by Bob Morin

This year’s Humpa Picnic was a huge success with over 100 members and guests in attendance.   It didn’t hurt that we had a beautiful day and there was such a great turnout that Charlie, the Williams Park caretaker, eventually was forced to close the gate by the pavilion to cars and people were asked to park in the lower lot as overflow.   In spite of the crowd and thanks to everyone pre-registering, we had plenty of wursts, hamburgers and hot dogs and there were salads and desserts galore as well.   Thanks to BMW of North America, BMW CCA, Performance Automotive and BMW of Watertown, and I hope no one else that I forgot, we had plenty of doorprizes to make the day more memorable.   Thanks to John and Barbara Bisset for making the arrangements for the event.   We also appreciate Tony Oliviera of Tony’s Imported Auto Service in Manchester, CT for providing the beer once again this year and lastly, to all the members of the board who helped by bringing all the supplies necessary to hold the event.

Next up on the calendar is the Holiday Party/Yankee Swap on December 11^th this year.   Check the article elsewhere in this issue for details and we hope you’ll be able to attend.

Following some time off for the holidays, January 29^th will be the date of our Annual Dinner.   At this writing, details on a speaker are still being worked out, but a site and menu are under control and the event should be well-attended and a great socializing opportunity for all our members.

Thank goodness the F1 season is almost over.   The Japanese Grand Prix saw Ralf Schumacher, in only his second race back after the horrible crash at Indy, finish second to brother Michael.   That was the best finish for BMW Williams since Juan Pablo Montoya came home second in the second race of the season in Malaysia .    With one race left, Montoya can finish no higher than 4^th in the Championship and Ralf, after missing several races mid-season, can finish no better than 9^th.   BMW Williams is currently 4^th in the Manufacturers’ Championship, but McLaren Mercedes could still take that position away at the last race.  

Thankfully, as the motorsports season winds down everywhere, BMW has faired better in other series. Andy Priaulx won the European Touring Car Championship driving a BMW and BMW won the Manufacturer’s Championship in the same series.   Congratulations also go out to Will Turner whose Turner Motorsports Team brought Bill Auberlin a back-to-back title in the Speed World Challenge Touring Car Championship and BMW also took the Manufacturer’s title in that series.   In the Grand Am Series GT Class, BMW (Team PTG) leads the Manufacturer’s and Driver’s Championships (Auberlin, Said, Marks) with one race left and in Grand Am Cup Series ST Class, BMW also leads the Manufacturer’s (Turner Motorsports) and Driver’s (Turner, Salama) points race.  

In News From National this month, membership has declined by 267 members from last month, but runs at 76,331, up 3.09% over last year.   The dates for Techfest Midwest in Indianapolis have been announced for those who like to make early plans.   The event will be co-hosted by the Hoosier and Bluegrass Bimmers Chapters and will be held from March 31 – April 3, 2005.   The Newsletter Editor/Webmaster Conference will be held in Providence, RI the weekend of May 13 – 15, 2005.  

That will fill my space for another month and I must get this to Nancie ASAP, so I’ll just close by wishing you and all your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you will enjoy your holiday.