BMW's Advanced Driver Training

[Getzset]

Since Jun 2005, Performance Motors Ltd (PML) have opened their BMW Advanced Driver Training (ADT) to non-BMW owners.

 

 

As you might be aware, the course cost $800 for non-BMW owners. And BMW owners who bought their car from PML pay only $500 (Ya I'm thinking the same thing too, the rich getting richer right) Oh well.

 

You might be asking, why do I want to pay $800 for this course ?

 

1. You can wreck the car because it's not yours. Plus you get to drive in a proper race circuit with safety barriers and all. (No worries about hidding kerbs... in your own car)

 

2. You can progress up the drivers training ladder systematically and the training is recognised internationally. Advanced -> Intensive -> Perfection.

 

3. Good Car-Driver-Instructor ratio. Trainers are certified by BMW Motorsport Centre in Munich. 3 drivers per car. and 2 instructors per 3 cars. You listen to instructors thru walki-talkies. Connected to the car's sound system.

 

4. Great Hospitality and arrangement. 1 week before the training you'll received the gift/training pack which is couriered to your doorstep. Package include, a clima-cool type of polo T, a cap and training notes.

Great Food at corporate hospitality centre in Pasir Gudang.

Breakfast, Lunch and Teabreak all included. (Plus point : Food is certified HALAL)

Isotonic drinks at every exercise station.

Comfortable 30 seater coach transfer from Raffles marina to PG.

Covered carpark at Raffles Marina provided.

 

5. You get to drive a BMW 330i, 3 litre engine with 258 bhp capable of acheiving 0-100 in just 6.6 sec, rear wheel driven. Specially prepared for training, with driving aids and ABS overiding switch.

 

6. And lastly, You'll LEARN a lot.

 

 

ADT aims to make you to a safer driver by helping you to develop a balance of attitudes and skills to respond effectively in critical emergency situations , teach you to appreciate and understand the limits of technology and driving skill, allowing you to assess and overcome potential hazards . And of course, it's a whole lot of fun!

 

Many of us ask, how fast can this car or that car get from 0 - 100km/h. Not MANY will ever care to ask what we can do to stop the car from 100 - 0 ?? (well I only remembered Ultravan emphasising on it) This is the important point I learned from this training. It's all about safety.

And by the way, all the manouvre was executed not more than 70km/h. So that's should give you an idea that the focus of this training is all about.

 

 

Some of the manouvres in the course include :

Understeering, Oversteering and how to overcome them.

Emergency Lane Change, Emergency lane change in a Bend.

Brake Swerve and Stabalising the car.

 

The exercises are held at different parts of the circuit. Like the understeer and oversteer are conducted in a proper skid pan. Instructors guide drivers from outside the car, they talk you thru the steps throught their walki-talkies and you hear them through the in-car aux input sound system.

 

 

To end it all, a friendly competition of time slalom on the front straight of the Pasir Gudang track. I managed to time my personal best of 26.66 secs. Unfortunately I got penalty point for my 1st attempt as I missed the designated stopping area by 2 feet. But I guess my Formula Ford experience helps. It tought me that the important thing is to be smooth in steering, transmission, throttle and braking. It's won't help if you're scrappy trying to be fast.

 

So what's next ?. Intensive Driver Training...then who know's Perfection Training in Nuburgring in Germany.

But one thing for sure is that it beats any modification on my car. Driver Modification last a lifetime. How long does a modification on the car last ?

 

More pictures and Videos.... at http://www.hermizan.com/sg/photos

 

In case you wish you sign up for Advance Driving Training sign up at at www.pml.com.sg

[Potheader]

 

wah seems like the course was useful and you enjoyed every moment!

[RadX]

worth every CENT

 

if you guys go for it, it is really money well spent...

[RadX]

and when u are done, sign up for the Intensive Driving TRaining...all the above, but at speeds of 100km/h AND

 

track orientation and follow thru...u do track in PG the whole day

[Glyuen]

Just checking, BMW handles so much better than run-of-the-mill cars...how does it actually help in driving a "lesser" car?

 

Its a question i've always had about advanced driver courses...

[RadX]

well, it teaches you how to handle your car in the event you need to, not necessarily need to be BMW in event of over/understeer

 

granted, the BMWs we use are more dynamic, etc etc, but it is the skills that you learn that are impt

 

Rem, it is the DRIVER, NOT THE CAR

[Getzset]

RadX is right, it not about handling the car to its max, but learning how to handling the car when you have to.

 

One lesson I really learnt and applied to good use is the Brake, Swerve and Stabilise Manouvere. This manouvre was done with the ABS on the BMW300i switched off.

 

You might think, nowadays who drives without ABS ? Well apparently I do. My Getz doesn't have. And boy it did come in handy the other day. I nearly ran into the back of a bike and my front wheels lock under braking, and you continue sliding forward. Steering to the sides doesn't help because you'll continue going forward. What would you do ?

The steps are taught in the course and it's done quite a few time till you get the hang of it.

 

Even for manouvres like overcoming understeer and oversteer, the Traction Control on the BMWs are switched off, so that it can emulate the situation like any other car that do not have traction control.

[Conservative]

bros,

 

but one key thing, if we are drive mainly FF cars in Singapore, wont the handling dynamics be very differnt from the FR in BMWs ?

Sure the basics are the same, but when comes to the limits, which I think is that they also stress a lot, would not be so relevant for FF cars right ?

Especially understeer / oversteer.

 

What you guys think ? Only BMs and Merc and Taxi drivers can attend ?

[Beanoyip]

After you attend the course, they will psycho you to buy a BMW to compliment the course you have taken and make full use of it

[Golem]

U drive a Getz and u went to train on a BMW ? wldn't it be a case of like spending a day in heaven and back down to hell again ? IMO wld b better if can do the training in your own car, so that at least you get to apply and hands-on for daily driving straight away ...

 

or at least if u drive a car that handles as well as or close to the BMW not that bad, Getz is way off

Edited January 25, 2006 by Golem

[Getzset]

One of the participants don't even have a car. So how does your point hold water to that ?

 

Say if you're driving an MPV, try signing up for any advance driving training, see wether they'll take you in.

 

My point is : it's not the CAR.... It's the Driver that matters.

 

Sadly not many people get it.

[Getzset]

bros,

 

but one key thing, if we are drive mainly FF cars in Singapore, wont the handling dynamics be very differnt from the FR in BMWs ?

Sure the basics are the same, but when comes to the limits, which I think is that they also stress a lot, would not be so relevant for FF cars right ?

Especially understeer / oversteer.

 

What you guys think ? Only BMs and Merc and Taxi drivers can attend ?

 

Are you saying that an FF would in no way be able to / NEVER understeer or oversteer in any circumstances ? Tell me what car is that ? I want to drive that too.

[Genie47]

Forgive dear Golem. He is a car bigot and a very staunch bigot at that too. Any Pacific Rim car or car not approved from his god Jeremy Clarkson is considered to be heathen. Golem measures people by the cars they drive or own.

[Dtvox]

Wow...sound like you had fun...

 

$800 is a lot of money...thats 10% of COE...unless I buy a Beemer from PML then can get $300 off...

 

Now, question is how do I cough up the money for the beemer...

[RadX]

bro..leave it be....as Genie says, ignore nia

[RadX]

[RadX]

One of the participants don't even have a car. So how does your point hold water to that ?

 

Say if you're driving an MPV, try signing up for any advance driving training, see wether they'll take you in.

 

My point is : it's not the CAR.... It's the Driver that matters.

 

Sadly not many people get it.

 

'..even have a car....'

 

can nia..he can over steer on his KA and understeer on his KA too

[Getzset]

Genie47 Post:

 

Forgive dear Golem. He is a car bigot and a very staunch bigot at that too. Any Pacific Rim car or car not approved from his god Jeremy Clarkson is considered to be heathen. Golem measures people by the cars they drive or own.

 

No worries mate, I love watching Jeremy Clarkson too, it's enterntaining.

Like Top Gear's experiment's which doesn't make sense, nonetheless entertaining.

 

I'll take it as that.

 

Cheers !

 

PS. My COE was freaking 28K !!