Anyone do the 2 day M School in Thermal?

[MichaelB1969]

If so, got a specific question. I am booking flights and it appears that day 2 ends at 4:30pm. In your experience, does everyone bolt pretty quickly after day 2, or do people tend to hang out, maybe get together as a group to do something, etc?

I am heading back to SFO and there is a 6:40pm flight which appears to be the last flight out. So trying to decide whether to skip right out to make the flight, or linger and go the next morning.

Thanks!

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

If so, got a specific question. I am booking flights and it appears that day 2 ends at 4:30pm. In your experience, does everyone bolt pretty quickly after day 2, or do people tend to hang out, maybe get together as a group to do something, etc?

I am heading back to SFO and there is a 6:40pm flight which appears to be the last flight out. So trying to decide whether to skip right out to make the flight, or linger and go the next morning.

Thanks!

I assume your coming in the day before and if so which hotel are you staying at ?

Or are you coming in early and rental car from airport (Palm or Cochran) ?

[BeEmVe]

As I remember our two day school had a similar end time. I do not recall what time we left but no one was quick to leave. A bit of chatting with others and the instructors. If you are flying out of Palm Springs, it is about 40 minute drive.

As you are spending $$ to attend, my suggestion would be fly the next morning.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by Caravaggio

I assume your coming in the day before and if so which hotel are you staying at ?

Or are you coming in early and rental car from airport (Palm or Cochran) ?

I’ll be in Palm Springs for the weekend, staying at the Inglewood Inn, but I’m checking out on Monday as I intended to find a hotel closer to Thermal for Monday and Tuesday night, and possibly Wednesday night if I leave on Thursday morning.

Got a reasonably priced hotel recommendation closer to Thermal? It's just me and I will only be sleeping there, so all I need is a clean room and comfortable bed.

Thanks!

[jmg]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

If so, got a specific question. I am booking flights and it appears that day 2 ends at 4:30pm. In your experience, does everyone bolt pretty quickly after day 2, or do people tend to hang out, maybe get together as a group to do something, etc?

I am heading back to SFO and there is a 6:40pm flight which appears to be the last flight out. So trying to decide whether to skip right out to make the flight, or linger and go the next morning.

Thanks!

Before pandemic, we all had dinner on the roof. Some people, of course, had flights to make, but most stuck around for at least dinner. Besides eating and drinking, there isn't much nightlife in the area, so I wouldn't feel like you missed out on terribly much if you leave right after the awards ceremony. However, the 2 Day School tends to create tighter bonds though, naturally since it's over 2 days. Additionally, ou will also be somewhat tired, especially if you are pushing yourself, so it's nice to not have to rush off to the airport and drink some wine as the sun goes down in the desert! Take it easy. Spend the night, go in the morning.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by jmg

Before pandemic, we all had dinner on the roof. Some people, of course, had flights to make, but most stuck around for at least dinner. Besides eating and drinking, there isn't much night life in the area, so I wouldn't feel like you missed out on terribly much if you leave right after the awards ceremony. However, the 2 Day School tends to create tighter bonds though, naturally since it's over 2 days.

Thanks, appreciate it. I ended up just booking a hotel in Palm Springs for the 2nd night. That way I can hang out after day 2 as long as I want then eventually drive back to Palm Springs where I'll be close to the airport for a flight the next morning.

For the two nights in Thermal, I booked an Airbnb in Coachella, which will be convenient.

[PDOT]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

Thanks, appreciate it. I ended up just booking a hotel in Palm Springs for the 2nd night. That way I can hang out after day 2 as long as I want then eventually drive back to Palm Springs where I'll be close to the airport for a flight the next morning.

For the two nights in Thermal, I booked an Airbnb in Coachella, which will be convenient.

Last year our class ended at 4:30 we all talked until 5-5:15. caught a flight that night. Security is a breeze at the airport.

[anthemavm]

How much track time do you get on the big track in the 2 day course?

[BIGW0RM]

I did the 1 day and at the end they drove us around the short course in M3's all sideways the whole time. After that, no one really hung out after.

I think you get more high speed track time with the 2 day event. I live a few hours away. One day was more than enough for me.

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by anthemavm

How much track time do you get on the big track in the 2 day course?

I seem to remember the pro drivers telling us that the last day of the multiple day packages are mostly on the high speed track. I had a blast. But I had way more fun driving the M2 around the technical small track. Drifting M5's was fun too. High speed track really got my blood pumping. And it was a highlight for sure. But you I only got to do a couple 2-3 lap runs. At least that's how a 1 day package was for me.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by anthemavm

How much track time do you get on the big track in the 2 day course?

Not sure but I've heard it is significant, and you get zero time on the big track in the 1 day from what I understand.

[anthemavm]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

Not sure but I've heard it is significant, and you get zero time on the big track in the 1 day from what I understand.

Thanks, we got some time on the big track with the half day and I am hooked.

[Pauldunlop13]

I flew out the next day, but you can definitely leave that night

here is the hotel I stayed in - very convenient to get to the track in the morning each day

Fairfield Inn & Suites Palm Desert Coachella Valley

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by Pauldunlop13

I flew out the next day, but you can definitely leave that night

here is the hotel I stayed in - very convenient to get to the track in the morning each day

Fairfield Inn & Suites Palm Desert Coachella Valley

Sold out, but thanks anyway! I'm staying for the long weekend at Inglewood Inn, which will be nice. For the stay close to the track, found a highly-rated Airbnb for $85 a night. All I need is a comfortable and clean place to conk out after an adrenaline filled day.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by anthemavm

How much track time do you get on the big track in the 2 day course?

Most of Day 2 is on the big track. Then you usually end with 2 competitions: rat race and timed runs on the short track.

[itrocks4u]

Originally Posted by MichaelB1969

If so, got a specific question. I am booking flights and it appears that day 2 ends at 4:30pm. In your experience, does everyone bolt pretty quickly after day 2, or do people tend to hang out, maybe get together as a group to do something, etc?

I am heading back to SFO and there is a 6:40pm flight which appears to be the last flight out. So trying to decide whether to skip right out to make the flight, or linger and go the next morning.

Thanks!

You can head out at 430 on day 2. Dinner is on day 1. You can exchange numbers by noon on day 2.

[BIGW0RM]

One thing I remember. The lunch served was VERY good. I also remember being on the big track, looking at all these multi-million dollar homes all facing the track, with race garages, thinking wow. How nice it would be to own a home on a track. With your own team garage attached to the home too.

[MichaelB1969]

Originally Posted by itrocks4u

You can head out at 430 on day 2. Dinner is on day 1. You can exchange numbers by noon on day 2.

Haha, nice.

[brettcp]

I've done both the 2-day standard M school and the 2-day advanced M school at Thermal.. most people left fairly quickly after it was over on day 2, some had flights to catch or long drives back home.

You will get a LOT of time behind the wheel. They even stress that during bathroom breaks that you "make it quick so we can get back in the cars". As far as the big track time goes - for the standard 2 day M school, we used the South Palm Circuit.. for the advanced 2 day school, they linked multiple tracks together which was a lot of fun.

I would not recommend booking the package which includes the hotel.. both times I would rather have stayed at different hotels than where they had us stay.. neither was terrible, I just would have chosen to stay elsewhere.

The food at the facility is great. If you're prone to motion sickness, bring some motion sickness stuff like ginger chews. I probably went through 15 of them each day. They had some up at the front reception counter as well.

I've done a couple of the half-day events as well.. last time I saw an F40 sitting outside and a mclaren senna in a garage.

BTW, if you like Italian food, try Castelli's on hwy 111. One of my favorite spots.

Have fun!

[hoyasaxa]

I’ve done the one day in thermal. FYI there is nothing to do out there. At best go to Palm Springs where there is nothing to do (besides golf and food).

[AWDtoRWD]

Originally Posted by hoyasaxa

FYI there is nothing to do out there. At best go to Palm Springs where there is nothing to do.

What did you want to do out there?

[hoyasaxa]

Originally Posted by AWDtoRWD

What did you want to do out there?

OP asked whether to extend his stay and what there was to do…