Nürburgring BMW Driving School for 2006

The dates for the annual Nürburgring BMW Driving School have been announced for 2006: Monday-Wednesday, August 14-15-16. This event gives BMW CCA members a chance to experience the hallowed place where the world’s best cars, including every BMW model, are perfected for production. Over its 13-mile length, the Nordschleife (North Loop) of the Nürburgring includes about every type of turn known to man, over 170 in total. The so-called “Green Hell” climbs and plunges through about 1000 ft. of elevation change, and adds a 2-mile-long straightaway for good measure. There’s nothing like it!

The BMW CCA will put together an optional program for participants to enjoy before the School. This year, we already have an invitation to tour Alpina, and BMW has some new facilities and exhibits that will be opening in time for the World Cup in July. We’ll work on an itinerary, check on other events happening at this time, and fill in the details later.

Participants should already be familiar with high performance driving skills, including smooth steering and shifting, driving lines, and advanced car control techniques. A minimum of at least 3 two-day driving schools (BMW CCA or equivalent) is a prerequisite.

If you are wondering what you can drive in the school, your ED BMW is the perfect answer. Just drive far enough to reach the break-in mileage before the school starts. If ED is not in the cards for you this year but you can get to Germany, rental BMWs can be arranged through BMW CCA, usually 1 or 3 series models.

Much more information is available at the interim website http://www.autobahntours.com/interna...r_lehrgang.htm, which will be updated soon. First-timers will find a lot of answers in the FAQ (click “much more” on the linked page, then “FAQ”). More useful links are provided on the interim website.

This year's entry fee will probably be close to $1,350 (last year’s cost) because the US dollar is still weak against the Euro (BMW CCA does this at cost and all costs are in Euros). To sign up, we will start accepting reservations in March, first come-first served by phone call to the BMW CCA National Office. To get on the email list for schedule updates, contact Dan Tackett, the BMW CCA event coordinator at tackman@san.rr.com. Dates and details will be provided to the people on the email list and in the Roundel.

In the meantime, sit back and dream about the Nordschleife. Check out one of the linked videos or give it a virtual drive on Gran Turismo 4.

You can PM me (L Seca) with any questions you may have, or post them here.

Already on the mailing list for this...

I wonder what kind of rental cars they had last year. 120d maybe?

If you want a fancy car you can always do the BMW Drivers Training in an M3.

I believe last year's Nordschlief School used E46 M3

I will likely attend the school this year

Originally Posted by beewang

I believe last year's Nordschlief School used E46 M3

I will likely attend the school this year

The BMW club school? I didn't think anyone rents M3s anymore.

Originally Posted by Dawg90

I wonder what kind of rental cars they had last year. 120d maybe?

Most students rented 3ers, including 320 gas, 320 diesel, etc. Some had 1 series. One had a Z4, I had my ED 330i. The M3s are used at the BMW factory school (at Salzburgring I recall), and this costs a lot more.

Originally Posted by doeboy

Already on the mailing list for this...

Great! Now the next step is to sign up. Been before?

Originally Posted by L Seca

Great! Now the next step is to sign up. Been before?

Never been yet but eagerly awaiting more details!

I think I'd want to see if I can rent a 1 series... I'm curious about that car... if they ever bring it stateside, it's on my list of to be considered cars....

Update on the 2006 Nurburgring School

BMW CCA ITINERARY:

OPTIONAL TOUR (Pay as you go, tentative until everything is confirmed):

Aug 8 Arrive in Munich, evening Welcome Reception
Aug 9 Tour of Alpina, visit BMW Museum and BMW Welt site (under construction)
Aug 10 Autobahn road trip Munich-Dresden-Leipzig
Aug 11 Private Group Tour of newest BMW factory in Leipzig (opened 2005)
Aug 12 Autobahn road trip Leipzig-Eisenach (BMW historic museum)-Hotel TBD
Aug 13 Short autobahn drive to Nürburgring, vintage races underway for the day. PM check into trackside Dorint Hotel, pick up School registration packets, Welcome Dinner

NURBURGRING SCHOOL PROGRAM:

Aug 14 Nürburgring Driving School Day 1, 8 AM to 8 PM
Aug 15 Nürburgring Driving School Day 2, 8 AM to 8 PM, BMW CCA Group Italian dinner
Aug 16 AM final full-lap practice, PM Graded Lap, Evening Awards Banquet
Aug 17 Departure (recommend afternoon flights from Frankfurt)

HOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN THE NURBURGRING SCHOOL:

We take reservations for the openings on a first come-first served basis. We want to give an equal chance to members who will first hear about the School in the March Roundel issue. The fairest way to sequence everybody is by telephone call, so here's how it works:

*Reservations will be taken starting on Monday, March 20th at 10:00 AM Eastern time.

*Call the BMW CCA National Office at 864/250-0022

*Provide your name, BMW CCA membership number, email address, telephone number, shipping address, and MC or VISA information for a $500 deposit.

*You may reserve up to two spots (you and your Driving Partner) in one phone call. Have the above info for the 2nd person too.

*If you have already chosen your Driving Partner (2 drivers per car maximizes the openings), let them know when you call.

*You will later be notified by email whether you're in the 2006 School or on the waiting list.

*Your deposit is refundable in full if you cancel before April 14th (so go ahead and make flight and vacation plans).

SPEED UP YOUR RESERVATION CALL:

You can shorten your Reservation call by emailing this information in advance to peggy.helmke@bmwcca.org:

Your name, as you want it to appear on your nametag, BMW CCA membership number, Shipping address (we can't ship your shirt to a PO Box), Contact email address, Day and evening phone numbers, Driving Partner name (if selected already). We recommend that you provide your credit card info in the call, not the email. This does not give your reservation any higher priority, but it will shorten your call and reduce the chance of error.

So, do you have any plans for August?

Dan Tackett
Nurburgring School Coordinator