BMW M Track Days

"Danny Korecki" (dannykorecki) 06/14/2017 at 17:50 • Filed to: bmw m track days, bmw m, bmw m3, bmw m2, bmw m4, monticello motor club, monticello

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When I bought my BMW E92 M3 almost 2 years ago, I discovered that BMW throws manufacturer !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , where you drive the current generation of BMW fleet M cars. In 2016, the M Track Days were free , which means they nearly impossible to book due to being booked up within hours. This year, BMW added a $250 premium, a steal for the chance to thrash factory BMW M cars on the track for hours, but it allowed serious BMW M fans to get the chance to experience BMW M.

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BMW M Track Days

This year BMW’s M Track Days are visiting four tracks: Monticello Motor Club, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, The Ridge Motorsports Park, and The Thermal Club. I chose !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , due to the closest distance to my home and all I read and see online is it is one of the most beautiful tracks in the country if not the world. Recently, Chris Harris drove the new Acura NSX around Monticello on an episode of Top Gear and the endless /DRIVE features filmed there show its beauty.

From my home in Pennsylvania, it took a little over 4 hours to get to Monticello, New York. When I arrived in instantly felt like I arrived at a country club for cars. When you register they attempt to group you with similar experienced drivers, because you can only go as fast as the “slowest link” when doing lead follow.

The Program

Their program is roughly 4 hours long with rotating car activities. My first “activity” was lead follow laps in a BMW M2. All of the cars are spec’d out with various M parts. Some have M Performance Exhausts, some have M Carbon Fiber bits, some have M Performance Alcantara Steering Wheels, among other M bells and whistles.

From the M2 my run group hopped into an M3 to do lead follow laps in. My M3 was equipped with the M Performance Exhaust which meant I was upshifting for the sole purpose of downshifting to hear the crackles and burbles. Sadly, it was a rainy day so no breaking any lap records, but I was fortunate to be in a run group of similarly experienced drivers and we were hitting speeds in excess of 120 mph.

From the M3’s we walked on over to Monticello Motor Club’s go kart track which had been edited to be an autocross course to attempt to set lap times in BMW M4’s. BMW does a country wide search to determine the “Ultimate Driver”. How they determine the Ultimate Driver is simple. They do it by whomever sets the quickest laptime on the autocross course in the M4’s. Top laptimes at every track location the M Track Days take place at get invited to compete to become the Ultimate Driver on BMW’s dime.

The final driving activity of my run group was drag race/stop box BMW M6’s, X5 M’s, and X6 M’s. It was a fun event, you basically drag race your opponent in the other lane to a stop box at the other end and first to stop completely in the stop box wins.

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The Fun After the Fun

The drag race/stop box was the final activity to drive, but not the final experience. Last item for the day was instructor hot laps. I rode shotgun in a BMW M3 as IMSA driver !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! drifted the track in the wet.

I was aware that as part of the program that I would be receiving dinner, but the meal rivaled the catering at my wedding. During the dinner every attendee was gifted a bunch of BMW M swag and then we all dispersed. 4 hours back to Pennsylvania I went.

E92M3 > Danny Korecki 06/14/2017 at 18:03

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Ready to buy an M2 now?

Textured Soy Protein > Danny Korecki 06/14/2017 at 18:19

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Last summer my local BMW dealer had a white 34oi kitted out with assorted M accessories including some kind of M color stripes, kinda like this:

The sales lady was like, “isn’t this car cool?” and I responded, “uh, no, to be honest, I couldn’t drive around with these stripes.”

I’m all for cool cars and I even drive a modified BMW but those are just too BMDouchey for me.

Azrek > E92M3 06/15/2017 at 12:49

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Are you?

I hug my E92 daily...even when my local dealer keeps emailing me to buy my car.

E92M3 > Azrek 06/15/2017 at 13:04

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I go back and forth. On one hand the S65 sounds better, and the steering feel is superior. On the other hand I would have a car that’s under warranty, and wouldn’t have to worry about bearing failure (at least for 5 yrs)

Azrek > E92M3 06/15/2017 at 13:48

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I may be done with BMW after I trade in my E92. I likely will get one of these silly luxury speedy SUVs like the Macan GTS or that Alfa SUV.

I like going fast...but I dislike having to watch out for steep driveways, unable to go camping or have some height to the ride. I miss my ‘88 4Runner some days.

E92M3 > Azrek 06/15/2017 at 14:08

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Macan GTS is a good choice.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Danny Korecki 06/15/2017 at 14:36

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Sweeet...

Danny Korecki > E92M3 06/15/2017 at 18:34

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Once they depreciate below $40k, yep.

awmaster10 > Azrek 06/15/2017 at 22:18

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Try a top trim F pace too

Azrek > awmaster10 06/16/2017 at 08:20

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Not sure I have the posh for a Jag. A Porsche, sure.

awmaster10 > Azrek 06/16/2017 at 09:07

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The jag sounds great, but the macan is definitely a solid choice in that segment. I actually really like small rwd performance crossovers. A lot of them handle like hatchbacks and they are slightly more practical (and RWD based)

Danny Korecki > E92M3 06/21/2017 at 19:50

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After driving the current gen ///M fleet and owning a E92 M3 as well the only thing they lack in is in the noise department.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > Danny Korecki 06/21/2017 at 20:06

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I drive an M5 with a Dinan exhaust and I drive home through a tunnel every day on my way home from work.

Wasn’t planned that way but I like it.

Danny Korecki > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief 06/21/2017 at 20:08

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I 4 to 3 shift every time I go under a highway bridge. It is the little things.

Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief 06/21/2017 at 20:17

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Basically my dads car without the exhaust. Competition package instead

just-a-scratch > Danny Korecki 06/21/2017 at 20:22

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$250 for 4 hours of track time in a car professionally maintained at someone else’s expense? That sounds like a good deal to me.

notsomethingstructural > Danny Korecki 07/16/2017 at 01:08

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Monticello is actually a country club for cars, it’s very strictly members only on non-reserved days (which there are few of), there are no public days, and was $50k-200k for initiation last I checked.

B_dol > Danny Korecki 12/14/2018 at 16:38

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I still really like the idea of doing //M days. Too bad the thrills per $$ are much lower than tracking my own BMW, and so I have yet to experience the M2 in anger.