Houston Festers-Ultimate Driving School in August

[mtbscott]

The Ultimate Driving School is back at Reliant Stadium August 5-7. I signed up this morning for the 8:30 class on Saturday the 6th. The number for signup is 888-344-4269. I have been to this the last two years and it's a great time. Fills up fast.

[tamum3]

These are fun events, I'm signed up for the same time :thumbup:

[startover]

Signed up for the 5th :thumbup:

Are the cars available with a stick or automatic only? Also I was told you get to choose only one of the models for a test drive?

[hugh1850]

They were all autos a couple of years ago, the Z4s were SMG. I think all the autocross cars are e90 330is.

I'm in the Sat. 3:30 slot.

[BluFLu]

I live and Houston and would be interested in this event. I tried to google it but came up blank.

[mtbscott]

I live and Houston and would be interested in this event. I tried to google it but came up blank.
Uhhh...in my original post I gave the number to sign up at, you can't do it online. For general info about the program, go to BMWUSA.com and look under special events/Ultimate Driving Experience.
I've been to two of these and you won't see a manual transmission car anywhere in sight. The cars used for the driving school will likely be 330i's (two years ago, it was 330's and Z4's, last year X3's)since that's what they're trying to sell now. They will probably also have "Drive for the Cure" cars on hand for before/after you do your school. They will all be automatics too. On another note, two years ago, they also had a M school offered using then current M5's. I thought it was too expensive at $500 for an eight hour school, but after seeing what they got to do, I wish I'd signed up for it then. They had a completely different, much longer course, and got much more advanced instruction than the free citizen school.

[LDV330i]

Things are going fast. Saturday is all booked up except for 5:30 PM and on Sunday only the 3:30 and 5:30 PM slots are open. You need make sure to tell them your want to do the 2 hour event or they may sign you up for Drive for the Cure. :confused:


I am sign up for 3:30 PM on Sunday.

[startover]

Hmmm it's a bit disappointing to hear that no manuals are available. I'm a total newbie on autocross and track, but to my limited experience and imaginations wouldn't it be QUITE different between a stick and an auto during those hard turns (which I want to learn the most)?

To my understanding the event consists of two programs. The first one is driving school in which an instructor will ride with you in a 06 330i. The second one is test driving one of the available models (325,330,z4,x3,x5,645 I think) of your choice. Is that correct? I think I signed up for both. Usually how long will the entire thing last?

[Dave 330i]

I'm there all day Sunday since my exchange student will participate in the student driving program at 8:30 am.

[mtbscott]

Hmmm it's a bit disappointing to hear that no manuals are available. I'm a total newbie on autocross and track, but to my limited experience and imaginations wouldn't it be QUITE different between a stick and an auto during those hard turns (which I want to learn the most)?

To my understanding the event consists of two programs. The first one is driving school in which an instructor will ride with you in a 06 330i. The second one is test driving one of the available models (325,330,z4,x3,x5,645 I think) of your choice. Is that correct? I think I signed up for both. Usually how long will the entire thing last?
The Autocross school consists of classroom, followed by being driven around by an instructor, then you get your turn behind the wheel along with your fellow passengers (4 to a car). Two years ago, we finished with team-relay race in Z4's, last year there was no formal competition, just two ontrack sections separated by a critique session. The test drive is just that. Part of the "Drive for the Cure" program, you can sign up for as many of the demos as you have time for and get to drive them on a pre-determined loop of around 12 miles or so. You're on your own for the test drives, but the route has too much traffic for hot-rodding.

[Dave 330i]

You're on your own for the test drives, but the route has too much traffic for hot-rodding.
After driving few cars over the same boring route, I created my own routes which included some acceleration tests on the freeway. :p

[Tdrag97]

woohoo the event is coming up..

I'm there on Sat.. but i've signed up at 2pm... so does that mean i just get to test drive and not the school auto x.. ???

[LDV330i]

woohoo the event is coming up..

I'm there on Sat.. but i've signed up at 2pm... so does that mean i just get to test drive and not the school auto x.. ???When I sign up on July 7 they told me they were sold out on the autocross for Saturday except 5 PM. So I signed up for Sunday.

[TLudwig]

I would have signed up for this because it sounds like a blast, even if they only have automatics, but I'm going to be out of town. Tear up the track for me. :thumbup:

[mtbscott]

If any of you are coming to the 8:30 on Saturday, say hi. They give you name tags and coincidentally by real name is Scott too! I'll wear my lucky Speed Racer Tshirt.

[tamum3]

If any of you are coming to the 8:30 on Saturday, say hi. They give you name tags and coincidentally by real name is Scott too! I'll wear my lucky Speed Racer Tshirt.

I'll be there at the same time with my Dad. I'll probably be wearing my Houston CCA shirt. I'll say hi if I see you...