BMW Performance Center is Your Personal Danger Zone

on April 13, 2018

Are you ready for an afternoon thrill? If you like your hands behind the wheel and want to open up an engine on a race course designed for fun, perhaps it is time for you to test your skills at the BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Your day starts with the basics, by getting to know your instructor and the cars. Professional drivers provide insight into each of the BMW vehicles driven on a designed course to challenge your skills. You quickly graduate to the course where you learn how to properly maneuver the vehicles around obstacles.

In fact, at the performance center you are encouraged to test the brakes – stopping on a dime on a wet track, or open up the engine from zero to sixty in under five seconds. Your hands behind the wheel will never feel as exhilarated and nerve-stirring at the same time. The course not only tests the limits of the car, it will test yours. This bucket list experience is a great day or two escape from the plateau.

My favorite part of the day, the Time Lap race in the M240i. Speed, cut corners, but don’t knock over the cones, all while trying to beat your friends’ times to earn bragging rights. If you apply your skills, you could win the best time of the day. I finished in 24.3 seconds, and I challenge you beat it.

What cars do you get to experience and test drive to the max?

BMW M240i

Horsepower: 320

Torque: 330 lb-ft

Weight: 3,535 lbs

0-60: 4.6 seconds

BMW 340i

Horsepower: 320

Torque: 330 lb-ft

Weight: 3,695 lbs

0-60: 4.6 seconds

BMW 650i

Horsepower: 445

Torque: 480 lb-ft

Weight: 4,275 lbs

0-60: 4.3 seconds

BMW X3

Horsepower: 300

Torque: 300 lb-ft

Weight: 4,230 lbs

0-60: 5.3 seconds

BMW X5

Horsepower: 300

Torque: 300 lb-ft

Weight: 4,680 lbs

0-60: 6.1 seconds

The excitement and laughter alone is worth it. Yet, the fun of skidding around a circular wet track and actually losing control of the car is a rip-roaring blast. When you understand the type of car you are driving, your insight into speed, braking, lane changing, and taking fast corners brings your driving skills and entertainment to a whole new level.

Whether you choose to experience with your buddies, spouse, or co-workers this experience is something you won’t forget. The center also offers corporate retreats. A little healthy competition and fun is always good for office moral. With an onsite cafe offering options for every nutrition lifestyle choice, you are well taken care of during your day adventure experience.

Want to get off road? The two-day driving school provides you the opportunity to pilot the X vehicles through various terrain obstacles and adverse conditions you may not think the cars (or you) can handle. Seriously, I have owned an X Series vehicle, and I thought it was too pretty to handle a water hazard, so I am curious to see your reaction.

Sometimes you just need to step on the gas pedal and get out there. Open it up, channel your inner race car driving self and show them what you’re made of. If you are ready for acceleration, perhaps it is time to cross racing off your “live” list.

If you want a little more, test your hand at the M School Experience, where you only drive the M Series vehicles where your thirst for speed is quenched.