The BMW M works driver squad for the 2023 season is gaining a well-known 21st member. Valentino Rossi (ITA) and BMW M Motorsport have agreed a works commitment that goes beyond the race appearances with BMW M Team WRT announced last week. The nine-time motorcycle world champion, who called time on his long-standing, successful career on two wheels back in autumn 2021, is set to contest the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS and Bathurst 12 Hour in the BMW M4 GT3 next year – and will also be available for further race and test appearances in BMW M Motorsport racing cars.
“Valentino Rossi needs no introduction. As one of the most successful motorcycle riders of all time, he has made history. His successes on the racetrack and his personality have quite rightly made him a living legend,” said Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport. “But Valentino has proved that he is also an excellent racer on four wheels. He has shown that car racing has become his second motorsport home, and he brings all his passion, skills and commitment to this new chapter of his career. It’s fantastic that Valentino will be joining our BMW M Motorsport family as a new works driver next year. We’re really looking forward to working together – welcome aboard Vale!”
"I am very proud to become an official BMW M works driver and it is a great opportunity,” said Rossi. “Last year I started racing seriously in cars and I finished my first season with the WRT team with whom I got on very well and I am very happy that the WRT team chose BMW M Motorsport as a new partner. I have already had a chance to test the BMW M4 GT3 twice and the feeling with the car is very good. I think we could be competitive next season. Also, BMW M Motorsport has given me the opportunity to race with two very strong drivers next year, Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus. I still have a lot to learn and improve, but I hope to be up to the task and fast enough to fight during the race weekends.”
Rossi celebrated his first world championship title in the 125cc class in 1997. He followed this up with the title in the 250cc class two years later. He was promoted to the highest Grand Prix category at the time in 2000, the 500cc class, where he was crowned world champion in 2001. This category was superseded by the MotoGP the following year, and Rossi remained the measure of all things. By 2005 he had added a further four world championship titles to his collection, with titles number eight and nine following in 2008 and 2009. Rossi continued to do battle for the world championship crown regularly after that. ‘The Doctor’ has also long been committed to youth development with his VR46 Rider Academy – a ‘school‘ that helps young Italian riders with the goal to bring them to MotoGP.
Rossi also took part in testing in various racing cars early on – including a Formula 1 Ferrari and Mercedes. There were also starts at the Monza rally (ITA) in 2009 as well as two races in the World Rally Championship, one in 2006 in New Zealand and one in 2009 in Wales. In 2019, Rossi competed in an endurance race in Abu Dhabi (UAE). After retiring from active motorcycle racing after the season finale in 2021, Rossi embarked on a new chapter of car racing. He contested the GT World Challenge Europe with Team WRT in the 2022 season.
The new year will see him compete in that race series and in the endurance classic at Bathurst (AUS) alongside his BMW M works driver colleagues Maxime Martin (BEL) and Augusto Farfus (BRA). His status as works driver also gives him plenty of other options. In addition to his current fixed engagements, Rossi will be able to make further race and test appearances in various BMW M Motorsport racing cars. The 43-year-old will also have the opportunity to represent BMW M Motorsport. Details will be announced at a later date.
BMW PRESS
Waves rolling gently onto the beach and the endless horizon in view – a day at the seaside offers refreshingly expansive perspectives and a feeling of freedom. In line with this, the MINI Convertible in the Seaside Edition celebrates 30 years of individual style and maximum fresh-air driving fun. To mark the anniversary of the open-top four-seater, MINI now presents the sporty classic with exclusive equipment and design features – optionally in a shimmering blue Caribbean Aqua paint finish or in the light Nanuq White bodycolor. The Seaside Edition of the MINI Convertible is available as the Cooper (combined fuel consumption: 6.4 – 5.9 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 145 – 135 g/km according to WLTP) and the Cooper S (combined fuel consumption: 6.9 – 6.5 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 157 – 148 g/km according to WLTP).
Currently the world’s only premium convertible in the small car segment and with an impressively distinctive look in traditional brand style, the MINI Convertible embodies individual open-air driving pleasure. In the MINI Cooper S, a 2.0-litre, 131 kW/178 hp 4-cylinder power unit with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology enables acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The MINI Cooper also provides typical MINI go-kart feeling, featuring a 3-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 100 kW/136 hp. The black, electrically operated soft top takes things at a more leisurely pace: it can be opened or closed automatically up to 30 km/h.
From February 2023, the limited Seaside Edition of the MINI Convertible will accentuate this stylish model’s hallmark features with an edition-specific design in the exterior and interior. Double decorative stripes in white run from the side doors to the rear of the vehicle, and the exclusive exterior design is rounded off with a unique graphic on the front apron, where a stylised 30 once again refers to the model’s anniversary.
This contrasts elegantly with the maritime-inspired paint finish Caribbean Aqua, emphasising the sporty character of the open-top four-seater. In the Nanuq White finish, the consistently light-coloured bodywork has a particularly elegant appeal: here the MINI Convertible is reminiscent of spotted clouds against a deep-blue summer sky.
The side scuttles with the edition’s discreet “Seaside” lettering pick up on the 30th model anniversary with graphically designed numerals in light and dark blue. The round birthday is also celebrated with exclusive “Seaside” lettering in sporty orange on the rear. Meanwhile the 18-inch alloy wheels in Pulse Spoke design are reminiscent of pulsating waves in the water. By contrast, the specific wheel caps stand still: here, the number of the anniversary appears once more. A weight behind them ensures a perfect appearance at all times.
Even as you enter the vehicle, the trim strips on the vehicle doors in edition design with two white stripes and Seaside lettering convey the exclusive aura of the interior. The Carbon Black leather seats with comfortable knee rolls and armrests in the doors offer comfort as well as harmonising perfectly with the two exterior finishes Caribbean Aqua and Nanuq White when the soft top is open.
The decorative trim strips on the front dashboards also appear in edition-specific design: both the printed pattern and the lettering bring the round anniversary to mind once again. This pattern also appears on the floor mats in the form of a graphic badge. The lower spoke of the sports leather steering wheel features the eponymous “Seaside” lettering of the new MINI Edition. The vehicle key featuring the edition-specific graphic wave pattern in iridescent blue tones picks up on both the open atmosphere and the pure elegance of the sea, enabling the owner to take a piece of this exclusive edition home with them. The integrated “Seaside” lettering underlines the model’s unique flair – definitely ruling out any potential key mix-ups.
For the driver, the latest generation of the MINI operating system optimises quick and intuitive control of the vehicle functions, audio programme, communication, navigation and apps, while newly compiled equipment packages enable specific individual preferences to be fulfilled in terms of driver assistance and connectivity.
BMW M Motorsport returns to Australia after an enforced three-year absence. BMW M Team WRT will undertake its first works-supported race outing with the BMW M4 GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour, the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, in February 2023. This is followed by the GT World Challenge Europe which begins in April 2023. The two cars will be occupied by top-class drivers, including nine-time motorcycle world champion Valentino Rossi (ITA), who will share the #46 BMW M4 GT3 with BMW M works drivers Maxime Martin (BEL) and Augusto Farfus (BRA). Challenging for top results in the #32 car will be the two new BMW M works drivers Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts (both BEL), together with DTM champion Sheldon van der Linde (RSA).
“It is fantastic to return to this legendary motorsport venue with BMW M Motorsport for the first time since 2020, and to see the BMW M4 GT3 in action for the first time at the Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst,” said Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport. “There is something magical about the event, and we hope to be able to convey that magic on the track. We feel the prospects of a strong debut from the BMW M4 GT3 and BMW M Team WRT are very good. The combination of a strong team and equally strong drivers means we can approach the 12 hours of racing with confidence and hope for good results. I am particularly pleased, on the driver side, to see some new faces in our cockpits, coupled with the proven class of Augusto Farfus and Sheldon van der Linde. The race in Bathurst forms the start of an intensive and, hopefully, successful season with BMW M Team WRT, which continues with the Kyalami 9 Hour in February and then in the GT World Challenge Europe.”
“I am delighted to have such strong driver line-ups for our programmes in the GT World Challenge Europe and the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Thank you to BMW M Motorsport for this fantastic opportunity,” said WRT team principal and CEO Vincent Vosse. “I have been trying for a long time to work together with Maxime Martin in my team. It is awesome that this is now possible. I would also like to welcome Sheldon van der Linde back to the team having raced together a few years ago. He knows Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts well and I am sure they will form a strong team. Having Augusto Farfus, with all his know-how and experience, and Maxime alongside Valentino Rossi is also a fantastic combination. I can hardly wait for the 2023 season and to fight to bring trophies to Munich.”
Vanthoor and Weerts will contest all the sprint races in the GT World Challenge Europe as a duo, and will be supported by van der Linde in the endurance races. “I am really pleased to continue my successful partnership with Charles in the GT World Challenge Europe. We have been very successful in the past three years, winning the title in the Sprint Cup,” said Vanthoor. “The opposition will be even tougher in all the races, but I am confident that we will also be successful with the BMW M4 GT3, together with WRT and BMW M Motorsport. The front-engine car will be a change and a challenge for me, but my impressions from the initial tests have been very positive. The BMW M4 GT3 has great potential.” Weerts said: “Our goal for the Sprint Cup is obviously to challenge for our fourth title in a row, even if I still need to adapt to the BMW M4 GT3 a little better. It is also fantastic to get to know new circuits and to race at Bathurst for the first time in my career.”
Maxime Martin will contest the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup together with Valentino Rossi. Providing valuable support as the third driver in the Endurance Cup and in Bathurst will be Augusto Farfus. “I am looking forward to the new challenge on my return to BMW M Motorsport,” said Martin. “Working with BMW M Team WRT and Valentino Rossi will definitely be a fantastic experience. I am also delighted to share a car with my friend Augusto Farfus again, and hopefully to pick up some wins.” Rossi said: “I’m very happy to continue my collaboration with the WRT team in 2023. This will be an important season as we will have a new car. The tests with the BMW M4 GT3 have been very good so far. I can’t wait to go racing with it.”
Month in review.
Dear members,
A late newsletter this month, so that we can take the opportunity to wish you all a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year break. We know that this time of year is not always great for everyone, so we do hope that whatever it is you get up to, you are able to make the most of it, enjoy it, and take a well deserved break (if you can). We can't wait to catch up with you all in 2023.
Before we finish up for the year, let's take a look back at November. Many of our members started the month in Tasmania on our first bi-annual tour of Tasmania. With nearly 30 members in attendance, we had a great time touring around Tassie.
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On 6 November we were invited to display our cars at the Sandown Historics. It's always a great opportunity to see some great cars both on and off the track.
11 November saw is at the German Tivoli Club for our first All German Fest – Oktoberfest car display. Despite the thunderstorms keeping many away, we still had quite a few members attend, with Jo Mawson also winning best dressed in the Oktoberfest competition!
25-27 November was our first Challenge Bathurst, where we had 18 cars entered. It was really great to have a such a large mix of BMWs out on the track from M2s to E28s to E30s - we really had it all. It was also nice to see members from some of the other BMW Clubs around Australia, who we don't often get to see unless we are at the Nationals.
25 November was also our first back to Munich hook up meeting for a few months. We do really enjoy these events to find out first hand what's happening at BMW in Munich. If you haven't yet attended one, there are quite a few in our calendar for 2023 already that you can register for.
Our last event for November was the Geelong area mid-week drive. We had a great turn out and it was really nice to catch up with our members after at dinner. Thank you to Peter Williams for taking over the lead of this drive in Lawrence’s absence.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Welcome to our new members Kai Li, Zixuan Luo, Xuli Gu, Tony Vallone, Michael Skomina, Terence Crook, Jhdara Jones, Svetlana Yarosh, Kerry Kornhauser, Corry O'Shannassy and Nic Mulhall. We look forward to seeing you at an event soon!
Don't forget to catch up with this month's update from our President, Graeme Bell here .
The month ahead.
We have one final event for December:
Friday, 16 December BCCM live from Munich Our last event for the year - a catch up with BMW Munich for a wrap up of 2022.
Looking ahead to January and beyond, there are some events that you should register for as soon as possible, to avoid missing out:
15 January 20232023 Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship | Round 1The first round of our 2023 championship will kick off at Phillip Island with AROCA. Ensure you register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 26 January 2023 Australia Day Drive We'll start at lunch time at Hogans Hotel bistro and then head off on a scenic drive via Malmsbury, finishing at Panton Hill Hotel for dinner. 2 - 6 February 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour Our annual trip to the Bathurst 12 Hour - a weekend of some of the best motor racing you will see in Australia. 15 - 22 March 2023 BMW Clubs Australia Nationals - Gold Coast A perfect opportunity to come together with BMW Club members from around the country. 29 March - 30 April 2023 Australian F1 Grand Prix Display Please note that expressions of interest are now open and close on 31 December 2022. If you wish to display your car, you must complete an expression of interest so that you can be considered. All successful members will be notified as soon as possible after the cut off date.
Be sure to keep an eye on our calendar to stay up to date with our events. If you're attending a social drive or weekend away, we recommend checking out our event tips to help you get the best out of the event.
EVENT PHOTOS
If you attend any of our events and take high resolution photos that you would like to share with other members and for use on our website and in our newsletter and magazine, please send a link to your photos to photos@bmwdcm.com.au so we can add them to our photo gallery.
News & Blog.
Our blog page on the website is constantly being updated with not just club news, but everything BMW from all around the world! We welcome you to submit any articles of your own.
Club blog.
Trip to Tassie
Fun with Flags!
BMW around the globe.
Motorsport Australia.
AOMC/Greenfleet Carbon Offset Scheme
BMW enthusiasts can now balance their love of their vehicles with helping to look after the planet for as little as $18 per year. BMWDCM is proud to have assisted the AOMC to develop a new partnership with Greenfleet, a leading not-for-profit environmental organisation that protects the climate by restoring native forests.
You can read more about the initiative and how you can get involved here.
Classifieds.
Have you seen our classifieds page?
Want to sell something? Looking for a specific item? Email us today to list your car/parts/anything BMW related!
idrive magazine.
Everyone has their own BMW story - we'd love to share yours.
Email us to feature in our very own idrive magazine.
Club partners.
Members are welcome to submit their business to be shared on the Club Partners page on our website and idrive magazine. We believe in supporting those who support us. If you would like your business listed email us with your details.
As always - thanks for reading, we look forward to seeing you at an event soon!
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The squad of works drivers at BMW M Motorsport for the 2023 season includes more prominent newcomers. Belgians Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts receive works driver contracts and join the BMW M Motorsport family. They will compete with BMW M Team WRT in the coming season, among other outings. The initial race programmes for the BMW M Motorsport teams and works drivers have also been confirmed. They include appearances in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the new BMW M Hybrid V8, as well as starts with the BMW M4 GT3 in GT World Challenge Europe, the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the Nürburgring 24 Hours (GER). More race programmes – including the DTM that is undergoing a major transformation at the moment – are being planned and will be announced at a later date.
“After celebrating 50 years of BMW M and looking back on the glorious history of BMW M and BMW M Motorsport in 2022, we have an exciting season ahead of us in 2023 on the road to the future of motor racing,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M GmbH. “Taking centre stage is the BMW M Hybrid V8, which will be the first hybrid race car from BMW M Motorsport to appear in the IMSA series. The car is the symbol of the transformation of BMW M towards electrification, meaning it also plays a crucial role beyond motorsport. I am looking forward to the races with BMW M Team RLL and the parallel test work being undertaken by BMW M Team WRT, which will start with the BMW M Hybrid V8 in the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2024. I will also have my fingers crossed for all the teams and drivers doing battle for victories and titles in 2023 with the BMW M4 GT3, the new BMW M4 GT4 and the BMW M2 CS Racing.”
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, said: “After a successful 2022, including title wins in the DTM, we are shifting up another gear next year. We have improved what was already a very strong squad of works drivers with René Rast, Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts. On the team side, we are continuing our collaborations, which have grown over many years, including with BMW M Team RLL, BMW M Team RMG and ROWE Racing. Of course, we also plan to continue with our DTM champion team Schubert Motorsport, although we weren’t able to fix anything yet due to the current DTM situation. We also welcome BMW M Team WRT as a new BMW M Motorsport team. We are facing some exciting sporting challenges in 2023 and the years to come, for which we need the best teams and drivers. After all, the goal is to add to the success story of the BMW brand in motor racing.”
Vanthoor and Weerts are the latest members of the BMW M Motorsport family. 24-year-old Vanthoor can already look back on some impressive successes. He has won the Nürburgring 24 Hours twice (2019, 2022), was Sprint Cup Champion on three occasions in GT World Challenge Europe (2020, 2021, 2022) and was crowned overall champion in GT World Challenge Europe in 2021. Vanthoor has also tasted victory at the 24h Dubai (UAE), the 12h Bathurst (AUS) and took class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA).
Weerts is 21 years old and has enjoyed success alongside Vanthoor in the past. This includes winning the title in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup in 2020, 2021 and 2022, as well as the overall title in the 2021 GT World Challenge Europe.
The BMW M Motorsport squad for the 2023 season now comprises 20 works drivers, including newcomers René Rast (GER) and Maxime Martin (BEL), who were announced a while ago. Other drivers without a works driver contract will also start for BMW M Motorsport in races and tests in BMW M race cars.
A new era dawns in 2023 when the new BMW M Hybrid V8 contests its debut season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in North America. BMW M Team RLL will field two new hybrid prototypes in the highest class - GTP. They will be driven by Connor De Phillippi (USA), Nick Yelloly (GBR), Philipp Eng (AUT) and Augusto Farfus (BRA). Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) and Marco Wittmann (GER) will bolster the IMSA squad in the BMW M Hybrid V8 at the endurance races at Daytona and Sebring (both USA). Colton Herta (USA) will also be involved at the season-opener, the 24 Hours of Daytona in January.
BMW M Team WRT will run a double programme with the BMW M4 GT3 in 2023, both in GT World Challenge Europe and at races in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The works programme for BMW M Team WRT begins with the 12h Bathurst on the first weekend of February. The exact driver line-ups for the team’s BMW M4 GT3 will be announced at a later date. Before travelling to Australia, the team will use the 24 Hours of Dubai in January to gain experience with the BMW M4 GT3 under race conditions, as part of a customer outing organised by the team itself. At the same time, BMW M Team WRT will also be preparing for the 2024 season, in which it will appear in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the BMW M Hybrid V8.
The 24-hour race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife is one of the highlights of the race calendar every year. It has already been confirmed that 2020 winners ROWE Racing will again start the classic in the Eifel mountains with two BMW M4 GT3s for BMW M Motorsport. The team is also planned to continue to race in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with two works-supported BMW M4 GT3s next season.
Parallel to the many race outings, BMW M Motorsport will also continue its development work with various BMW M race cars in 2023. BMW M Team RMG remains largely responsible for the test and development work. In addition to that, the Andernach-based team will again compete in its home race with the BMW M4 GT3, the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
BMW M works driver Bruno Spengler (CAN) will be behind the wheel of the BMW M4 GT3 in 2023 and contest multiple international races next season. He will also have a bigger role within the BMW family in other areas. Spengler will be BMW SIM Racing Ambassador and BMW Group Classic Ambassador from 2023.
Event date: 25 - 27 November 2022
An early start on Thursday for our convoy up to Bathurst for the Club’s first Challenge Bathurst.
Perfect day for driving, very easy drive until you turn off the Hume, then it’s spot the pot hole and try not to fall in. Great to see the countryside drying up a bit and they’re out working on the roads, but still lots to fix.
Fantastic travelling with a group, makes the journey so much easier and more fun.
The Mountain is looking beautiful now it’s dried out since the Supercars weekend. Very different without the throngs of people there though, but just the same with the sound of race cars zooming around the hill.
This will be a great experience for the club members, to be able to drive this track is something that anyone that loves driving aspires to. A real bucket list event. Can’t wait till the end of the first session to see the smiles on their faces and hear the stories.
I remember the first time I raced here, it never leaves you, as a driver it is one of things you just have to do.
Friday at The Mountain.
Was great getting up yesterday, means we can get set up and have the day today to look around, get the drivers and crews checked in, cars Scrutineered, then move into the pit lane garages once the ‘Sprint’ competitors had moved out.
A pretty relaxing day and great just taking it easy for a change whilst getting everything ready for the weekend’s fun.
By the end of the day all our lot have turned up, unloaded and have their cars tucked in the garages ready to go bright and early tomorrow.
The day starts off with a briefing then a familiarization session.
You can hear the excitement in some of their voices, tomorrow will be the realization of some people’s dreams, driving around the best track in Australia and one of the best in the World.
Got to say thank you to the organizers for inviting DCM to bring a bunch of people to the Mountain and of course all the officials that make this happen. For the average person that would otherwise not have the opportunity to drive around this amazing place, this is the best way to do it!
It is a great event and looking forward to the next two days of fun.
Saturday at The Mountain.
There are some things in life you just cannot explain to someone until they have actually done it. There aren’t words to express some experiences until you’ve done it yourself.
Driving Bathurst at speed is one of those things.
The looks on the faces and the excitement and exhilaration in their voices after their first familiarization laps just explains it all. Then that only intensifies after more sessions and time on track.
Bathurst isn’t just another racetrack, it is the pinnacle of Motorsport in this country for a driver, and quite possibly one of the best tracks in the world.
It is so hard to explain what it’s like to drive here, and as much as you try and as many in car videos or sim sessions you do, nothing compares to driving here. The only thing that tops doing an event like Challenge Bathurst is actually racing here!
Today was just perfect, the weather, the track, the organization, the company… where else in the world would you want to be?
We have an awesome bunch up here with us, some great fun on the track and then some great fun sitting around telling stories of the day and other days here or elsewhere.
If you want to join us next year, when entries come out you need to be quick! Something not to be missed.
As always, thanks to the teams of officials and organizers for giving of their time to run events like this for those that love to drive. We can’t enjoy what we do without an army of volunteers, so, like some of us that came all this way to help others enjoy their fun, you too can join in even if you’re not driving. It is still almost as much fun.
One day to go then the long drive home on Monday.
Sunday night and the end of a fantastic weekend of doing what we all love, driving, at the pinnacle of Australian Motorsport.
Everything was perfect, the weather was amazing, the track awesome, the event itself went off perfectly.
Well done to the organisers and officials and thank you to Greg Evans for inviting DCM to run a group of BMW Club Members from all over Australia to experience the best track in the country. Hoping we will be invited back to run a bigger event next year.
Most have packed up and headed off in different directions for home, our little convoy will head off in the morning back to Melbourne.
It’s been an awesome weekend and if you get the opportunity to come and do this event, take it!
Everyone safely home from an amazing weekend up at Bathurst.
Safe to say everyone had a ball, such a great event and such a great bunch to do it with.
So many pics and videos to go through over the next few days.
Just a few more tonight though.
Thank you for coming, thank you to the officials and organisers that make it all possible.
Graeme Bell | Member #1 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
We started November in the middle of an event and boy what a great event that was, with nearly 30 members travelling around Tasmania together. This will be a bi-yearly event, so watch out for the next one in 2024.
On 6 November we had a great display of cars at Sandown Historics. We were lucky with the weather and even luckier with the position we were in. There were plenty of great cars to see both on and off the track.
11 November saw us at the German Tivoli Club for our first All German Fest – Oktoberfest car display. We had a great turn out despite the threat of thunderstorms, which did keep a few away, but those who did attend had a great time chatting to all the other car owners and then coming upstairs in the Tivoli club to join us all for some German food and catch up with some new members too. it was fantastic to see so many members from our friends from Mercedes, Porsche and VW clubs. Jo won best dressed in the Oktoberfest competition, and I would like to thank everyone who took the time and effort to dress up, it makes these nights a bit more fun.
25-27 November was our first Challenge Bathurst, where we had 18 cars entered. This was our total allocation for the event. We could definitely have filled more spots as this event sold out within the first few days! Wow what a fantastic event and it was great to have a great mix of BMWs out on the track from one member’s beautiful M2 which had some pretty cool looking decals on it to an SA member’s E28 complete with bowls hat on the parcel shelf. We had a great mix in between and a really friendly mix of competitors. These events are wonderful as members who normally don’t get to catch up until the nationals can come together and really bond over the things they love, BMW and speed, on the best track in the country. We were really lucky to have amazing weather and also some great volunteers who came up to help the team. Thank you to Sam and Angelo who are just really great people and always help when they are able to.
25 November was also our first back to Munich hook up meeting for a few months. As with previous hook ups, we had a great turn out of members logging in and it was full of great information from Munich. We have all the next hook ups on our calendar already so feel free to register so not to miss out.
A new piece of news is the new Carbon Offset Program, developed with the AOMC that is now available to join. This is a great incentive to help offset the emissions from older cars and very cheap to be a part of to help the world move toward a carbon neutral future.
December is full of events starting with Round 8 of our Traction Tyres/Yokohama Drivers Championship at Phillip Island. This event is always so popular, and I know it sold out within the first couple of days of entries opening. Spectators are welcome to come and support those who were lucky to get in.
On 6 December we will all be meeting for a sausage sizzle at Mornington BMW then heading down to Sorento to watch to sun set after a drive along the beautiful coastline. Don’t miss out on our last Twilight drive for 2022.
Then on 11 December is our Christmas Picnic and Show and Shine at Cruden Farm. All are welcome make this your family picnic and bring the kids as Santa will be there for photos and possibly lolly bags. There is gold coin donation for egg and bacon rolls in the morning and online link to yummy grazing boxes which can be ordered when you register. We encourage you to bring out your “other cars’ too as there is a section in the Show and Shine for non-BMWs.
Our last event for 2022 will be another hook up with Munich featuring a review of all that happened in 2022.
Looking ahead to 2023, the motorsport calendar for is nearly complete so keep an eye open for that, we have only just received confirmation on the Supercars rounds so now we can set about confirming all our events.
With regards to club plate renewals, can I please stress that it is up to the member to make sure you have your registration paperwork completed on time and back to VicRoads. We have had quite a few emails of late from members who have forgotten to complete their paperwork or let their renewals laps and then get cranky with us as they can’t get them signed when they want to. VicRoads send the renewals out around six weeks before they are due, so you have plenty of time to get them signed. Please remember all your committee are volunteers and some work full time and try to run a business. When you have your paperwork signed it is your responsibility to ensure it is completed, sometimes we may miss a spot due to life distractions. We apologise if this has happened but again remember we are volunteers and don’t get paid and some work many unpaid hours to make sure this club is running in tip top condition.
As I have said in a few of my previous reports, if you have a club registered car, make sure your registration is paid, go out and inspect your cars now and check the dates. Jo has managed to help a few members who have had let their registrations laps but her friendship with VicRoads can only go so far. The fines for driving an unregistered club permit scheme vehicle is now over $900.
We also offer the online system, which is working quite well and again, it is up to the individual to ensure the uploaded paperwork is correct before sending it into VicRoads.
As you would have seen in the save the dates above, the BMW Clubs Australia Nationals will be held next year on the Gold Cast. We encourage you all to follow the link on the event and check it out. The Nationals is a fantastic event where we catch up with all our fellow club members from around Australia and this one will be another fantastic event. Join us up there in 2023 for another fantastic Nationals.
Our new membership incentive is doing well, and we have had a lot of new members sign up and we look forward to drawing our first winners in January 2023. This is not just for new members but for all renewals in each quarter. How it works is when you renew, your name goes into the running for some fantastic prizes. When a new member signs up their name goes into the running for the prizes. But best of all if you refer a member your name goes into the running as well, as long as the new member list you as the referring member. As they say on TV “you got to be in it to win it”.
Jo has also been working tirelessly re-signing sponsors for 2023. If you own a business and would be interested in being part of our clubs sponsorship, please drop Jo an email on v.president@bmwdcm.com.au and she will be happy to forward you the relevant information and even drop out to have a chat.
Jess has been out over the past weekend doing a photo shoot for the next idrive and it sounds like it will be a great cover, again. If you have not submitted any articles yet which you think might be worth reading in the next edition please forward them, with hi resolution photos to editor@bmwdcm.com.au.
Well, this is all from me, I am hoping that December will give us some warmer weather as we have some great events coming up to enjoy in the sun. As always, thank you for being a part of our DCM family and I look forward to seeing you at an event somewhere soon.
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
Just wanted to send Jo and Graeme and the BMWDCM a special thanks for your incredible support and efforts in asking members of the BMW Drivers Club Melbourne for trackside support at the recent Island Magic event at Phillip Island, particularly at such short notice.
Please pass on our heartfelt thanks and appreciation on behalf of myself and the VFT to Adrian White, Chris Allen, Marlin & Simon Lee for their amazing efforts. The guys fitted in with the team very well and were excellent contributors to the weekend.
It was a pleasure to work with them all and without their support and enthusiasm it would have been difficult to provide the service the VFT is renowned for.
Again, thank you to the BMWDCM for your assistance, we take this opportunity to wish you and the entire BMWDCM family a very Merry Christmas and safe and prosperous New Year.
Mark Thompson | Chief Flag Marshal Victorian Flagmarshalling Team Inc
Event date: 16-17 July 2022
I’d only driven the Broadford track once before, so I was keen to deploy those skills & improve my lap times.
We also gifted a birthday track day to Jenny’s eldest kidult (Jay) & partner (Cozzie). That demanded more cabin space so Jenny drove my E93 and I in the Toyota 86 (all marques welcome). The 86’s race suspension made it a harsh ride, but it was an uneventful drive up.
We met the DCM crew for Friday dinner at the Broadford Hotel, a 10min walk from the Sugarloaf Motel; so DUI was eliminated.
Day one was a “come & try day” and was overcast and cool, with rain forecast so it was going to get interesting, especially for the newbies.
I was feeling apprehensive about teaching the kidults in my 86, so I expected to have someone else do the coaching. At the briefing we got the details of the rules and running order and as it turned out the newbie numbers were up & coaches were stretched, so I just went with it & did the coaching (good decision).
I conducted the orienteering laps, explaining “cut here, stay wide there, adverse camber over the top , watch the outside (it falls away)”. Then I got a bit more focussed on a real session (just to warm up the car ;) ).
The coaching laps kicked off and my appreciation rapidly turned to solid enjoyment of the coaching role (not rolls, Phew).
My day then got busier, as I also coached a newbie from the AROC, who had me coaching in a CX3 Auto, not my 1st or 100th choice of track car, but it was great to hear from Yit Yuan (Eatyen) that she was there to learn about how her car performed at higher speeds on straight & corner (she certainly got that).
The students listened & tried. Mistakes were made improvements were rapid.
We reviewed & planned on the whiteboard back in the office, discussing lane position, braking strategy and turn-in locations.
My nerve held across the 3 students and I only had to slap the dash “BRAKE!!” A couple of times. I got back in the zone via my own fun behind the wheel too, which added up to a very busy day.
More DCM fun at the hotel for dinner, with even a birthday cake (thank you so much for that surprise!).
Day 2 (Sunday) was a bit more serious, both in driver experience and weather (lots of rain). Whilst lined up for my 2nd session I thought I spotted an E30 in the group, which wasn’t in the first session. I then found it chasing me down the home straight, it could only be our President (Graeme Bell). I pushed hard around turn 1/2 in the rain and backed off when I felt the rear end go light. I had nervous fun for the rest of the session, then Graeme came for a chat in the paddock. “Play with the oversteer in the wet, push to the light-feeling then feather the gas to maintain that slide, enjoy it [rather than avoid it]”. I took that advice to my next sessions & I had so much fun! Yes, I lost the rear end on that adverse camber section, but I kept it on the black stuff.
What a weekend! Great fun with the DCM crew, some teaching skills developed, some awesome lessons & track time for me.
Thanks Jo and committee for giving us the chance to safely “give it the berries”.
Martin Taylor | Member #598 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
Event date: 11 November 2022
I must admit as this was the first time I had attended an Oktoberfest event, I wasn't sure what to expect. But it turned out to be a lovely and relaxed evening for the young (and young at heart!) to enjoy each other's company, swap stories, and enjoy a hearty meal of exquisite German food (and of course, sample some superb German beer, cider, or wine).
Although the weather was on the cool side and threatened to rain, the car park was filled with a fine variety of German cars to admire - including a Bell Motorsport racing BMW, Porsches, Mercedes, and of course several classic and modern BMWs.
Thanks to all Members who organised or supported and participated to make this an enjoyable evening.
Richard Van Essen | Member #946 BMW Drivers Club Melbourne
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