[NHRef]

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 from New England/New York interested in getting a caravan together?

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

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.

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?

[LePew]

Pete,

I've signed up for BMWCCA Oktoberfest. VIR should be an absolute dream! The new S should be here by then.

Are you still going?

Is anyone else who lurks around here planning to head down?

[yellowmininy]

If you're heading that far south, the Tail of the Dragon (Route 129 near Robbinsville, west of Asheville) is worth the drive.

[onasled]

I'm heading down, but I'm trailering the mini. I'm doing the racing school.

[NHRef]

YES! I signed up last night.

Also, I'm working with the White Mtn Chapter to organize a caravan. Tentative plans:

Depart Saturday, Sept. 17
Arrive Greensboro, Sunday, Sept. 18

Sunday - Welcome Reception
Monday - Autocross, Vendor Reception
Tuesday - Driving School, Southern Reception
Wednesday - Gymkhana, Motorsports Banquet
Thursday - TSD Rally
Friday - Depart

Arrive NH, Saturday, Sept. 24

A full week!

http://www.tarheelbmwcca.org/oktoberfest.htm
http://www.virclub.com/cms/

[LePew]

The Boston Chapter must be caravaning down also. I can check on that.

That schedule might not be agressive enough. It shouldn't take 2 days to go 700 miles, perhaps that's just me Or maybe there are some not to be missed roadside attractions in New Jersey -- like a visit to view the famous Orange Crush?

[NHRef]

Quote: Originally Posted by LePew

The Boston Chapter must be caravaning down also. I can check on that.

That schedule might not be agressive enough. It shouldn't take 2 days to go 700 miles, perhaps that's just me Or maybe there are some not to be missed roadside attractions in New Jersey -- like a visit to view the famous Orange Crush?

Let me know how you make out with Boston. I've been trying to get a contact there by way of White Mtn.

Mapquest says it's 13 hours from Milford NH to Greensboro NC. That would be a very long day, even if the drive time was shortened and breaks were added.

[MetalMiniMayhem]

Quote: Originally Posted by NHRef

Mapquest says it's 13 hours from Milford NH to Greensboro NC.

Mapquest also said it was about 21 hours from Nashua to Orlando, I drove straight through averaging no less than 90mph most of the drive and it still took me 23 hours...Mapquest is best case scenario that's for sure...

To Greensboro, with stops and stretching and bathroom brakes etc, you're lookin about 16 hours...

The Dragon IS worth it... been on that road a couple times, wish I had the Mini then it woulda been a blast but in the old Chevy S10, it wasn't so much fun...

[LePew]

I've driven from Southern NH to Orlando and back about 8 times now. That usually takes about 24 hours at the posted speed limits.

You're right, Greensboro will be about 15 hours including stops. That might be too much for some in one day, and just right for others. Maybe with enough interest we can form two groups, the "tortises" and the "hares".

I did hear back from the Boston Chapter; they'll be posting something on their website soon.

[NHRef]

Two hours from Milford is the mandatory Reins Deli stop.

After that, pit stops only (except, maybe, the Orange Crush, whatever that is!).

We need to understand what is happening Sunday night and how early the first event is on Monday.

[yellowmininy]

Do you mean David Rose's car, Orange Crush? I think he's in Rockland County, north of NYC.

[LePew]

MercoTape is in Hackensack, I thought.

[NHRef]

Dave (LePew) and I made it to Greensboro in one piece (well, in two MINIs actually). Left Milford NH at 6:00 a.m. and rolled into Greensboro NC at 9:30 p.m., 840 miles later.

(Just realized my Garmin GPS says the "max speed" was 98.8 mph . . . Boy, those satellites are fast!

With the exception of the Scranton PA stretch, the drive was uneventful. We did divert onto a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of Roanake VA.

Tommorrow we'll see the BMW Club Racers, Monday is track day for both of us. Tuesday Dave visits a client and I do the autocross. Wednesday's the second track day for Dave while I'm in the "Gymkhana."

[NHRef]

We pulled off I-81 north of Roanoke to see if we could find a way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. As we drove VA Rt 43 we encountered this sign, sure to quicken the pulse of any MINI motorer.

A short stretch of about 5 miles, it had at least three very sharp left hand turns that included steep elevation changes. The road was virtually cut into the mountain, leaving no room on the right when the occasional Taurus or motorcycles headed toward us. A great, twisty run!

[Cape Cod MINI]

I have five raffle tickets for an M5 to be drawn at Oktoberfest. Sure would be nice to have one of those in the driveway!

[LePew]

I am still grinning from that run up VA 43 and then the 10 miles or so along the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway! That stretch alone was worth the drive down here.

The Yokohama MINI was parked outside the hotel last night. Need to snap a few picture of that this morning. Hope there are a MINI or two at the club races today too.

Steve, thanks for that proxy you gave Pete and I last week. If you win the M5, don't worry, we'll get it home safely for you. Well, after a few more runs up and down the Parkway

David

[onasled]

Pete, Dave,

Boy, I'm wishin I was down there with you guys. Hope you can keep posting reports and photos.

Hey Steve, what's going on? Ever get the twincharged on the track this year?

Greg

[jwardell]

Quote: Originally Posted by NHRef

With the exception of the Scranton PA stretch, the drive was uneventful.

Uhoh. I hope you didn't get caught in the "high enforcement zone" of 81. I've never actually seen any enforcement there, although near the airport there's a sign reminding you they use aircraft.

Have fun at octoberfest!

[LePew]

No track driving today but lots of fun. I do have some pictures but have no way of uploading them here. Oh well hopefully Pete can.

We spent the morning with messing with Pete's new sway bars and swapping out my wheels and tires. We also helped an E30 owner get some help to replaced his brake pads so he can pass tech inspection.

After a long wait at registration a group of 8 or so cars go together for the 50 mile run up to VIR. M3's, E30's, MINIs, a nice mix! As we exited the hotel and attacked the on ramp to I-40 in Greenville -- as if on cue -- not one, not two, but three, count 'em three, North Carolina State Troopers appeared from out of nowhere as our personal escorts. Luckily they gave up on us when we turned off to US29.

Tontobird was at the instructors school and ran one session. I think she is instructing tomorrow.

We also watched Cheung run the club race enduro in the yellow MINI, the only one competing. She didn't win but didn't come in last either. The black Cheung / Binkley car did not run. Had a short chat with Cheung's mechanic about the Garrett turbos they use. Seems to be a much cleaner setup than Helix.

We also sat for a while watching the club racers scream through the "rollercoaster" -- many with three or fewer wheels on the ground as they crested the hill.

Our turn tomorrow

[NHRef]

Great day today and not even on the track!

As Dave noted above, the morning was spent with MINI and BMW drivers helping each other work on their cars, shine their cars and/or just chat about their cars. What a great group! The raffle M5 is here, what a beauty!

The run up 29 was "spirited," shall we say, peaking at just over 90 mph . . .

VIR is absolutely huge! Two NHIS' would fit into it, easily. The North Course is 2.25 miles, the South Course is 1.65 miles, the Patriot Course (site of Tuesday's autocross) is 1.1 miles and the overall Full Course (used for the Driving School) is 3.27 miles and 17 turns long.

NHIS' Road Course is more "technical" if you will, with 12 turns crammed into 1.6 miles.

The Back Straight is 4,000' and the Front Straight is 3,000' ~ the club racers hit 160 mph before braking at the end of the Front Straight. I can only imagine how fast they were going on the Back Straight!

Ada Cheung ran well but at the back of the Club Racer pack. She runs a Garrett twin turbo (see photo).

TontoBird was doing well during the instructor session until the brakes started to fade. She backed off a bit for a lap only to discover they still weren't quite right. Deciding to come in, she found the front right brake pad was shot and the rotor warped! Fortunately, Ada lives about a half hour from the track and had the necessary parts at her shop. Last I saw them, TontoBird was going to get the parts and bring them back to repair her car before dark.

The size and elevation changes at VIR have made me a bit nervous and quite excited. The steepness of the Climbing Esses and the Roller Coaster don't come out in the photos. The weather tomorrow should be clear and in the 80s, so conditions are in place for a good day.