Summer is finally here!

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Published: 07 July 2014

Summer is finally here! So many car-related choices, so little time

C. L. Harrison, NOCBMWCCA president

Well, our major event, the Memorial Day weekend Drivers’ School (HPDE) and Club Race, is behind us. And, while, we’re awaiting some outstanding expenses to finalize the event report, I can tell you that our attendance was lower than anticipated, which certainly made the Driving Events Committee (DEC) members review and analyze overall event expenditures and marketing. The DEC’s recommendations will serve as a discussion launch at the upcoming August Board meeting on how we plan future events and finances.

For those of you who want more information on what has to be considered for an HPDE and Club Race weekend, a sample budget statement is presented elsewhere in the newsletter. Let’s just say that there’s a lot more than just getting the date and showing up.

So, what’s on the schedule for the upcoming prime driving months? We’re so close to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix that you should at least take a few hours and visit one of the many events scheduled in July. Check both the official and Allegheny Chapter’s web sites for a full list of activities. If nothing else, meet up with members at the NEO Cars & Coffee session early Sunday morning, July 13, and make a quick trip to Pittsburgh International Race Complex (Pitt-Race) for some afternoon races.
The idea of group events continues into September with the Cleveland German Auto Show at Donauschwaben in North Olmsted and the Concours d’Elegance at Stan Hywet Hall. We’ve been asked to bring out our “garage queens” for the former event to co-mingle with our fellow northeastern German marques. And, of course, if you have some time to wander the manicured grounds of Stan Hywet enjoying the successor show to the Glenmoor Gathering, plan to do so. Locally, I have a short excursion drive in late September along part of the old Lincoln Highway to the historic Museum of Ceramics in East Liverpool with a side visit to the Fiesta china outlet as well as our annual brewery run in early October.

Jon Stupar and I have completed our review of the by-laws and code of regulations and are preparing suggested changes for Board review and approval. Look for a special vote email in late July; we need everyone’s response to implement the changes.

Finally, I have one more set of records to collect before I can start the compilation of the Chapter’s history and governance decisions. Creation of event checklists and timetables has already started.

Again if you enjoy the events we host and our enthusiasm for this marque, please consider volunteering some of your time and energy. Your Chapter’s good health and continued existence are dependent upon our combined efforts, as no one person can both steer and row the ship alone.

Keep the shiny side up!

C. L. Harrison, NOCBMWCCA president

Northern Ohio Ridge Wine Tour

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Published: 03 June 2014

 Sunday, June 8, 2014

Check-In: Panera Bread, 6345 Wilson-Mills Road, Highland Heights – 10:30 a.m.
Destination: Harpersfield Vineyard, Geneva, Ohio

For those of you who cannot make the Connoisseurs' Vintner Visit or just want to enjoy some wine and a meal after a scenic drive without all the tasting and discussion, the event for you is Sunday, June 8. The drive will start from the Highland Heights Panera, but follow a different route to end at Harperfield Vineyard around 1 p.m. Lunch selections will be from the menu with individual checks. We can talk about the drive and relax a while before heading home. Some of you may even plan to linger a while longer, sipping more wine and trying out desserts, so you can listen to Colin Dussault's Blues Project (http://colindussault.com/) after 3 p.m.

Don't miss the NOCBMWCCA Memorial Day Weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

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Published: 06 April 2014

North American Challenge RACE: May 23-25, 2014

The Chapter is beginning the registration process for the Memorial Day Northern Ohio 2014 Club Race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

If you are planning to attend, please register AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to reserve your space.

Click here for registration information at Motorsportsreg.com.

North American Challenge Race: $525.00

Harvey Rogers Memorial Enduro Race
Sponsored by Turner Motorsports: May 23, 2014
Space is limited so register today!

The Chapter is beginning the registration process for the 2014 Harvey Roggers Memorial Enduro at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

If you are planning to attend, please register AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to reserve your space.

Click here for registration information at Motorsportsreg.com.

Harvey Rogers Memorial Enduro: $525
(includes a dinner for drivers and crew after the race)

High-performance Driving School (HPDE): May 24-25, 2014
Space is limited so register today!

There also will be a HPDE (high-performace driving event) that weekend. The goal of an HPDE driving school is to provide a safe and controlled environment where members can learn the skills it takes to become better drivers. Remember, everyone was a beginner at one time. Improve your driving skills and have some fun both on and off the track at a BMW CCA Driving School!

Minimum requirements for the HPDE are a track-worthy car and approved helmet. Cars do not have to be BMWs, as all makes and models meeting HPDE criteria are welcome.

Click here for registration information at Motorsportsreg.com.

HPDE School Fees: $435 BMW CCA Members; $485 Nonmembers
(includes $48 membership)

All participants must have a valid driver’s license and be at least 18 years of age. Northern Ohio accepts only Snell 2005 or newer helmets. A race car is not necessary in order to participate. Complete details and registration forms at motorsportreg.com.

NOCBMWCCA 2014 HPDE Student Info Packet (pdf)

NOCBMWCCA 2014 Medical Form (pdf)

Click here for schedule.

President Message, Spring 2014

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Published: 05 April 2014

Greetings everyone!
As your new President, and on behalf of the Board, I would like to thank outgoing President Brian Nawrocki for his willingness to step in and help the Chapter through the past 18 months of challenges.

As a twenty-five year member of CCA, former Buckeye Secretary, founding member of Northern Ohio, and its longest-termed Secretary, I have spent years with core members and officers from our corner of the state as well as with those from other Chapters: Great people joined by the enthusiasm for the marque.

So, "let's look under the hood" at some of the Chapter mechanics. In case you don't know, a portion of your membership dues is rebated back to support local events. This pays for web hosting, a portion of newsletter publication and postage (no longer supplemented by National), and covers drive insurance fees (at this time, each insurance fee can be rebated back in full, if requested within 30 days of the event).

However, to host major events, you need a stable, substantive source of income. Our only revenue-generating (and our major) event is the Memorial Day weekend Drivers' School (HPDE) and Club Race. In order to sustain Chapter operations and any other activities, it is essential that the weekend be a financial success. Last year, the Board had a short time to sort out event management, and, frankly, we missed several critical details, which significantly impacted the Chapter. If we are to continue our existence, we must "get it right" this year. That means, providing an enjoyable, informative driving experience on the "school" side of the event. And, hosting the North American Challenge race—the major event of each race season and something a Chapter does usually only once in a decade—is important to us and all of Club Racing.

So, if you have time to assist with registration and check-in tech, drivers' school activities, or race assistance, please contact a Board member and plan to be at Mid-Ohio during Memorial Day weekend. If you've always wanted to do a school or know someone who has, plan for this year and contact a Board member for information. The story of my first time appeared in the March, 1998 Roundel (we'll be posting the text shortly on our web site for you "younger" members to read).
What's the Chapter have for you, if track events aren't your fortè? We have a very active ZBimmer group, doing a drive per month during the season. Roundel Weekly columnist (and local Chapter member) Chris Doersen and I are planning a limited-attendance Connoisseurs' Vintner Visit to Harpersfield Vineyard in Geneva for late April. Now wait! If you don't want to spend that much time with a vintner or don't make the cut-off, I'm planning the regular winery drive for early June! As well, I'll schedule other events for summer and fall, and we'll finish our drive season with a brewery run in October.

To reduce future organizational obstacles, new board member and long-time Bimmerphile Jon Stupar and I are reviewing our by-laws and code of regulations. In late spring you will receive proposed by-law changes to bring us into the 21st century; we will need your votes of approval.

Finally, starting this summer I shall compile our 20-plus years of governance decisions into an accessible electronic format to be distributed to all Board members; this will include event checklists and timetables, so those "critical details" should not be missed again. Now, it's going to take a while; there's seven bank boxes of treasury records, a file drawer of minutes, and enough event and presidential records to have filled the trunk and back seat of a 540.
So, if you enjoy the events we host and our enthusiasm for this marque, please share some of your time and energy in 2014. I can highly vouch for the returned rewards of good experiences and long-lasting friendships.

Hope to see you soon!

C. L. Harrison, NOCBMWCCA president