[NHRef]

Hello!

I'm planning to drive my 2002 MCS to the BMWCCA's Ocktoberfest in September. The events are held in the area around Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and the host hotel is in Greensboro NC.

Anyone between NH and NC interested in getting a caravan together? Anyone who can give me directions? I know it's somewhere south of here . . .

From the Tarheel Chapter's website (http://www.tarheelbmwcca.org/oktoberfest.htm):

Basically, Oktoberfest is a weeklong national event, an annual gathering for the Club as a whole, a sort of family reunion for Club members from all over the country. Anyway, that’s the intent. In practice, attendees tend to come largely from areas within ‘reasonable’ driving distance from the event site.


Oktoberfest is always a terrific opportunity to meet Club members from all over, socialize, talk shop, and hobnob with National officers. But its greatest appeal is probably the fact that its activities program has something for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of Club Racing, or love driver schools, or prefer other driving events such as autocross, road rallies or tours, O’fest’s got it.


The hotels chosen as O’fest headquarters are centrally located in the Triad, and all activities will be based there or at VIR. Here’s what you can look forward to:

VIR, where OKTOBERFEST 2005 will kick off with a Club Race and a driver school, is arguably one of the nicest tracks in the country. It’s challenging, yet safe for drivers, and its park-like layout and modern facilities make it about as spectator-friendly as a racetrack can be. So whether you’re driving or watching, you just can’t beat a day or two at VIR.

If running solo against the clock is your thing, O’FEST ’05 will provide two opportunities to do so – an autocross and a straight-line slalom contest. And if you prefer doing this in a more sedate, family-style kind of way, we’ll have a Gymkhana, too–sort of an autocross and egg race combined. (Don’t take this last part too literally. The details haven’t been worked out yet.)

Both O’FEST ‘05 road rallies–a Time/Speed/Distance (TSD) rally for the more serious competitors and a fun rally-cum-tour–will take you into the foothills of the Blue Ridge and the Smoky Mountains. That alone is pretty special. After all, the brilliant spectacle of foliage in the fall is something folks from all over the Eastern Seaboard come to see and enjoy. And having an experienced team of rally planners lay out the rally routes will ensure you’ll have a great time, whether you’re a novice or an experienced rallyist.

If you’re raring to show off your Bimmer to a really big audience, you should enter the O’FEST ’05 Concours d’Elegance. It will be held on the spacious grounds of one of the O’fest hotels, the Grandover Resort. As always, it will feature several classes ranging from basic Clean Car to all-out, not a speck inside and out, pristine. We guarantee you’ll love the show, the background music, the judging, the festive atmosphere, and the trophies – even if you don’t enter your car.

Sounds like a great time! Are you interested?

[tontobird]

I may be heading down for some of their activities. A fellow MINI driver/track junkie from Manhattan is going down for the racing license school. Will decide more later as the event gets closer.

[NHRef]

It would be good to see you again, TB. Have you been doing any track days since the White Mtn Chapter's ADSS? Check out the NY/NE thread for the "results" of last weekend's Summer Heat at NHIS.

HEY, EVERYONE!!!

Even if you're not going to Oktoberfest, care to drive a few miles with us NH MINI drivers headed to Greensboro?

Has anyone been to VIR? What's it like?

[Gr8Dain]

I took a training class in a formula car there this past June. The track is beautiful. Very nice. And the guy that owns it was there for lunch with one of his many restored Triumphs. If you are nice to him, you can get him to take you to his garage that stores many nice cars. Unfortunately it was raining and he did not want to track crud in.

But the course was very well maintained. Even in the rain, it was a blast. Of course, I have not been to many tracks, so I can't compare it to others, but I am glad I noticed this post. I am very interested.

Dain

[NHRef]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gr8Dain

. . .But the course was very well maintained. Even in the rain, it was a blast. Of course, I have not been to many tracks, so I can't compare it to others, but I am glad I noticed this post. I am very interested.

Dain

Dain,

If you (or anyone else) is interested in going to Oktoberfest or just for some of the ride, send me a PM and I'll add you to the list so you know the particulars.

This will be great!

Pete

[tontobird]

Quote: Originally Posted by NHRef

It would be good to see you again, TB. Have you been doing any track days since the White Mtn Chapter's ADSS? Check out the NY/NE thread for the "results" of last weekend's Summer Heat at NHIS.

HEY, EVERYONE!!!

Even if you're not going to Oktoberfest, care to drive a few miles with us NH MINI drivers headed to Greensboro?

Has anyone been to VIR? What's it like?

I've done lots since then. Summit Point, Shenandoah, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, VIR twice, just got back from Mont Tremblant.

I sent in the application for the club race school. I don't have plans to race but thought it would enhance my driving. Plus, as I mentioned before, a buddy of mine is doing it.

VIR is pretty nice. Nice track, large paddock. I don't like the little pebbles in the paddock they get in your car like crazy if it rains and if it doesn't rain it's real dusty. But hey, it's a track!!

[LePew]

NHRef (Pete) and I leave tomorrow for VIR and Oktoberfest, finally! Wish that more of you could have made it down there with us. Oh well, there should be at least 6 or 7 other MINIs there with us.

We'll take plenty of photos!

[NHRef]

Boy, you folks live in a beautiful part of the country! Dave and I drove our MINIs out of NH through MA, CT, NY, PA, WVA, VA and NC on Saturday. The highlight of the ride was the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of Roanoke.

Anyway, check out the thread in the NY/NE region for updates on the BMW CCA Oktoberfest being held at VIR.

Pete