OCT - DEC 2014 DIE SONNENKUESTE A quarterly newsletter from the Suncoast chapter of the BMW Car Club of America

IN THIS ISSUE

• PRESIDENT’S POINTS • CLUB HAPPENINGS • BMW NEWS ADMINISTRATION CALENDAR OF EVENTS FSC Events Calendar December 2014 Current Officers Barry Miller / President [email protected] 813-716-9343 Monday December 8th FSC dinner meeting at Logan’s Roadhouse Bob Louty / Vice President [email protected] 9128 Anderson Ave. Tampa, 813-884-5229 dinner 6:30pm meeting 7:30 813-960-8688 Mailing Address: Florida Suncoast BMW CCA Dennis Costantino / Treasurer th [email protected] P.O. Box 10666 Saturday December 20 Tampa Bay Bimmers picnic please check our 813.293.1827 Tampa, FL 33679 Facebook page for details. Jamie Webb / Secretary [email protected] 727-580-6707 South Atlantic Regional Vice President Please remember the Holiday Party is in lieu of a monthly meeting in Paul Dunlevy Current Board Members [email protected] January! There is no regular meeting in January. Phil Howe [email protected] 336.996.3149 941.729.5833 Future Events Russ Garvey Newsletter Editor: Michael M. Sackett Jr. th th January 24 and 25 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona for information go to [email protected] [email protected] 813.230.5705 (214) 864-3765 www.Daytonainternationalspeedway.com Bob Ziegler [email protected] st 954.294.1432 FSC Annual Holiday Party Saturday January 31 . Location: Bill Caldwell Bascom’s Chop House [email protected] 727.669.7954 3665 Ulmerton Rd. Frank Mann Clearwater, Fl. 35762 [email protected] 727.254.9723 727-573-3365 Administrative Staff Come join your Florida Suncoast BMW CCA fellow members for Barry Miller / Autocross Coordinator some dinner and dancing. If you are a member and have never been [email protected] 813.684.9988 to an event this is a GREAT event to make your first event. Russ Garvey / Motor Sport Director The Fine Print Cost is $35 per person (the chapter pick up the other half) ( same cost [email protected] Die Sonnenkueste is the official newsletter of the BMW Car Club of to members for the last 5 yrs.) 813.230.5705 America, Suncoast chapter. It is a quarterly publication intended to serve as a primary means of communication highlighting the events Bob Ziegler / New Member Chair and members of the chapter. No portion in part or whole may be Cocktails at: 6:30 to 8pm [email protected] reproduced without the written permission of the Suncoast BMW CCA Dinner at: 8:00 to 9:30 pm 954.294.1432 board of directors.

Bob Louty / Email Admin All submissions are subject to editing for space constraints, style, Dessert at 9:30 to close [email protected] editorial consistency, and must include name and phone number for consideration. All photos, articles and letter should be submitted to the 813-960-8688 Newsletter Editor (Mike Sackett) at [email protected]

Vacant / Webmaster Any address or e-mail changes should be submitted to the Suncoast [email protected] BMW CCA Vice-president (Bob Louty) to ensure timely delivery. Alpha Club Annual Polo Match and Tail Gate Party ADMINISTRATION CALENDAR OF EVENTS FSC Events Calendar December 2014 Current Officers Barry Miller / President [email protected] 813-716-9343 Monday December 8th FSC dinner meeting at Logan’s Roadhouse Bob Louty / Vice President [email protected] 9128 Anderson Ave. Tampa, 813-884-5229 dinner 6:30pm meeting 7:30 813-960-8688 Mailing Address: Florida Suncoast BMW CCA Dennis Costantino / Treasurer th [email protected] P.O. Box 10666 Saturday December 20 Tampa Bay Bimmers picnic please check our 813.293.1827 Tampa, FL 33679 Facebook page for details. Jamie Webb / Secretary [email protected] 727-580-6707 South Atlantic Regional Vice President Please remember the Holiday Party is in lieu of a monthly meeting in Paul Dunlevy Current Board Members [email protected] January! There is no regular meeting in January. Phil Howe [email protected] 336.996.3149 941.729.5833 Future Events Russ Garvey Newsletter Editor: Michael M. Sackett Jr. th th January 24 and 25 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona for information go to [email protected] [email protected] 813.230.5705 (214) 864-3765 www.Daytonainternationalspeedway.com Bob Ziegler [email protected] st 954.294.1432 FSC Annual Holiday Party Saturday January 31 . Location: Bill Caldwell Bascom’s Chop House [email protected] 727.669.7954 3665 Ulmerton Rd. Frank Mann Clearwater, Fl. 35762 [email protected] 727.254.9723 727-573-3365 Administrative Staff Come join your Florida Suncoast BMW CCA fellow members for Barry Miller / Autocross Coordinator some dinner and dancing. If you are a member and have never been [email protected] 813.684.9988 to an event this is a GREAT event to make your first event. Russ Garvey / Motor Sport Director The Fine Print Cost is $35 per person (the chapter pick up the other half) ( same cost [email protected] Die Sonnenkueste is the official newsletter of the BMW Car Club of to members for the last 5 yrs.) 813.230.5705 America, Suncoast chapter. It is a quarterly publication intended to serve as a primary means of communication highlighting the events Bob Ziegler / New Member Chair and members of the chapter. No portion in part or whole may be Cocktails at: 6:30 to 8pm [email protected] reproduced without the written permission of the Suncoast BMW CCA Dinner at: 8:00 to 9:30 pm 954.294.1432 board of directors.

Bob Louty / Email Admin All submissions are subject to editing for space constraints, style, Dessert at 9:30 to close [email protected] editorial consistency, and must include name and phone number for consideration. All photos, articles and letter should be submitted to the 813-960-8688 Newsletter Editor (Mike Sackett) at [email protected]

Vacant / Webmaster Any address or e-mail changes should be submitted to the Suncoast [email protected] BMW CCA Vice-president (Bob Louty) to ensure timely delivery. Alpha Club Annual Polo Match and Tail Gate Party 2015 ELECTION GUEST SPEAKER

Wall Street versus the Garage By: Frank Mann

While most people collect cars for the love of them, or Florida Suncoast Chapter BMW CCA to have something to tinker with in their spare time. Many of us hope that old wreck we bought and spent 2015 years restoring will someday be worth something when it comes time to sell it, or at least re-coupe Election of Officers and Board Members some of our invested money and time. The reality is we never get back what we put into them, and are happy to enjoy them while we have them unless we hold on to them for a long time and choose right to Candidates: begin with.

However there is a different breed of car collector that differs from us, one that plays the game strictly for Bob Ziegler, President investment. He passes on the everyday cars with a lot of needs, whose upside can only be achieved with tons of sweat equity and a little luck. No, he goes for the sure thing, a rare limited edition car that most could not afford Stan Dale, VP when it came out, and will spend more on one car than some of us have invested in our house to get what he wants. He does not need to do rust repair, or new paint or redo the interior of the car nor does the engine need work. In fact the car rarely has more than a few thousand miles on it when he buys it. All he has to do is keep it Bob Louty, Sec. high a dry and polish the paint from time to time, because even though he would love to take it on a long road trip or even occasionally take it out and thrash it good from time to time, he will not because the value of this car will fall exponentially with every mile he places on it. So it is relegated to car shows (if they are close to home), or Dennis Costantino, Treasure the occasional run to the store for milk, then placed back in the garage, after a thorough cleaning, seldom to see the sun. Most of us would comment that “I would rather own a car that I can drive and enjoy” instead of a “Garage Board Members: Queen” that just sits there. But the serious investor has a secret, he has other nice cars that he does drive on a regular basis, just not these cars. Case in point is the collection in the attached photo above. This is a friend’s collection from Orlando. He sent it to Barry Miller show me his newest acquisition, a Ford GT. However sitting next to the Ford is a BMW E30 M3, Z8, and CSL light weight (serial number 4-right hand drive). All of which have virtually no mileage on them (the Z8 has 7,000 miles on it). The irony is that the cars in this Jamie Webb photo are doing better than my 401K right now, and he did no restoration, Bill Caldwell no sweat equity, or any modifications at all to them, short of a little polish from time to time. And if you thought Russ Garvey that he probably drives a Hyundai around town, you would be wrong. His everyday “Kick around” cars are a Frank Mann Porsche 993 and an Audi R8.

Like I said, some people’s perspective As no other FSC members have come forward to run for any Office or on collecting cars are different from Board positions by the December 7th 2014 deadline the above listed slate of everyone else’s, ha. candidates for FSC officers and board members are running unopposed. Election will take place at the annual meeting held at the FSC Holiday Party Just Jealous,

January 31, 2015. Frank

2015 ELECTION GUEST SPEAKER

Wall Street versus the Garage By: Frank Mann

While most people collect cars for the love of them, or Florida Suncoast Chapter BMW CCA to have something to tinker with in their spare time. Many of us hope that old wreck we bought and spent 2015 years restoring will someday be worth something when it comes time to sell it, or at least re-coupe Election of Officers and Board Members some of our invested money and time. The reality is we never get back what we put into them, and are happy to enjoy them while we have them unless we hold on to them for a long time and choose right to Candidates: begin with.

However there is a different breed of car collector that differs from us, one that plays the game strictly for Bob Ziegler, President investment. He passes on the everyday cars with a lot of needs, whose upside can only be achieved with tons of sweat equity and a little luck. No, he goes for the sure thing, a rare limited edition car that most could not afford Stan Dale, VP when it came out, and will spend more on one car than some of us have invested in our house to get what he wants. He does not need to do rust repair, or new paint or redo the interior of the car nor does the engine need work. In fact the car rarely has more than a few thousand miles on it when he buys it. All he has to do is keep it Bob Louty, Sec. high a dry and polish the paint from time to time, because even though he would love to take it on a long road trip or even occasionally take it out and thrash it good from time to time, he will not because the value of this car will fall exponentially with every mile he places on it. So it is relegated to car shows (if they are close to home), or Dennis Costantino, Treasure the occasional run to the store for milk, then placed back in the garage, after a thorough cleaning, seldom to see the sun. Most of us would comment that “I would rather own a car that I can drive and enjoy” instead of a “Garage Board Members: Queen” that just sits there. But the serious investor has a secret, he has other nice cars that he does drive on a regular basis, just not these cars. Case in point is the collection in the attached photo above. This is a friend’s collection from Orlando. He sent it to Barry Miller show me his newest acquisition, a Ford GT. However sitting next to the Ford is a BMW E30 M3, Z8, and CSL light weight (serial number 4-right hand drive). All of which have virtually no mileage on them (the Z8 has 7,000 miles on it). The irony is that the cars in this Jamie Webb photo are doing better than my 401K right now, and he did no restoration, Bill Caldwell no sweat equity, or any modifications at all to them, short of a little polish from time to time. And if you thought Russ Garvey that he probably drives a Hyundai around town, you would be wrong. His everyday “Kick around” cars are a Frank Mann Porsche 993 and an Audi R8.

Like I said, some people’s perspective As no other FSC members have come forward to run for any Office or on collecting cars are different from Board positions by the December 7th 2014 deadline the above listed slate of everyone else’s, ha. candidates for FSC officers and board members are running unopposed. Election will take place at the annual meeting held at the FSC Holiday Party Just Jealous,

January 31, 2015. Frank

Florida Suncoast Chapter The Flip-Flop Annual Holiday Party (Tampa Bay) Rally is coming…

Where? When? The Flip-Flop Bascom’s Chop House Saturday, January 31, 2015, 6:30 PM 3665 Ulmerton Rd. Cost? Clearwater, FL 33762 $35.00/Member Rally is coming! 727-573-3363 $35.00/Guest

Menu FSC will be hosting a car rally next year – Hors D’ Oeuvres Sunday, April 19, 2015. Information and • Bacon Wrapped Scallops registration instructions will be in the next • Smoked Chicken Spring Rolls newsletter. Look for email blasts too! • Cheese and Fruit Display (Early hint: Flip-flop is a turn instruction.) • Vegetable Crudités

Buffet • Blackened Chicken Pasta Served with broccoli and Alfredo Sauce over pasta REMEMBERING ROB • Atlantic Salmon A La Maniere Lemon, Thyme and White Wine Beurre Blanc sauce • Prime Rib of Beef My friend is gone but certainly not forgotten - Rob Berger 1944-2014 Served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Au Jus I first met Rob back in the 70’s through a mutual friend. At that time, although we were both into cars, neither of us owned a BMW. Through several moves, I had lost track of him for a few years. Sides One day while driving down Highway 19 I just happened to spot Rob driving alongside of me in a white 2002. I flagged him down and as we chatted, I asked him about his “new” car. He proceeded • Oven Roasted New Potatoes to tell me what a great little car the 2002 was. Now at that time I was into VW Beetles and old • Sautéed Spinach Porsches and had never given any thought to owning a BMW. As we renewed our friendship and • Vegetable Medley the better I became acquainted with his boxy little car, the more I knew I had to have one. Had it not been for that chance meeting, I probably never would have become a BMW owner or Club member Dessert for that matter. I eventually sold my VW and 356 Porsche and bought my very own 2002. Over the • Pecan Crusted Cheese Cake years, Rob and I shared many good memories through this common interest. We spent countless • Florida Key Lime Pie hours either helping each other work on our cars or on the phone discussing ways to modify them. • Belgian Triple Chocolate Torte Although he wasn’t as active in Club activities recently, he was during the formative years of our Chapter. Like with the 2002 I followed his lead and joined the Club in 1984 when the meetings Soda, Iced Tea and Coffee were held at a pizza joint and primarily just a “guy thing”. During the course of our friendship, CASH BAR we enjoyed many good times and adventures together not the least of which was attending our very first Oktoberfest together in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1987. This was the first time we had ever Register: Motorsportreg.com – Registration open after 12/10/14 contemplated venturing outside of the immediate area in our 2002s. It was but one of the many Information: Russ Garvey 813-230-5705, Bill Caldwell 703-628-2864 good times we enjoyed together and one I will never forget. Our friendship began by chance, was fostered by a common interest in a boxy little car and endured for forty years. I still have a hard time believing I will no longer be able to enjoy his company or to pick up the phone and talk with him for an hour or more about the latest 2002 issue, the Rays or whatever. I will truly miss you my friend…rest in peace Rob.

Edd Weimar Florida Suncoast Chapter The Flip-Flop Annual Holiday Party (Tampa Bay) Rally is coming…

Where? When? The Flip-Flop Bascom’s Chop House Saturday, January 31, 2015, 6:30 PM 3665 Ulmerton Rd. Cost? Clearwater, FL 33762 $35.00/Member Rally is coming! 727-573-3363 $35.00/Guest

Menu FSC will be hosting a car rally next year – Hors D’ Oeuvres Sunday, April 19, 2015. Information and • Bacon Wrapped Scallops registration instructions will be in the next • Smoked Chicken Spring Rolls newsletter. Look for email blasts too! • Cheese and Fruit Display (Early hint: Flip-flop is a turn instruction.) • Vegetable Crudités

Buffet • Blackened Chicken Pasta Served with broccoli and Alfredo Sauce over pasta REMEMBERING ROB • Atlantic Salmon A La Maniere Lemon, Thyme and White Wine Beurre Blanc sauce • Prime Rib of Beef My friend is gone but certainly not forgotten - Rob Berger 1944-2014 Served with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Au Jus I first met Rob back in the 70’s through a mutual friend. At that time, although we were both into cars, neither of us owned a BMW. Through several moves, I had lost track of him for a few years. Sides One day while driving down Highway 19 I just happened to spot Rob driving alongside of me in a white 2002. I flagged him down and as we chatted, I asked him about his “new” car. He proceeded • Oven Roasted New Potatoes to tell me what a great little car the 2002 was. Now at that time I was into VW Beetles and old • Sautéed Spinach Porsches and had never given any thought to owning a BMW. As we renewed our friendship and • Vegetable Medley the better I became acquainted with his boxy little car, the more I knew I had to have one. Had it not been for that chance meeting, I probably never would have become a BMW owner or Club member Dessert for that matter. I eventually sold my VW and 356 Porsche and bought my very own 2002. Over the • Pecan Crusted Cheese Cake years, Rob and I shared many good memories through this common interest. We spent countless • Florida Key Lime Pie hours either helping each other work on our cars or on the phone discussing ways to modify them. • Belgian Triple Chocolate Torte Although he wasn’t as active in Club activities recently, he was during the formative years of our Chapter. Like with the 2002 I followed his lead and joined the Club in 1984 when the meetings Soda, Iced Tea and Coffee were held at a pizza joint and primarily just a “guy thing”. During the course of our friendship, CASH BAR we enjoyed many good times and adventures together not the least of which was attending our very first Oktoberfest together in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1987. This was the first time we had ever Register: Motorsportreg.com – Registration open after 12/10/14 contemplated venturing outside of the immediate area in our 2002s. It was but one of the many Information: Russ Garvey 813-230-5705, Bill Caldwell 703-628-2864 good times we enjoyed together and one I will never forget. Our friendship began by chance, was fostered by a common interest in a boxy little car and endured for forty years. I still have a hard time believing I will no longer be able to enjoy his company or to pick up the phone and talk with him for an hour or more about the latest 2002 issue, the Rays or whatever. I will truly miss you my friend…rest in peace Rob.

Edd Weimar

Naples-Ft. Myers Members of the Neapolitan Holiday Dinner

Florida Suncoast BMW CCA Arrivals!beginning! !!4:45!pm! Directions to !! ! Cordially invite McCormick & Schmick’s !!!Seating!beginning!!!5:30!pm! ! Located in MERCATO, All Members and Spouse (or Guest) !!!Welcome!&!Remarks! !!6:00!pm! 9114 Strada Place, Naples, FL 34108 ! !!!! mccormickandschmicks.com To join us for our Second Annual !!!Cash!Bar!!

Neapolitan Holiday Dinner th RSVP via Motorsportreg.com by January 14 , 2015

Saturday Evening, January 17 th, 2015 Member $35.00 pp

Member + Spouse (or Guest) $70.00 cpl

Located at MERCATO in Naples

Arrivals beginning 4:45 pm – Seating by 5:30 pm

th RSVP via Motorsportreg.com by January 14 , 2015 This “Neapolitan Holiday Dinner” is held exclusively for members and spouses (or significant guest) of Florida Suncoast BMWCCA – Naples – Ft Myers Group. Space is limited. Attendance is voluntary. Search: Naples Holiday Dinner - FSC BMW Dinner / Awards Alcohol will be available at this function on “cash-bar” basis only. Attendees are urged to exercise good judgment in their consumption. FSC BMWCCA urges the use of a Designated Driver.

Naples-Ft. Myers Members of the Neapolitan Holiday Dinner

Florida Suncoast BMW CCA Arrivals!beginning! !!4:45!pm! Directions to !! ! Cordially invite McCormick & Schmick’s !!!Seating!beginning!!!5:30!pm! ! Located in MERCATO, All Members and Spouse (or Guest) !!!Welcome!&!Remarks! !!6:00!pm! 9114 Strada Place, Naples, FL 34108 ! !!!! mccormickandschmicks.com To join us for our Second Annual !!!Cash!Bar!!

Neapolitan Holiday Dinner th RSVP via Motorsportreg.com by January 14 , 2015

Saturday Evening, January 17 th, 2015 Member $35.00 pp

Member + Spouse (or Guest) $70.00 cpl

Located at MERCATO in Naples

Arrivals beginning 4:45 pm – Seating by 5:30 pm

th RSVP via Motorsportreg.com by January 14 , 2015 This “Neapolitan Holiday Dinner” is held exclusively for members and spouses (or significant guest) of Florida Suncoast BMWCCA – Naples – Ft Myers Group. Space is limited. Attendance is voluntary. Search: Naples Holiday Dinner - FSC BMW Dinner / Awards Alcohol will be available at this function on “cash-bar” basis only. Attendees are urged to exercise good judgment in their consumption. FSC BMWCCA urges the use of a Designated Driver. WELCOME TO OUR IN THE NEWS NEWEST MEMBERS ELECTRIFIED THREE SERIES We knew the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid (PIH) sports car was the tip of the BMW gasoline-elec- tric hybrid iceberg. Beyond the i8, BMW has NAME CITY NAME CITY been teasing us with the X5 eDrive Concept and Paul Benvie Fort Myers Phillip Judd Orlando testing PIH prototypes where they knew spy Andrew Alspach Temple Terrace Gregory Kallen Boca Raton shots would be taken and immediately transmit- Paul Benvie Fort Myers Adam Kenney Tampa ted worldwide over the Internet. The only real Michael Boyd Clearwater Samuel Khmarin Lutz questions were when and which models? Dean W. Cains Lutz Robert Kime Indianapolis Steven Caneen Apollo Beach Hans-Joachim Krenz North Port At the BMW Group Innovation Days 2014, BMW Paul Chavez Tampa Tarance LeNoir Tampa announced the 3 Series plug-in hybrid prototype. Steven Cohen Sarasota Gwen Love Pinellas Park It makes sense that BMW’s best-selling premium sedan has a big enough base that the number of larry Cox Tampa David MacNamee Clearwater Beach potential PIH buyers would be large enough to make it worth BMW’s while to build one. Steve Danglade South Pasadena Paul McDonald Naples Dick Devine Naples John McLain Fort Myers The 3 Series plug-in hybrid prototype combines a four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine from BMW’s new Michael Dow Brooksville Gabriella Montafia The Villages Efficient Dynamics engine family with an electric motor. This engine combination will provide the 3 Series PIH with William Dunning Clearwater Charles Moulton Homosassa power similar to that of BMW’s old, normally aspirated six-cylinder engine, but with much better fuel economy. The Rodolfo Facchini Miami Jeffrey Murphy Tampa PIH gas/electric hybrid drive system would crank out 245 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while consum- Christopher Gandees Wesley Chapel Robert Noriega Tampa ing about 117 miles per gallon. That’s right. One-hundred and seventeen empeegee. Edward Garver Land O Lakes Howard Osment Cape Coral David Geldbart Pinellas Park Terri Palmer Land O Lakes If the trip is under 22 miles, the 3 Series PIH might get away with using no gasoline at all, as the car can cruise up to Marco Greco Saint Petersburg Kevin Parise Naples 22 miles at speeds up to 75 miles per hour, using only the electric motor. Dennis Heil Sarasota Jennifer Peterson Brandon The gasoline engine that partially powers the 3 Series PIH is based on the four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine that Hannah Heitman Fort Myers William Peterson Brandon has already been named “International Engine of the Year”—twice. The electric motor is based on the BMW eDrive Sam Heitman Fort Myers Charles Postler Tampa technology used in the BMW i3 and BMW i8 and powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged at any Dustin Hensley Fort Myers Steve Reimer Naples household power socket—although we suspect a dedicated wall-charger would do it faster. (BMWCCA.org) Catherine Hoeppner Saint Petersburg Dean Rossi Lakewood Ranch Lori Huff Polk City Scott Ryan Ocala Brenda Jacobsen The Villages Scott Sagalow Sarasota Cort Jacobsen The Villages Robert Saltzman Tampa EVEN SANTA LOVES POWER Joel John Tampa John Salzer Lutz Earl Johns Polk City BMW is getting into the holiday spirit as they have released a new video which shows how Dennis Johnston Clearwater Santa manages to deliver all those presents in one night. Kathleen Johnston Clearwater Unsurprisingly, good old Saint Nick has traded in his reindeer and sleigh for an M4 Coupe Tim Jones Wesley Chapel Soraya Juarbe-Diaz Tampa which he drifts around a wet track. This is a pretty serious upgrade as his previous ride only had nine reindeer power. The M4, on the other hand, has a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylin- der engine that develops 431 HP (317 kW) and YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND EACH AND EVERY EVENT AND 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. (BMWCCA.org) SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR ALL THINGS BMW AND EXPLORE WHAT YOUR BMW CCA CLUB HAS TO OFFER. WELCOME TO OUR IN THE NEWS NEWEST MEMBERS ELECTRIFIED THREE SERIES We knew the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid (PIH) sports car was the tip of the BMW gasoline-elec- tric hybrid iceberg. Beyond the i8, BMW has NAME CITY NAME CITY been teasing us with the X5 eDrive Concept and Paul Benvie Fort Myers Phillip Judd Orlando testing PIH prototypes where they knew spy Andrew Alspach Temple Terrace Gregory Kallen Boca Raton shots would be taken and immediately transmit- Paul Benvie Fort Myers Adam Kenney Tampa ted worldwide over the Internet. The only real Michael Boyd Clearwater Samuel Khmarin Lutz questions were when and which models? Dean W. Cains Lutz Robert Kime Indianapolis Steven Caneen Apollo Beach Hans-Joachim Krenz North Port At the BMW Group Innovation Days 2014, BMW Paul Chavez Tampa Tarance LeNoir Tampa announced the 3 Series plug-in hybrid prototype. Steven Cohen Sarasota Gwen Love Pinellas Park It makes sense that BMW’s best-selling premium sedan has a big enough base that the number of larry Cox Tampa David MacNamee Clearwater Beach potential PIH buyers would be large enough to make it worth BMW’s while to build one. Steve Danglade South Pasadena Paul McDonald Naples Dick Devine Naples John McLain Fort Myers The 3 Series plug-in hybrid prototype combines a four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine from BMW’s new Michael Dow Brooksville Gabriella Montafia The Villages Efficient Dynamics engine family with an electric motor. This engine combination will provide the 3 Series PIH with William Dunning Clearwater Charles Moulton Homosassa power similar to that of BMW’s old, normally aspirated six-cylinder engine, but with much better fuel economy. The Rodolfo Facchini Miami Jeffrey Murphy Tampa PIH gas/electric hybrid drive system would crank out 245 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while consum- Christopher Gandees Wesley Chapel Robert Noriega Tampa ing about 117 miles per gallon. That’s right. One-hundred and seventeen empeegee. Edward Garver Land O Lakes Howard Osment Cape Coral David Geldbart Pinellas Park Terri Palmer Land O Lakes If the trip is under 22 miles, the 3 Series PIH might get away with using no gasoline at all, as the car can cruise up to Marco Greco Saint Petersburg Kevin Parise Naples 22 miles at speeds up to 75 miles per hour, using only the electric motor. Dennis Heil Sarasota Jennifer Peterson Brandon The gasoline engine that partially powers the 3 Series PIH is based on the four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine that Hannah Heitman Fort Myers William Peterson Brandon has already been named “International Engine of the Year”—twice. The electric motor is based on the BMW eDrive Sam Heitman Fort Myers Charles Postler Tampa technology used in the BMW i3 and BMW i8 and powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged at any Dustin Hensley Fort Myers Steve Reimer Naples household power socket—although we suspect a dedicated wall-charger would do it faster. (BMWCCA.org) Catherine Hoeppner Saint Petersburg Dean Rossi Lakewood Ranch Lori Huff Polk City Scott Ryan Ocala Brenda Jacobsen The Villages Scott Sagalow Sarasota Cort Jacobsen The Villages Robert Saltzman Tampa EVEN SANTA LOVES POWER Joel John Tampa John Salzer Lutz Earl Johns Polk City BMW is getting into the holiday spirit as they have released a new video which shows how Dennis Johnston Clearwater Santa manages to deliver all those presents in one night. Kathleen Johnston Clearwater Unsurprisingly, good old Saint Nick has traded in his reindeer and sleigh for an M4 Coupe Tim Jones Wesley Chapel Soraya Juarbe-Diaz Tampa which he drifts around a wet track. This is a pretty serious upgrade as his previous ride only had nine reindeer power. The M4, on the other hand, has a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo six-cylin- der engine that develops 431 HP (317 kW) and YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND EACH AND EVERY EVENT AND 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. (BMWCCA.org) SHARE YOUR PASSION FOR ALL THINGS BMW AND EXPLORE WHAT YOUR BMW CCA CLUB HAS TO OFFER. FORSCHUNG UND TECHNIK New M4 Safety Car Coming to 6

Announced at SEMA this week, BMW of North America and , the pro- ducers of the Gran Turismo franchise for Playstation, the new BMW M Performance M4 Safety Car will be made available to owners of the Gran Turismo 6 game for the PlayStation 3 system as a free update in late November. Show attendees not only were able to view the actual BMW M Performance M4 Safety Car, but they were also amongst the first to The Third Annual B.I.G. European Sports and Collector Car Show drive it on the Gran Turismo 6 simulators that were on hand. The BMW M Performance M4 (British, Italian & German) Safety Car was produced for SEMA by BMW of North America to showcase their latest M Performance Parts. The Safety Car began as a production 2015 BMW M4 Coupe which was Sunday, March 01, 2015 modified with the following BMW M Performance accessories: Sponsored by Carbon fiber splitter system and side splitters Triumphs of Southwest Florida, (TSWFL) Carbon fiber mirror caps Carbon fiber rear spoiler & Carbon fiber rear diffuser The Hut Black BMW kidney grilles We have a new year and another excellent opportunity for individuals who are committed to the enjoyment and preservation of their B.I.G. Black side gills European sports and collector cars to relax and share their passions and experiences with fellow enthusiasts and the public. Titanium exhaust system with carbon fiber exhaust tips The M4 Safety Car theme is completed by a set of LED grille-mounted flashers, LED rooftop This year’s show will be held in the parking lot of The Hut at the Peace Tropical Gardens, 5150 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905. light bar, and a custom body The Hut Number is 239-225-0907 . wrap by 3M in BMW Motor- The show is open to all B.I.G. European sports and collector cars, vintage and modern, on Sunday March 01, 2014 from 10:00 am to 2:00 sport theme colors. pm. Participants and Spectators will vote for their favorite cars within each class and one vote for the Best Car in Show. This show will feature European sports & collector cars, raffle items, 50/50 drawing, vendor tables, music, food and drink. Cars may be driven or transported to the show. You will be able to download the M4 Safety Car later this Preregistration will end on February 15th. Pre-registered cars will receive goody-bags and dash plaques. month. —Nate Risch REGISTRATION FEES: Pre-Registration First Car $20.00, Additional Cars $15.00 each

Car registered after Feb. 15th, are all $25.00.

For the show participants that live outside of Southwest Florida the Comfort Inn located near the show site is holding some rooms for you. Mention the B.I.G. car show to get a discounted rate for your room. Register early, because they will fill up with the Snowbird season. Comfort Inn 4171 Broadway Road Fort Myers, FL 33905 Editoral credit: 239-694-9200 Nate Risch (BMWCCA.org) Event Coordinator: Dennis McKinley (239) 283-1534 or [email protected]

Photo credit: autoevolution.com FORSCHUNG UND TECHNIK New M4 Safety Car Coming to Gran Turismo 6

Announced at SEMA this week, BMW of North America and Polyphony Digital, the pro- ducers of the Gran Turismo franchise for Playstation, the new BMW M Performance M4 Safety Car will be made available to owners of the Gran Turismo 6 game for the PlayStation 3 system as a free update in late November. Show attendees not only were able to view the actual BMW M Performance M4 Safety Car, but they were also amongst the first to The Third Annual B.I.G. European Sports and Collector Car Show drive it on the Gran Turismo 6 simulators that were on hand. The BMW M Performance M4 (British, Italian & German) Safety Car was produced for SEMA by BMW of North America to showcase their latest M Performance Parts. The Safety Car began as a production 2015 BMW M4 Coupe which was Sunday, March 01, 2015 modified with the following BMW M Performance accessories: Sponsored by Carbon fiber splitter system and side splitters Triumphs of Southwest Florida, (TSWFL) Carbon fiber mirror caps Carbon fiber rear spoiler & Carbon fiber rear diffuser The Hut Black BMW kidney grilles We have a new year and another excellent opportunity for individuals who are committed to the enjoyment and preservation of their B.I.G. Black side gills European sports and collector cars to relax and share their passions and experiences with fellow enthusiasts and the public. Titanium exhaust system with carbon fiber exhaust tips The M4 Safety Car theme is completed by a set of LED grille-mounted flashers, LED rooftop This year’s show will be held in the parking lot of The Hut at the Peace Tropical Gardens, 5150 Buckingham Road, Fort Myers, FL 33905. light bar, and a custom body The Hut Number is 239-225-0907 . wrap by 3M in BMW Motor- The show is open to all B.I.G. European sports and collector cars, vintage and modern, on Sunday March 01, 2014 from 10:00 am to 2:00 sport theme colors. pm. Participants and Spectators will vote for their favorite cars within each class and one vote for the Best Car in Show. This show will feature European sports & collector cars, raffle items, 50/50 drawing, vendor tables, music, food and drink. Cars may be driven or transported to the show. You will be able to download the M4 Safety Car later this Preregistration will end on February 15th. Pre-registered cars will receive goody-bags and dash plaques. month. —Nate Risch REGISTRATION FEES: Pre-Registration First Car $20.00, Additional Cars $15.00 each

Car registered after Feb. 15th, are all $25.00.

For the show participants that live outside of Southwest Florida the Comfort Inn located near the show site is holding some rooms for you. Mention the B.I.G. car show to get a discounted rate for your room. Register early, because they will fill up with the Snowbird season. Comfort Inn 4171 Broadway Road Fort Myers, FL 33905 Editoral credit: 239-694-9200 Nate Risch (BMWCCA.org) Event Coordinator: Dennis McKinley (239) 283-1534 or [email protected]

Photo credit: autoevolution.com First Suncoast Chapter of BMW CCA P.O. Box 10666 PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tampa, FL 33679 TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2876

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