One Lap of America at BMW Performance Center May 2

Next Monday, May 2 the BMW Performance Center will host the Tire Rack One Lap of America.  This is a modern, real-life version of the movies Cannonball Run and Smokey and the Bandit II.  The rules have changed significantly from the days when racers would illegally bomb across the country at break-neck speeds on public roads, but the action is still fast and furious on the track.

Entrants travel in street legal vehicles from track to track at legal speeds, while performing time trials at various venues around the country. They have a certain amount of time to make it from course to course, but it’s “go as fast as you can” when they drop the green flag on the closed race tracks.  This event is great, as you can actually talk to the drivers of these beautiful machines.  You can visit with them and check out their cars before they do their performance runs.  These are all street cars you can buy at your local dealer, so there is a strong connection between you and what they are doing on the track.  Come on out and check out the action.

Our cycling friend (and race driver) Mike Renner will be participating in this year’s race in a BMW 335D in the alternative fuels division. Don’t be fooled by the “alternative fuel” class, as they still manage enough go on the green juice to smoke the tires on a full-sized luxury sports car.  You won’t want to miss this fun.  Cars should start arriving around 3:30pm with the first timed runs beginning at 5pm.  Between 5-7pm you should see about 75 cars in various classes attempt to master the BMW Performance Center track.  The event is free for you and the family, and food and drink will be available for purchase.  I went out there last year and shot some video during the demonstration laps. Fun stuff: