Ever since it opened on Yeongjong Island (home to Incheon International Airport) in August, 2014, the BMW Driving Center has played host to more than 500,000 curious visitors, 70,000 among whom took a stab at the numerous driving activities on offer. (Image: BMW Korea)
SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – Ever since it opened on Yeongjong Island (home to Incheon International Airport) in August, 2014, the BMW Driving Center has played host to more than 500,000 curious visitors, 70,000 among whom took a stab at the numerous driving activities on offer.
The headlining feature of the center is a 2.6-kilometer track, easily traversable for casual drivers.
For beginners, the Advanced Driving Experience comes highly recommended. Over three hours, a group of six drivers in individual cars is led by an instructor through a number of different activities, a sort of buffet line of the various aspects of racing.
The Advanced Driving Experience starts with a Multiple Course Activity, where drivers get accustomed to steering their vehicle by winding through traffic cones. (Image: BMW Korea)
Prior to hopping into a car, participants must read and sign a form that outlines the formalities and regulations of the program. What may be of particular interest to readers is the financial penalty for damaging a BMW: 500,000 won.
Despite the unsettling premonitions such forewarnings may stir up, the staff on site are quick to remind aspiring racers that “there is little chance of an accident as long as you don’t try to do too much and as long as you follow the instructor’s directives”.
With that piece of advice in hand, participants are then led through a round of breathalyzer tests. Since the program is for beginners, instructors then provide elementary lessons like keeping both hands at the wheel on the 3 and 9 o’clock position. Finally, the now well-cautioned group are asked to choose the vehicle of their choice among the BMW M series, hatchback, or Mini Cooper. Once they choose their ride, it’s off to the races.
It is the driver’s job to employ quick reflexes in steadying the shifting car and avoid suddenly appearing water showers which threaten to engulf the windshield. (Image: BMW Korea)
The Advanced Driving Experience starts with a Multiple Course Activity, where drivers get accustomed to steering their vehicle by winding through traffic cones. The instructor critiques each driver’s performance, sending radio messages like “closer to the cone please” and “too close, give it a wider berth”.
Next up is the Acceleration and Braking Course, a straightforward exercise during which drivers accelerate up to 40 km/h then slam down the brakes.
The Dynamic Course is next. The instructor leads the drivers to an area of the race track where the ground is wet and kick plates are installed to veer the vehicle left or right. It is the driver’s job to employ quick reflexes in steadying the shifting car and avoid water showers that suddenly appear unexpectedly.
At the penultimate activity, the Circular Course, drivers learn the subtle art of oversteering and understeering as well as the technique of drifting.
Led by the instructor’s car at the head, the drivers follow and get a taste of professional racers’ driving habits. (Image: BMW Korea)
After making their way through every activity, the participants finally get to drive on the main circuit track. Led by the instructor’s car at the head, the drivers follow and get a taste of professional racers’ driving habits.
Those interested in participating must make a reservation. Prices vary depending on the car selected. The programs are only offered on weekdays.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
