The driving schools and training facilities for which the BMW Performance Center has been well known will get real close to the west coast, real soon.
BMW of North America announced today that later this year, it will open the BMW Performance Center West. The new, permanent driver training facility will be located at The Thermal Club just outside of La Quinta in southern California. BMW NA says it will offer all the same courses that have been featured at the original BMW Performance Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Among these will be M Schools and BMW Teen Driving Schools.
“We have long believed that the right driver training is every bit as important as technology in helping to keep drivers safe,” noted Peter Miles, Vice President of Sales Channel Development and Customer Relations, BMW of North America. “The BMW Performance Center West will make it easier for customers in the Western US to benefit from the same professional driving instruction that nearly 130,000 drivers have had at the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina over the last fifteen years. We are very pleased to partner with The Thermal Club.”
The Thermal Club is a private motorsports club focused on providing motorsports programming, world-class culinary opportunities, and luxury service levels. The facility will eventually feature 5.5 miles of road racing circuits, private luxury member garage villas, and luxury concierge services. The Thermal Club’s Motorsports Village has a Tuning Shop with maintenance bays for vehicle maintenance and repairs, locker rooms, and a lounge. Its Trackside Garage is designed for storage for the track and safety car fleet. The Tower Building serves as the main clubhouse building and will feature a 70-foot high operational control tower. The facility also has a pool, kids club, and tennis courts.
“We are thrilled that BMW has selected Thermal as its long term home for the BMW Performance Center West. This is a very exciting venture for the community, Thermal, and our members. It’s a great partnership with one of the world’s premier brands,” said Thermal Club owners Tim and Twanna Rogers.
The BMW Performance Center West will occupy 32 acres on the grounds of The Thermal Club, and will include a dedicated 1.4-mile road course, 6.2 acres of paddock, a skid pad, and an 8,500 square foot Performance Facility.
BMW launched BMW Driver Training in Germany in 1977. The BMW Performance Center opened in 1999. Nearly 130,000 students have graduated from Performance Center driving courses, including almost 5,000 BMW Teen Driving School graduates. Between 1,000 and 1,500 people visit the Spartanburg BMW Performance Center every week.—Scott Blazey
