BMW Intensive Driver Training @ Sepang (2016)

Pictures by BMW Malaysia / Aaron Lee

The BMW Intensive Driver Training program is a 2-day syllabus held at the Sepang International Circuit in 2016, furthering the skills taught in the Advanced course. I participated in this 'Level 2' training 3 years after Advanced - having had enough time to habitualize the rotational steering technique, and sufficient real world emergency braking encounters. We return to Sepang International Circuit, with day 1 spent in the carpark + half circuit, follow by full circuit on day 2. For this year's training, we were piloting the (then) new F20 LCI 120i M-Sport.

Day 1

We started with a slalom/steering warmup in the carpark again - for the instructors to do a quick check & validate our technique was sound; after all, today's exercises are going to be extensions of those covered in the Advanced course.

Increased speeds for emergency braking, target braking & lane change exercises

We jumped straight back into the emergency braking, exercises - recall that Advanced peak speeds were 70kmh, Intensive starts at 80kmh and tops out at 100kmh. This time, we were being held accountable with live speed radar readout. Those who did not meet the speed for each exercise were gently reprimanded by the instructors. After all, we drive at 110kmh and more on the highway right?

The double lane change, aka code brown

As I write this article in 2024, I can't quite remember how I did for the emergency braking and single lane change exercises - only that I think I cleared 6/9 attempts (3 attempts at each speed of 80/90/100). The memorable one was the introduction of the double lane change (DLC) and DLC with braking.

The double lane change is a 2x single lane change in rapid succession. After unsettling the car on the initial direction change, you have about 3 car lengths before having to go back to your original lane. Precise steering work is required to manage the weight transfer.

What is the definition of precise?

1) Speed of steering - how fast and smoothly you rotate the wheel in each direction

2) Magnitude - how far you rotate the wheel in each direction

The instructors demonstrated this exercise 3 times consistently at 110kmh - that it can be done and the cars can do it. It depends on the pilot behind the wheel. To put things in perspective, our instructors qualify to become instructors by doing this same exercise on the Nurburgring at 140kmh in M3s with 4 inches of space either side to the cones. They are evaluated in motion on track, being chased by BMW Head Instructor Claudia Hurtgen in her own M car with live commentary/critique via walkie talkies. Talk about performing under pressure.

On the 1st attempt, target 80kmh entry speed - I managed a clean run on the single lane change at 88kmh - with photo evidence. My heart was already pounding as I know I came close to the inside cone.

On the 2nd attempt, target 90kmh entry speed - I managed a clean run on the single lane change at 92.8kmh - I think my heart rate went up another 10% in line with the increased speed. Truth be told, this is also a mental game - not letting nerves overcome the confidence and affect control.

At higher speeds - LESS steering angle is required to perform the maneuver.

On the 4th run, and 1st of the highest speed tier - target 100kmh (and knowing that at 90kmh was already turning and praying), I lifted off ever so slightly and only achieved 96.6kmh. I turned in a fraction too late and not enough - which meant that on the turn-out phase I was too close to the inside cone and hit it. The car's trajectory is clearly shown in this picture, killing a cone in the process.

I got another run (#5) and did a little bit better, grazing the cone but still not a clear run.

My co-driver, a decorated Orthopaedic surgeon - aced this exercise on the 5th run at 101kmh with his nerves of steel. Well done Dr Joseph!

Day 2

We began the day back in the classroom for a briefing on how the track will be split into North and South configuration. All the cars were split into 2 groups to do different exercises, before switching over.

North track had 1-to-1 instruction in the convoy, where participant cars took turns following directly behind the instructor car. Our instructors provided live commentary over the radio, on how to find the best line through each corner and coaching us through smooth throttle and steering application.

South track was configured to run in reverse - with a high speed emergency braking exercise through T14. We had to enter the cones after a straight run up at full throttle, then turn into a series a cone gates whilst triggering ABS braking. The run-up distance increased after each attempt, so gradually the entry speeds reached a point where despite MAXIMUM braking effort, the cars will NOT make the turn.

This exercise is similar to the understeer recovery in Advanced but done in the dry and at triple digit speeds, rather than at 60kmh.

I recall that critical number was about 120kmh where the car will understeer into the outside cones. A humbling experience to remind us, we are all still governed by the laws of physics. In the picture below you can see where I sent some cones flying.

Graduation

The final activity for the day was a 1-to-1 evaluated lap by the instructors. This time, each participant had to lead the instructor car around the circuit at maximum pace. The other 4 cars would hang behind the instructor car and follow round to observe and pickup pointers, before their own assessment laps.

My assessment lap was conducted by Wong; one of the 2 local BMW Instructors who attained their Level 2 Instructor certification. He is mad in a good way. The flying lap starts about 100m before T1, and ends at T15 before the next car rotates to the front, and we drop back to observe.

I start my assessment lap when he says go. Maximum effort.

I try my best to maximise every sector - hitting apexes and power down as soon as I think is possible. We've built a gap to the other cars who are conserving their tyres for their own runs, but the instructor car is floating inches off my rear quarter. I am unable to lose him in equal tyres and machinery - so this is very obviously a driver problem....

On the straights, the acceleration of this 120i M-Sport is matched but in corners the gap is closed to nothing. Our instructors are driving one-handed as they have to talk on the walkie to us - coaching and critiquing our lines and braking points, only using maybe 60% of their mental capacity.

I complete my assessment lap and get the summary just after T15. I managed to hit all apexes and did not (visibly) upset the balance of the car which was great. T14 is always a little tricky, so more improvement was needed there to 'V-off' the corner, turning sharper initially for a straighter exit to put the power down. With that, I moved to the back of the convoy to observe my fellow participants' laps and after everyone had finished, we returned to the pits for a final debrief and certificate presentation ceremony.

Overall, I think this was a fantastic session that builds upon the foundation set in Advanced. 3 years was probably a little bit long in between, but I believe this gave me enough repetitions with rotational steering and braking confidently to maximise my learning value from Intensive.

To further that point, I spoke to a fellow participant who had done Advanced just a month before (Advanced and Intensive were run back to back) - he defaulted by habit back to push-pull steering a few times, and also struggled with hitting 90kmh in some of the exercises. The sweet spot is likely a 1 year gap in between.

What about the 120i M-Sport? Any good?

In short - it is a very capable car that represents the BMW entry level very well, perhaps punching above its weight. It felt light and agile through most of the direction changes, and felt planted and surefooted in the high speed corners on track.

177hp and 250Nm was more than sufficient to demonstrate that having extra power is no good if we can't use it. The 328i Sports used in Advanced 3 years prior had more power & torque being 2.0T, but this 120i's overall capabilities still extended far beyond our driving capabilities. I have no doubt it would be a very sweet car on the road. I'm told the M140i is the one to have.....but in the interest of safety I think I need Level 3 training first.

Conclusions

Overall, Intensive was a solid investment into furthering my skills, enhancing safety and improving car handling skills in all conditions. I strongly recommend this program for any driver who is serious about driving, and/or spends alot of time on the road. A big thank you to BMW Malaysia once again, and to our instructors for our group - Wong & Kitson.

*As at 2024 at the time of writing and reminiscing, I hope that they will resume this program soon!