Dear members,  

This report is coming to you from across Bass Straight, as a group of us are currently touring Tasmania on our first ‘overseas’ club trip.  Join our facebook group for daily reports and pictures of the trip. We are having a ball and enjoying lots of Tasmania’s awesome roads as well as everything else our Southernmost State has hidden away.

October was another busy month which was jam packed with events.

On 2 October we had the Euroa Car Show with a great display of cars and many of them enjoying the drive up to the event as well.

On 4 – 10 October, Jo and I headed up to officiate at the Bathurst 1000 with some of our club members, which was just an amazing event.  Jo was back in the events office with the Supercars team, and I was working in Scrutineering.  The conditions were not as bad as we had been expecting so most of us managed to stay warm and dry.  Read about how some of our officials enjoyed the event here and here.

7-9 October our club was invited to display with BMW Group Australia to celebrate 50 years of ///M at Motorclassica.  We had a fantastic display of M cars ranging from early to current and there were a few variations through the weekend with some cars coming in and out through the three days. The display attracted great interest from the general public.

11 October was our first swap meet at All Marque Storage where members joined us to sell some of their bits and this went off really well.  I would like to thank Matt and his staff for opening for us and holding this event and supplying and cooking up a ton of sausages.  We are hoping to hold another event like this in the new year, so if you have some bits and pieces to sell, come along to our next swap meet, set yourself up a stall and empty out your shed of some of those parts you will never need again.

18 October was our monthly drop in donuts coffee night which again was great with some usuals and some new members popping in to say hi and enjoy the cars, coffee and, of course, donuts.

19 October we held our first twilight drive for the summer season, out of our new offices in Hastings. We had a fabulous turn out and the night was just magical.   The sunset at the top of Arthurs Seat was one I have not experienced for many years.  It was such a clear night you could see for miles. We couldn’t have asked for a better evening, and everyone enjoyed the catch up and drive, and then the views of the sunset were just amazing.

On 22 October we held our first Motum Simulator Challenge, which was heaps of fun.  A few of our members got some great results and there was some great competitive racing on the Sims. Next year we will be running a Sim Racing Championship, for those that want to race in the virtual world instead of, or as well as the real world.

On 23 October we were invited to Melbourne BMW for their coffee morning celebrating 50 years of M.  What a fantastic turn out of our members and congratulations to the dealership for putting on such a great event. Was great to be able to tour the newly rebuild dealership with the Dealer Principal, Daniel and see the four new M cars on display. 

On 23 October we also held a display at the Future Vehicles Expo which again had a great turn out and again, lots of interest for our club members.

Finally, on 23 October, 30 of our members boarded the Spirit of Tasmania to start a weeks’ driving tour of the Apple Isle.  We left from Geelong which was a new experienced and boarding was very smooth.  So was the crossing it was flat as a mill pond. I have never experienced a Tasmanian crossing like this, and I have done a few.

Watch our FB pages for daily updates of this trip and in the November report there will be some great articles from members who are with us on this trip.

Some events to watch out for in November:

• 6 November we will be holding a display at Sandown Historics, this is always a great event and we welcome you all to register to display and gain discounted entry.
• 11 November is our All-German Fest at the German Tivoli Club, please make a table booking if you are wanting to join in the Oktoberfest fun and go in the running to win some prizes.  Cars will be on display in the car park.  Gold Coin donation for our charity. Space is limited in the carpark, so register your interest on the event page and be there on time so you don’t miss out.
• 25 November there is a large group of us traveling up to Bathurst for our first DCM Challenge Bathurst. Keep an eye on Facebook for some fun photos from the team up there!

• 11 December - Christmas Show and Shine at Cruden Farm
• 2 February Bathurst 12 hour (still rooms available), watch the event in the comfort and luxury of the Bathurst Club, on top of the pits.
• 17 March BMW Clubs Australia Nationals hosted by BMW Gold Coast at South Port

We have some great weekends planned with some of Peter Williams fantastic driving roads coming up so keep an eye on the events notices too.

If you are wanting to help at events, please contact Jo on 0412 661 900.

Lastly, please remember the Club is now running out of 213 Marine Pde Hastings and any club related enquiry which would normally go to Bell Motorsport, please direct to this new address unless Jo happens to be out and about.  Please call Jo on 0412661900 to let her know you are coming.

Thank you and again stay safe and dry.         

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