BMW to celebrate 50 years of M in South Carolina

By J.A. Ackley
Oct 7, 2022 | BMW, Bill Auberlen, BMW M, BMW Performance Driving Center, The Ultimate Driving Museum, BMW Zentrum

Photograph Courtesy BMW

From October 14-16, BMW will celebrate 50 years of BMW M at the BMW Zentrum, The Ultimate Driving Museum and the BMW Performance Center in South Carolina. They’ll have exhibits and displays, track driving experiences, charity rides in race cars and BMW celebrity guests and speakers.

Friday, October 14

The weekend begins at the BMW CCA Foundation, home of The Ultimate Driving Museum.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., ticket holders can see “The Power of M: Celebrating 50 Years” exhibit, which features more than 25 historic vehicles. Those cars include the 1972 3.0 CSL Batmobile, 2012 M3 CRT, and 2018 M8 GTE race car. Visitors can also pre-purchase Jackie Jouret’s soft-cover exhibit book and have it signed by the author.

Stay for the VIP reception at the BMW Zentrum, held from 6-9 p.m. It will honor Jochen Neerpasch, BMW’s first Director of Motorsport and the creator of BMW M who, unfortunately won’t be able to attend.

However, Head of BMW Product Communications Tom Plucinsky will moderate a discussion with Eddie Cheever, star of Neerpasch’s first BMW Junior Team driver development program, and IMSA legend Bill Auberlen.

Door prizes include a set of tires from Continental, driving experiences at the BMW Performance Center, and memorabilia signed by Eddie Cheever and Bill Auberlen.

Tickets for the VIP Reception cost $195 per person and can be bought here.

Saturday, October 15

The next day, the action heads to the track at the BMW Performance Center. Get behind the wheel of BMW M’s latest products, with instruction from pro drivers. Two 2-hour sessions will be offered from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Rare and distinctive street and race cars spanning the five decades of BMW Motorsport will be on display as well. Visitors can also purchase a spot to ride in the passenger’s seat of a classic BMW M race car, with proceeds benefiting the BMW CCA Foundation.

In addition to the historic cars, the all-new 2023 BMW M2 and BMW XM will be displayed for the first time to the public.

From 12-2 p.m. you can meet Bill Auberlen and other BMW celebrities. Auberlen, among others, will also be at the Ultimate Driving Museum from 2-5 p.m.

Tickets for the driving event cost $135 per person and include afternoon activities. It’s $35 just for the afternoon events. You can purchase either here.

Sunday, October 16

The weekend-long celebration concludes on Sunday, with a Cars and Coffee car show hosted by the BMW M Chapter at BMW CCA headquarters, from 8-11 a.m. Dozens of new and classic M cars are expected, plus a few special examples from the BMWUSA Classic Collection. The 2023 BMW M2 and BMW XM will also be on display.

At noon, the M Chapter will host an exclusive drive along South Carolina’s best back roads.

Admission to Cars and Coffee is free. Those wishing to go on the drive, must register here.

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