Tribute to M School March 06' - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

StealthBlue · 26th March 2006, 11:54

Hello All,

I hadn’t had a chance to write since I got back from M School on March 19th. We have all heard good and amazing things about the experience at the Performance Center and undoubtedly they were spot on. Because of the exposure M experience program has had lately in the board, I will limit myself to giving some of the highlights (and comments) of these three exciting days:

- The day after we arrived, we met three great engineers from the M division. I had the opportunity to speak to them about what they love: cars and especially M cars. They participated in the events with the other 11 of us taking the class. Topics ranged from the notorious I-Drive to the future of automated automobiles.

- This program allows you to appreciate the differences between the M3 and M5. You get to drive them back to back in different conditions. It was interesting to see the general feeling of awe after the participants got out of the M5.

- The class is fast paced and you jump from one exercise to another. Adrenaline is kept flowing through the use of a stimulating instrument: the stopwatch. Individual competition is encouraged (b/n the 4 person groups) and at the end those against whom you were competing become your teammates.

- One of my favorite exercises was the wet handling course in the M5 (at the Michelin testing grounds). It combines many, if not all, of the car control skills being taught. I wish someone would have captured my laps on video. At one point, I accidentally turned off the wipers and was left at the mercy of my memory (for orientation) for a “couple” of seconds. I couldn’t see anything!

- On the last day, after the before mentioned wet handling exercise (and close to the program closure), we received some hot laps around the Michelin track with the instructors on the pilot’s seat. When it was my turn I hopped in with MrDrifter. We were on the second car taking curves (and drifting) at over 110 mph- amazing vehicles. Immersed in the experience, a few curves later, I watched as the front car turned, we up shifted and accelerated into the corner drifting all the way, then suddenly… we hit the rumble strips going sideways. But the car maintained its course. Everything seemed normal, until we straightened out… then Jim calmly said: “### we lost the rear suspension.”

Morals: 1. Do not hit the grotesque rumble strips going sideways at such high speeds.
2. Thank the M engineers for putting together a car that maintains its composure in all *situations*.
When we got out of the car the left rear wheel was facing inward at about 40 degrees.

I want to thank the instructors for an excellent time. All have vast experience in driving and their styles and characters while diverse, complement each other greatly; I learned something from each and every one of them.
Here is a provisional link for a small compilation of short videos I took with my camera. It will be broadcasted in google video later on. On the meantime, feel free to download ~87M.

http://www.filefactory.com/get/f.php?f=217a2cebcad802d42818b275

TireBurn · 26th March 2006, 15:58

Thanks for the review. Sounds like an awesome experience. And I have come to a conclusion... MrDrifter must not have an adrenal gland if he can keep his composure after losing the rear suspension going 110! LOL! Unreal!