Couples Experience Full Throttle Fun at Performance Center

Eight couples, all members of the BMW Car Club, recently came together for the Second Annual Couples’ Trip held by the Club in conjunction with the BMW Performance Center near Greenville, South Carolina. Attendees traveled from Canada, Houston, Long Island, New Jersey, and Alabama to partake in the fun. On the first day, couples teamed up in the Center’s own vehicles—the 335is, the 128i, and the Competition Package M3—to practice ABS braking and cornering, as well as feeling the effects of weight transfer on the handling course, and oversteer and understeer on the skidpad. No one was spared the embarrassment of spinning in circles on the skidpad!

 

After a full day of exhilarating driving, the couples all enjoyed a relaxing dinner at Soby’s downtown, hosted by Mike Renner of the Performance Center and Jackie Bechek, the new Director of National Events for BMW CCA.

 

On the Second day of the trip, the couples piled into the Center’s new 650i’s, X3’s, and 335i’s for a challenging street drive into the mountains. The drive gave everyone a chance to practice their new car handling skills acquired back at the Performance Center. Escorted by Mike and other instructors from the Center, the journey was composed of a 140 mile street drive through the beautiful mountains of North and South Carolina. The couples wound their vehicles up steep roads to arrive at the Cliffs of Glassy, which provided a grand view of the rolling hills. They continued on through very twisting, mountainous roads, stopping only for a rest, or to change vehicles. The goal was to try out each one of these cars under these arduous conditions—and everyone did develop a favorite car along the way.

 

The couples stopped for lunch in the charming village of Brevard, NC for a delicious lunch at HobNob and enjoyed delicious Po’Boy sandwiches, salads, and homemade soups. After lunch the journey continued on to Caesar’s Head—the highest point in South Carolina—for photos and to gaze at the beautiful valley below. The full day ended with a relaxing steak and wine dinner at one of Greenville’s favorite restaurants, Larkin’s on the River.  Everyone agreed this trip gave them a wonderful opportunity to appreciate what it means to be a CCA member, share memories, and meet other BMW-philes from across the country. During the weekend, the couples honed some new driving techniques for sure, but, most importantly, they learned that laughter was the best way to make new friendships.