Fire And Ice

What is the BMW CCA all about? Sure, we have a lot of events, a snazzy magazine and cool Chapter newsletter. But there's something more, something that is about the true spirit of the BMW enthusiast.

It's about helping someone you don't know change their brake pads at the track - in the rain. It's about someone giving you an engine when yours blew up and you are 400 miles from home, and across the border no less. It's about helping someone you never met and might not ever see again, but they are driving a BIMMER and are therefore brethren.

As it happened, just the other day Victor Cruz (our Regalia Coordinator, for those that don't yet know him) and I were driving through Melrose in my 2002. As we went by a gas station an older 5 Series caught our eye. Something was wrong with the picture though - Victor noticed gas pouring out of the gas tank with the hose still on, with no one around to shut it off. We are talking a fountain here, and a growing pool on the ground!

I whipped a quick U-turn and we sped into the station, jumping out of my car like Starsky and Hutch as dazed onlookers were unaware of the danger an errant spark could have caused. To make a long story short, we shut the gas off and saved an older bimmer from possible immolation. The driver was a woman passing through from New York, who had only pulled in to pick up some oil. Yes, we might have stopped in any case, but it was the BMW that drew our attention, and the knowledge that as BMW CCA members it was up to us to help in any way we could.

Speaking of help, I would like to greatly thank Director Joe Marko for providing his showroom at HMS Motorsport in Peabody as a place to hold our bi-monthly Board Meetings. It works well to able to meet on our own turf, so to speak, and not be distracted by restaurant waiters and other goings-on as we focus on the business of the Chapter. As I have said before, all Boston Chapter members are welcome to attend the Board Meetings. It's a great way to get involved the Chapter! Give me a call if you would like to attend.

Now I'd like to tell you a story about something you should avoid—the solid coolant syndrome. Remember those really cold days back in January? Yep, like zero degrees and serious wind chill. Well, I had meant to change my coolant before winter, but never quite got around to it. I checked it on a 20 degree day and it was fine. However, I run a very weak mixture, 25% BMW coolant and 75% water during track season, as it helps the car run a bit cooler.

One bitter cold day I went to start my car, and thought to check the coolant before I did. Good thing, all I saw in the radiator were ice crystals, and the hoses were solid and crunchy as I squeezed them. My engine was frozen solid! What to do? Well, being the resourceful guy that I am, I got an electric space heater, jacked up the car and put the heater under it. Then I piled a bunch of blankets over the hood, and covered the whole thing with my car cover. Four hours later, the engine was all warmed up and I was able to drain the coolant and put a fresh 60/40 mix in. Luckily there was no damage! That got me thinking - if you have a race car and run a weak coolant mix, either change the coolant or don't store the car outside during the winter so as to avoid the possibility of damage from a frozen engine.

That's it for today, folks. Keep the shiny side up - I'll see you at the track.

March 2000 Bimmer

Behind the Wheel: Fire And Ice by Fred Beck

Under the Hood: Pikachu Evolves Into Riachu by Greg Scott

A New Engine For The BIMMER by Justin Hughes

March 2000 New Members by Barry Tarr

Turns To Take: Take A Break by Maria Anggraeni

Igor To The Rescue by Justin Hughes

The Party of the Millenium by Ron Sisco and Fred Beck

Sponsors Of The Party of the Millenium by Fred Beck

Bench Racing at Euro-Sport Motorcar: The Older We Get The Faster We Was by Justin Hughes and Maria Anggraeni

Bench Racing at Euro-Sport Motorcar: The Older We Get The Faster We Was Photo Gallery by Vikram Sundararajan

Corrections and Coming Attractions by Justin Hughes

January 2000 Boston Chapter Board Meeting Minutes by Will Farnsworth

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