Lol!!!:rofl: Not trying to scare you, just having some fun with the well known X5 reliability issues. I'd hate for you to have an expensive mechanical problem just for a few minutes of fun, I'd have more trust in a 3 or 5 series.:thumbup:

Funny timing!

So...I uh signed up for Road America's winter autocross Elkhart Lake's Road America, Inc.

Gonna see how the x holds up in the winter with a novice driver lol. Gonna be fun!

Carter

Boy does that look like fun!

:iagree: It would be easier to gain confidence and have fun with your C5. Many years ago I trailered a mid year Corvette to races every weekend. If I were to get back to that I would do the same thing.

I have never taken my X to where chaos begins. I would like to know where that is without becoming a fatality. A few highway speed autocrosses would be great for defensive driving. Our tollways are filled with pickup trucks that drive like no one else is there, those that merge at 40 when all 6 lanes are filled with traffic going 75-80 and people that will change lanes to fill any gap that is almost the length of their vehicle. That's why I think OP has a great idea.

Personally, I would stick to an autocross in a huge parking lot, like a mall, that was set up so there is nothing to hit other than cones.

After watching parts of Steve McQueen's "Le Mans" and the Frankenheimer directed "Grand Prix" [starring Jim Garner] last night on TCM, I think that much less of Ron Howard's "Rush", at least the racing scenes. Le Mans is great - little dialogue, all race scenes [drivers' eyes, hands and feet - on three pedals!]; you even see the drivers' hit the line going through curves. Heck, in "Rush," you would think they were driving automatic transmissions! I'm officially pumped for the BMWCCA course in September at Road Atlanta .....:)

I have participated in a lot of DE's at several tracks, always driving a Porsche. I've seen all kinds of cars participate but never the X - probably because they haven't been allowed at club events until the last few years.

For a well maintained car there is no better way to learn to drive it properly, and no safer place to drive at speed. If your car isn't up to snuff, its weaknesses will become apparent and repairs likely immediate. So best to get it thoroughly checked out in advance (usually a tech inspection is required also).

As a beginner it will feel fast as all get out, but it won't actually be all that fast or dangerous at all. As you move up in skill, speed will follow, and you may want a different track car (M?). But that's off in the future.

If you do go, think ahead about what your goals are - a good instructor will ask this at the start. For me, I wanted to learn how to control a car with the engine at the wrong end at high speed and in the corners, under braking, etc -- in other words to be able to drive my car safely near the limits. That gave me a lot more confidence with the car on the street. Others want to progress to racing, others just want to socialize and have some fun. It's all good.

If the school doesn't have loaner helmets, plan to find a friend to loan one to you or buy a proper helmet - the club/school can provide specs.

Enjoy, life is short anyway.