Dear members,

Once again, another busy month we have all had through June, even though it has been very cold out there, it hasn’t stopped our members getting out and about and joining us for some great events.

On 7 June we started the month with a zoom meeting about our upcoming Tasmania Trip, this was well attended and we got some really great information from Peter Williams and Jo Mawson who are co-ordinating this trip in late October. I’m looking forward to getting back down to Tassie and seeing the beautiful countryside and enjoying the wonderful roads they have down there for us to enjoy.

On 11-13 June a group of members drove down to Port Fairy for the long weekend, with the hope of seeing whales, but that didn’t happen. We still had a great trip, and it was so much fun catching up with new and older members.  For us it was wonderful as we got to spend time with our granddaughter who joined us, with her parents for this trip. The drizzle over the weekend didn’t really dampen the weekend at all. We found some amazing roads, saw the Southern Ocean at its roughest but most importantly, had a great time with a fantastic bunch of friends. We also got to take our new X5 for its first club run. I am missing the note of our old X5, loved the sound and power of the V8, but pretty amazed at the economy of the turbo diesel and it does have a bit of get up and go, it’s just different to the V8.

On 19 June BMWDCM we had the Sandown Come and Try/Driver Training Day which is always a fantastic event, and we had a fabulous turn out of both entrants and officials to make this a brilliant day.   Special mention to Andy Hall who took so many passengers for a spin in his Porsche, Jo was one of them and she did look a little green after a few not so hot laps.  I secretly think she enjoyed it. I must thank all of the drivers that come along and offer their time and skills to teach others, this is what it’s about, giving back to others and imparting some of the skills you have learnt on the track. Also, a huge thank you to the officials that come and donate their time so that we can all have a safe and fun day doing what we love.

26 June was our first fully funded First Aid course, with National First Aid, who are very professional.  The event was well attended, and I am positive all who came got a lot more from it than just a certificate. It is important to keep up to date with your first aid  as the recommended procedures change all the time. If you missed it, we will look at doing a course every year to keep us all up to date and provide the Club with a stock of certified people at our events.

Looking ahead to July, it is looking like another fun month with our first event at Winton on Saturday.

2 July is Round 4 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship and Cross-Border Challenge with the NSW BMW Club and as with previous years we will fight it out for the Cup. The event is now closed to enter but there is always next year!

5 July is our monthly members meeting and this one will be at Waverley BMW in their service department.  This should be something different and be sure to have all your questions ready for the team.

On 9 July we are doing something a little different with Christmas in July – we are off to Sovereign Hill for Winter Wonderlights.   This event is selling out fast so if you are wanting to attend, please register now so we can pre purchase your tickets.  We are also offering this as a stay over night and then a drive home on the Sunday. 

16 July is a new event for us, we will be teaming up with E30 Racing and running a Come and Try Day at Broadford with them.  There will be instructors and lots of E30 race cars there. YES, you can enter in your regular car, you don’t need to own a race car of any sort, this isn’t just for those who are keen to try out what it is like to drive an E30 race car, it is also for those who already own an E30 race car to join others and get some tuition.

17 July will be Round 5 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Broadford, so why not register for both events and really make a great weekend of it and get some practice on the Saturday and then do the Drivers Championship on the Sunday.

A few other dates to remember are:

            AGM - 6 September

            Tassie Trip - 26 October – 2 November

            Christmas Show and Shine – 11 December at Cruden Farm

            Australia Day Drive - 26 January (yes we’re already planning for 2023!)

            BMW Clubs Australia Nationals 17 – 20 March in Brisbane

Due to popular demand, we have decided to do a rerun of edition 1 of our wonderful “idrive” magazine, and these are available for sale in the online store.  We will be offering editions 1/2/3 for those who would like the full set.  These will be posted only no pickup.

Edition 4 of our wonderful “idrive” is with the printer now so look out for it in the mail very soon. Sorry for the delay but life and other matters got in the way, but it will be with you soon.

We also have a new winter polo shirt and hoodie in the store too which looks great.  Sizing is a little larger than normal so go down a size when placing your order.

In our dates to remember the next AGM is on there.  Please remember we can’t run this great club of ours without your help, if you think you might be able to assist in some areas please let us know as we are growing faster than we ever thought and it needs YOU to keep this club as good as it is.

Take care out there and I look forward to seeing you at an event soon,

Graeme Bell | President
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne Inc.

P.O. 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