Join North Star BMW Club the weekend of May 15 - May 17, 2026, for Sommer Schnell, our annual performance driving school, on the Brainerd International Raceway (BIR) competition course!

Your high-performance vehicle is an amazingly capable car. At our Sommer Schnell HPDE, you can realize your car's capabilities, learn the limits of those capabilities under controlled conditions, and practice the skills needed to control your car safely within those limits. This two-day program, hosted by our Chapter since the 1980s, provides a unique opportunity to drive your car at speed and experience the thrill of becoming one with your vehicle.

Sommer Schnell is open to drivers, 18 years or over, of all experience levels, with all makes and models of hardtop cars.

Friday, May 15, is an open lapping day for instructors and pre-approved, advanced/A-Plus level drivers with a verifiable driving history. Friday is also an excellent opportunity for newer drivers or those unfamiliar with BIR to come out and watch from various vantage points along the course. Or, catch a ride with an instructor (helmet required)!

Please contact ssa@northstarbmw.org if you have questions on qualifications or have not driven with us during our advanced/instructor days.

Participant Price

Saturday and Sunday: Cost is $525
Add Friday (advanced/A-Plus drivers only): Cost is $350
Friday Only (advanced/A-Plus drivers only): Cost is $350

Hotel Reservations

Make a reservation soon. Hotels fill up fast.

We blocked rooms at these two hotels. Call to reserve and mention "North Star BMW Club" to get the discount rate.

Days Inn & Suites Baxter - $129.00 + tax per night (3 or more nights), $154 + tax per night (2 nights)
14466 Dellwood Drive North, Baxter, MN 56425
(218) 829-3080

Rapid River Lodge - $179.00 + tax per night (without waterpark)
7376 Woida Rd, Baxter, MN 56425

(218) 825-7234

Saturday Night Dinner

This year, we will not be hosting an organized dinner on Saturday evening. We recommend making individual reservations at your preferred restaurant, as availability tends to fill quickly.

Track Site Registration

Weekend Check-in / Registration is conducted in the classroom at the track near the Competition Course paddock. Come prepared for registration staff to do the following:

Review your valid driver’s license
Collect your completed and signed technical inspection forms
Inspect your helmets. These are acceptable for this event:

Snell-Rated: SA2015, SA2020, SA2025, M2020
FIA-Rated: FIA 8860-2010, FIA 8860-2018, FIA 8860-2018APB, FIA 8859-2015, FIA 8859-2024

Have you sign a waiver for the weekend and distribute wristbands
Hand out Student Information Packets

Friday Check-in Times

Check-in for instructors and pre-approved advanced students driving on Friday is from 7:30 am to 8:30 am.

Participants driving on Saturday and Sunday and arriving before 6:30 pm on Friday can also register at the track. Do make sure you’re there before 6:30 pm as registration staff will not be there afterward.

Saturday Check-in Times

Check-in for remaining participants will be on Saturday morning from 7:30 to 8:00.

Cancellation Policy

If your plans should change, you may designate a substitute to attend in your place. If you need to cancel your registration, you may do so through May 4, 2026. No refund will be made after May 4, 2026. Refund will be made to the original form of payment.

Have Questions? Please email us at ssa@northstarbmw.org.