Huge Turnout for Season Opener!

Fred and John (photo by Aimee Reveno)

Espen Frank's car was the cover of the June 1998 BIMMER. (photo by Ron Sisco)

Martin Callahan from the White Mountain Chapter in his 1995 318ti. (photo by Ron Sisco)

First time Autocrosser Jim Leiwabessy in his 1991 M3. (photo by Ron Sisco)

Fred explains the course to 75 drivers at the driver's meeting. (photo by Ron Sisco)

The Massachusetts BMW Dealers Group Autocross Series began with an excellent turnout of 75 BMW CCA members participating in the first autocross of the season, Sunday May 3, with many more friends and family adding to the excitement as spectators. Though the day started under cloudy skies and a light drizzle, the mood was upbeat, as people were excited by the new autocross course and by the new sponsorship package provided by the Massachusetts BMW Dealers Group. Fully fifty percent of the participants drove BMWs, with 14 of these being first-time BMW autocrossers.

New Course is a Hit

The new course was a hit, being both more open for larger cars, and achieving the goal of a longer course with most runs being well over the 60 second target. A number of instructors were on hand to help novices and experienced autocrossers alike to learn the new course and to hone their autocross skills. Many heartfelt thanks to all of them for coming out and volunteering their time to make the first event of the season run as smoothly as possible.

Thanks also to Martin Callahan, a White Mountain Chapter member who volunteered his help throughout the day. Martin will be forming an autocross series for his chapter next year. Stay tuned!

New Performance Based Classification System

In addition to the success of the new course, the new performance-based classification system for BMW's worked smoothly. This system promises to afford increased competition within the BMW classes this year.

The BMW Classification System is available on the Chapter web site. Feel free to download it and fill out as much information as you like before coming to the autocross. Please call Fred with any questions, particularly with regard to tire and wheel sizes, and engine and drivetrain modifications.

New E36 M3/Z3 Challenge

For the first autocross seven BMW drivers qualified for the E36 M3 and Z3 Challenge, with Joe Marko, Tony Beckett, and Francis O'Connor each garnering 2 credits toward the season-end drawing for a brand-new BMW Mountain Bike. The other four drivers received one credit each toward the drawing for the bike, provided courtesy of the Massachusetts BMW Dealers Group.

The E36 M3 and Z3 Challenge rules are that all E36 M3 and Z3 entrants receive one BMW Mountain Bike drawing credit for participating in each event. Winners in Stock E36 M3, Modified E36 M3, Stock Z3, and Modified Z3 receive an additional drawing credit per event. Four events are required to qualify for the drawing at the season end.

New Novice Trophy and Instruction

To encourage BMW owners who have not yet tried their hand at autocrossing to come out and join us, this year a Novice BMW trophy will be awarded to the most-improved first-year BMW autocrosser at the years end. Improvement will be gauged by comparing the average of the two best times of the novice times for their first event to that of their best event of the season. In the case of inclement conditions times will be normalized in an appropriate manner. Four season-qualifying events are required to qualify for the Novice BMW trophy. Experienced autocrossers will be available throughout the season to help novices get started with autocrossing.

Swap Meet and Barbecue Coming!

Wrapping up, the success of the first event predicts that this will be a fun and exciting season for everyone who comes out to the autocross. We have a number of activities planned to add to the autocross experience, including a swap meet and a barbecue later in the season.

The remaining Massachusetts BMW Dealers Group autocross dates are 6/21, 7/19, 8/4, 8/23, 9/13, and 10/18. Remember, registration and technical inspection opens at 8 am and closes at 9 am. We run rain or shine! All events are held at Rockingham Park horse race track in Salem, New Hampshire.

For more information contact Fred Beck at fbeck@boston-bmwcca.org. Come on out and join the fun. See you there!

Fred

The 1998 Boston Chapter Autocross Series is sponsored by the Massachusetts BMW Retailers. BMW Gallery Norwood (Norwood, MA) BMW of Peabody (Peabody, MA) Foreign Motors West (Natick, MA) Herb Chambers BMW (Boston, MA) Wagner BMW (Boylston, MA) Trans-Atlantic BMW (Hyannis, MA)

June 1998 BIMMER

1998 E36 M3/Z3 Challenge Rules and Information by Fred Beck

Behind the Wheel: The Club Is Good For You! by Mike Webb

Under the Hood: Benefits by Greg Scott

The Road Ahead: Summerfest is Here! by Neil Schneider

Crushing The Cones: Huge Turnout for Season Opener! by Fred Beck and John Mansfield

June 1998 New Members by Barry Tarr

Autocross 1 Photo Gallery by Ron Sisco

Spring Fling Photo Gallery by Noam Levine and Dan Mull

Business Profile: Foreign Motors West by Mike Webb

More Boston Bimmer articles by Fred Beck

President's Page: Mr. Beck Goes To Washington November/December 2000 Bimmer

President's Page: Calling All Members October 2000 Bimmer

President's Page: Bonjour, Chapitre de Boston! September 2000 Bimmer

President's Page July/August 2000 Bimmer

President's Page June 2000 Bimmer

There are 51 more Boston Bimmer articles by Fred Beck

More Boston Bimmer articles by John Mansfield

Crushing The Cones: Well Beyond All Expectations June 1999 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: One Down, Seven to Go! April 1999 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: A Spectacular Autocross Season January 1999 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: Season Awards This Month! November/December 1998 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: Driver Satisfaction Quotient October 1998 BIMMER

There are 6 more Boston Bimmer articles by John Mansfield