We have postings there for Club News, BMW Group News, BMW Motorsport News, and other areas of interest.
BMW Car Club of British Columbia
celebrates 5 years of Driver Training Program
Vancouver BC, April 6th, 2003,
The BMW Car Club of BC, a member club of the BMW Club of Canada, which serves the BC Mainland, celebrated 5 year of operating Driver Training Schools this past weekend, and we got some local TV coverage for our efforts.
The BC Mainland club started it's driver training program
with its first school session on April 10th, 1999, and has since
hosted several school sessions a year in our graduated driver
training program aimed at improving driving skills are road safety
for member of our club as well as the enthusiasts in the general
public.
The program is not only eduational, but also safe and fun, and
has graduated some 394 students since inception.
For more info on the BMW Car Club of BC Driver Training programs, visit the driving schools pages on our club web site.
Attached is a collage of screen shots from the TV coverage our club received by inviting a TV station to our driving school event.
It was a great way to promote our club and what we do.
BMW Car Club of British Columbia
January 2003 Event News Update - Fri, January 03, 2003
============================================
We hope all members enjoyed a good holiday season. We look
forward to an
exciting club year in 2003. We currently do not have an active
event fixed
in January, but that may change at the last minute.
Some quick updates for you in this issue include:
------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Major Web site update completed
2 - Have you been to the e-forum yet?
3 - Members please cast your vote
4 - Plan now for the Variety Club Show of Hearts
5 - Plan now for Mini TSD Rally event
- We always welcome newsletter submissions
------------------------------------------------------------
For more info on each of these events visit our web site at:
<http://bmwccbc.org/> for more details.
------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Major Web site update completed
------------------------------------------------------------
We've just completed a major revamp of our club web site.
If you haven't been there lately, drop by <http://bmwccbc.org/>
We've cleaned things up, changed the look of all the main pages
and
hopefully generally improved things for you the user.
We've updated the menu structure, and each of the main pages
now offers
quicker access to information.
Other improvements include the ability to use an on-line system
to renew
your membership on the how to join page: <http://bmwccbc.org/membership/>
In the coming month we'll also update the club photo archive
and bring it
online.
Be sure to visit your site: <http://bmwccbc.org/>
------------------------------------------------------------
2 - Have you been to the e-forum yet?
------------------------------------------------------------
One of the new features on the web site is an electronic forum
for club
members. Among other things, it now replaces our old static classified
ads
page, as users can log in and post their own buy and sell ads,
including
photos.
The system can be browsed by anyone, but requires registration
before you
can post messages.
In addition it includes many members only sections that only
become
available to view once an administrator has assigned you to the
club members
group. Registration is free. The system is monitored, and non
members
viewing and posting rights are restricted.
Some areas are open to public viewing by all, such as the classified
ads, so
that folks from all over, even non club members can see what
is available.
Stop by and join up. Use the link from the main club page or
use this direct
URL: <http://bmwccbc.org/cgi/yabb/Yabb.cgi>
Some 58 of your fellow members are already there.
------------------------------------------------------------
3 - Members please cast your vote
------------------------------------------------------------
Our new electronic forum allows us to conduct polls and surveys.
We have 5 current active polls that ask you various things about
your BMW
service and buying habits.
The polls are only available to registered club members on the
forum, so on
your first visit you may not be able to access the polls. But
once an
administrator has confirmed your membership, you will have access
and we
encourage you to drop by and vote.
Voting is confidential, and you can only vote once.
Three of the polls are about buying and service habits, and the
results will
help us with our discount and rewards program we are working
on with the
dealers.
One of the polls asks your interest for a tech session, and the
newest poll
is just for fun to see if BMW owners have a gasoline brand preference.
As a bonus, we are holding a prize draw to encourage you to
drop by and
vote. All members who sign up to the forum before the end of
January and
cast their vote will have their names put in the hat for a draw
for a large
format 2003 Presence of Pioneers BMW wall calendar and a club
T-shirt.
So drop by, join, and as soon as your member privileges are active
be sure
to vote.
------------------------------------------------------------
4 - Plan now for the Variety Club Show of Hearts
------------------------------------------------------------
The 37th Annual Variety Club Show of Hearts Telethon is the weekend
of
February 15 and 16.
Our club again has an opportunity to provide phone volunteers
and we get a
decent time of day to be on the phones, on Sunday morning Feb
16, from 9am
until noon.
We have room for 16 phone volunteers, to spend an hour or so
helping to
answer the incoming phones. Great exposure for the club, and
great community
service for those that volunteer.
In addition as in years past, we will be asking members to consider
making a
pledge support to the event as well.
This is a real win win situation. You as the person making the
pledge get a
tax credit for your contribution, the club gets recognition because
its
members made contributions, and the Variety club and the children
it helps
win because of your financial support.
More info on pledging will be in the newsletter and on our web
site.
------------------------------------------------------------
5 - Plan now for Mini TSD Rally event
------------------------------------------------------------
As many of you may know, original club founder and president
Dave Beddows
has taken to Classic TSD Rallying in a big way. It is a safe
and fun event,
all on paved roads, all at or below posted legal limits. The
objective is to
follow route instructions, not make any navigation errors and
as a result
arrive at checkpoints on time.
To get our members involved in this fun activity, Dave and Dean
Schindell
are working on a series of Mini TSD rallies. TSD stands for Time,
Speed,
Distance, the controlling factors in such an event.
Starting on Saturday February 22, we will have a Mini TSD, that
includes a
basic TSD school to acquaint driver and navigator with the concepts,
followed by a short rally for practice, but without some of the
timing
traps.
Entry fee will be $10 per car to cover expenses. We have room
for about 15
teams, and also welcome volunteers to be check point workers.
If you are interested, email us at: <events@bmwccbc.org>
------------------------------------------------------------
xx - We always welcome newsletter submissions
------------------------------------------------------------
We are always working on the next newsletter and always
welcome your submissions. Stories, humor, how to tips, photos,
you name it, we are always looking for member content that has
a BMW slant and might be of interest to you the members.
Send in your submissions by email (or snail mail).
<ausblick@bmwccbc.org>
------- (oo--00--oo) ------- prepared by:
Rolf Drommer - member services
<mailto:info@bmwccbc.org> phone 604-671-5843
------------------------------------------------------------
The BMW CCBC is member driven. This is your club. So if you
want things to happen, we need your feedback and opinions.
If you have any comments questions or concerns, let us know.
We welcome constructive comments from you the members, so
please email us. <info@bmwccbc.org> or check the web site
for the list of directors. www.bmwccbc.org
-----------------------------------------------------------
The BMW Car Club of British Columbia is a local
club for owners and enthusiasts.
The BMW Car Club of BC is a member club of the BMW Club of Canada
-+------------------------------------------------------------------
BMW Car Club of BC - Events Team email: events@bmwccbc.org
Club Website: www.bmwccbc.org
-+------------------------------------------------------------------
BMW Car Club of British Columbia
December 2002 Event News Update - Sun, December 01, 2002
============================================
Some quick updates for you in this issue include:
------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Dec 13th, Christmas Dinner Social
2 - New Forum Section on our web site
3 - Welcome new Directors
4 - Holiday Gift Ideas
5 - Web Site update info
- We always welcome newsletter submissions
------------------------------------------------------------
For more info on each of these events visit our web site at:
<http://bmwccbc.org/> for more details.
------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Dec 13th, Christmas Dinner Social
------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Friday December 13th, 2002
Time: starting at 6:30 pm
Location: Old Bavaria Haus, 233 6th Street, New Westminster
Reservations Required. RSVP to <events@bmwccbc.org>
We already have some 24 members on the list that plan on joining
us for a fun social evening of 'gemütlichkeit' in a Bavarian
Christmas atmosphere.
The restaurant is offering us their group dinner option with
two appetizer choices, several main course choices, and a dessert
for the all inclusive price of $21 per person before tax and
gratuities.
If you haven't done so already, please let us know early (by
Dec, 7) if you plan to attend, so we can advise the restaurant.
------------------------------------------------------------
2 - New Forum Section on our web site
------------------------------------------------------------
We are pleased to announce a brand new feature of our club web
site.
We now have our own electronic forums for members and guests embedded directly into our very own web site.
We expect this to be a great area for club members to browse for information and communicate with one another regarding all things BMW related.
Here are the key things you need to know:
Browsing access is available to all. Posting access is limited
unless you register and are a member. Some features are limited
to members only, so you have to register, and then we have to
assign you member privileges (if we can figure out you are indeed
a member).
Registering requires a valid email address. Once you register, the system will send you a temporary password you can change to something that makes more sense to you.
To try the system, visit our club main page <http:bmwccbc.org/>
and then follow the links to the bulletin board.
Enjoy. Feedback is welcome.
------------------------------------------------------------
3 - Welcome new Directors
------------------------------------------------------------
At the Annual General Meeting on November 23rd, we welcomed several
new directors as the terms of previous directors came to an end.
In case you hadn't noticed it yet on our web site, here is the new list of the club's directors as of the AGM:
President - Jim Westmacott
Vice President - Derek Pinton
Secretary - Bill Gibson
Treasurer - Ian Clark
Director - Kim Spencer
Director - Ted Wong
Director - Scott Gable
Director - Victor Lall
Director - Thomas Fink
Director - Rolf Drommer
We'd also like to recognize the outgoing directors and thank them for the work they have done for the club during their terms in office.
Larry Myers - thanks Larry for your efforts as Director since
1998
Ron Dempsey - since 2000, Ron introduced us to Waterfront Park
Dean Schindell - Dean has been on the board twice since 1999
Zenon Holtz - director since 2001, thanks for the DYI Tech idea
As always, your board is open to your input (and volunteer help), please contact us with your thoughts and ideas about your club.
------------------------------------------------------------
4 - Holiday Gift Ideas
------------------------------------------------------------
Not to get too commercial for the holiday season, but just a
reminder that if you are looking for a gift for that special
BMW enthusiast in your family, why not consider some club items.
We have new stock of club T-Shirts, and they are only $20 each.
We are taking orders for the nice Deerskin gloves that are specially imprinted with the club letters for us by Watson Glove. They come in 4 sizes and 7 color choices. Only $50 pair for the softest driving gloves you can get.
You can also give a club membership or membership renewal. If we receive the info in time, we'll send it along with a card stating it is a gift from you.
We'll be updating these options on our web site later today.
Contact Thomas Fink <thomas@bmwccbc.org> or Rolf Drommer
<rolf@bmwccbc.org> with your orders or order questions.
------------------------------------------------------------
5 - Web Site update info
------------------------------------------------------------
We have moved our web site, but you don't have to go looking
for us.
Our address is still the same www.bmwccbc.org or <http://bmwccbc.og/>
The big change is our hosting service. We have moved to NetNation, Inc. a locally BC company that has worldwide operations. If you are looking for a place to park a web site, either personal or business, we'd highly recommend them.
As a result of the move, we have more space, more features (like the ability to run our own forum), and are on an even faster more reliable server farm than we were in the past, plus we get comprehensive stats that help us determine where the site traffic is.
We'll be changing things on our site as a result of the move. Hopefully nothing is broken or lost. (I'm pretty sure it is not, but...)
We'll also be updating our archives and recreating some of what Thomas had had for us on his Tripod photo archive site.
Some of the features we had hoped to implement in the past, such as a password protected members area will also become active soon.
The best way to see what's happening is of course to visit the site and browse.
------------------------------------------------------------
xx - We always welcome newsletter submissions
------------------------------------------------------------
We are always working on the next newsletter and always
welcome your submissions. Stories, humor, how to tips, photos,
you name it, we are always looking for member content that has
a BMW slant and might be of interest to you the members.
Send in your submissions by email (or snail mail).
<newsletter@bmwccbc.org>
------- (oo--00--oo) ------- prepared by:
Rolf Drommer - member services
<mailto:info@bmwccbc.org> phone 604-671-5843
------------------------------------------------------------
The BMW CCBC is member driven. This is your club. So if you
want things to happen, we need your feedback and opinions.
If you have any comments questions or concerns, let us know.
We welcome constructive comments from you the members, so
please email us. <info@bmwccbc.org> or check the web site
for the list of directors. www.bmwccbc.org
-----------------------------------------------------------
The BMW Car Club of British Columbia is a local
club for owners and enthusiasts.
The BMW Car Club of BC is a member club of the BMW Club of Canada
-+------------------------------------------------------------------
BMW Car Club of BC - Events Team email: events@bmwccbc.org
Club Website: www.bmwccbc.org
-+------------------------------------------------------------------
BMW Car Club of British Columbia
September 2002 Event News Update - Fri, September 06, 2002
============================================
Some quick updates for you in this issue include:
------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Sept 15th, Pot Luck Picnic in the Park
2 - Sept 22nd, Mount Baker Day Trip
3 - Sept 19 to 22, BC Classic Rally
4 - Oct 5th, Collision Avoidance Driving School
5 - Oct 20th, Fall Fahrt Ins Blaue
- We always welcome newsletter submissions
------------------------------------------------------------
For more info on each of these events visit our web site at:
<http://www.bmwccbc.org/> for more details.
------------------------------------------------------------
1 - Sept 15th, Pot
Luck Picnic in the Park
------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sunday September 15th, 2002
Meeting Location: Brentwood Mall, Lougheed & Willingdon Burnaby
Meeting Time: 10:00 am for 10:30 am departure
Event Cost: bring food to share for pot luck lunch
RSVP: please RSVP to <events@bmwccbc.org> for head count
Details: We have reserved the Picnic Shelter at Belcarra park,
and we plan to have a fun social day, but we'll start it with
a short scenic drive that starts at our meeting location of Brentwood
Mall (meet in the parking lot at the corner of Lougheed and Willingdon).
Bring along your picnic gear (plates and utensils) and some food
to share, and we'll have a fun afternoon in the park. This is
a great family event suitable for all club members.
------------------------------------------------------------
2 - Sept 22nd, Mount Baker Day Trip
------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Saturday August 10th, 2002
Meeting Location: Guildford North Lot, 105 Ave 152 Street
Meeting Time: 10:00 am for 10:30 am departure
Event Cost: bring money for lunch and $5 US park fee.
RSVP: please RSVP to <events@bmwccbc.org> for head count
Details: Victor Lall has tested the route and says it should
be a fun day. We'll start at Guildford with our usual meeting,
then head out to the Huntingdon Sumas border crossing at Abbotsford,
and from there take the scenic twisty roads to the Park lookout
at Mount Baker. Depending on timing and group size, we'll either
have lunch on the way up or the way back at a small restaurant
Victor has scoped out. There is a possible $5 US parks and Forest
Service fee at the park where the road ends at the highest road
access level of the mountain. Lunch stop is a typical bar and
grill burger joint. We'd appreciate an RSVP for head counts.
------------------------------------------------------------
3 - Sept 19 to 22, BC Classic Rally
------------------------------------------------------------
This is not an club event, but may be of interest to many who
are interested in TSD (time, speed, distance) fun rallying in
the classic fashion.
Former president and club founder Dave Beddows is now active
in BC Classic Rally, a group of enthusiasts who rally with vintage
and classic cars.
Some basic event info follows:
What I hope will be the 1st annual BC Classic Rally is to be
held in Aldergrove BC from Sept 19 through 22.
This is a 2 day rally following "Classic Rally Rules".
Classic Rally Rules explained at:
<http://www3.telus.net/bmw/bcclassicrally/rallyrules.htm>
Although the intention is to bring out Classic Cars of any vintage, this event is open to newer sporting vehicles as well.
The details of the event can be found at:
<http://www3.telus.net/bmw/bcclassicrally/sept_2002_bc_classic_rally.htm>
The Early Bird entry fee of $190us or $300can has been extended
to Aug
15, 2002. The fee covers meals, awards, etc. Proceeds go to children's
charity.
Although the cost may seem high, the budget is very tight to
make this event work. At this time corporate sponsorship has
been difficult to obtain.
Please visit the BC Classic Web Page at:
<http://www.bcclassicrally.com>
for more info
This is a competitive and social event. The course will be
challenging and on all paved roads at or below legal speeds.
Stops will include a visit to an unique Winery in the Fraser
Valley.
You don't have to be an expert TSD'r to enjoy this event as we
do our best to accommodate novices.
If you would like to learn more, please contact me at:
Email <RallyMaster@bcclassicrally.com>
Or by phone to Dave Beddows at 604-816-2467
If you intend to participate please notify Dave by email ASAP.
------------------------------------------------------------
4 - Oct 5th, Collision Avoidance Driving School
------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Saturday October 5th, 2002
Meeting Location: Boundary Bay Driving Center
Meeting Time: sign in for registered drivers at 8:30 am
Event Cost: $180 CDN ($115 US) for session includes catered lunch
RSVP: mandatory RSVP and registration <schools@bmwccbc.org>
or by phoning Rolf at 604-671-5843
Details: Just in time for the winter driving season, we again
are hosting one of our popular Collision Avoidance Driving Schools.
These are great days to improve your survival chances in the
urban driving jungle.
This is a full day of guided driving skills exercises that cover
the basics of car control and vehicle dynamics in a safe controlled
environment under the guidance of the instructors at driving
Unlimited.
Email to <schools@bmwccbc.org> or call Rolf at 604-671-5843
to
get on the event registration list. Limited to 24 participants.
------------------------------------------------------------
5 - Oct 20th, Fall Fahrt Ins Blaue
------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sunday October 20th, 2002
Meeting Location: probably at Guildford North Lot
Meeting Time: 10:00 am for 10:30 am departure
Event Cost: bring money for lunch stop
RSVP: please RSVP to <events@bmwccbc.org> for head count
Details: We are planning our annual Fall Fahrt Ins Blaue day
trip now. This is a traditional scenic day trip with a fun social
lunch stop. Great for the entire family, we'll plan a stop or
two along the way on a scenic back roads route that includes
fun twisty roads with fall foliage and great scenery.
Plan now and put this event on your calendar. More details in
a future email, in the next newsletter and on the web site.
------------------------------------------------------------
xx - We always welcome newsletter submissions
------------------------------------------------------------
We are always working on the next newsletter and always
welcome your submissions. Stories, humor, how to tips, photos,
you name it, we are always looking for member content that has
a BMW slant and might be of interest to you the members.
Send in your submissions by email (or snail mail).
<newsletter@bmwccbc.org>
------- (oo--00--oo) ------- prepared by:
Rolf Drommer - member services
<mailto:info@bmwccbc.org> phone 604-671-5843
------------------------------------------------------------
The BMW CCBC is member driven. This is your club. So if you
want things to happen, we need your feedback and opinions.
If you have any comments questions or concerns, let us know.
We welcome constructive comments from you the members, so
please email us. <info@bmwccbc.org> or check the web site
for the list of directors. www.bmwccbc.org
-----------------------------------------------------------
The BMW Car Club of British Columbia is a local
club for owners and enthusiasts.
The BMW Car Club of BC is a member club of the BMW Club of Canada
-+------------------------------------------------------------------
BMW Car Club of British Columbia
A club for owners and enthusiasts
Club Website: www.bmwccbc.org <http://www.bmwccbc.org>
email: info@bmwccbc.org
-+------------------------------------------------------------------