About this event
What we do at a Windy City BMW HPDE
These High Performance Driving Events allow owners of sports cars / sports sedans the experience of safely driving their vehicle under conditions of higher speed with higher lateral g-forces and heavier braking loads than they encounter on the highway. They learn how well their car can perform and how to control them under these more demanding conditions. You don’t need a BMW to attend.
"After a careful evaluation of the risks and potential consequences of having an on-track fire in an EV or Hybrid, we will not allow those vehicles to participate in the 2024 HPDE Series at either Autobahn nor Blackhawk."
The NHRA Nationals at the nearby Rt. 66 Raceway are on our ACC weekend. If you will need a hotel room in the area for our event dates, get one as quickly as you can.
Highlights -
- Two days in your own car on a racetrack with four half-hour on-track sessions scheduled per day
- We will be driving on the South Circuit for the entire weekend
- Register for just one day if your schedule won't allow for the full weekend of fun
- Each driver will slot into one of three skill level groups - novice, intermediate or experienced/solo
- Each group has strictly enforced passing rules, since the HPDE is not a race, but a teaching/learning experience
- Though the experienced/solo drivers have their own run group they get more track time since they can also run with the instructor group
- Individual instructors will be assigned to novice drivers to help the new guys and gals acclimate to the event and learn the basics
- Individual instructors will initially be assigned to intermediate drivers to help them bring up their skill levels
- Autobahn now requires long pants to drive
Pricing-
- Instructors*
$175.00 for Friday with instructing on Saturday and Sunday
*Instructors drive for free on Sat/Sun only if instructing
- Experienced**
$675.00 3-day registration for Friday, Saturday & Sunday
$600.00 2-day registration for Saturday and Sunday
$350.00 1-day registration which can be Friday, or Saturday or Sunday
**Premium over/intermediate since you can also drive during the instructor sessions
- Intermediate
$425.00 2-day registration for Saturday & Sunday
$300.00 1-day registration (Saturday or Sunday) - Register for just one day if your schedule won't allow for the full weekend of fun (There are a limited number of one day slots available)
- Novice
$425.00 2-day registration for Saturday & Sunday
$300.00 1-day Saturday only - Register for just one day if your schedule won't allow for the full weekend of fun (There are a limited number of one day slots available)
Non-members pay an additional $60.00 for 1-year BMW CCA membership
BMW CCA Membership submitted once event registration closes
Event requirements
Required items to bring with you when signing in at registration
- Completed Tech Inspection form.
- Helmet to be checked.
- Must be 18 years of age at the time of the event.
Vehicle Technical Inspection
PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE TECH SHEET AND HAVE IT FILLED OUT AND SIGNED PRIOR TO THE EVENT--THERE IS NO TECH PERFORMED AT THE EVENT--NO SIGNED TECH SHEET MEANS YOU GO HOME--(NO REFUND)
BMW CCA HPDE regulations no longer allow chapters to sponsor pre-technical inspections for track events. The tech sheet is required to be signed by the inspector and the participant and handed in at registration. You can take your car to be inspected at your dealership or your favorite independent shop.
Complete the inspection no earlier than 4 weeks prior to the event. Remember cancellation deadlines apply
Click here: TECH INSPECTION SHEET 2024
Track Damages
You will be held personally responsible for damages to the track that may occur. For example, if you spill oil on the track, damage a tire wall or concrete barrier, Autobahn Country Club will bill Windy City BMW CCA for these damages. We will, in turn, ask you to reimburse us for this cost. This applies to any charges incurred for the use of tow trucks or ambulance above what we have agreed to in our contract with Autobahn Country Club for the event.
Helmets
Helmets must be Snell 2015 or 2020 later. SA- and M- ratings are both acceptable.
If buying a new helmet, note the coming end of the use of “M” rated helmets and the shorter limit for the use of a new Snell M2020 helmet.Helmets must be rated to the following Snell or FIA standards. With the current standard as Snell 2020, helmets meeting the Snell 2015 standard are allowed through the grace period (the eleventh year) until the end of calendar year 2026. SPECIAL NOTE: Snell Motorcycle (M) Helmets. Upon the release of the Snell 2025 standard, “M”-rated (motorcycle) helmets will no longer be allowed. M2020 helmets will only be grandfathered until 12/31/2026. FIA-Rated Helmets. FIA standards are generally updated every 8 to 10 years. · FIA 8860-2010 helmets are accepted until 12/31/2028 · FIA 8860-2018 and 8860-2018APB helmets currently do not have an expiration date. · FIA 8859-2015 helmets currently do not have an expiration date.
Cabriolets (convertibles)
- Convertibles must have SCCA-type rollover protection and (non retractable) hardtops.
- Please email HPDE@windycitybmw.com for prior approval.
Race Prepped Cars
- All cars in Novice and Intermediate Groups must have 2 seats. If you arrive in a car without 2 seats, you will not be able to participate, and there will be no refund.
- All student cars must have equal restraints for instructor and driver.
- Working mufflers are required.
Recommended Items to bring with you to the track
- It is “Recommended” to have an additional set of front and rear brake pads.
- Read or review the "High-Performance Drivers Manual
Click here: High-Performance Drivers Manual
Registration packets for the HPDE Event
- Driver Registration Packet: Driver packet - Autobahn 2024
- Instructor Registration Packet: Instructor Packet - Autobahn 2024
Bimmers & Burgers at Autobahn Country Club
We are having the first Bimmers & Burgers (our “Bavarianified” Cars & Coffees) of the year in conjunction with our High-Performance Driving Event at Joliet’s Autobahn Country Club on May 18th from 10am to 2pm. Register to attend by sending an email to specialevent@windycitybmw.com with your name and what car you are bringing (any make or model is welcome, but there will be lots of BMWs!) This event is rain or shine!
By the way, it wouldn’t be a Bimmers & Burgers without… a Burger! The Autobahn Café has really good burgers, sandwiches, wraps, sides, and soft drinks for sale, so have lunch while you explore our event. Heads up, the café is cards only, no cash. There is no charge to enter the car show, but you’ll need to sign waivers at the venue entrance AND tell the front gate that you are a Windy City BMW member. Kids are welcome if accompanied by parents or legal guardians (to sign their waiver) but keep them close by. See you all there!
Sample copies of the waivers in case you want to read them ahead of time are here: https://windycitybmw.org/resources/forms/
Please remember, the Windy City BMW Chapter members who organize and run this event do so as volunteers!
Windy City BMW would like to thank the following sponsors for this event:
