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The BMW Performance
Center is located near the BMW Manufacturing Facility in
Spartanburg/Greerstart, South Carolina. The Performance Center is also BMW's
location for the US Delivery program. The center features on and off road
tracks, driving school, training facility and gift shop.
Give them a call at
1-888-345-4BMW to learn more.
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Coming Soon |
| A new BMW
Performance Center to excite the enthusiast. |
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Off-Road Track |
| Just
kidding. This is just tracks from some construction equipment. |
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Construction |
| With a Fall
1999 open date, construction was hurried. After all there was a track and large
building to have ready. |
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The
Work begins on the Track |
| With the
building started it was now time to begin to carve the track. |
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The
First Visitors |
| Ok, not
official visitors. Hell, we may have even been trespassing. |
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Off-Roading Track takes Shape |
| We ventured
out to the off-road portion of the track. We even were accompanied by locals on
their ATVs. They certainly enjoyed the challenge. |
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The
See-Saw |
| Balance the
X5 on this as you cross over this obstacle. |
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No
Cherry Bumps, Please |
| This crude
obstacle is sure to test your skills. |
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Lake
BMW? |
| Just
kidding this is a view toward the Performance Center from the back of the
property. |
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More
of the Track |
| This
section of track is certainly a little easier than the rest. |
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The
Bath |
| Put your X5
to the test. This rock filled trough will test your skill and the SAV's
ability. |
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Take
a Break |
| Simple rock
piles just help make you forget you are in the middle of an all out 4x4 test
track. |
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Take
Another Dip |
| Rumor has
it Disney design teams helped plan the rock portion of the track. What could be
in store? |
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Up
the Hill |
| Man made
obstacles help add to the fun of the whole track experience. |
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Over
the Bridge |
| This narrow
bridge will really add to the fear. It is only a 15 foot drop over the
edge. |
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Don't
Fence me In |
| Fences
accompany some of the track. While an X5 can go off road an adventurous student
may go a little too far. |
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Road
Course takes Shape |
| The circle
in the center of the photo is the skid pad. |
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More
of the Road Course |
| A view from
one end of the road course. |
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Still
more Road Course |
| Sweeping
turns allow the student to get up to speed and really learn car
control. |
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The
Roundabout |
| I bet you
can't guess what this piece of the course is for. Just you wait and
see. |
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Scenic Lake BMW |
| Just
another shot of the ever growing Performance Center. |
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The
Bridge Again |
| How does
the bridge come into play with the roundabout? |
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Will
it Fit? |
| That bridge
is not very wide. I wonder if an X5 will even fit. |
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For
the Good Students |
| The best
students can take their X5's up on this pedestal. Just Kidding. This is the cap
of the roundabout. |
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Going
Down |
| This steep
rocky slope will surely scare a student or two. |
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Getting Close |
| The
building is not finished on the outside and is getting the final touches
inside. Let's take a look. |
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Cars |
| What a
distraction for a meeting or just the ultimate garage? |
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Car
Delivery Rooms |
| Part of the
Performance Center's mission is to become an American Delivery
Center. |
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What
a View |
| Buy your M5
and come to Spartanburg to pick it up and get a free driving/handling class.
This was one of the Center's first programs. |
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The
Entrance |
| A view soon
to fill most enthusiast's dreams. Pick up a new car, get some training and then
head for the mountains. |
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Road
Course |
| Construction is finishing up out in back too. |
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Private Fleet |
| The
Performance Center's private fleet of training vehicles begins to
arrive. |
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Not a
Bad Site |
| A little
landscaping and it should be ready for visitors. |
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Did I
say M5 |
| This M5
greets visitors in the main lobby. |
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Dream
Job or Hell |
| Sit at the
welcome desk and stare at this M5 all day, every day. Do not even attempt to
start it or drive. Smile when 400 persons ask for the keys. They always
ask! |
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First
Event |
| The
Performance Center was host to a small driving school at the 1999 Z3
HomeComing. |
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The
Z3's |
| The
enthusiast received a 2 hour class in skid pad control, autocross and car
control. |
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The
Fleet |
| Just
another photo of some of the cars that get to enjoy the track
everyday. |
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Getting Ready to Head Out |
| Instructions are given to the students along with a 2 way radio. A
great way to communicate with the drivers from a distance. |
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Slip
Sliding |
| The skidpad
is a great place to learn car control. |
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Next
in Line |
| The Z3r's
await there chance to drive on the track. |
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Accelerate |
| It seems
very simple. Accelerate from a complete stop, do not go over 22
MPH. |
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I
said 22 MPH |
| A student
crosses the lines and pays the price. |
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Welcome |
| Hassie
begins the tour inside as more students play outside. |
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Class
Room |
| Techs in
training learn their craft in this high tech class room. |
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What
a Classroom |
| Filled with
X5's and the best equipment. |
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Driver's Room |
| At the
beginning of a training session the drivers receive their information in this
room. |
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The
Shop |
| The
Performance Center also includes a shop to repair and maintain all of the
associate's vehicles. |
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Paint
Booth |
| A real
paint shop is located in the shop area. |
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Well, |
| We meant
within reason. The shop also boasts a full size frame straightener. |
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Alignment, No Problem |
| The
equipment you find in the shop area is amazing. |
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Frame
Straightener. |
| With
equipment like this it can take a badly wrecked vehicle and return it to
factory spec. |
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Parts
too |
| Imagine
having this parts warehouse at the local dealer. Never a wait and the words,
"We'll order it". |
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Gift
Shop |
| And for all
the visitors. The Center hosts a cafeteria and coffee shop area
also. |
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Motorcyles??? |
| Yes, even
talk of an American Delivery Center for motorcycles. They may even offer
training classes for the Beemers also. |
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Keys? |
| As much as
I love 4 wheel BMWs--I love the 2 wheel versions too. |
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