Sun and Fast Times!

By the time you read this we will have passed the halfway mark in the Massachusetts BMW Dealers Group Autocross Series. We are happy to report that this season is going extremely well! Participation is up and competition is high. After a very rainy autocross 2, autocrosses 3 and 4 enjoyed great weather.

Fred and John (photo by Aimee Reveno)

A new course record of 56.213 seconds was set by Francis O'Connor in his '95 M3 CSL in autocross 4. If you haven't yet been to the autocross, there is still plenty of time to come join the fun!

BMW Participation Increases

BMW participation continues to rise! We are averaging 53.4% BMW participation so far this season, with a high of 62% for autocross #3. Let's make BMW participation continue to climb throughout the season! Take advantage of this spectacular offer that your chapter brings to you at such a bargain. Fred and John (true believers) think life is too short for you not to autocross with your BMW now.

Autocross 3 Report

The weather was excellent and BMW turnout high for Autocross 3. Tight competition continued in many classes. In Class F the sub-58 second times of Francis O'Connor and Luka Serdar were within 0.4 seconds of each other. Newcomer Dann Darnstaedt won Class H in his '87 Alfa Spider, and Fedja Jeleskovic was the first to break the 57-second barrier, with a time of 56.949 seconds. Finally, intense competition in Class E between Joe Marko's '97 Z3 and Fred Beck's '73 2002tii continued, with Fred edging out Joe for first place with two best runs that were within 0.002 seconds of each other.

Autocross 4 Report

Stepping in as temporary chairman for Autocross 4 while Fred was touring Northern California, John Mansfield roasted the tires off of a white rental van, coming in with a time of 1 minute 16 seconds.

John says next time we rent a van to transport the autocross gear it must have a fully locked differential, Brembo (tm) brakes, slicks, turbo with NO2, and a full roll cage so that he can get a competitive time in class K. He also had the sumptuous opportunity to drive Steve Ide's 356 HP supercharged Z3, featured in the July 1998 Roundel (pgs. 38-39). Believe it or not, even with the awesome seductive power, the superior road-holding capabilities kept John at a loss to spin Ide's magnificent Z3. Steve, please return with your car, we look forward to seeing you again.

M3/Z3 Challenge

There are three autocrosses left, which means there is still time to join the E36 M3/Z3 Challenge. (NOTE: In order to qualify for the Challenge, you must participate in at least three autocrosses.) A new BMW Mountain Bike will be given away at the end of the season to the Challenge drawing winner, courtesy of the our sponsor, the Massachusetts BMW Dealers Group. A full 23% of all BMWs entered in the autocross are currently in the M3/Z3 Challenge, which means they are all potentially eligible to draw for this ultimate bike with awesome road-holding capabilities.

George Macgown's 97 Z3 2.8 is in there somewhere.

Novice Program

Our program to encourage first-time autocrossers to come out and get excited about BMW performance and to improve their driving skills continues to be a success. Over 40% of the BMW drivers this season are first-time autocrossers. The most improved BMW novice driver will receive an award at the season end.

If you haven't yet taken advantage of the wild world of Boston Chapter BMW CCA autocrossing, now is the time to seize the moment! The remaining autocrosses take place on 9/13, 10/4, and 10/18. Don't let the season pass you by without crushing a few cones!

For more information on the autocross series contact Fred Beck fbeck@boston-bmwcca.org. See you at the next event!

Fred and John

Don't miss this issue's Autocross 4 Photo Gallery.

September 1998 BIMMER

Behind the Wheel: Over 2000! by Mike Webb

Under the Hood: I Want a Z3L! by Greg Scott

Crushing The Cones: Sun and Fast Times! by Fred Beck and John Mansfield

September 1998 New Members by Barry Tarr

Bimmers Across The Border II by Greg Scott

Bimmers Across The Border II: Photo Gallery by Ron Sisco

Bimmers Across The Border II: Club Race Photo Gallery by Ron Sisco

Summerfest '98 by Mike Webb

Summerfest '98: Photo Gallery by Mike Webb

Boston Chapter Autocross Series: Autocross 4 Photo Gallery by Tom Goltz and Justin Hughes

Save The Bridge! by Fred Beck

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