BMW CCA Oktoberfest 2004 - July 4-9 in Pasadena

[scottn2retro]

Hi All -

BMW CCA's largest annual event, Oktoberfest is returning to SoCal for 2004. The event will be held Sun. - Fri. July 4-9 in Pasadena (with the track events at California Speedway in Fontana). :)

People interested in more information on the event and about possibly being a volunteer to help put on the event, check out the LA BMW CCA web site home page for links to the calendar, contacts and forms:

http://www.bmwclubla.org/

[scottn2retro]

Now that Oktoberfest 2003 is over, time to look forward to 4th of July in SoCal. :)

[scottn2retro]

Interesting . . .

Something being considered for the track events at O'fest 2004 is a drifting contest . . . :eeps:

[teamdfl]

Originally posted by scottn2retro
Interesting . . .

Something being considered for the track events at O'fest 2004 is a drifting contest . . . :eeps:

Don't even joke. I cringe when I think about some idiot trying to "drift" at a driving school.



Ed

[scottn2retro]

Originally posted by teamdfl


Don't even joke. I cringe when I think about some idiot trying to "drift" at a driving school.

Ed

Apparently, they've become extremely popular out here. :dunno:

They have them at Irwindale Speedway. They get such a turn out that they have to turn people away at the gate for the first time in the history of the track.

[teamdfl]

I have no problem with the "drifiting" thing, but mixing drifiting with a highly structured and high speed driving school is asking for trouble. We have enough trouble getting liability insurance for driving events. I don't want the chief instructor to have to explain to the insurance company why an E36 M3 slid sideways into some armco and injuring 14 spectators.

If they want to make tire smoke in a parking lot at a venue far from the driving school, I hope they have fun. I may even stop by to watch.

[scottn2retro]

Originally posted by teamdfl
I have no problem with the "drifiting" thing, but mixing drifiting with a highly structured and high speed driving school is asking for trouble. We have enough trouble getting liability insurance for driving events. I don't want the chief instructor to have to explain to the insurance company why an E36 M3 slid sideways into some armco and injuring 14 spectators.

If they want to make tire smoke in a parking lot at a venue far from the driving school, I hope they have fun. I may even stop by to watch.

Oh, okay, I see the issue. It would be a separate event out in the parking lot, but at the same venue as the driving schools - if it even becomes one of the events. They'd have to find people that know how to put them on.

[HKE46Boy]

Need to renewal my CCA membership! Can I enter the clean car contest?

[scottn2retro]

Originally posted by HKE46Boy
Need to renewal my CCA membership! Can I enter the clean car contest?

Sorry for the late response - been on travel (that included a visit to Team PTG :eeps: ).

All of the events are open to any and all members that want to participate (though the track schools will be limited to a first come - first get basis until they fill up), but I would think the concours would have no limits - so sure, you'd be able to compete.

[scottn2retro]

Hi All -

Here's the tentative schedule for the week:

Monday - at Vendor Hall, plaza outside & Pasadena Hilton
Registration
RC Racing
Gymkhana
Car Wash
Carnival Activities
Vendor Exhibits
Mini-Car set up
Photo Contest set up
Tech Sessions
Evening Hors d'oeuvres Reception

Tuesday - Track events at California Speedway
Driving school, Car Control Clinic, AutoX, Slalom, Drifting clinic

Car Wash, Vendor Hall and Tech Sessions ongoing in Pasadena
Evening Dessert reception at the Vendor Hall

Wednesday - Con't. of track events at Ca. Speedway
Driving school, Car Control Clinic, AutoX, Slalom, Drifting clinic

Car Wash, Vendor Hall and Tech Sessions ongoing in Pasadena
Evening - Motorsport banquet at Petersen Museum

Thursday - Pasadena and surrounding areas
Rallies and Day Trips
Deadlines for voting on Photo contest and Mini cars
Trivia Contests, etc.
Evening - Cocktails at the Pasadena Hilton


Friday - Ritz Carlton
Concours
Awards Banquet


For info about reservations, etc., check the BMW CCA site:
http://www.bmwcca.org/Oktoberfest2004/index.shtml

NOTE: For the special room rates, you MUST use the link for Hotel reservations from the BMW CCA Oktoberfest page. The headquarters will be at the Pasadena Hilton.

[scottn2retro]

I've heard that one of the day tours available on Thursday will be a tour of the regional BWM VDC (Vehicle Distribution Center - formerly known as the VPC). I've heard that past tours have been awesome :str8pimpi

[scottn2retro]

Sunday afternoon, July 4th, there will be early registration available at the Hilton and then people getting together to go see fireworks that night (at places like the Rose Bowl).

[scottn2retro]

:bump:

[scottn2retro]

Got this info regarding the Oktoberfest Track School at Cal. Speedway in Fontana:

1) Students can sign up with just a day pass ($60-$75) and the DS fee ($150) and not have to sign up for the whole O'fest. If they want to spend more money, they can pay $295 for the school and skip the day pass, but that seems a little dumb to me.

2) We aren't limited to BMW's. Non club members would have to join the CCA but they can do so regardless of what they drive and they can run this school (and most Pacific Retion schools) in any street worthly car.

3) BMW NA is bringing the following to the track:

-a McLaren F1 GTR
-a M1 grp 4 Procar
-the 1996 PTG M3 Sebring winner
-a 1977 320 turbo fresh from the restoration shop, if it's running
-their new BMW Vintage Race Truck
-Bill Auberlen
-Boris Said
-Joey Hand

The three gentlemen listed last will be giving rides in the cars listed first.

If someone signs up for the school on a day pass, they may attend all the other activites that day, (Vendor hall reception on Tuesday night, Petersen Museum dinner on Wednesday).

Applications are on the BMW CCA National website: www.bmwcca.org

:)

[scottn2retro]

I thought I'd pass this on from Ken Whitson:

Friends:

As most of you know, I am the rallymaster for Ofest 2004.
There are three rallies: the Malibu Fun Rally, run any day of the
contestant's choosing, and two Time-Speed Distance (TSD) Rallies, run
Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon, July 8. Additionally, I have
written two separate tours, and the TSD rally courses can be driven as
tours.

I need volunteers who live in SoCal and/or who will be at Ofest, in
several capacities:

Pre-Oktoberfest Volunteers

1. Test Run of the Malibu Fun Rally: this is a "Photo Rally", where you
are given a set of photographs, and follow a simple set of route
instructions. No timing is involved. You find the objects in the photos
as you drive the route, then mark down the mileage to each object on a
score sheet. The course starts in Pasadena, and goes through Malibu and
the Santa Monica Mountains. The roads are awesome, the views are
spectacular. Driving time is about 4 hours, depending on traffic, etc.
The test run would be most helpful if done on a weekday, but weekend
runs are welcome also. I am looking for comments and suggestions that
will make the event more enjoyable for the contestants. The test run
must be completed and comments given back to me no later than June 21.

2. Tour Test Runs: There are 4 tours. One is a short Hollywood/Beverly
Hills/Mulholland Drive touristy route. The second is a long (6 hour?)
mountain loop via Gorman to Ojai and back to Pasadena. The other 2 tours
are non-competitive drives following the TSD rally courses. The test
run(s) would be most helpful if done on a weekday, but weekend runs are
welcome also. I am looking for comments and suggestions that will make
the events more enjoyable. The test run must be completed and comments
given back to me no later than June 21.

3. TSD Rally Check-out. The TSD rallies will have an organized, timed
checkout on Monday, June 28. We will have some experienced rallyists
there, but we need folks with little or no experience in TSD rallying.
No special equipment is required, beyond a watch and a pencil. If you
are alone, we will pair you up with another volunteer for the checkout.
The morning course explores the Angeles Crest Highway area, and is a
simple rally with no traps. The afternoon rally is a Trap TSD, following
the numerous canyons north of the LA Basin. The traps will be such that
you won't get lost - just off time a bit.

Volunteers During Oktoberfest

1. On Thursday, July 8, I need TSD rally checkpoint workers. There will
be teams of two workers, and all that is required is to read the clock
(which we provide) as the cars drive by, and record the times.
Contestants do not stop at the checkpoint. This will be an all-day
commitment on Thursday. If you're not planning to compete in the
rallies, you probably weren't going to be busy anyway. Why not get out
and see some scenery? The courses explore the Angeles Crest Highway
area, and also the numerous canyons north of the LA Basin.

Please contact me directly at kwhitson@whitsonengineers.com to volunteer
or to ask me any questions you may have. I will send you the
instructions and maps directly. I appreciate your willingness to help
make Ofest 2004 a superb event for everyone.


Ken Whitson
831-649-5225 work, 831-625-5133 home
Fax 831-373-5065
kwhitson@whitsonengineers.com

[scottn2retro]

Info about the drift demonstration:


Catch Your Own Drift

Drifting 101 for Oktoberfest Drivers
by Dan Tackett


One thing we really love about our BMWs is that they’re rear-wheel drive. More sporty sedans are re-discovering rear-wheel drive as they try to compete with BMW. But BMW never strayed, realizing the inherent benefits of separating the wheels that steer from the wheels that drive.

Drifting is what happens when you separate them too much…intentionally.

More like an automotive ballet, drifting is the fine art of controlling a car in a perpetual powerslide, skillfully balancing too much throttle with too much steering. Picture ice racing, but on dry asphalt. The car is at a dramatic angle of attack, the back end snapped from side to side with finesse on a defined course, while mysteriously enshrouding the rear wheel wells with tire smoke. Drifting is less doing a donut and more like a croissant: tasteful if a little flaky.

Drifting as a motorsport exhibition is already big in Japan and Hawaii, building in Germany, and just beginning to grow in the US. A drift contest is held annually at the Hockenheim race track in Germany, and a BMW driver often wins (including two years ago when a 740d with a V8 twin turbodiesel provided an extra source of smoke). Unlike usual motorsport competition, drifting competitions are judged on style instead of time. The more elegantly the slide is performed, the more dramatic the angle of the car, the more car control demonstrated by the driver, the better the score. It is great fun to watch, and even more fun to do, so…

BMW CCA is offering you a taste of drifting at Oktoberfest. On July 6 and 7, before or after your half-day slot for the autocross, you can give it a try in the parking lot right next door:

The course is short and far from fixed objects because we know this is the first sampling of drifting for nearly everybody. We will mimic the “Swedish Cross” layout used in Europe to teach car control to driving instructors…usually on ice.
The speed will be fairly low, using 2nd gear, so it’s easy to stop if you lose control.

Each participant will get 4 runs on the course, two in each direction.
There will be no scoring or trophies; this is for the benefit of the smile on your face.
Oktoberfest registration, a helmet and closed shoes are required.
We ask for a minimum $5.00 donation to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Research Foundation for each driver. Tickets will be available on-site.
You may use your BMW or rental car, or…
We will have an E30 325i available for any participant to use. Courtesy of Bill Arnold BMW Repair, this BMW will be set up with a locked differential, stiff rear suspension, and donated tires from Hankook Tires, our generous event sponsor.
Drivers will be able to participate on a first-come, first-served basis. We can’t guarantee how long the 325i or rear tire supply will last, but we intend to accommodate everyone who wishes to participate.


COME DOWN AND TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT BEHIND THE WHEEL!