Here’s Your Chance To Experience The BMW M4 GT4 On A Racetrack

If you have ever dreamed of getting behind the wheel of the BMW M4 GT4, it’s your lucky day, as the BMW Performance Center West in Thermal, CA just added some new classes to their roster that allow you to get behind the wheel of this track monster.

The new courses allow BMW enthusiasts to experience the customer racing BMW M4 GT4 first-hand and receive one-on-one race driving instruction to begin their journey towards being a professional driver through their new SCCA-certified licensing school.

Here’s a breakdown of the different BMW M4 GT4 courses being offered:

BMW M and M4 GT4 Experience – $2,795

A full-day program includes driving various BMW M cars and the M4 GT4 race car. Students start with a classroom session that reviews proper driving technique. After an overview of the car, they are outfitted with a racing suit and helmet. Then it’s time to experience this amazing machine on one of the Thermal Club’s world class racetracks. Students run guided laps behind a BMW instructor to experience the M4 GT4 at speeds up to 140 mph. This is the exact customer racecar offered by BMW Motorsport.

Based on the 2020 BMW M4 coupe, the M4 GT4 is built to compete in racing series around the world in the GT4 category. The 3.0 liter inline 6-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine can produce more than 430 horsepower (depending on the Balance of Performance) and the rear wing, front splitter and Continental racing tires make this car stick like glue through the corners. In addition, the class includes:

• VBOX data and video system in the M4 GT4 to record the session.
• Access to professional instructors, trackside crew and support.
• All driving gear for the duration of the class – racing suit, helmet, gloves and shoes.
• Lunch at the BMW Performance Center café.
• Insurance, with a $2,500 deductible for vehicle or property damage.

The BMW M and M4 GT4 Experience can be reserved on an individual basis or as a group (group events for this specific program have a maximum participation of 15 people).

M4 GT4 Private Coaching with Data & Video – $4,995
125 MILES OF LAPPING

This half-day program includes 125 miles of track driving in the M4 GT4 race car. Students start with a classroom session that reviews proper driving technique before being fitted out for their M4 GT4 session. The class includes:

• VBOX data and video system in the M4 GT4 to record the session.
• Time in the BMW M4 GT4 race car, one professional instructor and trackside support.
• All driving gear for the duration of the class – racing suit, helmet, gloves and shoes.
• Lunch at the BMW Performance Center café.
• Insurance, with a $2,500 deductible for vehicle or property damage.
• More miles can be purchased on the day of training. The program is designed for one driver. However, two drivers sharing a car can be arranged upon request.
• The schedule is flexible. Please call 888-345-2269, and one of the BMW Performance Center driving instructors will reply to answer any questions and schedule the coaching session. Discounts are not allowed for this program

M4 GT4 Private Coaching with Data & Video – $9,995
250 MILES OF LAPPING

A full-day program includes 250 miles of track driving in the M4 GT4 race car. Students start with a classroom session that reviews proper driving technique before being fitted out for their M4 GT4. The class includes:

• VBOX data and video system in the M4 GT4 to record the session.
• Time in the BMW M4 GT4 race car, one professional instructor and trackside support.
• All driving gear for the duration of the class – racing suit, helmet, gloves and shoes.
• Lunch at our BMW Performance Center café.
• Insurance, with a $2,500 deductible for vehicle or property damage.
• More miles can be purchased on the day of training. The program is designed for one driver. However, two drivers sharing a car can be arranged upon request.
• The schedule is flexible. Please call 888-345-2269, and one of the BMW Performance Center driving instructors will reply to answer any questions and schedule the coaching session. Discounts are not allowed for this program.

Race License School: The Path to Professional – $2495

For those who desire more training after the Advanced M School or Two-Day M School, the BMW Performance Center now offers a SCCA-certified school to take the first steps to becoming a pro driver. Students can even add this one-day school to an Advanced M School or Two-Day M School session and get qualified all at once.

What will be learned:

• Learn the colors. Green. Yellow. Red – No there aren’t any traffic lights on the track. But there are flags, and you’ll learn what each represents while you’re out there to maintain safety.
• Passing. Don’t let off. – Start off with you in a BMW, behind your instructor in theirs. They will coach you through the art of passing under both braking and acceleration. Then, we’ll bring on a classmate and coach you both as you battle for first place.
• Keep Rollin’. Practice race starts – In racing, how you start can impact how you finish, and we’ll show you how to get started right in a grid set up, as well as rolling starts. Learn how to navigate with other cars on track while setting up for that first turn.

All in all, this is a pretty cool offering, and I’m definitely eager to return to the school to get some seat time with the BMW M4 GT4 once the pandemic is over!