November 2005
Hot Wheels
Put some va va vroom into your driving
German autobahns are legendary—probably for the simple reason that there is no speed limit. Yes, the major highways we use every day have assumed an almost mystical quality among speed demons, both foreign and domestic. In fact, it is by no means uncommon for visiting friends to ask, excitedly, “Where’s the autobahn? Are we going to go on the autobahn?”
But, before you pull out into the fast lane and put your foot down, think again: driving German-style is not to be taken lightly. Which is why BMW in Munich is offering a series of training courses dedicated to teaching motorists how to behave appropriately in specific situations and how to assess the limits of their vehicle and their driving skills. Located on a 63,500 sq. m plot of land at Munich Airport, the BMW Driver Training School was originally created by Rauno Aaltonen, perhaps better known as the “Flying Finn” in the rally-racing world. Over the past 25 years, the curriculum has been gradually improved, and there are now some 80 skilled BMW instructors who provide professional training and guidance in both German and English. And, next time you’re on the autobahn, astounded at the sheer bravado of the car approaching at the speed of light behind you, take heart in the knowledge that some 15,000 people have already taken lessons at the school.
The basic aim of BMW’s courses, all of which, naturally, include the use of a BMW (mostly the 120i model), is to teach drivers both how to recognize potential risks in traffic and how to handle those risks. All sessions begin with intense theoretical lessons, covering the basic physics of driving. Then it’s time for the practical sessions designed to improve drivers’ skills through a set of maneuvers and to teach participants how to avoid potential emergencies or overcome difficulties encountered on the road. Beginners, for example, learn the basics, such as how to apply the brakes properly in an emergency and how to avoid obstacles on the road. As the student advances, maneuvers are conducted at higher speeds. Even at lower speeds, the simple exercises allow participants to gain confidence in realistic driving conditions. The facility is also equipped with sprinkler heads imbedded in the track to simulate foul weather.
Different levels of training are available, ranging from “Compact Training”—a half-day session for beginners—all the way up to “The Racing Experience.” There are courses in economic driving, where participants learn how to maximize fuel consumption. For the more adventurous, BMW offers two-day winter training courses in Austria—where drivers get to grips with the dynamics of the cars in icy conditions, as well as driving over mountain passes—and off-road training trips to Namibia. The roadster course in Italy offers drivers the chance to “give themselves over to pure pleasure, and become immersed in the sensual world of ultimate road dynamics.”
Sounds like the stuff of boys’ dreams? With Christmas coming up, it’s certainly not a bad present idea. But the courses don’t come cheap. “Fit for the Road” classes for 18–25-year-olds start at € 65, with the basic beginner classes costing € 145. Advanced courses can set you back as much as € 2,250, which seems a snip compared to the adventure tour prices of around € 4,000.
For more details, and to book, contact the BMW Driver Training Hotline at (01805) 32 47 37 or see
www.bmw.de/fahrertraining (with link to English-language version). English courses should be booked well in advance.
