We just wrapped up our first HPDE event of the year, held at Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit, IL. The weather was perfect: Partly cloudy and cool all day and then Mother Nature conveniently timed a free carwash for us right after the last track session.

Events at Blackhawk are always enjoyable. It’s a great venue for first-time HPDE participants, slow and simple enough for a beginner but also technically challenging and interesting for those with more experience.

We had 57 cars and drivers in attendance and from what I saw a great time was had by all.  We’ll be there again on July 31 so be sure to register at motorsportreg.com.

Special thanks to all the club members who helped make this event a great success!

Last time we talked via this medium, I implored y’all to attend the annual Wings & Wheels event in Fort Atkinson on June 4th for the benefit of the local Boys & Girls Club.  We promised great eats, neat cars, fun folks, flying thingies, and we hedged the bet on good weather.

So… was this a success?  Well heck yeah!  Silly question you goof.  How could it not be?

Let’s see… great eats?  Check; the folks from Jones Dairy Farm outdid themselves with butter-fried french toast and Jones sausage… did I mention all y’all could eat?  I’m still french-toasted & sausaged out!  Neat cars?  Check; a respectable contingent of our favorite Blau Mit Weiss toys consisted of a couple of beautiful ‘02s, a drop-dead gorgeous red 325is, an e30 M3 whose twin was off romping somewhere to the east and north; spotless e39 twins (I’m jealous), a fierce looking 545i, and for the first time, two convertible Z4s, an e46 M3 convertible and a rarely seen e21 320i.  I really tried but just did not make it around in time to welcome our new friends attending for the first time; for sure next year! Of course there was the usual collection of Brits, and good ol’ USA macho muscle iron … and remind me again where they made that confused curiosity which can’t decide whether it wants to go for a swim or drive around in the manner to which regular cars are accustomed?  A guy has to be pretty secure in his manhood to drive something like that around.  What about fun folks?  Check!  One never finds neat cars without neat people, right?  And the non-car folks were kinda neat too.  Flying thingies… lots of ‘em and they all did what they were supposed to do… er… fly, I think.  Good weather?  In spades Pal (please refer to aforementioned “convertibles”)!!  I almost forgot the most important part!  Kids grinning from ear to ear?  Check. Check. 

So, how did this all work out?  Thought you would never ask… the picture-perfect event resulted in $10,600 being raised for the benefit of The Kiddies… a new record!  Thank you to all among our membership who joined in the beautiful day’s festivities, and contributed toward this non-Badger Bimmers’ event.

So, gimmie the inside poop on any OOPSes that occurred.  Well, you may be referring to something that didn’t quite go according to plan, as in something out of the norm, or maybe unexpected?  You got it pal… the inside poop is that after which I thirst.  Really?  Actually, it was quite splendid, thank you… maybe a drip of oil here and there.  From the dang Brits, right?  Used to have one of those, so I know that oil rarely comes out in a “…drip… here and there”; how much… er… dripped?  Well, you know… maybe it was a little more.  C’mon man… spit it out!  OK… so the dang thing barfed power-steering fluid all over itself and environs… you happy now?  Well heck yeah Mon!  You did mean the dang Brits, right?  Er… not quite; ‘twas one of us… a stalwart German.  Oh… sorry I asked.  Quite!  But all was resolved in the usual fashion with well-wishers coming to the rescue with new oil, moral support, etc. etc. as one would expect from Badger Bimmerites.  And peace reigned throughout the land, all being well.  And, afterward we zoomed across town to thehouseonthehill for more camaraderie, food, down time and visiting.

Who could ask for anything more?  Y’all are really special folk!  Thank you for making it a splendid day!!

On June 3, 2017, BMW of Milwaukee North in Glendale, WI hosted the 14^th Annual Badger Bimmers BMW Car Show.  Despite the nearly constant rain, nearly 35 BMWs attended. 21 BMWs entered the hotly contested trophy competition.  That was a fantastic turnout and proves that windshield wipers DO serve a purpose!

Cars were entered in five classes organized by vehicle vintage, along with a separate “People’s Choice” award for favorite car overall.  Class winners were selected by participant and spectator ballot, so cars were awarded prizes based on their appeal and not based on how clean or original they are.  I didn’t see anyone with Q-Tips although I think there were a few cars on display that were well-acquainted with that kind of treatment. But that was balanced out by my car which hasn’t even seen soapy water yet this year.

Special thanks to BMW of Milwaukee North for sponsoring a large supply of tasty muffins, bagels, cookies, water, and juice for all participants along with also sponsoring the elegant trophies.

The awards presented were as follows:

People’s Choice:                      Dan Hannula, 2016 M4 GTS

BMWs of the 1970’s:               Cindy Ansay, 1975 2002

BMWs of the 1980’s:               Tim Jason, 1989 325is

BMWs of the 1990’s:               TJ Worley, 1998 M3

BMWs of the 2000’s & Newer: Cal Calkins, 2015 i8

Best BMW Track Car:              Dan Hannula, 2016 M4 GTS

On May 20, 2017 more than 30 BMW’s lined their way across Waukesha’s beautiful Frame Park for Badger Bimmer’s 5th Annual E30 Picnic. The day began with overcast conditions and 44 “bone-chilling” degrees. By the time lunch was served, the temperature had climbed to only 46 degrees with light rain. Yes, the weather was not suitable for any kind of picnic.  We did have a great core group of diehard E30 attendees that would not have missed the event rain or shine.

Many E30’s joined us ranging from M3, 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is, 325ix, along with multiple convertibles. A fine group of assorted BMW models also joined in the display area for the group to enjoy.  BMW enthusiasts from across the state spent the morning showing off their stock standards and creative modifications.

I’d like to once again thank Badger Bimmers for providing a great lunch “spread” that no doubt added to the success of the event. Congratulations to our raffle recipient, Michael Nelsen, who won the 2017 Badger Bimmers BMWCCA Blackhawk Farms Raceway Drivers School and Safety Seminar Driving Event Certificate.

Special thanks to TJ Worley for his event promotion through social media and the WI Bimmers Forums. With his expertise and our Badger Bimmer Facebook page, we were able to reach out far and wide to many BMW enthusiasts to insure a very successful gathering.

I enjoyed our collective camaraderie and look forward to the next time we can all get together. Be sure to join us next year when we meet again to show, discuss, appreciate, and admire these incredible driving machines.

Tim Jason

Badger Bimmer

Board Member

April 29 – Another year, another rainy Spring Tour. Oh well, still a splendid time for all. By my count there were 12 BMWs and 22 BMW enthusiasts; for some reason, the majority of the cars were black in color, so it looked a bit like a funeral procession. At least it was a very sporty funeral procession!

After meeting for introductions, goody bags, and fueling-up in Mineral Point, we mounted our steeds and hit the open road. There were a couple convertible drivers that tempted the weather with open tops, but that didn’t last long. A quick stop at the Riverside Park in Cassville allowed us to stretch our legs for a bit while we are introduced to our travelling companion: the Mississippi River. We then paraded to Wyalusing State Park for pre-lunch views of our state’s natural beauty while getting to know the other cars and fellow enthusiasts better.

A short jaunt to Prairie du Chien and we were ready for lunch. More friendships were made over a delightful meal. It was then time to cross over into Iowa for the downstream half of the tour. More scenic driving brought us to the historic town of Guttenberg where we gathered at the Lock and Dam #10 to witness a 600ft long group of grain barges (corn and soybeans!) transit the lock. After marveling at the exacting driving abilities of the tugboat captain, we gathered at a pub just below the dam for the necessity of a warming beverage and more conversation. More driving along the majestic waterway and bluffs landed us at our terminus of East Dubuque, Illinois, making our tour a proper tri-state affair. We enjoyed our final cocktail and meal together at Timmerman’s Supper Club before parting ways.

I would like to express the gratitude of myself and the tour participants to: Peter Wright for handling the formalities of getting the tour organized; David and Tiffany Helmke for their work defining the route and stops of the tour; Steve & Georgia Pate and Mary O’Brien for their wonderful pictures; and my wife, Linda, for her encouragement and assistance in my efforts to grease the wheels of companionship amongst the club members. It was my pleasure to be of assistance on another successful driving tour. Let’s hope that the next Spring Driving Tour allows for the proper use of the convertibles!

On April 15, 2017, the Badger Bimmers board and general membership meeting was held at Kelly Moss Motorsports in Stoughton, WI.  Larry O’Brien and the fantastic folks at Kelly Moss set up a very interesting program and tasty lunch.  After some time spent freely wandering the KM shop and drooling on the incredible cars (sorry!) Jeff Fait led a brief board meeting followed by a catered taco lunch.  Then- drum roll, please – the moment everyone was waiting for.  Kelly Moss has a beautiful all-whee-drive chassis dyno set up in its own special room.  And to that dyno, they strapped a Porsche 911 Cup Car.  Which they then ran up to about 8500 RPM putting down well over 400 rear-wheel-horsepower and nearly shattering everyone’s eardrums with race-car exhaust sounds.  It was glorious!