On February 3, 2026, AREA M cut the ribbon on its new spot in Memmingen. They added seven wet skid pads, three drift circles, four dynamic areas, plus spots for handling and slalom work. It's all built to run drift sessions, control drills, and high-speed runs at the same time. And yeah, they've got lounges for watchers plus rooms for conferences and local events.
Facility layout and operational logistics at Memmingen
At Memmingen, everything's set up to keep learning areas away from the competitive ones. Skid pads and drift circles sit close together. That cuts down on moving cars around. Handling spots and slalom zones hug the paddock. Quick fixes and swaps happen right there. You've got a lounge, conference rooms, and food service too. Perfect for multi-day setups with briefings, wrap-ups, and get-togethers. Operations-wise, it handles side-by-side events. No long waits. More cars in action. Happier folks overall.
Key on-site assets
- Seven wet skid pads built for traction and stability practice.
- Three drift circles that ramp up with skill.
- Four dynamic areas to work on acceleration, braking, and lane changes.
- Handling and slalom zones just for fine-tuned moves.
- Community spots like a lounge, meeting rooms, and catering for events and wrap-up finals.
Portfolio restructuring: simpler categories and clearer levels
AREA M ditched the old tangled categories for something straightforward and easy to browse online. Now experiences fall into five buckets—Winter, Track, Thrill, Custom, and Control—spread over five tiers: Compact, Essential, Plus, Pro, and Max. Their Experience Finder tool on the site? It slashes search time. Pick your skill, dates, and ride prefs in seconds.
| Category | Typical focus | Suggested level |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Ice and snow handling, low-grip control | Compact — Pro |
| Track | Lap time, braking, racecraft | Essential — Max |
| Thrill | Drift, high-adrenaline stunts | Plus — Max |
| Custom | Bespoke coaching and corporate events | Compact — Max |
| Control | Precision driving and safety skills | Compact — Plus |
New formats and target audiences
AREA M's pushing to pull in more kinds of people. Take M Starter, or the M Ice Pro Experience up in Arjeplog, and M Snow Active in Sölden aimed at women. These draw in beginners, serious female drivers, Gen M folks, gamers, and die-hard car nuts. It's mixing school with fun and hangouts. Like half classroom, half fan party.
How the Games of Drift works
Memmingen's got the Games of Drift—a competition that's all about game-like challenges with scores that track online. Drivers hit tasks like these:
- Drift Spiral: Hold your angle and path as the spiral tightens up.
- Ring Drop: Drift and fling rings into zones for points.
- Gymkhana Drift: Blast through a tricky timed course, all speed and accuracy.
Scores hit a live board on their public site right away. Top nine make the October 17 final. Red Bull Drift Brothers pick one wildcard. That ongoing rank-up? It hooks people. Book again to climb higher.
Vehicle adaptations, emissions and safety
They use the BMW M2 Coupé for the Games of Drift. Fuel: 9.8–9.6 l/100 km combined. CO2: 223–218 g/km (WLTP). Class G. Tweaks include more steering lock, lockable rears, and software-tuned diff for steady drifts. It evens out the car for everyone. Judges watch the driver, not the machine.
Safety and technical oversight
Safety's tight. Marshals everywhere. Briefings set limits. Cars get checked between goes. Recovery rigs wait nearby. Mods keep things even but don't wreck the hardware or slow down the day.
Digital platform, bookings and travel logistics
The digital setup handles bookings, payments, papers, and that Experience Finder. Less hassle for bookers, less paperwork for the team. For folks coming from afar, it points to transport, hotels, and how long things take. Handy for flights, stays, or groups.
Rentals matter when you're flying in or busing over. The right ride—from zippy compacts to beefy performers for demos—keeps you on time and chill. Sites like GetRentacar.com make it easy. Grab an economy for one, a van for the crew, or a fancy SUV for big shots. Covers transfers or side trips around the action.
Commercial and tourism implications
This isn't just a rebrand for AREA M. It's smart logistics that could shake up tourism around there. Memmingen now runs multiple events at once, with spots for crowds and big finishes. That means more hotel nights, food orders, and rides during busy weeks. Organizers and locals can plan staff and deals better with steady dates and online sign-ups.
Gamified stuff and live boards? Super shareable online. Pulls in gamers and lifestyle types, not just race fans.
Key bits: AREA M's got a tidy lineup in Winter, Track, Thrill, Custom, Control. Memmingen's packed with wet pads, drift spots, handling areas. And the Games of Drift brings competition with real-time scores. But reviews only go so far. Nothing beats showing up. On GetRentacar, snag a ride from trusted spots at fair rates. No junk fees or letdowns. They focus on easy picks, cheap prices, and tons of options—budget wheels, drop-tops, green rides. Get to Memmingen sharp and set. Book at GetRentaCar.com today.
Summary and takeaway
AREA M went from straight-up training to a full-on performance scene. Streamlined online bookings. Clean categories and levels. New base in Memmingen for big crowds. Gamified fun like Games of Drift on a tuned BMW M2. Plus inclusivity: women's sessions, beginner ramps, gamer vibes. Opens doors for more drivers and boosts tourism, logistics too. Heading there? Check flight times, rides, rentals, coverage, fuel and emissions. One-day buzz, full-week grind, or group escape—pick the fit vehicle, book clean, know the roads. Saves hassle and cash. Home feels better after.
