BMW Performance Driving School

Press Release

BMW PERFORMANCE CENTER ANNOUNCES 2002 DRIVING SCHOOL SCHEDULE BMW Expands Road Course, Adds Classes 11. February 2002 Spartanburg, South Carolina, February 11, 2002... Driving home the importance of advanced skills behind the wheel, the BMW Performance Center is offering classes for drivers of all abilities, with an expanded driving school schedule and new clinics for 2002. "We're experiencing a surge of interest in our driving clinics and corporate programs. There's been a 100% increase in participation since we opened in late 1999, so we've expanded our offerings to meet the demand by adding 20 classes," said Tom Strahs, manager of driving programs and events. "With more people opting to travel by car these days, it's important for all drivers to hone their skills so that they are prepared to handle potentially hazardous situations," Strahs continued. "Our courses offer hands-on training for nearly all types of real world driving situations." Due to the increase in programs, the BMW Performance Center added a new driving surface for corporate driving, under and oversteer training and a new petite autocross - 200 by 300 feet. The X5 driving school, which features an off roads course, and consecutive mother/teen and father/teen driving schools are the latest course offerings for 2002. The BMW Performance Center Driving School road course can be configured 35 different ways and uses special features not found in most driver training programs. For example, students learn how to control a vehicle on an ultra-smooth concrete skid pad, which produces a slippery surface that simulates "black ice." Accident avoidance maneuvers are taught on a water wall corridor - one of only a few in the world - where drivers are "surprised" when obstacles suddenly "appear" in front of their moving vehicles. An emergency braking zone gives students the opportunity to learn the relationship between speed and stopping distance and how to brake with an ABS-equipped vehicle on both wet and dry surfaces. The ABS can be turned off to teach control for those drivers that don't have ABS-equipped vehicles. Gift certificates are also available for each driving program. More information on the BMW Performance Center Driving School is available through the BMW Performance Center's toll free number, 888-345-4BMW (4269). BMW PERFORMANCE CENTER 2002 DRIVING SCHOOLS (schedule is subject to change -- *denotes parent/teen consecutive schools) * New Driver School - February 16, March 23*, April 20*, May 11, June 8, July 15*, August 3*, August 29. Cost is $300. * Teen Camp - August 12 & 14. $1,950; includes meals and hotel accommodations. * M School - March 8 & 9, April 19 & 20*, June 21 & 22, July 12 & 13, August 23 & 24, September 6 & 7. Cost is $3,650 and includes meals, hotel accommodations, a BMW racing helmet, jacket and M-School shirt. * X5 School - March 21, June 15, August 10, September 17. Cost is $495; new clinic features off-roads course and lessons in control and balance. * One Day Car Control Clinic - February 6, March 16, April 13, June 5, June 24, July 13, August 17. Cost is $495. * Two-Day Advanced Clinic - April 5 & 6, April 22 & 23, May 17 & 18, June 6 & 7, June 25 & 26, August 5 & 6, September 13 & 14. Cost is $795. * Women-Only Clinic - February 11, March 9, March 22*, April 19, May 10, June 28, July 16*, August 2*, September 16. Cost is $495.