Dear members,
Where has the year gone? It seems like only yesterday we were saying goodbye to 2022 and welcoming in 2023. The Club has been so busy all year, with over 65 events run this year and as many already booked for 2024, it looks like another amazing year to come.
Some surprising stats again this year, we have continued to grow our membership numbers, even though we have the usual churn of members leaving for various reasons, we are about to click over 800 members, which is just amazing! We never dreamt the club would grow like it has, but like they say, when you build something great then people want to be a part of it, and we thank you all for joining us and continuing to make this the best BMW Club in the world. Over 44.5% of members have attended at least one event this year, which for any club is a great percentage of members participating. This means it’s not just the same old dozen or so people turning up and partaking of the events too. It makes it so worthwhile when Jo and the rest of the Committee put in so much time and effort to run a wide variety of fantastic events.
A recap of December, before I launch into the coming year.
3 December saw the last round of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship, run at Phillip Is with AROCA. Was a great day again and our championship and class winners will be awarded at our awards and birthday dinner next year. Thank you again to Andrew and staff at Traction Tyres for supporting our Drivers Championship again in 2023 and many thanks for continuing to sponsor the Drivers Championship in 2024. Remember, if you have any questions about tyres or set up for our track days, Andrew and Shane are always happy to give their time and expertise to help our members. You also get a pretty good discount on road or track tyres, if you show your membership card when you go in, so make sure you use it!
On the same day, we also had a large group head off to Marysville for what was another great drive by Peter, our Drive Meister. Sadly Peter could not make this drive as he was out of action. Thank you to Jenny and Martin for leading this event and for all the other members who helped out as car in the middle and Tail-End-Charlie. We do our drives this way to get messages down the chain as from lead car to tail sometimes the reception is a bit hard to hear. Remember if you are wanting to come on drives in 2024 and you don’t have a UHF radio, they or on sale in our store here.
6 December saw members from the west head off for another midweek drive and dinner leaving from Ceres. It’s great to have members all over, so we can offer such versatility with our events. Thank you Lawrence and Shaaron for hosting and leading this event.
7 December saw the first organising committee meeting for our 2025 Nationals. A lot of ideas were put down and the organising has begun in earnest. If you would like to help us run the Nationals in 2025 send an email to nationals@bmwdcm.com.au and we will give you a job! There is a lot to do and event though it is 16 months away, that time will go very quickly. So put your hand up and let us know you’d like to be involved in the organising.
9 December was the awards night for the E30 Racing club. We attended, both to represent DCM, as we sponsor the series, and also because we, as Bell Motorsport, build and look after a lot of the cars. Was a great night and young DCM Member, Royce Lyne tied for the Championship with long time bridesmaid Brian Burke. Congratulations Royce, all of our members will be watching to see how you go in the future.
10 December was our end of year Christmas Show and Shine and Picnic at Cruden Farm. Again, it was a fantastic event, with over 100 members and their beautiful cars on display and enjoying the lovely gardens and atmosphere. We had special visits from Spiderman as well as Santa and his elf, of course. Thank you to Matt Kenny and his crew for cooking all the egg and bacon rolls, supplied by Bell Motorsport. Also thank you also to Ross from Celebrations Cellars for the club labelled wines for the raffle and prizes. Ross is another great supporter of the club. If you need any drinks for an event or even just passing by, drop in and see him at Celebration Cellars in Clarinda and he will look after you. The winners of the show and shine were awarded a certificate on the day, their trophies will also be awarded at the awards dinner next year.
The Christmas picnic was technically the last Club event for the year, but all were invited to the Bell Motorsport end of year BBQ at Hastings on 16 December. It was a great day, with lots of friends and club members dropping in to say hello and have a drink and a sausage or burger. Even better, Jo didn’t get carted off in an Ambulance this year, so she was on hand to chat and enjoy the day too.
It was great having the DCM Club rooms at the Bell Motorsport yard, we have all our honour boards and trophies on display, as well as all the merchandise. Every one can peruse and purchase items or get their club permits signed. It is a real bonus for the club having an actual base to call home.
The very hardworking committee is having a couple of weeks off over the festive season before we come back and do it all again in 2024.
Straight away in January we start off with a twilight drive on 12 January, then a Cars and Dinner event at Moon Dog World on 19 January and the Festival of Motoring Show at Cruden Farm on 21 January.
February sees a large group Heading to Bathurst for the 12 Hour, where we have our own Club Corporate Suite above the pits. We have some very special things planned for those that join us, so it will be very special indeed. February also sees a member meeting at Melbourne BMW, another twilight drive, a Cars and Coffee event and Round 1 of our 2024 Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Sandown. Again, a busy month, with something for everyone and pretty much setting the tone for the year.
Keep an eye on the calendar, and emails, as some events have limits and fill up very quickly, and others we send out very early to give you plenty of time to book or organise things, like accommodation. We have weekends away, events of every kind, even an overseas trip in 2024! Early in the new year I will send out a yearly planner to members, so that you can set most of the year in your calendar ready to go, so look out for that.
I must thank you again for joining us, we do try very hard to be a welcoming and accepting club for all and hope that you enjoy your experience with us at any event you would like to come to. As always, if you have any comments or ideas about events, drop us a line, always happy to explore new ideas or modify what we do, if it makes the event better.
I hope you have all had a fantastic Christmas and wish you a safe and happy new year, from all of the committee and myself. Also, a huge thank you to all of the Club sponsors and supporters, old and new, we really appreciate your support in 2023 and look forward to continuing into 2024, your assistance helps us to run so many wonderful events that are often subsidised below their cost to benefit our members, all due to your sponsorship of our Club.
Just to end, while you are out enjoying our lovely summer weather in some of your club permitted cars, make sure:
- Your club membership is paid up; and
- Your club permit is all paid up and log book filled in.
Remember it is your responsibility to ensure that your club membership and permit is paid and up to date. Do not call us at the last-minute wanting signatures as we are not always available, especially at this time of year. Club permits must be accompanied by a valid financial club membership to be valid. For more information in club permit renewal, review our club permit page here.
Take care out there and see you in 2024.
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
