing is and the differing approaches to handle a braking zone leading up to the corner when considering a pass.
FLAG FLYER
Green. Yellow. Red – no, there aren’t any traffic lights on the track. But there are flags, and while you’re out there you’ll learn what each represents to maintain safety. This culminates in a final flag test, an official part of your SCCA application process.
RACE STARTS
In racing, how you start can impact how you finish, and we’ll show you how to get started right in both a rolling double and single file. In addition, we’ll practice the rules and expectations while following a pace car.
OPEN LAPPING
As close as it gets to the real thing. You’ll do a race start, then lap the track on your own. Instructors will supervise from pit lane, giving you the chance to hold nothing back and apply everything you’ve learned.
BOOK YOUR BMW RACE LICENSE SCHOOL
What You'll Learn
Your day begins in the classroom for important racing concepts and driving information. Then it’s track time on the Thermal Club tracks with Lead/Follow, Sandwich Lapping and passing.
After lunch, head back out for Flag Flyer, learning proper race starts and finally a session of open lapping.
If you’ve got your eye on Race License School but don’t have the qualifications yet, you can schedule a Two-Day M School or Advanced M School session, where we will bring you up to speed. Quickly.
BMW Race License School
$2,495
AGENDA
Schedule Subject to Change
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Arrival and registration
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Class discussion
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Track time
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Class discussion
1:15 pm - 2:40 pm
Track Time
2:40 - 3:30 pm
Flag test and closing
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
This experience is available only at our Thermal location. Participants must call ahead for verification of their qualifications and must have completed Two-Day M School or Advanced M School within 12 months of taking this course.
UPCOMING BMW ADVANCED M SCHOOL DRIVING EVENTS
GIVE THEM THE GIFT OF EXCITEMENT
Give someone a driving gift they’ll never forget. Good toward any class, each BMW gift card is delivered electronically, so it’s also perfect for last-minute gift giving.
SWEET SPEED DREAMS
With so much to see and do outside the track, you’ll want to turn your speedy adventure into a full-on South Carolina vacation.
THE THERMAL CLUB
Set against the backdrop of a beautiful mountain range, The Thermal Club is an exclusive racetrack location that offers three unique layouts, plus our own challenge course to encourage maximum thrills.
Learn about the track
HOTELS, DINING AND MORE
Downtown Palm Springs is just 40 miles from the Thermal Club, and it’s filled with luxurious hotel and dining options. You can also get a discount for your stay if you book with a lodging partner.
Explore the Palm Springs area and hotelsBMW RACE LICENSE SCHOOL AT A GLANCE
Where does the BMW Race License School take place?
This experience is available only at our Thermal location. Please visit our Locations page for more information.
BMW Performance Driving School West
86-050 Jasper Lane, Thermal, CA 92274
(888) 345-4269
Is the BMW Performance Driving School affiliated with area hotels?
Please visit our Hotels page for more information.
Will I be doing full lapping of the track?
Yes – you’ll start out on Lead/Follow with an instructor, and by the end of the day, you’ll be simulating a race with the other participants on the South Palm circuit.
I’ve purchased the M Driver’s Package – can I upgrade to an M School class?
Yes, you can use the credit from the BMW M Driver’s Package toward a One-Day M School (complimentary) or Two-Day M School for an additional charge. Please call 888-345-4269 for more information.
How old do you need to be to participate in BMW Race License School?
You must be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license.
Which cars will I drive in BMW Race License School?
The BMW M4 Coupe is used for the full day.
Will I get an SCCA license once I complete this course?
No. Drivers do not leave with an SCCA license in hand.
Race License School will satisfy the driving and racing procedure portions of the licensing requirements. Drivers will still need to fill out an application with the SCCA. For more information, please visit the SCCA website.
We will provide an SCCA license application packet upon your arrival, but we ask that you please download your own application prior to arrival to familiarize yourself with all of the SCCA’s requirements.
What kind of racing will this class qualify me for?
We are authorized to provide recommendation for a FULL COMPETITION license, but we reserve the right to offer only a NOVICE license if we deem the participant is not yet ready for full competition. Upon completion of the course, participants will receive a dated Certificate of Completion and have one year to apply for their SCCA license.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations for a full refund must be made within 60 days of your payment date. Cancellations made after the 60 days of payment will receive a credit to use toward another date or event. There will be no rescheduling if the cancellation is made within 14 days of your school or event.
How old do you need to be to participate in BMW M School?
You must be at least 18 with a valid driver’s license.
