After launching a successful driving school programme at the BMW Performance Centre West at The Thermal Club in Palm Springs, California, MINI U.S.A. is expanding the MINI Driving Experience to two new locations on the U.S.A's East Coast - the BMW Performance Centre East at Plant Spartanburg in South Carolina and Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, New York.
 
MINI Driving Experience programmes, which are offered for individuals and groups such as corporate and team building events, are designed to teach performance hungry drivers how to push a MINI to the limits in a safe environment under the direction of professional driving instructors.

Participants in the MINI Driving Experience programmes can learn driving moves such as a panic brake while also sharpening their skills on a skid pad and handling course. MINI also offers a MINI Stunt Driving Program that teaches standard j-turns, forward 180 j-turns and reverse turns.
 
"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to put people behind the wheel of a MINI and give them an experience where they can push it to the limit in a safe environment," said Patrick McKenna, Department Head, Product Planning & Marketing.

"The number one reason people buy a MINI is because it's fun to drive, and what better way to demonstrate that fact than a driving experience on a closed course with professional driving instructors."
 
The new MINI Driving Experience at BMW Performance Centre East will offer a half day programme with three groups rotating through three driving experiences. These include a Timed Autocross, allowing participants to get into the MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop in a head to head challenge with professional timing equipment.

A Handling Course meanwhile will give them a dynamic driving exercise in the MINI John Cooper Works Clubman, focused on steering technique, throttle/brake application and eye discipline.

A final Performance Drive will finally allow exciting open lapping exercise where the participants drive four different MINI vehicles back to back.  

The new MINI Driving Experience at the Monticello Motor Club (MMC) will include a full day track experience for club members called Taste of the Track. Club members will take to MMC's 6.6km course in a MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop with the help of a professional driving coach. 
 
The MINI Driving Experience at Monticello Motor Club will also offer a Teen Driving School and Camp. This programme is designed to teach teens valuable racing and defensive driving manoeuvres that will benefit them on the road or track. In small groups, students will learn basic and advanced racing skills, along with high-speed avoidance and sliding skills that will make them more competent drivers.