For anyone who's ever been dragged to a car race by a significant other and thought, "This isn't for me." Buckle up because I'm here to tell you it might surprise you!
Let's be honest, attending my first motorsport event was nerve-wracking. My partner, Martin, loved it, but for me, the noise, the speed, the whole "unknown" factor felt far from fun. I pictured crashes and chaos, but what I witnessed was a world of controlled adrenaline and a surprising focus on safety.
Seeing these incidents firsthand, rather than just imagining them, was a turning point. Witnessing the measures in place – the briefings, instructor presence, and organized track groups – calmed my nerves. It was clear this wasn't just a bunch of daredevils; it was a well-oiled machine focused on safe enjoyment.
This shift was a revelation. Instead of fretting on the sidelines, I wanted to be part of the action – part of the village that keeps these events running smoothly. So, I undertook Motorsport Australia’s online flagging course and volunteered at my first event; a come and try day with BMWDCM. As a motorsports novice this gave me a behind the scenes look at the considerable planning effort that went into these events. It was comforting to understand that the groupings for track sessions considered driver experience and car ability. Every consideration with safety first, which maximised track time and therefore the driving fun.
My first flagging the experience was exhilarating! Being closer to the action not only gave me a deeper appreciation for the sport's complexities, but also put my concerns for my partner's safety at ease. I was posted to a flagging point for half the day and then start/finish, with a different buddy to train me at each. They were fantastic in sharing their vast experience, their guidance rapidly building my confidence in key observations and standard radio-calls. The day literally raced by! When once I’d have thought being closer to the action would be scary and noisy, I found it engaging and fun. Needless to say, I’ve since flagged several events, refreshing my flagging knowledge before each event and finding each event offers something different to observe.
I have seen many cars spin off the track or miss the turn and mow the grass. All of them came with comfort of quick responses by the track team and drivers all ok. Cars bumping other cars, cars losing parts on the track, bonnets flying up, vehicles catching fire. All with faster responses than I’d encounter on any of my drives and all with safety gear and training in place. One race, I saw Martin "tap" a wall. My heart lurched, but thankfully, it was a minor incident. He emerged unharmed, and a strange sense of relief washed over me. This wasn't some reckless activity; it was a calculated risk with safety protocols in place.
My journey didn't stop there. Flagging, timing, secretary, track-day support and other BMWDCM club volunteering items like navigator on club drives, I’ve been part of it all in only a year!
I would always see our club Vice President, Jo, busy at events, especially at the driver sign-on. So, I offered to help there, I don’t think Jo could have said “yes” any faster. The next event I joined Jo and Sam in driver registration where they doubled-up with fast paced registering and guiding me as I learnt on the go. It was fascinating to see the array of preparedness by the drivers, from perfectly filled and ordered forms, to not knowing where to start. The one thing the drivers had in common was a keenness to get registered and back to their vehicles. Jo, Sam and I matched our attention to detail with pace and the three of us nailed it super efficiently. It was great fun with Jo and Sam, some banter in between jobs it was more a sociable event then an admin chore. It was also enjoyable to see the array of drivers, all ages and genders, from all walks of life, sharing the same passion for a fun weekend.
With the sign-on experience under my belt, I was able to give similar help at more club events; more sign-ons, logging, general gopher, traffic marshal. It was completely different to flagging, where I was close to the action all day, this area of the volunteering gave me interaction with so many people, drivers, crew and other officials and offered time to be able to watch a whole race – often from great vantage points! Sometimes it was just those first few hours that made all the difference and then I could spend time elsewhere. It was one of these occasions I discovered timing.
Timing was another online course I’d undertaken from Motorsport Australia, mostly out of curiosity when I was brushing up on my flagging. When Jo heard this, she sought an opportunity to introduce me to Darren from MUCC who was leading the timing at the event we were at and I was given the opportunity to observe and learn. Darren, like all my tutor buddies thus far was more than happy to share his knowledge. I learnt all about the timing system and how it had transformed from the days of multiple spotters to being an easy 2-person job. The timing system was written in the 80s, perfect for me having grown up in an IT family during that era. The old-fashioned display seemed familiar and I picked up the functionality pretty quickly, enough to be given a trial at helping the next day. Darren was a patient tutor, helping me remember little things and their rationale to keep the accuracy of the results streaming live to race control and you-tube.
Darren was also great at explaining anything cars and racing. Car models are still mostly a mystery to me, I couldn’t tell an E30 from a Range Rover and certainly not an Improved Production from a Toyota Corolla (my first car). I’ve always used “red hatch” or “black wagon” to describe cars and now I’m quite proud when I can identify cars that fly past the timing booth, even if it’s only a few of them. From our vantage point we could see most of the track and hear the control tower radio calls. I started piecing together my flagging role and how this fitted with those calls, with any gaps filled in by answers from Darren to all my novice questions. It’s safe to say he answered happily, as I was invited to help with timing on more weekends where my learning of both timing and motorsport continued.
One of my favourite times was the Motorkana day with BMWDCM. If you’d have seen me you’d have thought I was miserable; it was pouring rain and I was standing out in it in my wet weather gear. I was having a fantastic time! I had no idea what Motorkana was or what I’d be doing in volunteering but it was brilliant. Mini car obstacle courses set up, cars divided into groups to tackle one obstacle for a few tries and then two timed goes before moving onto the next. We had two volunteers at each course, we had to brief the drivers, fix the cones when they got knocked over, time them and keep it all moving. It was surprising how much fun it was and it was a bonus to see each driver improve each time they tackled the obstacles. The more one-to-one driver contact allowed some great banter and cheering on. There was also a lot of appreciation, which I’d had at flagging with waves and lights flashing, but up close to hear the thanks was extra nice and certainly outshone the dark clouds throughout the day.
Over time, familiar faces became friends, and I realized I wasn't just attending events as my partner's plus one. I had become a fixture in the motorsport community, an asset to the club, and someone who genuinely enjoyed being there. The opportunities to volunteer in different roles had not only given me different experiences, but different perspectives of motorsport and an appreciation of how all the volunteering fitted together in this well-oiled machine. I am Inspired by the camaraderie. The term ‘petrol-head’ is not one I can associate with anyone I’ve met through motorsport, people filled with warm welcomes and a genuine passion for all things automotive.
This journey has been about more than just cars and races. It's about embracing new experiences, discovering hidden passions, and finding a community that welcomes you with open arms, regardless of whether you can tell a BMW from a Subaru.
So, the next time you find yourself at a motorsport event, take a closer look. You might just discover a hidden world waiting to be explored, and a place where you, too, can belong.
Behind every car is a driver. Behind every good driver are volunteers: ambos, scrutineers, flaggies, timing, secretary, marshals, officials, spectators. Behind all the volunteers is a club with a structure, organisation and support.
Jennifer Rose #887
Though on the other side of the pits and Armco barriers from our spectacular Championship Round 5/Come & Try day there some months ago, I can still think of no other place I would rather have been than at Sandown for what is without doubt a fabulous auto show on a gorgeously sunny, albeit slightly toasty, day.
Such a vast and diverse array of cars, old and new, it was a real testament to this humble passion of ours as well as being a great way to celebrate it and engage with other like-minded people.
The races themselves were pretty brilliant as well, if a wee bit dicey at times. In fact within a mere 10 or 15 minutes of parking up on the hillside, one of the drivers during the morning practice had spun off at turn 9 which was certainly a spectacle to behold and quite the welcome to our day there.
All in all though, I felt genuinely privileged to be a part of such an amazing event on Saturday, and I extend my immense gratitude to all of those involved in making this happen. I very much look forward to the next Historic Sandown this time in 2025.
Brayden Burnett # 1044
From Facebook
The car display season opend for us on Saturday at the Historics Sandown race meeting tun by the VHRR.
We had a very healthy turn out of 20 cars, a nice variety of ages and models generously brought along by a very friendly group of our members and a couple of potential members.
Lovely weather, some good racing, plenty of interactions and a great atmosphere made for a very enjoyable day out at very little cost.
It was worth it just to hear the F5000s thunder away from the rolling start! We even had some V8s in our group, including a non-BMW one we are only too happy to include.
Before you ask, the grass cutting was not done by our aero efficient front splitters - would have nice to have beena bit earlier and a bit tidier but we managed.
Thank you to our members who came along to make it such an enjoyable day.
Dear members,
October has come and gone and we now have daylight savings, which is great for getting out to enjoy our cars.
On 8 October we met at Advanced Detail for a very comprehensive lesson on the best way to look after your BMW and other special vehicles. There were also some great products to purchase with full instructions from the staff on which to use for your daily and show needs. We have been offered discounts on detailing and products which will be shared soon on social media.
10-13 October was Bathurst 1000 where we had several of our members take the long trip to Bathurst to help run the event. Thank you to all the volunteers, without your support these great events do not happen.
Young member, Royce Lyne, scored a Toyota Gazoo Racing Scholarship drive in one of their amazing factory cars. This was the first time Royce had driven the car and also the first time at Bathurst, so a huge achievement for him and a very exciting time for him and all his family. We were all so proud of how he drove over the weekend and if you managed to watch you would have seen him out there doing us all so proud.
On 19 October we had a lunch meet then a nice drive through the Yarra Valley. We met at Elevations in Emerald for lunch, heading off after our drivers briefing using the TourBoss app for the first time as a full group. All who attended had the app, which was really handy. If you have not yet downloaded the app, please do, as this is the way of our future drives - safe, efficient and environmentally better, as there is no need for paper navigation instructions.
After a few stops along the way to stretch our legs and to check all were happy with the app, we were back on the road to have our final stop at Hardorf Chocolate Café in Montrose. This was a real gem with lots of different chocolates to purchase and great gift ideas. If you need something nice for your loved ones, it is worth a drive to get something special. Thanks again to Peter Williams for the drive and fantastic venue stops. This event was well attended with over 40 cars on the road with us.
25-27 October was the final round of E30 racing, with quite a few of our members in attendance. Jo managed to secure a new M3 touring for the course car and of course the Racer Industries Safety car was there on track as well. We had Scott Long as Clerk of the Course, which was a great achievement for him running his own race meeting, which we're very proud of. Scott had come in the last few years of mentoring by us and other heads of motorsport. There were a lot of our other members out there officiating, but I can't name them all. I can say that we're all very proud of our members who do consistently put in and volunteer at motorsport events.
Racing at the event went off without any hitches, with Royce Lyne taking out the championship which is just amazing. We are all so proud of him and what he has achieved at only 17.
On 29 October a group of intrepid members went off to Tasmania for a 10-day touring trip. They are still there, so watch our social media post for updates on their trip, it is looking like a great event again planned by both Peter and Jo who do an amazing job with all these social outings.
Sadly, Jo and I didn't get the opportunity to attend this trip as I had my operation on the 25 October and will be out of action for at least 6 weeks. For 3 weeks I'll be pretty much house bound with bed rest, but after that I'll gently returning to day-to-day life activities. Thank you to all who have sent messages of support while I have been in hospital. Things went a little sideways on Friday and for a long-time Jo did not know where I was and what was happening. A 24 hour stay in ICU and then up to the ward was not what we were expecting but the care I have been given has been amazing. Jo has been with me day and night only leaving to get freshened up, get clean clothes and back in she comes.
November is here and it is a little scary that we are nearly the end of the year. The big man in red will soon be visiting.
9 November is our car display at the Sandown Historics. There are still spots available if you want to attend.
10 November was our Hill Climb event but unfortunately, we had to cancel this due to me being in hospital and Jo having to care for me. Don’t stress we will try to get something booked in for early 2025.
14 November is our Annual General Meeting; this will be held at the Tivoli German Club and we welcome you all to attend and come early for some great German Food. If you are unable to attend, please send through a proxy vote to secretary@bmwdcm.com.au so the voting can be successful. Proxy forms should have been sent out but if you have lost yours contact Peter at secretary@bmwdcm.com.au and he will be happy to send you a form.
12 November has us up at Challenge Bathurst again with a great bunch of drivers and their crew. This is a 2-day event for us but the event runs from Thursday till Sunday so if you are available to officiate over some of the days, please let us know, so Jo can make the correct arrangements. It is great to see members joining us from most of the clubs in Australia, we have Melbourne of course, Victoria, Canberra, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australian members all attending. We love these interstate events, they bring all the BMW Clubs Australia members together and make a harmonious event. Jo and I are hoping to attend this but at this stage we are just doing day by day, it will all depend on my health and if I can get clearance from the medical team.
12 November also sees a few selected cars attending Motors and Masterpieces which is a re vamp of Motorclassica. This should be a really good event and even if your car is not on display be sure to pop out and check out all the wonderful vehicles on display.
We will finish the month on 29 November, our first twilight drive for spring. Peter is taking us for a drive up to Mount Dandenong to enjoy the sunset at the top of Sky-High Restaurant. We are not sure if the café will be open when you get there so if you are attending, grab something to eat before you head off from the roadhouse. We will be using TourBoss again for this event, so have this downloaded ready for a seamless drive experience.
Dates ahead to remember:
Check out the calendar for our full list of events and to register for those listed above.
We are very happy with the registrations that have come through so far for our 2025 Nationals. If you have yet to book, please get your registrations in as accommodation if filling quickly, so be sure to get your reservations done before the end of the year and also grab the early bird special pricing on events.
We have a few of our members, including me, who have been under the weather and our welfare team have been helping them behind the scenes which is fantastic, and I personally thank them for their support.
We have plenty of merchandise in our store which you can order at any time.
Nationals merchandise is on the nationals website, so have a look and get your orders in.
We are getting to that time of the year where Jess, our editor of idrive and all things wonderful, will be starting to put together our next edition of idrive. Jo sent out emails asking for articles and if you have any life experiences with your BMW, please share with us through an article to editor@bmwdcm.com.au.
Any great photos you take at events, please send to photos@bmwdcm.com.au and this will go up on our website and also may make it into the next edition of idrive.
Lawrence and Shaaron are now back for there trip to Europe, where they had a great visit with BMW Classic and also did some fantastic tours of their facilities. I am sure Lawrence will be doing an article for the next idrive for us all to read about. Be sure to let us know if you are planning a trip to Munich, with plenty of notice so we can put you in Contact with the correct people for you to get some behind the scenes experiences.
This will be all from me as I am not really writing this month’s presidents report, but my loving nurse Jo is typing while is dictate from my hospital bed.
Until I see you again, take care and thank you for the kind words to both Jo and I and my children as this has been a troubling few days/week for us all.
Graeme Bell | President
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc.
PO Box 81, Tyabb VIC 3913 Incorporated in Victoria #A0102695G BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc is a member of: BMW Clubs Australia and the BMW Clubs International Council Motorsport Australia Affiliated Motorsport Club
After the weather we endured the day before the planned BMWDCM run I was sceptical about the conditions we might encounter such as trees and debris on the roads we would be cruising on.
I was also really looking forward to the new navigation system “Tourboss” being used for the first by myself as well as the BMWDCM club. My wife Merilyn was away celebrating her daughters 50th birthday along with her granddaughter, also in Olinda for the weekend.
This left Mac (my 6-month-old Staffie pup) and me to do the drive. Just for the record when the BMWDCM have a scenic drive day Merilyn looks forward to attending, however when it is a drive day, she rather stays home! Something I simply don’t understand, why wouldn’t a person jump at the chance to enjoy a day out with fellow drivers!
Arriving at the restaurant carpark, yes, it was a steep ascent, I heard a few “scrapes” as cars came in off the main road, fortunately no-one seemed to suffer any damage. Inside I caught up with some fellows I had met at previous meetings and ordered a bite to eat. I thought a pizza would be an easy meal, but when it came out it was HUGE! Four of us had ordered pizzas and we all just looked at each other when they were put on the table. Only one of the four was “sensible” and had ordered a pizza to share between two, BUT they had also ordered a serve of chips, just in case! Three ate most of their pizza and were planning to get “doggy boxes” but I didn’t like the thought of a “doggy box” rolling around in the car, so I ate the lot!
Once the debrief was over and we headed out in the two groups, the weather was looking good, the roads weren’t as bad as I thought we were going to have to address, there were a few areas where debris and erosion had washed over some areas, but in general it was a good run.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day, it is a credit to the BMWDCM the way your runs are put together, they cater for all needs. The “Tourboss” system looks like a great system so far, each vehicle can be tracked and identified during each staged section, I found that the “road speed” limit and the “speed” we travelled at a bonus, also the time lapse for each staged section beneficial.
I look forward to participating in many more events, at this stage my cars may be wearing the wrong badge, but if its any consolation, they are all from the same country! (We prefer BMWs but we are not fussy - Ed)
We do have a number of BMW’s in the family, my boys, one has a BMW 120 M and the other bought my 1985 BMW 735 E which has been in the family since 1990.
Thanks again for a well organised and most enjoyable event.
Marius Schreuders #1122
I love cars, to everyone who knows me that is quite obvious. What I REALLY love is CLEAN cars. Often I will see a beautifully maintained car on the road and think the owners must truly love their cars, just like me. Their pride of ownership is on dlsplay for all the world to see. It would be over 50 years since I first took it upon myself to be responsible to maintain my families two cars. My father's Falcon Wagon had a lot of square footage for a keen teenager to try and keep on top of, especially during the Locust plague of the early 1970’s, where it wasn't unusual for the whole front of the car to be covered with the remains of kamikaze Grasshoppers, and the only way to get it off was to to use plastic flywire folded many times to form a scouring pad. Thinking back now it turns my stomach to think about the scratching I would have caused to the paint finishes on the front, but it was only a company car and would soon be replaced with a new one anyway, as that happened religiously every 18 months. I also remember fondly my mum's beautiful Burgundy Wolseley 24/80, which I used to cut and polish annually without exception. I still recall quite clearly that when i had finished, the polish cloth had more “Burgundy” on it than the car itself. Having fought to try and maintain cars for over half a century, I took advantage of the chance to learn more about general automotive cleaning and paint maintenance in the current times, and try and get some pointers from the experts. Our BMWDCM October meeting at Advanced Detailing, Cheltenham was that perfect opportunity to learn of the new age products and some simple car washing and detailing tips. The evening was extremely informative, in their new pristine premises. You truly could have "eaten your meal off the floor". We all watched attentively as club member and Advanced Detail cohort “Micheal" gave us tips as he worked on his own newly acquired E92 M3. Some of the tips may have been somewhat obvious to some of us, from soaping the entire car over first, to working from the top of the car downwards, remembering to constantly rinse the wash mitt, and so on. But, I was especially intrigued by the "two bucket wash method” something I have been yet to try, probably the main reason for not doing so is that i am to miserable to go and buy a second bucket.. Of course the idea of two buckets is a very sensible one, to keep the wash mitt free of dirt and grit from the car, and anyone who is fair dinkum about caring for their cars paintwork should use this simple but affective trick.
Watch the video here.
The thing that struck me most on the night was the fact that even brand-new cars also require the “Advanced Detail’ touch. Within the confines of their premises was a brand-new red M2. Only under the luminous bright lights did it become blatantly obvious that finishes on a recently delivered new car can often leave a lot to be desired - paint blemishes, fine scratches and poor presentation of external plastics may leave a bad taste in the mouth of it’s new (but no doubt very proud) owner. It was distressing to be told “most" new cars (regardless of the make) are presented to unsuspecting owners with "paint in somewhat similar condition to this”. Hardly what any new car buyer would expect, me thinks. But don’t despair, I had no doubt that the owner would have been delighted with the finish once the “wizards" have performed their magic on this red fire breathing 2 door beast. It was also fascinating to learn more about the benefits of "ceramic coating”, and how this product provides an enviable shine that can last for many years, while also making it easier to keep cars clean on a regular basis. Products such as this seem to have come along way in the relatively short space of time, a far cry from all the cutting compounds and polishes that still adorn the shelves in my garage. To the the guys at "Advanced Detail”, thanks for an informative and enjoyable evening. For me it was well worth coming along to watch, listen and learn. So there you have it, it seems you actually still can "teach and old dog new tricks".
Steve Garth #40
Spring is here and the weather is finally starting to turn good for our drive days and members meetings.
8 September saw a few of our members attending the NSW Superfest. This looked like a fantastic event with lots of great cars and trade stands.
17 September was our monthly meeting with our long-standing sponsors Zagame Auto Body. For those who missed this event, it's a shame that you did. This facility is larger than the MCG under roof top and houses some really luxury cars.
21 September was a night with a twist. We attended the Black Rock House Paranormal Investigation tour for a very different night. We booked out both evening sessions, some experiencing signs of interaction with the spirits living in the house. Jo experienced the spirit 'Thomas' calling out to Jo several times and moving through her, which Jo said was an odd feeling. Peter P also had some communication, which was interesting. Apart form the spirits, the house is a beautiful historical building to go and visit when you are next in the area. Black Rock house do tours on the first Sunday of each month, if it's something you're interested in.
29 September was the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive. This annual world-wide event is run in support of Movember, a charity set up to promote awareness into men’s mental health and health issues in general, particularly prostate cancer, something that impacts more men than you may realise. It is important to say - if you or any of your loved ones are impacted by cancer, take the time to talk about it. You never know where you might find support in those around you.
October kicks off with a large group of our members attending and participating in the E30 round at Phillip Island. If you have nothing on 4-6 October, be sure to pop down and say hi to the guys and gals and cheer them all on. We will be there too supporting our members both DCM members and E30 members. If you can’t get down to the Island you can always watch the action on BlendLine TV.
On 8 October we will be visiting Advanced Detailing which is owned by one of our club members. This looks like it is going to be a great night with already a lot of members registering for this. Registrations are essential to allow for catering.
10-13 October is Bathurst 1000. Sadly this year Jo and I won’t be attending as I have pending surgery and need to stay healthy and prepare for that. But we do have a few members up there officiating and our own Royce Lyne securing a drive in the Gazoo Toyota 86 round. Make sure you tune in and cheer Royce on!
On 19 October we are off to the Yarra Valley – starting at lunch time for a change and ending in the afternoon at a chocolate shop. Don’t miss this drive, it is going to be fantastic. We are also now using a new app for our drive events and want everyone that comes on our drives to download 'Tourboss'. It is a great resource for the club drive events and will help everyone to stay on track and safe on our drives. Check it out at https://tourboss.app/.
25 October is the final round of E30 Racing for 2024 at Calder Park. We have organised something very special on the track from BMW. Be sure to come check it out you will not be disappointed!
29 Oct - 7 Nov sees our group of intrepid drivers off to Tassie. Again, Jo and I will miss this one as well as this is a week after my surgery, and I will be laid up for a few weeks recovering. I have looked over the trip booklet and it looks like a lot of great places will be visited. Jo won’t be there, but she will be co-ordinating everything from home with our new Tourboss App, which all will be using again and on all of our drives going forward.
'What is Tour Boss?' you may ask. It is an app developed for ease of driving, safety and sustainability for all. Single drivers will love this as there is no need for paper navigation notes - it will all be on the app. If you are attending any of our drives this will be an essential tool because without this app, you won't get your navigation instructions.
Each car is also visible on the app and you can see where all the cars are and know who is driving in front or behind you. For any further information give Jo a call on 0412661900 and she can talk you through.
9 November – Sandown Historic Car Display
14 November – BMW Drivers Club Melbourne AGM
21–24 November – Challenge Bathurst - Officials required
21 November – Motors and Masterpieces
23–24 November – Challenge Bathurst - Still a few spots left
8th December – Christmas Show and Shine – Cruden farm
30 January – 3 February – Bathurst 12 Hour - only a few spots left
24 – 27 April – BMW Clubs Australia Nationals – Hosted by BMW Drivers club Melbourne
We have been busily working and plannign for the 2025 Nationals. You can check out the website at bmwclubnationals.com.au. All of the event details and booking info is there. We have had so many sponsors come on board so far. I’d like to thank all of them for their support of what will be a huge weekend of all things BMW.
If you’d like to help us run an event at the nationals, there are links to register as a helper or official. Smash Property Investing have come on board to help cover the official’s apparel for the nationals. Thank you to Smash Property Investing we very much appreciate your support.
We also welcome BMW Group Australia on board with the promise of lots of support for the nationals. We are very proud of our close association with BMW and look forward to seeing that association bloom at Melbourne BMW on the welcome night and across the weekend with special vehicles and personnel on hand to enjoy the weekend with us.
Nationals merchandise is available for pre-order on the nationals website, so if you are planning on joining us, or would just like to order some of the event merchandise it is all there for pre-order now. Jo and I have been wearing the jacket and shirts on some of our recent events and they are great. I love the jacket, it's wind/weatherproof and warm for those chilly Melbourne mornings we could get in April.
Thank you to the nationals team for all their hard work so far, its going to be a huge event, one to really remember.
We always ask that you be as organised as possible with your Club Permit renewals and don't leave them until the last minute. However over the next month or so, we do ask you to be a little patient. Please plan ahead and don’t leave getting a signature until the last minute.
Lawrence is away in Europe for another month yet and I will be flat on my back for quite a few weeks, so please allow for it and phone first to make an appointment if you want to come down, as we might not be readily available, especially late October into early November. Your best option is post it to us or email the online form and we will get it back to you as soon as we can.
As I mentioned above, Lawrence and Shaaron are on a wonderful trip in Europe and we wish them all the enjoyment possible. We will get some great updates from them once they get back with them visiting BMW in Munich in October.
Membership going up all the time, welcome to all the new and returning members, we hope you get everything you expect out of our club, and remember, it is your club too, so join in and don’t be afraid to let us know if you have any ideas or places you think we would like to go to. Always looking for new events to add to our calendar.
Our Welfare team are working away in background. Thank you to those members that donate a little extra with their membership to help us help other members in their time of need. We help each other where we can, so if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Team if you need support or help in any way.
Anyone with an article about any of our events, please be sure to forward this to v.president@bmwdcm.com.au along with any high quality photos you may have. Send them separate, please do not include the photos in your article.
As for photos, if you have great photos from any of our events, please send to photos@bmwdcm.com.au and we will add them in our photo gallery.
Finally, some of you would have heard I am not well. I have prostate cancer. The next little while will be hard time for Jo and I and our family, so I would ask you all to respect our privacy and if we do not reply to emails or messages straight away, we will, please be patient. Thank you to all that have sent me messages or calls of support, it is heart-warming to know we have so many that care about us. From 24 October I will be off air for a few days whilst in hospital then will convalesce at home for a few weeks.
I will be back on deck, hopefully sooner rather than later, and with all Jo's care, we are still hoping to be at Challenge Bathurst to help run the team at the end of November.
Thanks for being with us and I hope to see you at an event somewhere soon.
Take Care out there.
This organisation has many testimonials that you can find on the web as to the standard of workmanship and service provided to many car owners but unsaid, until we witnessed it first hand, was the very generous spread provided and informative welcome that was followed by a guided tour of the facility. Many models of cars in various states of repair kept all of us fascinated and the range of activities taking place on any day.
What testimonials don’t cover is the amazing work done on converting a multi level building designed to print the Melbourne Age into an automotive repair facility. Without doubt the spaciousness, the excellent lighting and cleanliness with all relevant equipment at each station makes it a place for employees to do their best. No better automotive workplace place exists in Victoria.
High standards of knowledge are part of the workplace expectations of each employee given these magnificent facilities and the challenges that each car can bring to bear.
On leaving I felt privileged to have been shown the company and was secure in the knowledge that should I have an incident there is a place that can return my wheels to me after a first class repair.
Peter Kelly
From the club's Facebook post
Great night tonight at club sponsor Zagame Auto Body. Such a fantastic facility. Thank you to Gabi and Andre for welcoming us and showing us around this amazing facility. Sadly, not allowed to take too many pics of the amazing cars and the work they do here but well worth the visit for everyone that came.
As the sun slowly rose, so did my excitement—it was the day of my first drive with the ‘BMW Drivers Club Melbourne’, and it held special significance for me and my wife. For any BMW enthusiast, the letter “M” is a symbol of the “Most Powerful Letter in the world,” and in my case, “M” also stood for Melbourne— a new beginning in a new city. Having recently moved to the city, I was eager to connect with fellow BMW enthusiasts and, most importantly, experience my new BMW M340i in its full glory. This was not only my introduction to the BMW community, but also a perfect way to explore Melbourne and the greater Victorian region.
The day began early at the Pancake Parlour in Fountain Gate, Narre Warren. Meeting at 8:00 a.m. for breakfast, I was eager to connect with fellow club members and share in the excitement of the day ahead. Being new to the area, I found this gathering a great way to break the ice—there’s nothing quite like bonding over a love for BMWs. As I sat down with my coffee and pancakes, surrounded by fellow BMW enthusiasts, I knew the day ahead was going to be exciting.
By 9:30 a.m., the convoy of BMWs was ready to leave, and the thrill of hearing those high-performance engines start was electric. I felt the excitement of being part of this convoy. The line of BMWs, polished and gleaming, wound its way out of the city, turning heads as we navigated through the early morning traffic. Our first stop, at Blue Rock Lake , gave me the chance to get to know my fellow drivers and take in the views of Blue Rock. With new acquaintances made and stories exchanged, we set off again, eager to continue our journey to Walhalla.
The drive to Walhalla was everything I had hoped for and more. The winding roads, lined with lush greenery and spectacular views, were a dream come true for any driving enthusiast. The thrill of navigating those twists and turns, with the BMW purring beneath me, was an unforgettable experience. The camaraderie within the convoy only heightened the enjoyment.
We arrived in Walhalla around midday, greeted by the charming historic buildings and serene atmosphere. Our first adventure after grabbing some much needed lunch was a ride on the Walhalla Goldfields Railway, which took us on a scenic journey through the narrow canyon. Surrounded by dense bushland, the train journey offered incredible views of the valley, taking us back in time to the town’s goldmining days. Following the train ride, some of us opted for the underground mine tour, to explore the narrow tunnels and stories of miners long past. For those not on the mine tour, a leisurely walk along the old tramway provided great views over the town and its surrounding landscapes. Many took the opportunity to visit the local cafés, explore the historic buildings, or take a short bushwalk through the area. There was no shortage of things to do in Walhalla, and the charm of the town made it easy to lose track of time.
As the afternoon wore on, we started our journey back to Melbourne. The return journey was relaxed, with a sense of contentment. The day had been filled with history, beautiful scenery, and a real sense of adventure. Looking back, my first BMW Drivers Club experience exceeded all expectations. From the early morning breakfast to the historic train ride, every part of the day was memorable. The drive, of course, was the highlight—there’s something truly special about being part of a convoy of BMWs cruising through some of Victoria’s most scenic roads.
I can’t wait for the next club event, and for those who haven’t joined a drive yet, I highly recommend you do! After all, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of hitting the open road with "The Most Powerful Letter in the World" behind you.
See you on the next adventure!
- Venkat Nuthakki #1225
Spring is nearly here, and we have had some amazing sunny and warm days. Soon we will be looking forward to the return of our twilight drives, which I can’t wait for! I just don’t know where the weeks and months go, being such a busy club has a lot to do with that, I guess. There always seems to be something on to join in with all our friends and enjoy the Club’s activities.
On 6 August we started with our joint members meeting at new Club Sponsors, Doncaster BMW, which was a huge success. We invited our friends from BMW Motorcycle Club Victoria to join us there too and we had a great turn out. It was so nice of Phill, Lydia and all the staff, to stay behind and put on such an amazing night. If you are in the area, be sure to pop in and say hi and let them know you are a BMW Drivers Club Melbourne member. They will be sure to look after you.
On 11 August we were at Sandown for Round 5 of the Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship. The weather was brilliant and not long after the gates opened all the cars flooded in and we had an at capacity event. Thank you again to all the helpers on the day and VFT for their flag marshals and officials who do a brilliant job. We had some very experienced drivers there with their sons too - welcoming Steve Richards, Clay Richards, John Blanchard and Harrison Blanchard. It was great to see the interaction between these well know drivers and their up-and-coming sons on the day. We also have a lot of our members who are parent and child teams, and this is a great thing to see at these events. We really like to see the next generation of drivers coming to our events and continuing their family traditions.
We also had our Racer Industries parade laps at Sandown, which attracted a large group and there were only smiles on the faces of all who participated in this event. Thank you to our sponsor, Racer Industries, for the loan of the course car, this always looks great on the day and attracts a lot of attention. If you need anything for the track, be sure to mention you are a member to obtain your club discount at Racer Industries.
23-25 August was Round 3 of E30 Racing Championship at Sandown. Again, we saw a great turn out of cars and members both participating and supporting the category. Thank you to all the members who joined us all over the weekend to cheer on the teams. BMW Drivers Club Melbourne are sponsoring the Driver of the Round this year for E30 Racing. The winners so far this year are:
If you are thinking of heading down to Phillip Island to watch and would like to stay for the weekend, be sure to call Walter and his crew at Kaloha Resort, Cowes to get a great deal. Be sure to mention you are a BMWDCM member.
On 25 August some of our members headed up to Broadford for Round 6 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship. Our members love this track, and it was great to see them out there having such a great time.
26 August was a special Zoom link to meet and learn from one of BMW's Visionaries. Wow what a brilliant night. It was so great to see so many of our members log in and enjoy Sydney born Dr Stella Clarke, talk us through so much. What an amazing woman.
On 31 August we all met to start the day at the Pancake Parlour in Fountain Gate for a hearty breakfast, before enjoying one of Peter Williams’ fantastic drives through the countryside to Wahalla. Some of us joined the train ride which went for just on an hour, while others did the tour of the Mining tunnels. This is a beautiful old town, almost standing still from the effects from time. A real little gem and some of the roads to get there are awesome for our cars and drivers to enjoy.
On 8 September we have been invited to join our friends from BMW Drivers Club NSW at the NSW SuperFest. This is looking like a fantastic event with quite a few of our members already registered. Registrations are still open, so it is not too late to enjoy the fun of the Sydney Motorsport Complex.
On 17 September we join our long-standing sponsors for our September members meeting at Zagame Auto Body. This is a fabulous state of the art facility, and we will get a private guided tour throughout their workshops and display areas. Registration for this event is essential as you will need to put your car registration number on your booking form to be able to gain access to the venue. Don’t miss out this should be a brilliant night.
On 21 September we have our Black Rock Paranormal Investigation evening, which is nearly sold out. As I am typing this there is only 2 spots left for the 8.30 group. Lots of fun will be had on the night with two groups going through this beautiful historic building to enjoy the history of what is know as the second most haunted building in Melbourne with the old Goal being the first.
On 24-27 April 2025 we are hosting the 2025 BMW Clubs Australia Nationals. The website is now live for you to register at www.bmwclubnationals.com.au.
Be sure to get your bookings in soon at WestWaters, Caroline Springs as rooms are selling fast. This is going to be a fantastic event with so much for all to enjoy and take part in. If you haven’t been to a Nationals event before, this is one you need to get to and see what the Nationals is all about.
We will be needing helpers and officials throughout the Nationals, as well as in the lead up to it, so please register your interest with Simon via officials@bmwdcm.com.au and let him know what rolls and days you will be available to volunteer or help out.
It is simply amazing to see the membership still growing, currently over 820, and even with the current economic climate, members are still staying so loyal to our Club, this makes me so proud. Welcome to all the new members, I look forward to seeing you out an about at an event real soon, I hope you enjoy what the Club has to offer, and you grow to love it as we do.
Don’t forget that if you are interacting with any of our sponsors or supporters, let them know you are a member of the Club, and that their support is very much appreciated. Also keep an eye on the Club partners page, so you can make the most of your membership and give back those who support our Club. We truly appreciate the support we have from our Sponsors, and we try and give them value for their support, so please do use them for any of the products or services they provide.
We are also trialling an exciting new app for our drives at the moment, once we have finished evaluating it and we take it up, it will take our drives to another level. Very excited to be at the forefront of using technology to make our events better, easier and safer for all involved. Watch this space. It will be a huge benefit to all that come on our drives.
Our welfare team is working away in the background, helping out where needed. Remember we are here for you if you need a friend, a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen. We are very proud of our Team and the support they have, and continue to, give. Thank you to the Team. If you need anything, please reach out.
Lawrence and Shaaron have now headed off on a well-earned vacation for the next few months, so if you have any club permit renewals be sure to email them to cpsrenewals@bmwdcm.com.au or post them to 4/244 Marine Parade, Hastings VIC 3915 with a stamped, self-addressed envelope and we will process them and get them back to you as soon as we can. Do not post them to Lawrence’s address, as he won’t see them for some months!
I am not normally one to talk about myself, but some of you may have already heard that I am facing some health challenges at the moment. This may impact Jo and my ability to get to some of the club events over the coming months, but hopefully everything will be sorted out and we’ll be back at as many events as we are normally at in good time. Thank you for all the kind words and calls I have already received, the love and support you all offer is much appreciated and makes the journey much easier. Thank you all.
Take care out there and I look forward to seeing you at an event somewhere soon.
As I am sitting here writing this, ready for the end of month newsletter, I have received an email advising us of the passing of the immediate past President of the BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria, Bob Leggatt, over the weekend. It's such a shock to hear. Bob was a lovely man, and as President had helped us to bring the Car and Bike Clubs together at some of our events.
Our very next event, in fact, is a joint event with the Bike Club at Doncaster BMW. Bob stood down as President at their AGM last month, after three years in the roll. It's very sad news and Bob will be missed by all who knew him. I have passed on our sincerest condolences, both personally and from our Club.
It is a reminder again, to hug those you love a little tighter and cherish the moments you spend together with family and friends. You never know what the future will bring.
With July done we are not only a month into the second half of the year but also halfway through winter, so the days are becoming longer again and a little warmer, when the sun is out. It has been a cold and wet winter so far, but this has not stopped us and our members enjoying our cars.
We started the month on 6 July with Round 4 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Phillip Island. It was lots of fun and an unusually sunny day, for Phillip Island in winter! It was a great day out, as always and it was great to get out and check out the new surface after the track was shut for resurfacing works through May and June.
On 9 July BMW Group Australia invited Jo and I to the launch of the new M5 at their Mulgrave headquarters. It was a lovely evening and great to get up close and personal with the new M5 before it was released to the public. An amazing car, of course, 730hp, 1000nm of torque from its hybrid petrol/electric power plant through all four wheels, it’s just a pity we live in a nanny country where you can’t drive it like it should be driven. It will be great to see one on a track next year. Read more about it here.
On 14 July we attended Karting Madness at Braybrook with a large group, who enjoyed some fun inside and out of the cold with some great lap times and a lot of fun by all that came. Read Lawrence’s write up here.
On 20 July we had a weekend away with a great bunch of members for our Christmas in July at Winter Wonderlights at Sovereign Hill. If you have never been, this is something young and old can enjoy. It is really spectacular. The weather even played along - although it was rather chilly, the light rain stopped in time for the light show. After the show we had dinner at the Robin Hood Hotel in Ballarat. We ran a raffle with some nice prizes, raising $275 for Peter McCallum Cancer Centre. Sunday then saw us explore the area before meeting up for lunch at the Lake View Hotel for a delicious lunch before heading off in our various directions home.
On 30 July we had our regular Drop in Donuts. This is always a greatly attended casual event with members joining together to just catch up for a chat about all things cars and donuts of course!
August starts with a joint meeting at our newest BMW dealership partner, Doncaster BMW. On 6 August, BMW Drivers Club Melbourne and BMW Motorcycle Club Victoria will be doing a joint event at Doncaster BMW. This is a spectacular dealership which hosts BMW, Mini and Motorrad. Join us for a tour and to find out what great offers they will be sharing with all our members.
11 August is Round 5 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Sandown. This is a joint sprint and Kaos Custom Bikes Come and Try Day, plus we will also be doing the Racer Industries Parade Laps again as this went down so well in March. Come and join us, whether you want to just do some gentle parade laps or go flat out against the clock. We will also have some of our E30 racing members on hand to take people for rides or chat about the series that will be racing at Sandown two weeks later.
23- 25 August is E30 Racing Round 3 at Sandown. Come out and support our members that run in this fun series at the Vic State Racing Championships. It’s a great opportunity to see a real race meeting up close and be a part of the action in the pits.
25 August is also Round 6 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Broadford with AROCA. There will be a few members up there having a blast around the Broadford circuit too, so it will be a busy weekend.
31 August is our next family day out, this time a breakfast and drive to Walhalla, starting at the Pancake Parlour at Narre Warren. There are some awesome roads into Walhalla and then a narrow-gauge train ride and everything the old historic town has to offer. Always a great day out and it’s been a few years since last we visited.
Registrations for our next Tassie Trip – “the northern half” close on 7 September. If you want to come and have a blast around northern Tassie, get your registrations in ASAP. The last time we went to Tassie we had a ball and this one will be as much fun again. We already have quite a few booked in to come with us, so it will be another awesome week away.
Challenge Bathurst registrations opens to the public on 1 August, so if you want to attend, get your entry in now. There are a lot on the public Challenge Bathurst wait list, but we can get you in if you contact us today.
Officials are also needed too - you get free camping, 3 meals daily and a uniform. There are also hot laps on the Sunday after the event, weather permitted for first timers. It is a great event to attend as an official and a fantastic way to be a part of motorsport at this amazing circuit.
Our Bathurst 12 Hour private suite in February is nearly sold out. There is only one queen room left at the accommodation venue in town and only a few spots left in the suite. Again, this is an amazing event to be a part of and to do it in style in the corporate suite with all your food and drinks included is definitely the way to go.
Over the ANZAC Day long weekend in 2025 we are running the BMW Clubs Australia Nationals. This is a must do event, so get it in your calendar and join us for a long weekend of events with BMW Club members from all over Australia. We are nearly ready to launch the booking site for registrations to each event over the weekend.
We will be needing lots of volunteers to help run the Nationals as well as sponsors to come on board and help us make this a fantastic event to showcase our club and Melbourne to everyone coming to join us.
Thank you to Melbourne BMW, Shannon's Insurance, Southern BM, Sonax Australia, Bell Motorsport, Sirene Sea Pearls, and Grip Auto Watches for coming on board so far. Your help and support is very welcome and will help us to make the Nationals an event to remember.
The welfare team is still working away in the background, supporting those of us that need a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen. We are a family and are more than happy to lend a hand in any way we can, just reach out if you need anything.
Membership is still going strong. We welcome all the new members that have joined us this month and hope you enjoy your membership experience. The Club is yours, so join in and feel free to offer any suggestions you may have. We are always looking for ideas for events and helpers to run them, so drop us a line if you have an idea or want to put your hand up to help. We run a wide range of events, from casual catch ups to full on racing, so anything you want to do in the world of BMW you will find here. Please enjoy your time in the club.
Thank you for joining us and being a part of our BMW family, I look forward to seeing you at an event somewhere soon.
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