E-XPLOR > INTERVIEW WITH XPLOR MEMBER “MRDRIFTER”
INTERVIEW WITH XPLOR MEMBER “MRDRIFTER”
Member Since: April 2, 2007
Name: Jim Millard
State: South Carolina
Age: 36
BMW of Choice: R 1200 GS
Occupation: Professional Instructor for BMW at the BMW Performance Center
Years Riding: 5
XPLOR: Hello Jim, let’s start from the very beginning, how did you get into riding? MrDrifter: I started riding just for fun a few years ago. I bought a Harley and rode it for a couple of years. I really enjoyed riding and wanted to get more involved. After about two years of riding, BMW said they were looking to add a motorcycle training course to the curriculum at the Performance Center. They asked if I would be interested in becoming a certified Motorrad Instructor, (I had already been a car instructor for years, more on that later) so of course I said yes! They sent me to Munich, Germany for on-road rider training and Hechlingen, Germany for off-road training to get my beginners and my advanced rider certification. I attended the training twice, once in 2004 and again in 2006, I love to train. Upon my return to the states in 2004, I also went to racing schools just to improve my skill level. I ride almost every day to keep sharp and I push my personal limits to continue learning. I do the instructing because I love to pass along things that I have learned or experienced to those who want to become better riders. The training that we offer at the Performance Center gives people the opportunity to do just that. Push themselves and/or their bikes while under the guidance and instruction of a trained professional.
XPLOR: Tell us a little about what you do at the BMW Performance Center? MrDrifter: My day-to-day responsibilities at the BMW Performance Center are as a vehicle and motorcycle instructor. Some days I’m teaching performance driving or car control schools. And other days I may be teaching on-road or off-road riding schools. I am also responsible for staffing instructors for all programs that take place through the BMW Performance Center. Yes, it’s a tough gig but someone has to do it.
XPLOR: Jim, isn’t it true that you race cars? Isn’t that where you get your XPLOR id from? Tell us about that please. MrDrifter: Well, I don’t compete as much as I would like to these days due to my involvement in training, it’s a good problem to have though. I compete in a sport called drifting. Basically we drive our cars as fast as possible while sliding sideways and keeping the front of the car on the “ideal line” through a corner. It’s not the fastest way around a track for sure, but it looks cool. It’s a lot of fun but unlike other racing sports its not about who crosses the line first, it’s about style and execution. The drivers’ are judged by a panel of three or more professional drifters and the judges’ scores determine who moves on. We do single-car eliminations and work our way down to the top sixteen drivers who then compete two cars at a time, side by side, oh yea that’s when it gets fun. At the Center some of the guys started calling me Mr. Drifter because I was always driving the cars sideways, and the name just stuck.
XPLOR: What attracted you to BMW motorcycles? MrDrifter: I’m attracted to the BMW brand period, cars and bikes. I think BMW bikes look very cool, I like their styling. Of course they ride great too, but I really like the looks. The R 1200 GS is my favorite. It’s such a great and incredibly diverse motorcycle. On-road the bike handles incredibly well. It’s fun to run with sport bikers through the twisties, and have them look back at this big monster chasing them down. Then if I want I can off-road with the best of them. The bike is far more capable off-road than probably most owners believe. You just have to know how to do it, the bike is capable! That’s where the Performance Center comes in. We get to show owners or potential owners what these bikes are capable of.
XPLOR: How often do you visit BMWXPLOR.com? MrDrifter: I try to check out the XPLOR site once a week. I stay very busy. Not only do I have a lot of things to do at work, I also have a wife and four boys at home that I have to make time for. But once a week I like to get on the board and see what’s new. I think with the BMW Performance Center riding schools kicking off I will probably visit more often so I can see what people are talking about and see if I can help answer some questions, either about riding or the Performance Center. The training we offer at the Center is extremely valuable to anyone who rides. Be it on-road or off. Whether you are a beginner rider on asphalt or dirt or experienced at both, we have something to offer everyone who rides. And we have more plans for the future!
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