President’s Column, July 2008

by Bob Morin

The Bring More Wax Show & Shine on June 8th was the first event since my last column and it was a great success. Mike Zarolinski took this one on for the third time and he had his best event so far. He received RSVPs from 55 members that they would be attending. Fortunately, we brought some extra food, as 70 members actually attended and we had just enough for everyone to eat something. Hint: There is a reason why we ask you to RSVP so we can properly plan for the event. Anyway, we had 35 cars on the display field and there were several new members attending and displaying cars, so thanks to Mike and to the Wileys for bringing the “club closet” and to Roger Chartier’s Detail Best for donating a nice zymöl kit as a doorprize.

Upcoming events include something new we’re going to try. In this issue you’ll see the first announcement of an event we came up with at the last minute. Since we’re a German car club and Germans seem to have a fondness for beer, we thought we’d try a little beer sampling party to give equal time to the beer drinkers in the Chapter. The wine drinkers have had their event(s) for years. So, August 3rd, we’ll have a little lunch and try some beer in Granby, CT. Don’t drink beer? Just come for the lunch and socializing then.

The second Driver’s School of the season will be August 22nd and I’ve already heard from many members that they are hoping to have one of the first opportunities to drive the new Lime Rock configuration, so this one could fill up early. Plus, the track should finally be smooooooth!

This year, the annual ’02 Fest will be held in conjunction with the Vintage Fall Festival at Lime Rock Park and will be held on August 31st. Paul Kuchay is taking the lead on this event, so stay tuned for further details.

I received some information today that will go out in our e-mail blast and on our website because it would be too late when you received it if we put it in this issue, but that reminds me that I should mention the e-mail blast once again, for members that may be unaware of it. If you are not receiving e-mail notification of our events and would like to, please contact Dave Rich (info on masthead). We promise not to clog your inbox with useless stuff, but it is a good reminder of events that have appeared in the DZ and on the website, but also, when things come up that might interest you, but time does not allow normal notice, we can still let you know so you don’t have to say, “Gee, I wish I had known about that.”

The F1 season continues to be one the most exciting in years, especially if you are a BMW Sauber fan. Sure, last year had all the Stepnygate scandal, but the racing was still fairly predictable, even if the BMWs were getting closer to the top. This year, the excitement is on the track. In Turkey, Robert Kubica continued to outshine his more experienced teammate in qualifying, taking a 5th on grid to Nick Heidfeld’s 9th, but both drivers improved their positions in the race and Kubica took 4th to Heidfeld’s 5th. After Turkey, BMW remained second in the Manufacturer’s Championship and both drivers were still in strong contention for the Driver’s Championship. Next up was the always unpredictable Monaco, where there was rain in the forecast to make things really interesting. Heidfeld failed to even make it into Q3, qualifying 12th on a circuit that you cannot pass anywhere, so he looked to be toast before the race began. Kubica qualified 5th again, but it was an all-Ferrari front row, so they looked poised to put more distance on the competition. It was a wild race that actually finished two laps short due to the 2-hour time limit. The last time I recall that rule being invoked was also at Monaco, also on a rainy race day. In the end, Lewis Hamilton came from 3rd on the grid to win, with Robert Kubica 2nd and Massa only able to fill out the podium, in spite of his pole position.

So now, the circus had to cross the Atlantic. Disappointed (that there is no U.S. Grand Prix) American F1 fans no doubt helped to fill the Canadian stands to capacity for this race, which is famous for it’s safety car periods and this year was no exception. Kubica had the pole until the final seconds when Lewis Hamilton just topped him, while Heidfeld lingered in 8th on the grid. However, the race was the real story here. Kubica was looking quite strong but when the safety car came out and all the teams pitted on the same lap, he and Räikkönen traveled down pit lane side by side after their service, but the red exit light was on to allow the safety car to pass. The two stopped but Hamilton, who was pitted at the complete opposite end of pit lane as the result of their many penalties from last year did not see the light and drove right into the back of the Ferrari, eliminating both cars from the race. When the light changed Kubica took off and rejoined the race. Heidfeld had stayed out, so was now in the lead and the team immediately changed him to a one-stop strategy. Once he came in and rejoined the BMWs were one-two, but Heidfeld was now quite heavy on fuel, so put up little fight as Kubica moved to pass. Robert’s crew told him he needed a 26 second lead to be able to make his final pit stop and still come out ahead of Heidfeld. At first, he had traffic, but as he worked his way through, or they pitted, he was able to build a lead of 29 seconds. When he made his stop, he came out just ahead of Heidfeld and they went on to a one-two finish. BMW had stated that a win this year was one their goals for the team, but certainly a first and second had to exceed even their expectations. Kubica left Montreal as the points leader and BMW was only 3 points behind Ferrari in the Manufacturer’s Championship. They may have expected a win this season, but I don’t think even they thought that both Championships could even be a possibility. As I said, it’s getting quite exciting!

In News From National, membership is now 75,950, down from last year by .24%. You should have received your raffle flyer by now, but the format has changed this year, so be sure to look over the materials if you plan to buy tickets. Just so there is no confusion, please notice that the new 1 series and the X6 are not included in the current membership reward program, which, by the way, has cost BMW $15.3 million in rebates since its inception. The membership drive continues until September 12th, so there is still time to sign up a few new members to become eligible for some great prizes. See ROUNDEL or www.bmwcca.org for details. And don’t forget Oktoberfest 2008, at Watkins Glen this year. Less than a day’s drive and the closest were likely to see for a few years, you really should make your plans now for September 23 through 27, 2008.

Well, I think I’ve overshot my space for this month, so I’d better finish it up and get it off to Nancie now.

Bob Morin