Sixteen women representing fourteen different chapters of the Club participated in the First Annual Women’s Two Day M School & Spa Getaway at the BMW Performance Center last weekend. From that group, seven had participated in previous car control programs, but this was the first time that the group chose to “up the ante” and try a Two Day M School curriculum. From the results of the weekend, these women had the “need for speed” indeed!
The group welcomed back Leslie Moyer from Del Valley, Lou Ann Shirk from Allegheny, Susan Feinthel from the Buckeye Chapter, Jackie Bechek from Sandlapper, Wendie Martin from Oregon, Jenny Nakahara from the Puget Sound Chapter, Eva Kwong from the Golden Gate Chapter, and Ramona Santiago-Davis from the Sunbelt Chapter.
The Driving Divas welcomed in to the ranks their newest members—Jackie Jouret, Editor-in-Chief of Bimmer Magazine who will be writing an article about this illustrious group, Patti Miles, wife of Peter Miles, VP from BMW NA, Gail Crutchett-Baer from the Michiana Chapter, Nancy Anderson from the Boston Chapter, Becky Eby of the Windy City Chapter, Darlene Doran from the Rocky Mountain and new Secretary of the BMW CCA Board, Phyllis Beck from the Peachtree Chapter, and last, but not least, Darinda Sutton of the Allegheny Chapter.
The women challenged themselves by mastering the mighty horses of the M Cars—the Competition Package M3, and the 575 horsepower M5 and M6, on the Skid Pad and on the Performance Center track. On Day One, the women practiced under/oversteering on the polished Skid Pad and car control handling skills on the track. Slamming on the brakes in the corners helped them appreciate the powerful carbon ceramic brakes of the M5 and M6. On Day Two, the women lapped the entire track—nearly 1.7 miles long—in the nimble M3 and the beastly M6—neither of which seemed to intimidate this group!
Each participant was eager to improve her skills and cheered each other on in all of the timed competitions. The group was privileged to have the skillful attention of the Performance Center instructors Mike Renner, Donnie Isley, Johan Schwartz, Clint Kimmel, and Laura Hayes. They were impressed by the speed and driving skills of this group—and pronounced that this group was every bit as talented and fast as the male M School participants. Laura even renamed the famous fast corner on the track, “the Wonder Woman Corner” instead of the “Man’s Corner!”
After two full days of hard-charging driving, the women drove themselves in the Center’s own luxurious 750Li and 550i’s towards the Chateau Elan Spa in Braselton, Georgia. Mike Renner surprised them all by arranging for the cars to enjoy several parade laps at Road Atlanta on the way down. Following Mike around Road Atlanta in these luxurious BMW’s was a thrill for everyone!
At The Chateau Elan, the women enjoyed a laughter-filled and elegant private dinner in the Winery Restaurant at the Spa, sampling many wines produced on the Chateau’s own fine vineyards. The next day, the entire group savored a delicious hot breakfast as well as a deluxe massage or facial at the Spa. Everyone relished relaxing in the spa in their robes, and they ended the getaway with a delicious closing luncheon in the Spa before heading back home.
This trip was a tremendous success, and there are plans to offer this program next year, perhaps even an Advanced M School for Women Only at Road Atlanta combined with the Chateau Elan Spa.—Jackie Bechek
