Cruizin' Newz Final Editions

Cruizin’Cruizin’ NewzNewz

The Official Magazine of the Z Series Car Club of America FALL 2019 President’s Message! - Eric Peck

www.zscca.org ZSCCA is entering its bi-annual board election season. In case you haven’t ZSCCA Board of Directors & Staff seen or heard this news yet, I am not Eric Peck • President running for re-election as President Huntersville, NC [email protected] this year. As this may be my last col- 309-214-2753 umn, I want to acknowledge the end Jon Moorhead • Vice President of this very rewarding chapter of life Salida, CO [email protected] for me. I want to thank all our mem- 719-221-1891 bers who have supported my efforts Robert Van Zandt • Secretary in leading the board and this body of sports cars. This makes Z ownership Yorktown, VA enthusiasts. [email protected] a somewhat unusual thing. Even in re- gions where top-down is a year-round Chuck Krblich • Treasurer Fort Lauderdale, FL Why am I stepping back? Simply put, possibility, you just don’t see them on [email protected] I’ve been the face of the club for a every street corner. So, when we do 954.295.0277 while now, and it’s time for someone meet another owner, we are genuinely Nico Valentijn • Membership Liaison Bristol, IN else to fill that role. I think we have excited. Of course, not all Z-owners [email protected] all seen organizations where leaders are enthusiasts, so that narrows our Chris Wootten • Strategic burn out, become jaded, stagnant or special group even more. This makes Relationships Ambassador ineffective. I’m also conscious that the us a smaller, tighter fraternity. Easton, MD [email protected] longer a leader serves, the more that organization is identified with that per- ZSCCA is a shelter from the craziness Reenie Paley Marshall • Special Projects Manager son. ZSCCA is not Eric’s club, it’s your that we are bombarded with on a daily Midlothian, VA club. You all have simply allowed me basis. With the love of our cars and the [email protected] to guide and shape it for a season. I’m joy of driving them as our bedrock, we Brian Roces • Technology & not going to be that guy who doesn’t connect in person and on social media Social Media Director New York, NY know when it’s time to go. to escape the noise. In other forums, [email protected] we may disagree vehemently on many Mark Bigelow • Member-at-Large I want to assure everyone, I am not things, but in our Z world, we find com- Petersburg, PA [email protected] leaving ZSCCA. I will remain involved mon ground and the other differences in club activities. Nancy and I intend to fade to the background. We work hard Jay Parnes - Area Rep Manager Rochester, NY fill roles with ZFEST and other events. on our social media platforms to keep [email protected] I’ll continue to plan epic road trips and 585.737.2784 that noise out. regional events for everyone to enjoy. Andy Hartwell • Editor Selden, NY Again, THANK YOU for your confi- Unlike many other European Car [email protected] dence in, and support of me and the clubs, ZSCCA has no club racing or Ric Genthe • Creative/Production Director rest of our board of directors. It’s truly competition department. We do have Madison, WI [email protected] been an honor. members that enjoy track days, and 608.575.9285 there are a few that actually do race Ainsley Jacobs • Web Master ---- competitively, but racing is not a part Alpharetta, GA 267.738.2134 of the ZSCCA mission. While compe- Now, I’d like to spend a few more para- tition can be a powerfully good thing, it Wayne & Amy Lester • Founders Emeritus Nebo, NC graphs telling you what I’ve learned can also be source of friction between [email protected] about ZSCCA, and what I think makes members. I’ve been involved with the it the special close-knit organization SCCA over the years, and I can tell you ZFEST, ZSCCA and their graphic representations are that it is. that making and enforcing competition registered trademarks of the Z Series Car Club of America. rules is a thankless and never-ending Reproduction of them requires written approval. Let’s start with the car itself. The task. I’m glad we aren’t in that business. BMWZ-Series is a relatively small niche vehicle, compared to other enthusiast We know our cars VERY well. ZSCCA

cover and back photo by Kathy Desruisseau continued on page 63

1 from the Editor! - Andy Hartwell

Fall 2019 Issue Editor’s Column for what was and what came before.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” We never truly lose our friends, we just find ourselves in - L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables new places and new situations. Our interactions may dimin- ish or take new forms, but we stay connected in our lives. Welcome to the fall 2019 issue of Cruizin’ Newz. In these Such is the case with a man who has contributed so much pages we have presented several views and experiences of of his energy, talent and drive to the betterment of every- ZFEST Blacksburg as told by some of the many members one in this club. I am speaking, of course, of our President, who enjoyed a full week of group activities in the hills of Eric Peck. western Virginia. With over 200 Zs filling the parking lot of the Inn at Virginia Tech, and so many hundreds of attend- With fall season upon us comes Eric’s decision to not seek ees filling the seats of those wonderful rides, we could not reelection this year. An end of his presidency draws with it help but have a fun-filled week together. The contributions the cold we will all feel in the air, and in his absence at the printed herein reflect that assessment. helm. Can you think of anyone in the club who has done more to support the building of friendships through activi- Being together is at the heart of this club. ties that he himself led, or organized, or otherwise partici- pated in? I can’t. As the years roll on, like the seasons within each of those years, new friendships are formed while some may fall away, When the next election cycle is completed we will have just as it is in nature. With each spring and summer season a new President and I urge all of you to support that new we find new growth, new outcomes, new favorites. With leader as I feel confident that he or she will work hard to the fall and the following winter seasons we experience loss continue the positive legacy Eric has built. My feeling is that and removal yet always retain a promise of what lies ahead we haven’t lost a friend. We have gained a new journey, and when the time for renewal arrives, as it always does. In that you can bet that Eric Peck will be coming along for the ride! seasonal passage, we gain and we lose and yet we hold onto what we most cherished and we hold everlasting affection One last thing: Cruizin’ Newz is your magazine and exists

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continued on page 63

2 How the Miles Became Smiles at ZFEST 2019

By Bruce Keller

We left our home in Belleville, Ontario on Tuesday, June 26 and headed for an overnight stay with my sister and her husband in Harrisburg, PA. I had our little roadster absolutely sparkling when we left, but knew that it wouldn’t last as we were about to drive into the tail end of a storm as we headed east down the 401. We encountered light drizzle before crossing the border, but just after entering

You’re Tagged! Photos by Kathy Desruisseau

3 New York State and heading south on I81, the skies opened Jill and I don’t do Facebook, but I regularly go onto the ZSC- and we found ourselves in a torrential rainstorm. Thank- CA public Facebook page and read postings about what fully, between Watertown, NY and Syracuse, NY the rain is going on. It was here that I saw that a few Pennsylvania stopped, but then we encountered a far more damaging members were going to meet up at a McDonald’s near Har- shower. risburg just off I81 at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday to convoy down to Blacksburg. Since this was only about a 15 minute This time the shower consisted of stones. As we neared Syr- drive from my sister’s place and it was about the time that acuse, we were suddenly startled by a sharp smack on the we had planned to leave, we decided to ambush them and windshield. The sound of a flying stone making contact with hitch along. It turns out that we already knew a few of the your windshield is always disconcerting and we thanked our people from previous ZSCCA events, including a dinner in lucky stars that it was there to protect us as we completed a Niagara Falls a few years ago at a Mark Bigelow arranged quick scan of it to check its integrity. All appeared to be okay. drive with the Nittany Zs. Even though they had no idea Then there were two more strikes in quick succession, and that we would be waiting for them at McDonald’s, I knew then another and another. Now on this particular section of that there would be no problem with us tagging along, as I81, the road surface was badly deteriorated and my initial the ZSCCA community has always been the most welcom- thought after we were hit by the first stone was that it was ing group of people that you could ever encounter. picked up by a tire of a vehicle ahead of us and thrown back in our direction. As we were bombarded by more of the Our band of five cars made the ride south down I81 from imperceptible projectiles, I knew there had to be another Harrisburg to Blacksburg which was rather uneventful… source. Up ahead of us, rumbling down the middle lane, was thankfully. The transport volume on that highway is astro- a tractor-trailer dump truck with a badly damaged tailgate nomical and just as the line in the 1975 hit song, Convoy by spewing gravel all down the highway at a colossal rate. At C.W. McCall says, most of them “put the hammer down”. Jill that point, I floored it to get past this rolling menace as and I also took note of the condition of I81 as we travelled quickly as possible, knowing that the result of shoddy truck south and observed that there are very significant sections maintenance had undoubtedly already left its mark on the of the highway in New York State and Pennsylvania that are front fascia of our Zed. way, way, way past their “best-before date” and even some of the new work seems lacking. Maryland, West Virginia and It is the nature of these cars, as they are so close to the Virginia sections are generally in much better shape, but road, to pick up stone chips in the paint and our car was there is still too much transport volume. far from perfect before this episode. I can’t begin to count the number of stone chips we have now. I had wanted to We were booked into The Inn at Virginia Tech. It was a get the front end resprayed and now my spotted little car breathtaking site to pull into the parking lot and see row definitely needs it. Occurrences like this can be infuriating, after row after row after row of BMW Z series cars in a but they happen. Our Zed is not a garage queen and will kaleidoscope of colours. I know that it is not always possible, never be a garage queen. We bought it to drive, and drive but I highly recommend to anybody attending a ZFEST to top down as much as possible, so battle scars like this are book into the event hotel if they can. At our first ZFEST in going to happen. We will deal with them as they come along. State College, we committed late and didn’t get into the There are a few tiny chips in the windshield, but they are Penn Stater, and felt that we missed out a bit. We will always too small for the glass shop to repair and the headlights, fog try to be in the event hotel in all future ZFESTs. It’s the best lights, and the radiator came out of this episode unscathed. choice. I’m just thankful that I hadn’t gotten around to getting the front end repainted. After checking into The Inn and then checking into ZFEST, Jill and I visited the local Kroger for some adult refreshments,

4 where we ran into another couple from Ontario who were assistance of the local Blacksburg Police Department. We attending ZFEST. This year there was a strong representa- were able to snake our way onto the interstate in a con- tion of Ontario Zedheads with 12 or 13 cars making the tinuous, unbroken line. The people waiting at the blocked trip plus, a couple of expat Ontarians, now living in the U.S., intersections must have wondered when it would ever end. as well as at least one car making the trip from British Co- The Marion Police Department also did an exceptional job lumbia. Most of the group who came down from the north helping to successfully wind this incredibly long chain of cars reside in western Ontario, whereas Jill and I are in eastern through their small town and into Hungry Mother Park Ontario. There is a colossal obstacle between us, called To- State Park. A huge shout-out goes to Ed Davidson and his ronto. Anybody who has navigated their way across Toronto team for negotiating with the local authorities, for without will know that you may as well have the Rockies or the their cooperation, this massive migration of cars would not Great Wall of China to cross as it can be a horrendous, time have gone as smoothly as it did. consuming and frustrating ordeal. We got to meet more of the Canadians at the ZFEST Welcome Reception that night, At Hungry Mother State Park, we divided ourselves up into as well as renewing acquaintances from past ZSCCA events. Cheetahs, Hares and Tortoises for the trip along the Back I almost said “renewing connections with old friends”. But of the Dragon, based on how we wanted to drive, or more none of us are old; we all drive sexy little sports cars! We correctly, how our spouses wanted us to drive. We went off didn’t stay too late in order to have an early breakfast the in packs of about 10 cars, each with a group leader. Brian next morning in anticipation for what I had been looking Roces and Dori Komarin were the leaders of our group forward to for such a long time - the Back of the Dragon. of Hares. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from the Back of the Dragon. After all, it is a dragon body part and The staff at The Inn at Virginia Tech was terrific in accommo- the Tail of the Dragon is epic, but I had also seen some pic- dating the attendees for an early breakfast so that everyone tures that appeared to be nice, gentle curves through rolling could make the roll-out parade for Hungry Mother State fields. Well, I was impressed. There are parts of the Back of Park at 7:00 a.m.to begin the Back of the Dragon drive. the Dragon that I think are as epic and challenging as the What an incredible sight it was to see approximately 175 Tail of the Dragon, with tight switchbacks and blind curves Zeds heading out of the hotel parking lot with the amazing with sizeable elevation changes. There are also some gentle

5 curves through rolling fields that, af- Claw, or I guess part of the Claw. Ed ter an intense part may seem a little Davidson led six or seven cars back mild, but it is still more inspiring than at a more relaxing pace on the roads most of the roads we get to drive that he grew up driving on, adjusting on regularly in Ontario. There is also and modifying the route as he went, significantly less traffic on the Back of according to the road conditions. the Dragon than on the Tail, but that will eventually change as it becomes It has been a long, long time since Jill better known. and I have been to a drive-in movie even though there is still one in op- Our ride behind Brian and Dori was eration less than 20 minutes from extremely enjoyable with only a slight our home. That all changed Thursday glitch. At one point, while negotiating night as the ZSCCA had the entire a series of tight curves, Dori called Starlite Drive-In Theatre booked for out “deer on the left side”. I was driv- the ZFEST attendees. I don’t think ing the next car behind them and anybody will mistake the Starlite slowed to be on the lookout for the Drive-In canteen for a five-star res- deer and to make sure that Bambi taurant, but that is where we ended and our Z3 weren’t going to try to up eating that night… and we’re still occupy the same piece of road. By alive to talk about it. Being there a the time we passed the deer, we had couple hours before it was dark en- lost sight of Brian and Dori, and we abled everyone to socialize more heard on the radio “take left fork”. and even when the movie, Mission Alas, the left fork was already twenty Impossible: Fallout, started I don’t feet past my rear bumper. Three of think some of the people were ready us took the right fork instead of the to stop visiting. I can’t say that I am a left, but they waited for us and we Tom Cruise fan, plus the movie was rejoined our group for the rest of predictable, but it was still entertain- the ride to Tazewell. No one is left ing and we enjoyed our first ever behind. drive-in date in a convertible. How cool is that? The staff at the Back of the Dragon reception area did an incredible job After breakfast on Friday morning in directing all of us in order to get we decided to take the Local History everyone parked in the tight confines Tour. Not an exhilarating drive in the of their parking lot. I would also like slightest, but it was a good way to get to compliment them on the excel- to see more of Blacksburg. Because lent job they did in accommodating of tour size limits at the Smithfield and feeding all of us. Hosting more Plantation, only part of the group than 300 people certainly doesn’t fall was actually able to tour the home of into their usual job description. After William Preston. Jill and I decided not lunch, Jill and I opted for the return to take that tour and had planned to trip back to Blacksburg by way of the go back later for it, but unfortunately

6 never found the time. From the little bit that we did see of them, I noticed the flip side of Randy’s name tag. On it he in the house and the surrounding grounds, I think it would had written “NOT KELVIN” in reference to Kelvin Hao who have been interesting. was driving his almost identical car at ZFEST this week. Well, I guess that I am also “NOT KELVIN” since Kelvin’s other Z3 We were treated with fantastic weather while we were in is a 1997 Montreal Blue 2.8 that is almost identical to mine, Blacksburg and, at times, it was exceptionally hot, so after with the two cars being built within days of each other in the History Tour, it was back to The Inn for another dry April 1997. We have even both added roll hoops to our shirt and to find some lunch. This was becoming standard cars that weren’t available in ’97. So, there were both of Kel- practice. vin’s cars parked side by side, sort of, but no Kelvin in sight.

That afternoon we made our way to Roanoke, VA for the We watched the Motor City Madness Cruise for a while Star City Motor Madness Cruise. Getting there involved tak- and I suspect that later in the evening more cars showed ing some twisties in the Blue Ridge Mountains rather than up, but what we seemed to be seeing were the same cars down the interstate. Eric Peck led our group and again there going back and forth by us with a new cruiser being added was a deer encounter, this time crossing paths with Eric, but into the mix every now and again. Jill also liked the thought long gone by the time we reached the spot. It was a great of eating in a nice restaurant for dinner since we had dined drive again and nothing like the roads that we drive on in at the canteen at the Starlite the night before. We left the southern Ontario. As chance would have it, when we pulled Cruise early in the evening and found a great Italian restau- into the special parking area at the Breckinridge Middle rant back in Blacksburg that I’m pretty confident exceeded School that had been reserved for the ZSCCA, we parked the meal quality we would have had from one of the food directly beside the Laguna Seca Blue Z3 Coupe of Randy trucks at the Cruise. Mason. After getting out of our cars and gathering in front

7 Saturday was Panoramic Photo day look after things. I have to say un- which is something that I feel is im- equivocally that our drive leader, Bob portant, as everyone who partici- Van Zandt, and sweeper, Susan Kraft, pates in the picture is helping to re- were among the best team that I cord a little bit of history with these have yet to encounter. The communi- cars, the people that drive them and, cation that transpired between these of course, the ZSCCA. We proudly two during this drive was precise, po- have our previous photos, framed lite and kept everybody in our group and hanging in our den at home. well-informed. One was never look- The venue for 2019 was different ing for or waiting for a response from from our previous experiences in the other, and it was like they were of State College and Asheville which the same mind. Great job! were taken in open parklands not far from the event hotels. This year This was the only time while in the we all gathered at the amphitheater- Blacksburg area that we ever ran into like setting of the Starlite Drive-In inclement weather and a couple of Theatre. We didn’t win the raffle for us had to stop to quickly put our tops one of the front row spots for the up. It’s not something that anyone photograph, so we made sure that with a roadster hasn’t experienced we were ready to head over to the before and it turned out to be just drive-in early enough to get a place a short, but heavy, period of rain and close to the front. It was also fun to then it was back to top-down driv- watch as the location filled up with ing for us. We only managed to get Zeds in a varied assortment of co- to two wineries with our time con- lours as people milled about, shar- straint, stopping at West Wind Farm ing their tales and exploits from the Vineyard & Winery and Iron Heart previous days. Once everything was Winery. We were given a great tour ready, everybody scrambled for their at West Wind by the owner which positions. The picture was taken and was straight forward and genuine, two takes later, we were done. The and not scripted and stale like we photo has now arrived and will soon have experienced elsewhere…and be added to our gallery. we enjoyed the wine. After enjoying more tastings at Iron Heart it was We had decided to do the Wine back to the cars to return to Blacks- Tour after lunch on Saturday. It was burg for the banquet. going to be an abbreviated tour to ensure that everyone was able to get The Saturday night banquet is always back in time to get prepared for the fun, offering an opportunity to review ZFEST Banquet that evening. Over our ZFEST experiences with others, the years with the various ZSCCA and it is quite often the last chance events we have participated in, we we get to visit with past friends and have been on many drives with some the new ones we’ve made. It was great drive leaders and sweepers to great to see the response to the live

8 auction and I think being able to have the items from the adequately express our gratitude. silent auction in the same room as the banquet helped to elevate the interest in it. The banquet also provided us with Sunday morning was an early escape for us as we wanted the opportunity to collectively thank everyone involved to head back north to my sister’s place by way of some with the task of taking on and organizing such a tremendous more interesting roads than the interstate. I still suffer from event like ZFEST. I don’t think that we, as a group, can ever Interstataphobia - the fear of boring roads - and I have the t- shirt to prove it. We checked out of the hotel before break- fast was ready, deciding to stop somewhere along the way. Shortly after leaving we happened upon Al Mancuso, also heading home, so we drove with them for a while. As we made our way up the Blue Ridge Parkway, we stopped at a couple of the scenic lookout areas alongside the road. While at one of these spots, a Laguna Seca Blue Z3 Coupe pulled in behind us and this time it was the authentic Kelvin Hao. We chatted for a few minutes before hitting the road again, driving together well into Shenandoah National Park, until Jill and I decided that we needed to pick up the pace back on I81. Even though ZFEST 2019 had officially ended, it was nice to be able to do a little bit more driving with a couple other Zedheads.

Our time on I81 turned out to be brief as we decided to exit at Winchester, VA and make our way up to Harrisburg

9 by way of highways 340 and 15. That turned out to be a much more enjoyable route and one that we would gladly take again. It was an early start again the next morning for the remaining trek north to Belleville. Happily, this time, travelling the northern part of I81 was without incident. Crossing the border back into Canada was even quicker than we had anticipated as it was Canada Day, which usually equates to heavy traffic volume. In total, we drove exactly 3,500 kilometres, or 2,174.9 miles for the whole trip. We I know that we will never be able to get to every ZFEST recorded all our fuel purchases and achieved 8.06 litres/100 every year for various reasons, but ZFEST is not the reason kilometres, or 29.18 MPG (U.S. gallon), which is equal to that I belong to the ZSCCA. It may be the cherry on top, 35.04 MPG using the old Imperial gallon that was once used or the bonus, but there are so many other reasons. Cruzin’ in Canada. It just shows that you can have fun, engage in Newz alone is worth my membership fee and I read every some spirited driving and still get decent gas mileage. one, cover to cover. But more importantly, being part of the ZSCCA is the sense of being part of a big family. In our bag The 2019 ZFEST is now done and dusted. We talked with of ZFEST information this year was a copy of the Hagerty several people who said that this was their very first ZFEST magazine. In it there is an opinion piece by Aaron Robinson and that it completely exceeded their expectations. They discussing car clubs and how, so often, they create fences were blown away by this organization, which is exactly how and barriers within the club. He states, for instance, that the we felt after our first ZFEST. We didn’t get to participate frontengine Ferrari V-12 guys look down on the guys with in everything that we would have liked to, but there is only the mid-engine flat-12 Ferraris, who look down on the guys so much time, so that is a good reason to keep going back with the V-8s… or the Shelby GT350 guys look down on to more ZFESTs. The Zedkahna was great fun to watch at Bullitt Mustang guys, and so on. I have never seen any of that State College. I gave some thought this year to participat- in the ZSCCA. It doesn’t matter what model or age of a ing, but we did the Wine Tour instead. Maybe another year. BMW Z car you have, or how powerful it is, or how spirited I didn’t get the opportunity this year to attend Bryan Sal- you like to drive it. Everyone is friendly, welcoming and will gado’s Detail Clinic on Saturday, but I have been fortunate go above and beyond to help you and share their knowl- in the past to do so. I would have also liked to have done edge. Each ZFEST becomes a big family reunion. the Burke’s Garden Loop and, being a long-time road racing fan, the Lapping Day at Virginia International Raceway, but just lacked the time.

10 The Blacksburg Journal

By Arthur Cofresi Blacksburg Virginia. I had to look it up on a map. It is a college town on the far side of the U.S. I go down the ‘Who,’ ‘What.’ ‘Where,’ ‘Why’ list to make the decision to go rational. The idea seems crazy. Drive a 15-year old car with 140,000 miles on it three thousand plus miles to participate in a week-long event with other likeminded folk and their decades’ old ve- hicles then drive three thousand plus miles back.

Makes perfect sense, just as long as you don’t spend too much time thinking about it. There are miles and miles of road to travel with a hoard of other vacationers and semi- trucks in your path. The weather will always be unpredictable; hot, humid, or maybe dry, or rainy. There might be tornadoes to avoid. I’m afraid of my ‘Z’ can make it?” Followed by, “I wonder if I can make it?” I got a few extra decades on my Z and I creak a bit more. More than I use too. BMW Z4’s are fun to drive, in short stretches. Four to five hundred miles

11 a day for six, seven, eight days is another matter. I wonder what will go out first, my legs or my butt? My money is on my butt.

My ‘Z’ might be in better condition than me. New tires, suspension only a year old, good brakes, and no oil leaks. She’s peppy for an ol’ gal. She has a nice torquey sweet spot right around 2,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. She emboldens you with underserved confidence as she glides around turns as if they were small bends on an otherwise straight road. She’s fast enough to break every speed limit in the country, but we won’t go there. Compared to the others of her kind that she will encounter that are stunning and perfect, my ‘Z’ will look more like a vamp. She’s a bit overweight (like me), a bit underpowered (like me), and an automatic (I wish). On the other gone, we all have to hang in there, my ‘Z’, me, my dog. hand, she can hold her own and hang with the best of them. They say, “It’s an adventure.” Serving in the military and sail- But that only answers a part of the overall question, ‘Why?’ ing in the Merchant Marine is an adventure. Driving cross- I’m going to be gone for over three weeks. While I’m gone, country, maybe not so much. ‘Escapade’. That may be a bet- and that includes my wife Linda, there are bills still to be ter term, ‘a journey that involves daring and excitement.’ paid. Front and back yards that will need to be tended. Mail Yeah, that paints a better picture. To begin with, you have to that will have to be stopped and ‘Tag’ our somewhat con- be a bit daring even to consider such a drive and there is a fused Maltase will have to be left behind with, to him, ‘strang- huge amount of excitement involved. ers.’ The fig and plum trees will have dropped most of their fruit before we return, the melons and tomatoes may peter There is the excitement of doing something challenging and out for lack of water and there will be bird droppings on taking a risk that shreds one’s comfort zone. Then there’s Linda’s ‘Subi.’ the excitement of doing something hard like driving, end- lessly driving. Your favorite musical playlist is exhausted and Tag will be our biggest concern. He’s loving, fun, but not too with the top up you’re a bit claustrophobic and with the top bright. He loves Linda and follows her around like, down a bit sandblasted and sunburn and your spouse won’t well like a puppy dog. When she’s not around he doesn’t eat share the cheddar puffs, or that tall, big, grandee, mucho as well. He clings to me like a support blanket I guess figur- grandee, mass pokito grandee icy Starbucks flavor of the ing that if I’m not worried, he shouldn’t be. He’s built low day. Sure, it perks you up and 5,000 calories never tasted to the ground and he has bangs. In other words, he doesn’t so good, but twenty miles down the road you’re looking notice much. He’s also kind of stuffy. If you’re not four-legged for a rest stop. In the back of your head, you’re hoping that and female, you’re, well, not very interesting. The problem someone else is looking for a rest stop as well. is he doesn’t like to be alone for an hour, day, ever. He has abandonment issues. The theme here is that while we are ‘Daring,’ now that’s an interesting word, and one that all ‘Z’ owners are aware of. For example, there’s that 35-mph

12 curve just ahead. You’re doing 65-mph. Do you; slow down voy of five in Salt Lake City. Led by Jim and Teresa Dunn or dare to maintain your current speed (You are driving one we left SLC and made our way high into the Rockies to a of BMW’s best, right?) If you slow down you probably won’t little town called Salida. There we were invited to dine with wake up your spouse sleeping next to you. If you don’t slow our host, Jon Moorhead at his very popular pizza establish- down you will wake up your spouse sleeping next to you. ment. The joy of being treated like celebrities’ eating our first What is the lesser of two evils? memorable meal and laughing till it hurt cause us to linger too long. Driving down a dark canyon highway at night hid You go on, but perseverance brings with it rewards. At last, unseen hazards that severely damaged one vehicle and split you pull into a motel for the night. The relief is palpable. The our caravan. Forging on, we left two behind seeking repairs service, room, food - not so much. But if you’re with a group as we continued our journey through the back highways at least you have some sympathy as you all have a shared of Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, South, and North experience that’s easy to recount and embellish. Retiring to Carolina until we reached our destination, Blacksburg Vir- your room you hear the sound of little feet running up and ginia. down the hallway and the blearing of truck whistles leaving no moment of peace undone. The roads were maintained, but the small towns looked ee- rily like dried up memories from another time. Nashville’s The next morning arrives and you gather your stuff and ‘Grand ‘Ole Opry’ was a must stop and later, a commute repack your Z and just manage to swallow your ‘compli- hour, heart-stopping drive through Knoxville during a severe mentary’ breakfast. Banishing doubtful thoughts, you fire up thunderstorm all had us wondering if we had seen our last your Z. That sweet 6-cylinder turning over and coming alive days. The next day we were in South Carolina greeted by produces a sound so boisterous, so reassuring that nothing Eric Peck and another convoy of Z’s. Several tours highlight- could go wrong this day. You know it. You swear by it. And ed by a factory tour of BMW’s assembly plant under bright then you’re off. Within minutes you’re on the Interstate and sunny skies sent us on our way along the Blue Ridge Park- cruising to a destination on a journey. way. There has never been a worthier complex of roads and highways ideally made for sports cars. Rolling hills, sweeping Note; every journey has two parts; The Start and the Re- turns and elevations changes to one’s heart delight went on turn. Our start began when we met up and formed a con- and on forever. The impeccable roads and green breathtak-

13 ing vistas are off limits to commercial vehicles and seemingly an attitude. Having no alternate route to travel, I, meaning other sports cars. The best part was that new friendships Hodor and I, bravely forged ahead. In short order, a wall were being formed with every mile traveled. of water made my windshield wipers useless, and several inches of standing water on the pavement lifted my right Our final stop at Virginia Tech laid the foundation for a very front wheel assembly until I was planning along the surface. exciting, challenging and fun week at ZFEST 2019 buoyed by the return of our lost companions. And at that moment, the rain shifted to hail. Hail that rattled like marbles in a cement mixer. A lot of marbles, big ones Eventually, the week ended a wonderful parallel universe too, but somehow, I continued to make headway and in where the outside sorrows and follies were forbidden to time the tempest receded. The days that followed were for encroach upon our time, our moment and the first set of the most part, uneventful. The weather settled, the roads reluctant ‘Good-Byes’ began. flattened, and the speed limits increased along with the boredom of mile after mile of straight highway leading off Prolonging another adventure our return began with a to oblivion. And when the speed limits decreased and the short side trip north. Close friends had other paths to travel traffic increased I knew we were close to home. And like and the remaining set sights of exploring the open plains to two time-travelers our return journey ended. the west. But first, we had to travel over some of the most jarring and suspension bending pavement I’ve ever endured What lingered in our memory were Pictures, Images, Pho- along toll roads with finicky coin collecting machines in tos, Snapshots. Faces, Smiles, endless smiles. Group photos a Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and most disheart- ening, Iowa. Over time we made it out to the delightful town of Rapid City, SD for dinner and 4th of July fireworks, along with everyone else. Dinner, with every- one together, didn’t happen, but I survived with a pleasant snack of cheese and cold cuts and two glasses of very good Merlot.

As we finished our meager meal suddenly the skies darkened menacingly. The wind picked up and we surmised that there wouldn’t be a firework display that night, at least not by human methods. Managing to get back to our motel room a fraction after the skies opened up Linda and I were enthralled by a downpour of an overlap- ping light show lit up the skies. So, “What did I do?” I went to bed. The next day a short visit to Mt. Rushmore marked the final separation of friends. We all headed west, but in different directions. My route took us to Laramie, WY where the only road skirted under a thunderstorm with

14 hundred-fold. Z’s of every color, every style, brilliant, subtle, too soon and lose your momentum. Don’t let your tires beautiful. Landscapes, verdant green, rolling hills, blue skies, break free and now the summit. Do everything faster. Stay soft white clouds miles and miles of roads to die for. Laugh- in your lane or cut the apex. Your choice. Downshift, upshift ter, boisterous, from that table then the next, that dinner, that turn hard, recover. Do it again smoother now. Fill the mirror Starbucks, that gas station, that stop along the way. There in front of you with your grinning teeth. Take a fraction of a were flashbacks of the challenges and drives. You recall ask- second to enjoy the scenery shut everything else out. ing yourself; “What is a hare?” “When does a ‘Hare’ become a ‘Cheetah’? “What do you do with a Hare that thinks he’s a Finished, you allow your pulse to recover. You casually wipe Cheetah? Nobody worries about being a ‘Tortoise.’ off the sweat. You return to normal only in outward ap- pearance. Now it is time for more pictures, souvenirs, food. There were drives to places to enjoy the settings, the road, You walk and talk as if you do this sort of thing every day the meals, and the wine. Drives, to places to test your moxie, and twice on Sunday. Some, not challenged enough doubled your Z condition, your skills, your brakes. Once in a lifetime backed. Once was enough for me. drive to Virginia International Raceway. Ten laps on a real race track. One rule; “No Passing.” Speed limit. What ‘Speed The week-long pace is non-stop. You’re not tired, but fa- Limit?’ There are apexes with rumble strips. Turns that stress tigued. There is just not enough time to participate and so- your arms as much as your Z’s tires. Straights that allow cialize in any given day. It’s hard to keep up with emails and you to stomp on your throttle listening to that surge of air texts. Your loved ones worry about you. You stop and chat being sucked into your intake manifold. Straights that blast and someone else joins in. You look for your friends and ac- sound from your exhaust. A sound so sweet and pure and cidentally make new ones. loud that someone should package it and sell it as; ‘Adrenalin Rush’ The Musk of Legends.” And each memory is a layered one. Each a story within a story multiplied by each one’s adventure and unique mo- Enter the Dragon. One hundred and seven- ty something Z’s lined up single file cruising along a major highway. Heel to toe for hun- dreds of feet, yards, miles? A moving parade of Z’s making a statement that shouts out; We exist. Our vehicles exist and no year, list- ed mileage, and certainly, no Dragon is going to intimidate us!

Greeted as celebrities, escorted by the local police and sheriff’s departments and being welcomed by the town of Marion brought more smiles and more reasons to feel good about the day, the event, the drive. Eventually, the culling of Cheetahs and Hares and Turtles began. Exiting the park led to a short straight leading to a slight rise in elevation and the first turn. Then the next turn and the next and still the hill keeps rising. Your mind races. Don’t fall back and leave a gap. Don’t brake

15 ment. It’s a conversation that starts with a greeting and soon hopes. What it can’t have is that perfect downshift, that smile becomes an ever-expanding never-ending crescendo of mu- among friends, that joke that laughter drowns out. Or the sical notes. Until it is time to pack up and go. No one wants chance to do it all over again, next year. to say the words. No one wants to walk or drive away. No one actually leaves. We just take another drive in a different direction. THIS ZFEST 2020 ZFest is a meeting of like minds with different opinions that Snowmass, Co are suspended for a short time so that we can enjoy being YEAR us. It is selfish and relaxing at the same time. The real world June 29- July 5, is still there waiting for us to rejoin it with all of its follies and 2020

Hagerty is proud to support ZFEST 2019 BMW Z Roadster and Coupe enthusiasts. To get a quote, Whether you are a owner of one Z1s, Z3s, call 800-922-4050 Z4s or Z8s or a collection, we’ll create an or insurance policy to fit your needs. We’re https://www.hagerty.com/apps/ passionate about the automotive lifestyle. manifold/Direct%20Quote/Location/ Location/PostalCode?aff=bmwcca We know you embrace life behind the wheel even when you’re not driving. Our weekly newsletter will inform and entertain you with feature stories, interviews and videos. From auction results to car care to Hagerty. market analysis, this is an auto enthusiasts’ goldmine! https://www.hagerty.com/ For people... articles-videos/Newsletters/ Classic-Cars-Weekly who love cars.

16 A Diary of Leon & Patty Luadzers First ZFEST ZFEST 2019, in Blacksburg, VA, was our first ZFEST!

What follows is Leon & Patty’s diary of their trip and experiences at ZFEST.

By Leon and Patty Luadzers

Wednesday Morning: - Wonderful Weather We attended ZFEST 2019 Blacksburg, VA, from Wednesday through Saturday this year. This was our first ZFEST. I also joined ZSCCA in May 2019. We bought a Z4 in 2018 and this is our first Roadster of any kind.

17 We previously owned two traditional two door, four seat convertibles during our 45-year marriage, but nothing like the Z car. So, we are really newbies for sure.

We live in Columbia, SC which is about 4-1/2 hours from Blacksburg, VA. The shortest route for us is straight north on I-77 through NC into VA.

I started packing my 2004 Z4 – E85 Wednesday morning. As any Z car owner knows we have limited trunk space but we got it done. I didn’t take pictures of our packed trunk. It was practical but not be pretty picture. I did take a picture of our car at a rest stop in North Carolina on I-77 around Statesville, NC. I think.

Now that I look at this picture, I really need to attend the Detail clinic at ZFEST, Yes, I do. Not enough shine of this car!

I guess I need to step back in time a little bit. My preparation for the trip started before Wednesday morning. My Z4 is 15 years old but only had 44,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2018 and is in good mechanical shape. It now has 54,000 miles on it. In preparation for ZFEST I took advantage of a complete free courtesy inspection at our Columbia, SC BMW. The Z4 checked out OK but the front brake pads were not worn out but getting thin so I had the front pads and rotors replaced. Like many other ZFEST attendees I did some heavy cleaning and waxing on my black beauty.

I had heard from others that traffic was very bad on I-77 north due to road construction. We were very fortunate that we only hit one slower section of highway close to the VA border. It took us less than 5 hours to reach Blacksburg. We arrived about 3PM.

It was fun seeing a sea of BMW Z3/Z4 cars upon arriving at The VA Tech Inn. We were met with smiling faces and welcoming hellos. We also heard comments like ‘nice car’ and ‘isn’t that a 2004 Z4?’ I have never heard that com- ment in my hometown. I usually hear ‘what is that car’ and ‘I have never seen one of those.’ I often tell people that this is a German car which was built in South Carolina, and that surprises many people.

18 Upon checking into our room, Thursday: More we walked down to the ZFEST Wonderful Weather registration desk and of course Like everyone else we were at saw more smiling welcoming our car and ready to drive at faces. We also saw some of our 7:30. friends from SC and GA who we have met in previous mountain It was amazing to see about 200 drives with our regional BMW Z Z cars and of those, 175 cars clubs. In all there were about 8 lined up to drive out Thursday couples from our regional clubs morning. Everybody was ready so we automatically felt like we to go and according to what I were home. heard, we departed from the Inn right on time. I was super im- Wednesday evening, we attend- pressed with the local police de- ed the ZFEST reception and we partment in Blacksburg as they met some new friends. We also stopped all traffic and allowed heard news about a ZFEST rally up all to depart as a group. It in California and also about ZFEST 2020 which will be held was fun to see the faces of people as we passed by. I think in Colorado. they were amazed to see 175 roadsters in many different colors racing by on the highway. Wednesday night we had dinner with some of our friends, got acquainted with Blacksburg and of course filled our fuel It was also very neat to see the guy on the overpass bridge tank for the BIG DRIVE to the BACK OF THE DRAGON filming us on the Interstate. We all waved as we passed by. the next day. When we arrived at the small town of Marion the police

19 department stopped all traffic as we headed to the state of the last drive-in movie theaters. park where we staged for the drive. Again, everyone in town and at the park were so very friendly. They all just Friday - Great Weather Again! seemed to be happy we were there. There were tour events available during the day, including a winery tour and history tour. Friday night we had a cruise in at Long story short, after some refreshments and a talk from the city of Roanoke, VA. We went on a history tour which the park ranger, we got lined up for the drive up the moun- was very interesting. This cruise in was in conjunction with tain. We got to choose the fast group – Cheetahs, Hares an annual classic car event. It was fun to have a huge group – Turtles – slow group. We chose the Hares which was fine of Z cars parked at a middle school in downtown Roanoke. but a little faster than we expected. I think the four cars We saw some great some classic cars that night. ahead of me in my group were all M cars so that may be why we were fast – hahaha. My car is a 3.0 but not an M car. Saturday – Great Weather Again We had to head home Saturday but I was able to attend a We all arrived and stopped at the visitor’s center in Taze- very good detailing class at noon. well, VA. We had a great lunch and got to buy some ‘Back of The Dragon’ souvenirs. The people working at the visi- On the way home we visited Mount Airy, NC (Mayberry). tor’s center were very nice and happy to have our group It was fun seeing the town Andy Griffith grew up in and visit. I just have to say that this entire day was so very well the town that Mayberry was based on. We had a nice mid- organized. It all went so smooth. I don’t know of any issues afternoon meal and headed home. Fortunately, traffic was with any cars or individuals during the week and that is also very reasonable. amazing in my opinion. Everyone had the choice of how they wanted to return to ZFEST 2020 the Inn that afternoon. We went with a group that chose THIS a different drive of back roads and not the interstate. That YEAR Snowmass, Co evening we had the opportunity to attend a movie at one June 29- July 5, 2020

20 ZFEST 2019 – A Personal Retrospective

By Don Nixon This was Tricia’s and my 4th ZFEST. Our first was in Photos By Don Nixon and Dean Farrell 2010 in Valencia, CA. We had purchased our 1st Z3 in September of 2009 (we’re on our 2nd as of July 2015), which we found out later was just after the first ever ZFEST in Cincinnati, OH. We joined the ZSCCA in early 2010 and attended our first group event, the Texas Hill Country Spring Drive that April. Several of the people at that event had participated in a convoy drive from Texas to Ohio for ZFEST 2009 and were bubbling over with enthusiasm to plan and execute another convoy drive out to SoCal for ZFEST 2010. As newbies to the whole car club ethos, we caught the bug and immediately signed up to go on a 2010 Texas Hill Country Spring Drive multi-day, multi-thousand mile drive to get to the left coast.

21 ZFEST 2010 Convoy Drive – Rim of the World Highway (by Dean Farrell)

enjoying the route. Not that there was any lack of destina- tions – we visited White Sands National Monument, Meteor Crater, Grand Canyon National Park, Sedona and Jerome, AZ; Oatman, AZ on historic Rt. 66 (where a mule may stick his head into your car); Lake Havasu City to see the London Bridge. And the roads! US-191, which used to be US-666, ‘The Devil’s Highway’ from Morenci to Alpine, AZ; AZ-89A from Flagstaff to Prescott, AZ; the Bagdad road which was short, but felt like riding a roller-coaster (AZ-96 and 97 – my personal favorite); CA-18, the Rim of the World Highway; CA-2, Angeles Crest Highway. Our new-found pleasure in car travel was greatly enhanced by doing it with like-minded people in near identical cars. It was like a high-speed parade on steroids, one that lasted for four days.

We also thoroughly enjoyed the 4 days of ZFEST – the host hotel was fabulous, we visited the BMW facility in Oxnard; took a solo side trip to Santa Barbara and Solvang; toured a neat car museum; took a drive to the Hollywood sign; We took 4 days and over 2000 miles driving out to SoCal tooled down the PCH – and drove a bunch of the roads with a variable number of cars – starting with 8 at Carls- in the Malibu canyons with the Rowdies and others. I spent bad, NM and ending with 12 on the start of the last day in some time with Scott Pettit, the ZFEST coordinator and Twenty-nine Palms, CA. We picked up new members to the president of the ZSCCA at the time (and an owner of a convoy in Las Cruces, NM; Phoenix, AZ; Flagstaff, AZ; and Z8 among other collector cars). Although we were not in- Twenty-nine Palms, CA. We seldom used the interstates or volved in organizing or running ZFEST, we prevailed on him even divided highways on the trip – route planner Vaughn to procure us a couple of the polo shirts worn by the vol- Costa kept us mostly on two-lane mountain roads that had unteers – a shirt I still treasure to this day. I also got to meet minimal traffic and maximum curves. It was a mental trans- and get acquainted with Bob Bartel, who would later host formation for Tricia and me from focusing on destinations to ZFEST 2017 in Ventura. Scott was very concerned that the

ZFEST 2010 Convoy Drive – White Sands National Monument

22 ZFEST 2010 Convoy Drive – Meteor Crater (by Dean Farrell)

ZFEST 2010 Convoy Drive – Grand Canyon National Park (by Dean Farrell)

club would become too East Coast centric in the future. He I need to also mention that just like the careful planning of was murdered not too long after ZFEST 2010, but he would the roads on our route, there was careful planning of where have been very pleased to know that the club has remained we would stop for each night. The selection of places we a truly national organization since his tenure, as ZFEST has stayed and negotiation of rates was handled by Linda Cook moved around the country as much as it has. for both these convoys. We stayed in some truly special spots like the Tal Wi Wi Lodge in Alpine, AZ on the ZFEST The next ZFEST was a return to the site of the Homecom- 2010 convoy, where they waited dinner for us because we ing events that gave birth to ZFEST, the Greenville/Greer/ were late arriving and the Iron Horse Lodge in Robbinsville, Spartanburg area of South Carolina. We once again signed NC on the ZFEST 2011 convoy. up early to take part, and once again Vaughn Costa planned an epic convoy route starting in the Ozark Mountains in AR If I seem to up-play the convoys to ZFEST and down-play and including: The Great River Road, the Cherohala Skyway, the actual ZFEST event, I apologize – but I must also explain the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Tail of the Dragon. my perspective and impressions of these things. ZFEST is a large event with multiple activities happening simultaneously

23 ZFEST 2010 Convoy Drive – Historic Rt. 66 – Oatman, AZ (by Dean Farrell)

or overlapping each other and it involves well over a hun- completely lined with parked Z’s. We got to tour the factory dred cars and hundreds of people. You can’t meet them all. and visit the Zentrum, including taking pictures of our car in In a convoy group, even with over a dozen cars, you actually front of it. Once again there were lots of great drives and get to know everyone there. You can see them all at the other events offered each day. same dining table at meals or sitting around a lounge area, sharing drinks and stories for hours after a day of driving. I How do you do a two week vacation trip in a tiny roadster? get lost in the crowds at the main event and am limited to We didn’t know the answer to this question when we were interacting with only a few people close to me, and I find it preparing for the convoy to California. My answer then was difficult to hear even local conversations in the din of the to buy a luggage rack from Roadster Solutions and a weath- masses. We need the large event for a variety of reasons, erproof bag to strap to said rack to hold extra bags that and I desire to participate in as many activities as possible, wouldn’t fit in the trunk. but I truly relish the camaraderie of the small group. When preparing to do the convoy drive to South Carolina, Having ZFEST in the area where all the Z3’s and first itera- I came up with the novel (to me) idea of shipping a suitcase tion of the Z4 were manufactured was a neat experience. with a week’s worth of clean clothes to the host hotel, and I never got to attend a Homecoming, so I can’t make a when we got there, to ship another suitcase full of dirty reasonable comparison, but I understand both the factory clothes back home. For Blacksburg, we have become some- participation and having 600 cars must have been awesome, what more adept at the clothes situation and took only 5 because we didn’t have nearly that many cars at ZFEST days’ worth of clothes packed in gym bags, which fit well 2011 but it was still very impressive. The city of Greer spon- inside the trunk and then did laundry every 5 days while sored a lunch gathering downtown following the panoramic travelling. photo at the factory, and I took pictures of several streets

24 ZFEST 2010 – Lining up for Panoramic Photo (by Dean Farrell) So, you’ll notice in the pictures that we had a red Z3 for a bio-break, or feel guilty about asking for one, and if you these first 2 ZFESTs, but a blue one for the next 2. We lost see something that interests you – an overlook or historical ‘RUBY Z’ in a traffic accident in 2015. No injuries, but the marker, you can stop and check it out. But there is some- car was totaled. We replaced ‘her’ with ‘A Z UR’ after only thing that is just special about travelling with other cars that a month without a Z. ‘RUBY Z’ was a ’01 2.5i we bought I miss greatly when going solo. in September of ’09 with 94K miles on ‘her’. ‘She’ had 147K when we lost ‘her’ in June of ’15. ‘A Z UR’ is an ’01 3.0i So, ZFEST 2018 - The host hotel – The Chateau on the (disguised as an Alpina by me) that only had 34K when we Lake – was spectacular, and we had a room with a balcony found ‘her’ at a Porsche/Mazda dealership in Bossier City, overlooking the lake which provided beautiful sunset views. LA. ‘RUBY Z’ was my daily driver, but ‘A Z UR’ is more of a Jim Stewart did an incredible job in organizing the event. garage queen, and now has 57K on ‘her’ clock. Also, because The drives were fun, Branson has lots of restaurants and ‘A Z UR’ has a wing, ‘she’ can’t wear a luggage rack, hence entertainment venues, and all the other things to do and the change in packing strategies. see were great. My wife and I especially enjoyed the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR. Anyway, following ZFEST 2011, life intervened and due to family, finances, schedule conflicts, work, and vacation day limitations we could not get to ZFEST again until ZFEST All this is just a build up to write about ZFEST 2019, the 2018 in Branson, MO. So we missed two more visits to eleventh ZFEST and our 4th. For the second year in a row, Greer, SC; two trips to State College, PA; Asheville, NC, and we did not convoy to ZFEST. This was semi-planned on my Ventura, CA. Although Branson is only a half-day drive from part. I looked at the map and the calendar and thought – “if the Dallas area, we had planned to do a convoy with some I’m going to be within 250 miles of Washington DC and the of the Rowdies from our area and turn it into a full day of next week after ZFEST is the week of July 4th, I’ve got to twisty road driving. Unfortunately, we could not make the extend our vacation so we can visit the Smithsonian galler- ‘wheels up’ time set, and ended up driving solo to Bran- ies and museums, the monuments, memorials and Arlington son – our first time not convoying to a ZFEST. Driving solo National Cemetery, and to be there for the 4th of July cel- has its perks, you don’t have to convince anyone you need ebration.” That post-ZFEST trip planning affected our ability

25 ZFEST 2011 – Convoy Drive – Day 1 in the Ozarks

ZFEST 2011 – Convoy Drive – At the Iron Horse Lodge, Robbinsville, NC to convoy to ZFEST since we could not be missing from Sevierville, TN and the plan was to not be on one again work long enough to allow getting to ZFEST on Monday. until we made a very short run up I-81 from VA-8 to the Then I looked closer at the map and thought – “we have US-460 exit at Christianburg; yup, just one exit up the road. an opportunity on our way to ZFEST to tour Gatlinburg, We spent the 2nd night of our trip in Gatlinburg, TN. We Great Smoky Mountain National Park and drive the entire got to Gatlinburg early enough to spend some time walk- Blue Ridge Parkway with an interruption for Blacksburg, ing around downtown – our hotel was just a block off US- then continue on to the northern terminus and drive Sky- 441, the main street through town. line Drive through Shenandoah National Park almost all the way to DC.” We checked other folks’ plans, and the On day 3 (Monday) we finally got to put the top down and dates were just not going to work to convoy and see all I toured Great Smoky Mountain National Park including the wanted to see. So we ended up going solo because we left Cherokee Orchard/Roaring Fork loop around Gatlinburg, two days after others started and we got to ZFEST Tuesday then drove to Cade’s Cove, and finally to Chimney’s Pic- night instead of Sunday. nic Area. One thing we learned during this drive was that even though we were there on a weekday, these roads Saturday and Sunday we drove the Interstates from the are packed with tourists like us, and the going is slow – Dallas, TX area all the way to just past Knoxville, TN (860 especially driving around Cade’s Cove. Late in the after- mostly boring miles, top-up) with an overnight stay in noon we entered the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside the Memphis, TN. We finally left the Interstate at TN-66 near Oconaluftee Visitor Center and finally did not have much

26 ZFEST 2011 – Convoy Drive – Bridal Veil Falls traffic. Unfortunately, the rain began about that same time, Finally I get around to describing our ZFEST 2019 expe- requiring putting the top up, and within a few minutes it be- riences. This introduction is reminiscent of my childhood came a continuous deluge that lasted right up to when we reading of Charles Dickens – will this guy ever get to the got to the Pisgah Inn. As we parked, the rain stopped. We point? had dinner at the Inn (the food and the service is excellent), took pictures on the deck behind the restaurant, then got We got to Blacksburg around sundown on Tuesday, at the back in the car to continue to Asheville, NC which would end of the official 2nd day of ZFEST. We checked into the be our overnight stop. As we started to leave the parking Hyatt Place Hotel – yes, we signed up too late to get a spot lot, the rain began again, and would not stop until sometime at the Inn at Virginia Tech – and got all our stuff moved into after we got to bed. our room. We then went to dinner at Panera and found what looked to be the ZSCCA board of directors having On day 4, we arose to a beautiful sunrise, had breakfast dinner, too. We said a quick hello to the Pecks, Chris Woo- at the motel (meh), then headed down the road to Black ten, et al and found a table nearby and tried NOT to listen Mountain, NC where Tricia did some clothes and quilt shop- to the table discussion. ping. The clothes we took with us, the quilt was shipped home. After that, it was back on the BRP, with the top down Wednesday morning we had breakfast at the hotel – and and with the goal to get to ZFEST by sundown. Well, best they had an excellent buffet – and met a large part of the laid plans and all that, after a rather leisurely lunch at Little Canadian contingent, and what a neat bunch of folks they Switzerland we found ourselves running more than just are. Perhaps in the future we should have a ZFEST north a little late, what with actually observing the 35/45 MPH of the border. Then we made our way over to the Inn at speed limits and stopping at several overlooks, and so we Virginia Tech to register and get our badges and car sticker. felt compelled to leave the BRP at US-52 in Fancy Gap, NC We toured the silent auction to get an idea of the things we instead of VA-8 near Floyd, VA. That put us on I-77 and I-81 wanted to bid on later, then went on our first drive, a group to hustle us up and get to Blacksburg. Finally, ZFEST 2019 going to Mt. Airy. I was disappointed that the drive used the would begin for us that Tuesday evening. Interstate (had I previously mentioned I avoid them when-

27 ZFEST 2011 – ‘Ruby Z’ Visits ‘her’ Birthplace ‘Ruby Z’ with ‘her’ Luggage Rack and Weatherproof Bag – Sedona, AZ ever I can?) and once we got off I-81, VA-100 and US-52 are pretty watchful about what we eat since she is in the were not much fun either. Mt. Airy was very much like visit- maintenance phase of her diet plan and I’m just a few weeks ing a small town right out of the 50’s or 60’s – which is what into mine, so we had already decided we were not going to they want it to be like. We had lunch at Barney’s Café and try to turn the finger food at the reception into a meal or walked around downtown for a while, then told the group try to wait until the reception ended to get a meal. So we we were going out on our own and found some interesting were not hungry at the reception and apparently that was a back roads to drive from Mt. Airy to Pilot Mountain State good thing, since I’ve heard from others that snacks were in Park. The scenery was wonderful. From there we got back short supply. We limited ourselves to lemonade and water, on US-52 and returned to Fancy Gap, where we had left the although I did hunt down a cookie about half way through BRP on our way to ZFEST to complete the original plan of the evening. Everyone was stoked by the announcement going up the BRP to VA-8 near Floyd. that ZFEST 2020 would be in Aspen/Snowmass, CO.

Thursday was Back Of The Dragon day. We had breakfast While we were on the BRP, we stopped to view a pre- at the Hyatt Place, then filled up with gas and went to the served log cabin – we are big fans of the show ‘Barnwood staging parking area at the Inn at Virginia Tech. The parade Builders’ which is headquartered just a little over 100 miles from the parking lot to US-460 to be videoed was fun. The away in West Virginia – and just as we were getting ready to chain of cars got pretty scattered out as we made our way get back in the car, a big RV stopped. The driver introduced down I-81 to Marion, but having the local police shut down himself and said that he has a Z3 he keeps at a vacation traffic at several intersections so we could all navigate to- home in Florida. He was curious about why he was seeing gether to Hungry Mother State Park was really neat. We so many BMW Z cars around the area this week. We filled more than filled up the reserved parking lot at the park. Af- him in on ZFEST and flyered him. Hopefully a soon-to-be ter photo sessions, some refreshments and bathroom visits, new member for the ZSCCA. we were ready to queue up and join a ‘hare’ group to drive the ‘Dragon’. Bryan Salgado was our leader, and he did not When we got back to Blacksburg we freshened up a bit, take it easy through the switchbacks. However, somewhere had a bite to eat, then went to the reception. Tricia and I along the way, his GPS got messed up (or so he claimed)

28 ZFEST 2018 – At Rainbow Trout Ranch FEST 2019 – Speed Trap in Fancy Gap, NC and we missed the turnoff from VA-16 to Tazewell. I’m not where the pan- exactly sure where we went, but eventually Bryan figured oramic photo out we were lost and stopped. He then reprogrammed the would be taken GPS and brought us back to Tazewell on US-460. Saturday morn- ing. We were By the time we got to the BOTD visitor center, the park- pretty tired when we got back to the hotel, so decided to ing lot was nearly full of Z’s and we were directed to park go out to dinner, then rest for the remainder of the day. directly in front of the Dragon statue. This inadvertently led to a picture being taken of us by a local reporter, and a brief Friday was a pretty lazy day for us. We went over to the interview. Later, our picture and interview were used in the host hotel to wander around and see who was there and local paper, so Bryan’s GPS malfunction made us into minor visit. Then we went to the silent auction room and bid on celebrities. We then took another bio-break, and then had several items. In the afternoon we set out for Star City Mo- the BBQ lunch in the new visitor’s center building. Both the tor Madness. We were in Eric Peck’s drive group and as we pork BBQ and the peach cobbler a la mode were excellent. were tooling along on the BRP I was overcome by the need We followed lunch with a visit to the BOTD store where for a bio-break. Eric accommodated me as soon as we ex- we purchased T-shirts and hat pins for souvenirs, and then ited the BRP and while we were at Bojangles’, another drive we were ready to drive the Dragon the other way. group passed by us. As we closed in on our reserved park- ing area, the leader’s GPS led us astray once more – but it Bryan did not get lost getting us back to Hungry Mother was a minor glitch and we found the parking zone in just a State Park, where we had another bio-break, then set out for few minutes. Motor Madness was fun, but it was really hot the drive back to Blacksburg. We gassed up in Marion, then out there. Tricia and I had dinner from a Mexican food food drove US-11 instead of I-81, although for a lot of the way truck, and it was genuine Mexican food, not the Tex-Mex US-11 parallels I-81. It was slower than the interstate, but we are more used to seeing in Texas. Mucho fat content, more enjoyable. We drove right past the Starlight Drive-Inn, way outside our dietary limits these days, but it was tasty.

29 ZFEST 2019 – Overlook on BRP ZFEST 2019 – The Trail’s Cabin on the BRP

ZFEST 2019 – View from the Pisgah Inn on the BRP ZFEST 2019 – The Puckett Cabin on the BRP

credibly hot standing in the sun outside his canopy, so Tricia Saturday morning was panoramic photo day. We were in and I snuck around and got inside – or I probably would one of the last groups to get to the Star Drive Inn, and have deserted and headed into the hotel to cool off. ended up parked in the back row. Because we had so many cars this year, and they did not use a high gantry to take the Saturday night was the banquet. We were at a table with picture, we are pretty tiny in the picture, but it has been dry some of the Ozark BMW Z Club group, including their fear- mounted and hung on my home office wall. less leader, Scott Young. I’m not sure who suggested it, but Later in the day, we attended the detailing clinic and picked it was unanimously approved that we not wait for a formal up some valuable tips from Bryan Salgado. Again, it was in- invitation to get food from the buffet, so we all jumped the

30 ZFEST 2019 – From Backside of the Dragon to Backside of the Panoramic Photo

ZFEST 2019 – We meet the Dragon (by Bryan Salgado) line proposed by Eric and had our food before the official first table managed to get to the buffet station. It was really neat that the event of the year went to the Fred R. Memo- rial Drive since that was the first event Tricia and I attended ZFEST 2019 – Detailing Clinic with Bryan Salgado as ZSCCA members, then called the Texas Hill Country burg to the Washington DC area for our extended vacation. Spring Drive, organized and led by Fred Reinemeyer and We loaded up the Z and headed back down VA-8 to pick now honoring his memory. Bill Elwell accepted the award, up the BRP where we left it then continue on North all and he is the person who picked up the reigns from Fred, the way to the end – then extend through Shenandoah with help from Spencer Cubage. National Park on Skyline Drive. We would end the day back on Interstates once again, but man, what a beautiful drive.

Sunday was moving day – for us it was to move from Blacks-

31 ThePhotos Cruizin’ Newz Wanted team would love for to see Cruizin Newz! your BMW! 4.Please include your name and any comments you wish to include about your car. Especially, the year, We would like to mileage and location of your photography. feature photogra- phy of your BMW 5.Please be sure to include additional contact in the pages of information in case we might need to follow up VERTICAL with you. our magazine. Why FORMAT not share your car with your fellow 6.Vertical format is encouraged if you wish to members? Everyone see your car on the cover of Cruizin’ Newz! enjoys seeing a BMW But horizontal photos are also welcomed. in various settings. Be creative and show Remember too that us your vehicle at its we have limited space best! available in the maga- HORIZONTAL zine so there may be FORMAT This isn’t a contest some works that we and no prizes will be cannot include in print. awarded. We just want We also reserve the to highlight the many right to choose not to talented people out there in the ZSCCA publish works that may by providing a venue to show your be deemed offensive or work and sports car. otherwise inappropri- ate for presentation in Requirements: these pages. But, we encourage you to think 1.You must be a current, paid member of inclusion rather than the ZSCCA to participate. exclusion and show us your work! 2.Submissions must be of high resolution. QUESTIONS: Please contact Ric Genthe, Creative Director, Cruizin’ Newz. 3.You can send your photographs via email to [email protected] [email protected]

THIS ZFEST 2020 YEAR Snowmass, Co June 29- July 5, 2020

32 Jay Best Has A Very Wide View Of The World

By Andrew S. Hartwell “We purchased a bunch of film from Kodak, before they quit production, and we put it in the freezer.”

If you have been in attendance at a ZFEST, or any of the original BMW Homecoming events over the years, you probably posed along with other Z owners for a panoramic picture. Today, we had a chance to meet and talk with the man who has been behind the camera for those pictures going all the way back to 1997 and Spartanburg for the first Homecoming. His name is Jay Best and he is one really interesting guy with many interests that we think you will find, well, interesting.

Interested? Read on.

“My wife Jody and I live on a little farm in southwestern Pennsylvania, back in the middle of nowhere. We have two daughters in college.

33 Addie is at Rhode Island School of Design and our older tle public school called the Rockwood Area School District, daughter Scout, is at Dickinson College but she is getting and it is about 20 miles from where I live. The total K-12 ready to spend her first semester in South America. She student population is about 700 or so. We have nice kids spent a gap year living in Bolivia where she became fluent in and nice size classes. It has been a good place to work, no Spanish. She wants to continue those studies and her stud- doubt about it. I get a lot of satisfaction. I love the classroom ies in International Relations. size and working closely with the kids. The kids are about the age I act most of the time so it all works out pretty well!” “I grew up in the hills of Pittsburgh, and now live in a little town called Confluence. Three rivers come together there Jay’s interest in photography goes back to his childhood and I spent my summers at college working as a whitewater where he first nurtured his talents the way many adults did, guide on the Youghiogheny River. It was a great summer job with an Instamatic camera. Over the years he moved up to and I still paddle. I’ll be on the river this Thursday.” 35mm and then discovered the form of image creation we have come to know from the ZFEST panoramic pictures We came to learn that Jody and Jay are both very active that hang on our walls. A chance meeting with a man who people with serious talents. Their ‘little farm’ is actually a very shared a talent with Jay, outside of photography, led to a large one, but they are not the ones who farm on that land. career in a unique field that used unique equipment. They have too many other things occupying their hands and minds. “I have always had an interest in cameras. Looking back at pictures of me as a kid it seems I always have an Instamatic “We have about 65 – 70 acres. I don’t actually farm the land. camera in my hand. I remember trying to collect those and I lease it out to people who do farm it. I would say we just going to get film. My high school graduation present was my live in a great place to live. We have gardens and a patch of first 35mm manual camera. It was a Canon FTB. I traveled sweet corn and that sort of thing. I do ride a tractor to do with that thing everywhere I went. I’ve always had an inter- brush work and field work though. est in photography and I still like to shoot black and white, and do some pinhole photography, just for fun. “Jody and I met at Penn State. She taught high school English for a number of years and then became a full time black- “I have a pretty good sized camera collection and I take smith. She does decorative, functional and architectural them to my classes when we cover different time periods in work from sculptures to hinges to railings and more. history that lend themselves to those cameras.

“I teach high school, American history in the 10th and 11th “What I do exclusively today is called Cirkut panoramic grades. I’ve been doing that for over 30 years. It is a nice lit- photography. The cameras used for this work were devel-

34 I kind of carried on the business and I have one other fellow who works with me doing some of the printing work. At this point we are called Jay Best Photography but for many years we were Crabtree Photographic. The guy I learned from was Mark Crabtree.

“The Cirkut camera is very big and sits on one of two tri- pods. There is a standard size one and another that stands 13 feet tall. You had to work from a ladder. You get under a dark cloth and look through a large plate of glass in the back and everything is upside down. Shooting that way kind of became the norm for Mark and I.

“The business has been going for many years and I would like to keep it going for many more. The limiting factor is that the film is no longer manufactured. Crabtree Photograph- ics purchased a bunch of film from Kodak, before they quit production, and we put it in the freezer. We probably have enough left to last 3 – 5 years, depending on how many photos we need to take.”

There may be a silver lining (no film pun intended) for Jay’s company as technology has moved us all into the digital age. oped right around 1900 and were used up until about 1940. Jay is in line to migrate his business from the old to the new, A Cirkut camera uses large format film. The one I use is but he told us the picture taking experience with the latter called a Number 10. It is 10 inch tall film that is about 6 feet just isn’t on a par with shooting with the former. in length. These cameras were designed to be used to shoot scenic panoramic photos and for large group portraits. They “I use to shoot 2 -3 shots at each event as a backup but were used for military shots, miners at a coal mine, town now I use a digital camera for backup. Eventually I will have reunions, anything you can think of that would have a large to switch over to all digital. It is just going to have to hap- group. I even have some negatives of old Civil War veterans. pen. At this point we are able to produce the same kind of panoramic photo, it just isn’t as much fun. With the Cirkut “There is a connection between my high school teaching camera I shoot the picture, go to the darkroom to develop and the Cirkut cameras as I teach a lot of Civil War history the film and then set up to make the prints. For years it and use a lot of the black and white photos of that period was just a couple of us in the darkroom or just Mark when in my classroom. I had a friend who was into photography I was out shooting. But I did put in plenty of hours in the and I learned a lot about black and white photography from darkroom that’s for sure.” him. I set up my own darkroom and started taking photos, eventually one thing led to another and I started using the Probably most of us never gave much thought to the field Cirkut camera. He was really the guy who got me going on of panoramic photography and to who might have a need that as he was in the business and looking to expand. or desire to have such a photo taken. Of course, ZFEST attendees have become quite the exception and it seems A few years ago he retired after he and I had partnered in many other car clubs have similar wishes to shoot the wide the business of panoramic photography for about 20 years. world of their favorite marques.

35 “Over the years I have worked with many, many car clubs. The BMW homecoming was one of the first. I think it was 1997 that I shot the first one. Wayne and Amy Lester called me to say they had 50 or 60 cars coming and I thought that is a long way to go for that few cars but Amy kept calling me back to tell me the car count was going up. I think we had 85 that first year, and then a few months later, Amy called and said BMW wanted to invite 500 cars for the next year! From then on I did all the subsequent homecomings and if you go to the BMW museum you will see several of our photos on display.

“I have also worked with Mini, MG, Triumph, Austin and other car clubs. I’ve done Airstream trailers, motorcycles, scooters and college groups too. I’ve been literally all over the country to shoot but it has gotten difficult to fly with all the camera gear so I have been limiting myself to shooting east of the Mississippi for the last few years.

“Among other places, I shot in Colorado, Nebraska, Disney- world; it has been a fun ride, no doubt about it. I may even be shooting at ZFEST 2020 in Snowmass, Colorado. We are talking about it now.” tory teacher, we certainly can appreciate his keen interest in We mentioned that Jay was a man of many talents that sharing knowledge about the work he loves. go beyond his work with panoramic photography. The man can capture a beautiful image and produce some beautiful “There is a great rich history to Cirkut photography. It gives sounds as well. you a really wide view of the world; everything from steel mills to beauty contests. It gives you a cool look at history “I play fiddle, banjo and guitar. I do some teaching of those from a different perspective.” instruments as well. I play pretty regularly with one other fellow who lives close to me. I also run a fiddle class at a Jay Best Photography local arts center. We meet once a month. I also teach at a [email protected] couple of music camps, one in the fall and one in the spring, 814-979-6085 here in Pennsylvania.

“I like to try a lot of things. The reason I knew Mark Crab- tree was a photographer because he also was a fiddler. I ZFEST 2020 called him up and that is how I found myself shooting Cirkut THIS panoramic pictures.” YEAR Snowmass, Co We ended our conversation with Jay wanting to make a June 29- July 5, point about his special brand of photography. Being a his- 2020

36 Why I Love To Post Pictures of my Z

By Eric Beach

In most of my Facebook posts, there is a picture of a black Z3. Many times I have wondered if people roll their eyes and think, ‘oh, another pic of Eric’s midlife cri- sis.’ The truth is this little car represents so much more.

My son, Keller, and I have struggled to find things in common at times. Since the divorce, he has had a lot of frustra- tion with me. One afternoon he and I sat at a coffee shop and Keller said, ’Dad we should get a project car to work on together.’ As a friend recently reminded me, it is these little moments that your teenagers reach out to you that you have to jump on as fast as you can.

We set some guidelines for what we would want. Keller’s list included con- vertible and fast. I had a few more re- quirements. We sat right there in that coffee shop and searched AutoTrader

37 and found the car. It was a 2002 (Keller’s birth year) BMW Z3 manual, in Norfolk, Virginia. The next day we test drove and bought it.

I paid less than a month’s rent for that car but we’ve done a lot to it since we first brought it home. We’ve worked on the engine and suspension and we replaced the top. With the exception of the paint we have done all this work together.

We got it ready for ZFEST back in June and we spent a week with over 200 other Z’s and their owners.

Keller was in heaven.

If this car quits working tomorrow I wouldn’t care. It has single-handedly built a relationship and mem- ories that will last a lifetime. And that is why this little car gets so much attention.

38 Meet Z Members

Sherry and Larrie Long – A Driver and a Shooter at Speed

“...sitting in the back seat, I would get sick and throw up from all the curves.”

By Andrew S. Hartwell Sherry and Larrie Long live just outside of Winchester, Virginia and when ZFEST 2019 was announced to be held in Blacksburg, Virginia, just under 200 miles away, they jumped at the chance to experience the fun and ca- maraderie of our annual gathering. They were not disappointed.

“ZFEST in Blacksburg was our first.” Sherry told us. “I saw the announce- ment for ZFEST 2019 the day after it first appeared and learned it was going to be in Blacksburg, I immediately made our reservation! I figured ZFEST wouldn’t be back this way soon so this was just too good an op- portunity to pass up.”

“ZFEST was a wonderful experience. We met so many nice people and got to see so many great cars. We also met you, Andy, at ZFEST when you put up a post on Facebook asking if anyone had the same charger for their

39 razor. Larrie had the same one and you were able to get Larrie: “While Sherry was on drives I would go out in the your razor back to work.” (Sherry and Larrie saved my face!) parking lot and take the pictures. I loved it when they posed by their cars. I have to say I really enjoyed doing that. They “We really enjoyed ZFEST.” Larrie said. “Sherry did the loved it and it was another way to meet people from all drives and I took a lot of photographs and met a lot of over the country and Canada.” people around the parking lot. It was just a wonderful expe- rience. I thought the food in the hotel lounge was excellent Sherry: “Larrie met the owners of the Z1 and took pictures and it was just a great way to mingle with and meet a lot of of them with their car. I met a lot of people but he probably great people.” met more than I did. One very nice couple we had daily contact with was from Allentown, Pennsylvania. They had “Larry took a lot of pictures during the week.” Sherry told left their radios home so we loaned them one of ours and us. “He shot all the cars in the parking lot and since we learned about his beautiful red Schuhe. Everyone was nice brought two cars he could go and get prints and gift them but sharing this friendly encounter with two strangers was to a few car owners. just that little bit more special.”

THIS ZFEST 2020 YEAR Snowmass, Co June 29- July 5, 2020

40 Sherry is a photographer and artist and she stepped up to service I joined a civil affairs company serving two years on help raise funds for the Tire Rack Street Survival program active reserve. by donating some of her original works to the auction. Club President, Eric Peck, reported that all the fund raising activi- “When I left the Army I started drafting through a friend ties at ZFEST 2019 delivered a total of over $11,000 do- from my church. He hired me and I started as a drafts- nated by the ZSCCA. man where I learned how to layout printed circuit boards. I eventually worked myself up to where I designed a power “I donated some prints of my original paintings for the auc- supply. I later moved to a position with the post office. I tion but I didn’t have too many things car related this year. worked as a contractor for IBM in Manassas VA and later Most of them sold and I also spent $175 on winning bids with the postal service Engineering and Development Cen- of auction items. It was so great to be able to contribute to ter in Merrifield, Virginia. I worked on documentation for such a great cause. I love wearing the ‘Street Survival’ hat I parcel sorting systems built by their contractors.” purchased and telling people about the program”. Sherry was born in North Carolina but the call of the no- One thing readers may have also noted as ‘special’ is the way madic life was not to be ignored. Then again, when Dad’s job Larrie spells his name. Larrie: “I didn’t know it was my birth says you have to move, well, you move. name until I entered the service and found out my birth name was not ‘Larry’ and that of my brother, Barrie, was also “I grew up all over Virginia because my father was a rural different. Our Mom had given us the unusual spelling”. pastor and we moved a lot. I was born just south of the Back of the Dragon! Larrie and I met at work in the DC area. I Larrie was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania and, like we came was a draftsman and had studied drafting and design at col- to learn of Sherry, that isn’t where he would stay. “My family lege and he was a designer. We got married in 1971. We moved to Maryland when I was very young.” Larrie told us. have one daughter who lives not very far from our home in “My teenage years were spent in Maryland. After graduat- Stephens City, Virginia. We are both retired. ing from high school in 1957 I attended the University of Maryland for a couple of years and drafting was one of the “Our daughter has a husband and two children. Seeing the courses I took there. When I left college I was drafted into grandkids is the best thing, and that is why we stayed in the Army and sent to Fort Jackson in South Carolina where northern Virginia so we could be close to them. I took basic training and went to radio school. After that I was assigned to the 65th Engineer Battalion of the 25th “In my youth, I wanted to be a draftsman so I went to a ju- Infantry Division in Hawaii. They didn’t need a radio opera- nior college, graduated from there and then entered a Tech- tor there so I became the battalion clerk. When I left the nical school at VCU in Richmond, Virginia. From there I went

41 to work at the shipyard in Newport News, VA. After about two years, I came to northern Virginia and have been in this area ever since. I worked for several companies that were mostly government contractors. I have a technical mind and I enjoy art but I realized I couldn’t make a living as an artist so I went to Technical school so I could make a living that way. When I got out of college I immediately got a job so I could support myself...and buy my first car!

“I have an active interest in art and photography. I paint mostly in pastels. I’ve been doing that most of my life but I have more time now, as a retiree. I enjoy western scenes and clouds, animals, and almost anything you can think of. I think I have an instinct for it. I look at something that catches my eye and I say ‘that’s really nice’, and then I want to du- plicate it. I have an art page on Facebook ‘Sherry Long, Art’ that everyone is welcome to visit.”

In the course of our conversation we learned that Sherry has long held a place in her heart for cars that go around corners at speed.

“I may have inherited some of my paternal uncle’s need for speed. Clay Eastridge was a 1950s top professional oval track racer in the Virginia region.

As a child, Sherry had a hard time keeping her innards in when the car’s wheels were turning corners. “I would get Virginia. There are many roads not far from here with lots of sick on roads like the ones we drive today for sport at Back curves like the ones I knew growing up in North Carolina. of the Dragon. Today, I love, love to drive twisting roads! Back then, sitting in the back seat, I would get motion sick from all the curves. On the Back of the Dragon I would “We live in Stephens City and it is sort of a rural area of have never make 32 miles without being sick! Today, being

42 the driver of a great car makes the ex- nity for us to own one. Our car is just perience entirely different for me! “Lar- spotless and we get compliments on it rie doesn’t particularly like to ride as all the time. People can’t believe it is 11 the passenger on quick curves. It is a years old. It had about 53k miles on it little too much jostling when I get up when we bought it and we have 64k on to speed on the turns. Driving a sports it now. It is our third car and not a daily car is just my thing. Right out of college driver, it’s just for fun. I bought a new Pontiac Le Mans. Two years later, after I ran the wheels off of “We haven’t taken any real long trips that, I bought a new Datsun 2000 road- with the Z4. Time catches up with you, ster. So during the years I had it I went you know? If we do take a longer trip out to Wyoming with a roommate. We we will go in our van due to Larrie’s camped every other night and stayed in disabilities. We don’t do cross country a hotel every other night. We visited the or things like that anymore. I hate to Dakotas, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone say it but this will probably be the only in Wyoming, and up into Montana – ZFEST we can drive to in our Z4, and 5000 miles in ten days with top down it just doesn’t make sense to go in any the entire time and 80 mph speed lim- other car to such an event. On the oth- its! When our daughter was 11 years er hand, I encourage people with dis- old we made that same trip again. Best abilities to travel in their Zs. Our 2008 family vacation ever! We went to ro- roadster is ideal for fitting Larrie’s rol- deos and museums and our daughter lator in the trunk. We do love to head loved it. She wanted to know why we out to the Blue Ridge Mountains and didn’t just move out there.” Skyline Drive often and we enjoy taking leisurely drives through our wonderful Larrie told us that his list of previously National Parks. It’s all very relaxing!” owned cars was more in the muscle car range, although not hot rods. “My first Sherry and Larrie found they immedi- car was a 1959 Ford Thunderbird. Then ately enjoyed their little sports car so a 1959 Chevrolet 2 door hardtop and much they decided to find others out a 1966 Ford LTD. When we met and there who might want to share some married I was driving my pride and joy, driving and socializing experiences with a 1969 Olds 442 and Sherry had her them. Sherry got to work on finding Datsun roadster. Later we migrated to the right club to hook up with and that more family oriented transportation as turned out to be the ZSCCA. our daughter was born. However along the way we owned sporty cars like a “Larrie and I bought the car, and I have Honda Prelude, and a red 1968 Mus- owned sports cars before, but I always tang V8 convertible, which we restored.” wanted to join a car club. One day I was looking at our Z in the garage and I said Nowadays, Sherry – and a sometimes we should do something with it. I went reluctant Larrie – do their cruising in a online and in no time at all I learned beautiful German sports car that they about the ZSCCA and the area groups once thought they might never own. in Virginia, MD, and PA. I linked up with the Zee Central Virginia Roadsters and “We have an Alpine white, 2008 3.0I Coupes in Richmond and I also drive Z4 roadster with a tan interior and with the Maryland Free State Bimmer top.” Sherry told us. “We bought it in Zs. The roads in this area are just fantas- Winchester three years ago. We had tic so Z clubs tend to come within an just had lunch and while driving home I hour or two for drives. It has all worked saw the car on the dealer’s lot and said out so very well for us.” that was the car I’ve always wanted! I had never driven a Z4. I had driven a Sherry: Z3 before we retired but I looked at “To me, cars equal freedom, the Z4 as a car we could never afford. friends, and FUN!” Of course, they later became more af- fordable and it looked like an opportu- 43 2019 Issue ZFEST Feedback from ATTENDEES

Photo by Kathy Desruisseau Bob Hollander - “I just want to say thank of planned events. We are both very happy with Jack Steele, my Z car club leader ( NOC ZBim- you to all who worked so hard to pull of the our experience at ZFEST and hope to do other mers) and detailed my idea to him. He told me 2019 ZFest. This was my first but not my last! club events in the near future.” to run with it. So I messaged Eric Peck and The cars, drives, tours, and camaraderie were passed the idea by him. He told me to contact fantastic. This is something I will never forget. Peter Tota - “The best part of ZFEST is the Edward Davidson directly. So I did. The Z community is something special. I only friendship and the hellos. The saddest part is wish I could have stayed till the end (water when Sunday morning comes and you say “My Idea: I, along with my club, NOC ZBim- main break at home). Safe travels until we all goodbye. You say have a safe ride home and see mers, was issuing a CHALLENGE to every ZSCCA meet again.” you next year. It has been a great experience for club that was planning on attending ZFEST me from all of the Homecomings and ZFESTS 2019: Furnish a Club basket for the Silent Auc- Reenie Paley - (Her comment on raising over that I have attended.” tion. It was to include items from that club’s $11,000 to benefit the BMW CCA Foundations area. Example “we have fine wineries that Tire Rack Street Survival teen driving program.) Dick Richardson – “What I enjoyed at make Ice Wine. (It is a special wine that can “I love this! Having worked in the volunteer/ ZFEST was the twisty, turning roads; meeting only be made when the grapes freeze below a philanthropy world for 25 years, I can say with- and visiting with old and new friends; the drive certain temperature. This occurs in Erie, PA out a doubt that ZSCCA members have the big- there and back; the activities. Did I miss any- regularly.) We also have wonderful chocolate gest hearts out there. Well done, m’loves.” thing on my list?” candy makers in Erie.      Bill Elwell – “We had a great time at ZFest Dennis J. Logan – “This was my 15th year “Each club could choose their own specialty 2019. The Fred Reinemeyer Memorial Hill attending the Homecoming/ZFEST event. This basket. THE BIG CHALLENGE: HAVE EACH BAS- Country Drive, which involves three Texas year’s event was very nice. The location of KET FIT IN THE TRUNK OF A Z SERIES CAR! ZSCCA chapters, received the club’s ’Event of the Blacksburg VA was an excellent location. The Year’ award. Big thanks to all those who help accesses to mountain twisty roads were great. “Well the Challenge was accepted by 14 Clubs! the drive happen every year and those who join The Friday night drive-in movie was great.” The Big Island Hawaii Lave SharkZ sent a very us for the great roads and camaraderie. Special unique and wonderful basket from Hawaii. thanks to Mike Wood, Dave Meaux, and Kay Sherry and Larrie Long – “This was our They couldn’t be at ZFEST but they believed in Judson Jajou, for promoting and taking care of first ZFEST and it lived up to all expectations the Charity’s purpose and accepted the chal- the paperwork with the club, Sarah Reinemeyer for meeting new people, enjoying Z friends, and lenge. for running the website, and to Spencer and Liz venturing out on some new cruises. Southwest Cubage for event coordination and registration. VA has many of the best driving routes in the “The State College “collection” grew to cover Look for the 2020 drive around the first week region with roads that challenge and reward 1/2 of a table at the Auction. One club pro- in April.” sport car owners. vided a “Detailing Basket”. Several clubs had food specialties and deli delights, hats, ceramic David Goldstein – “I love the friendships.” “My favorite project during the week was watch- mugs and beach glass jewelry. ing our members dig deep to support Street Sur- Susan M Kornblut – “What I like about vival program. “I wish to thank the 14 clubs who accepted my ZFEST is seeing my friends and making new Challenge. The baskets alone raised a total of ones. This was my 4th and it will not be my “ZFEST organizers and volunteers went above $1,382 for the Charity. I guess you could say my last.” and beyond with many hours of time and en- Idea really paid off.” ergy to help members enjoy their experience. Randy Mason – “ZFEST 2019 was our first Seeing up to 215 Zs was indeed a one-time ex- ZFEST. My wife and I honestly didn’t know what perience we’ll never forget. Thanks to everyone to expect when we arrived at the Inn. But, for- who made this happen!” tunately, back in April we went on the spring drive with Steve Mimbs and his wife Debbie. Dana Kosiorek – “On March 15, 2019 I was So it actually turned out that ZFEST was like paging thru my Facebook and read a post from seeing good friends that you haven’t seen for Edward Davidson, (the leader for ZFEST 2019), ZFEST 2020 a while. And it didn’t take long for us to make he was asking for help with the THIS new friends at ZFEST because everyone was so donations for the Charity Silent YEAR Snowmass, Co welcoming. We also really enjoyed the schedule Auction. I had an idea. I called June 29- July 5, 2020 44 Preview Group Z Rally to ZFEST The Black Hills Boogie

By Eric Peck

ZFEST 2020 heads to the Westin Snowmass Resort near will reconnect with friends and probably make a few new Aspen, Colorado June 29-July 5th. It’s an amazing venue ones as we share the experience. You may join the rally for with unique activity options and million dollar views. The some part, or all of the trip, as your schedule permits. Group Z Rally is a group road trip (or convoy) intended to encourage East Coast ZSCCA members to make the trip Where will we stay? to ZFEST. We believe the journey is an important part of Planned rally accommodations will be mid-grade IHG (Holi- the experience, and there is more safety, security and FUN day Inn) or Hilton properties, generally with other hotel traveling as a group. options (both higher and lower priced) nearby. You are free to choose where you stay, but keep in mind that each day’s Where we goin’? drive will start and end at the planned hotel. We will share As our tagline implies, we’re bound for the Black Hills of hotel information with those interested by email once ar- South Dakota for a few days before moving on to ZFEST. We rangements are set. will meet in Eastern Tennessee on Thursday evening June 18, 2020. Departing Friday morning the 19th, we’ll cruise parts Group Z Preparation: of Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, visiting We’re doing our best to make it fun and carefree. However, some interesting sites. We will arrive in the Black Hills late the Group Z Rally is a long trip. There are a few things you Monday, June 22nd and operate out of Deadwood, SD for a need to consider, along with steps you should take before few days, seeing the legendary sites of the area. On Friday the trip starts. morning June 26, we will depart for Colorado, catching a few more sites along the way. We will arrive at Snowmass Get on the interested list. If you haven’t done so already, late Sunday afternoon, June 28th. email: [email protected] and are tell us you plan to come. This will get you on our email list. This event is for ZSCCA What’s the rally like? members and/or those registering for ZFEST. While there may be occasional periods of spirited driving, this event should be considered a tour. Our itinerary is a Prepare Yourself. Once we reach Colorado, we will spend combination of making miles and seeing interesting things extended periods at high altitude. The Westin Snowmass is along the way. We will stop regularly for bio breaks, fuel and at 8100’ of elevation. You will get winded easily and it will food. Our goal is to make each evenings stopping point at take longer to recover after exertion. To avoid altitude sick- a reasonable hour for dinner, but each days timing will differ ness, increase your hydration level by drinking more wa- and may be affected by weather and road conditions. You ter in advance of the trip and force yourself to drink more

45 water during the trip. Consider purchasing canned aerosol tators just inches away... That’s probably Group B Rally foot- breathing oxygen. This will help you catch your breath more age. easily. If you have any health conditions, you may want to consult your Doctor before committing. The “Group Z Rally” pays homage to the name only, not the crazy part of the legacy. Our goal is to create lasting memo- Prepare your Car. We will be driving nearly 3000 miles ries from a legendary road trip experience. from our starting point in Tennessee to Snowmass. That does not include the miles you will drive to our meeting Group Z Rally History spot, or your return trip home. Have your car serviced just 2020 marks the 4th edition of Group Z. Although not called before departure and be sure your tires are good enough Group Z, our 2017 “Z to Shining Sea Road trip” was the to make the whole trip. first time we planned an extended road trip to encourage East Coast members to make the trip to ZFEST. We went Reservations. Your Westin Snowmass reservation should coast to coast and back, logging almost 8000 miles over 20 begin Sunday June 28, as that is our planned arrival day. Once days our planned rally hotels are published, I suggest making your reservations as soon as you can. I also suggest calling the The Group Z Rally name debuted in 2018 in support of hotels directly during business hours. ZFEST Branson. A modest convoy of Z’s met at “The Vin- tage” in Hot Springs, NC, then trekked across the mid-south Admission Fees. Many of the places we will visit charge visiting Chattanooga, Huntsville and Memphis on the way to admission fees, plus perhaps a toll road. Some of these plac- Chateau on the Lake in Branson. es may not take credit cards. Be prepared with cash. We will be visiting enough US National Park locations to make an Group Z 2019 was designed to showcase the BMW Manu- annual pass a worthwhile purchase. facturing complex in Greenville for our western members that came east for ZFEST Blacksburg. A visit to the BMWC- Pack for 3 seasons! The weather at high altitude can be CA Foundation, the Zentrum, and a Plant tour was followed unpredictable. Pack a jacket and long pants. by two days of cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway.

What’s in a name? Won’t you join us? In the mid-1980’s, FIA sanctioned a world rally series called Consider this an invitation to do something big next sum- Group B. The rules were loose and manufacturers created mer. Join the Group Z Rally. See Mount Rushmore. Tour the some truly crazy cars in the quest of victory. If you see any Rocky Mountains. #letsdrive. If you are interested in joining kind of vintage rally video of flying or flipping cars with spec- the rally, please email me: [email protected]

46 Z’Sur 2019 From A Driver’s View

By Arthur Cofresi Z’Sur 2019 started as a vision by Eric Peck to see if would be possible to extend the communal friendship that permeates ZFEST nationwide. The challenge was accepted by Tarlock Sagoo, our NorCal BMW Z’s leader and the planning began. A small group of volun- teers worked on routes, artwork, presentation, and logistics with Tarlock providing the direction and Eric the background support.

47 Z’Sur 2019 From A Driver’s View

It all came together in early August. Registration took place, the weekend hoard of sightseers arrived. We experienced gift bags were handed out, and strangers met strangers and an amazing drive up and over a canyon lane on a poster friends begat more friends. The first drive was suggested by board backdrop. Our group leader’s words of caution be- Eric himself, a ride out along Hwy #25 to Pinnacles National fore we began our accent were, “You’re going to need two Park. The next day, a ride on Hwy #1 along the rugged Cali- hands here.” From my vantage point, I witness precision fly- fornia Coast. The concerns were; heat and traffic congestion, ing (make that driving) that would make the Blue Angles but as it turned out they weren’t much of a problem at all. jealous.

Day one began with two groups fifteen minutes apart start- The spacing was perfect, the side-to-side sweep around ing at 10:00 am to avoid commuter traffic. Some unex- turns, perfect. Everyone stayed in their lanes and down- pected road work detoured our initial path, but we were shifts replaced brake lights and the speed, breathtaking. Re- rewarded with a long fresh stretch of pavement over our grouped again, with smiles beaming and fresh hot coffee in first twisty hill climb. A quick sprint along Hwy #1 to the our bellies, we set off for Bixby Bridge. On any other day a west side of the Salinas Valley culminated in our first pit singular parking space would be difficult to find, but to find stop. The drive along River Road, overlooking the vast green seventeen at the same time with heavy traffic coming from fields of growing produce misted by giant rolling sprinkler both directions, impossible. Not for us. With grit and de- systems under light blue skies with golden brown hills in the termination and flat out gall, we managed to move people background, was picture perfect. Lunch was amazing as hot around, stop traffic, double park and mill around as if we pizza (sorry, a snafu nixed the authentic Mexican lunch) was were on official business taking pictures at our leisure. And, waiting for us when we all arrived to eat. Somewhere in that no one, and I mean no one said a word or threw a punch. meal, Eric’s dream was realized. Now that’s respect!

Strangers became friends, and as friends we became fam- Our luck petered out a bit as we trekked along behind a ily. Remembering names was a challenge at first that soon long string of SUV’s and camper trucks, on the way to our passed. The ride along the east side of the valley was spirited lunch destination. Lunch was relaxing as the weather was with lots of blind hill turns along a narrow, but a well-main- pleasant and the view of the placid Pacific Ocean soothing tained smooth road. The up and over to Highway 25 was a and the food satisfying. bit slow, but the sprint up to the park was exhilarating. At the park, we got another chance to stretch our legs and take We returned in time at our hotel for our catered dinner a group photo and then exercise our ‘west coast’ trademark: and Turlock took a moment to thank everyone involved in “The adlib.” Z’Sur 2019. A moment later he initiated a trivia contest for prizes where there were suspicious answers and everyone The adlib is our trait to explore off the beaten path/route was a winner. Afterward, several ‘thank you’ gifts were given on our adventures. At the national park, it turned out to to special guests, followed by a group toast of friendship and be - for some of us - hiking up to and through caves at the late-night dancing. end of the paved road through the park. The rest continued back to our hotel flying along Highway 25 as if we owned it. And in fine ZFEST tradition, on the last day, no one actually said ‘Goodbye.’ We just quietly left going on another drive The next day started bright and early at around 8:00 am. together in different directions. In two groups we sprinted out toward Highway 1 before 48 causing it to break, so this is a problem that should be fixed promptly. The water pump and thermostat will DIY Oil Filter have to wait. Housing Gasket As it turned out, there was only one tricky part to this job. The oil filter housing is attached to the engine Replacement, with 3 bolts. One of them is hiding just under the intake manifold. I didn’t have to completely remove 2012 Z4, N54 Engine the manifold, just undid it and lifted it up enough to get access to the bolt. While this DIY is a little more By Jay Parnes involved than most, it really wasn’t hard because everything is on top and within easy reach. I took my My Z4 35i has about 70,000 miles on it (every one of time and was done in 3 hours. If you feel comfortable which has been a pleasure!) and I felt it was time to wrenching on your car, this is probably in your wheel- proactively replace the water pump and thermostat. house. And because only an experienced DIYer would We all know the problems with BMW cooling system attempt this, I’m going to assume you know your way components. True, the E89 will go into limp mode if around a car. This DIY is written accordingly. Parts run the pump fails so unlike early Z models it won’t over- just $25, plus oil, filter and some coolant. heat and damage the engine. But I go on long trips with this car and I don’t want the inconvenience of STEPS breaking down in remote places. I’m all about preven- 1. Remove oil filter and drain oil pan using the 17mm tive maintenance. So there I am under the car, trying socket. It’s not mandatory to drain the oil, but I was due to see what I’m in for when I replace these parts. I anyway. It does make things less messy later on though. noticed that there was a drop of oil hanging off the Replace the drain bolt with a new crush washer and lower water pump bolt. Hmmm… When there’s a tighten to 25nm, or hand tight and ½ turn. leak, you have to find the highest wet area to locate the source. Looking higher up, I saw a lot of grime on 2. Release the 4 screws with a 5mm hex bit and re- top of the pump, all over the front of the engine and move the engine cover. If you have an add-on strut below the oil filter housing, where it was the wettest. tower brace, that will need to come off too, with a I change my oil every 5,000 miles and don’t remem- 13mm socket. ber topping it off in between so this must be a slow leak. Nonetheless, the oil can degrade the drive belt 3. Loosen the four 8mm screws and remove the intake snorkel. The oil filter housing and oil cooler thermostat is circled in the photo. Tools needed: • 8, 10, 11, 13 and 17mm hex sockets, extensions, universal joint, 3/8” and ½” ratchets, torque wrench accurate for 25 NM and below. • 5mm hex bit. • E10 and E12 Torx sockets, 25 and 30 Torx bits. • Screwdriver, pick tool, motor oil, coolant. • Line clamps are handy to prevent excess spillage from detached hoses. • Parts: #17222245358 (cooler line O-ring) - two of these #11428637820 (gasket) #11428637821 (gasket)

49 4. Loosen the six 30T screws and remove the cross member that’s over the fan. Detach the hood release cable from under the cross member. An arrow also points to the vacuum hose fitting that will be removed in a later step.

5. Release the hose clipped to the top of the fan shroud. Remove the 25T screw at the right upper corner of the fan. Release the electrical connector from the fan. While using a long screwdriver to disengage the retaining clip midway down the left side of the fan, pull the fan straight up and remove.

6. Cover the alternator with a rag and place more rags under the parts that will be removed next to catch the fluids. If you’re not draining the oil, put line clamps on the oil cooler lines. Remove the 13mm bolt under the oil cooler thermostat and pull the oil cooler pipes down to release. Each pipe fitting has an O ring that will need to be replaced and coated with oil before reconnecting the pipes.

7. Clamp the hose, remove the two 10mm bolts (red arrows) and remove the coolant hose under the housing. This is needed to gain access to the oil filter housing bolt. Release the 2 upper and 1 lower bolt (green arrows) with an E12 Torx socket and remove the oil thermostat. Clean the surface that contacts the gasket. The blue ar- rows show the lower and upper oil filter housing bolts.

8. Remove air filter. Release the vacuum hose (see picture 2) where it connects in front of the air box by pressing the ring on opposite sides and pulling straight up, then unclip it from the air box. Pull up and release the 3 rubber brackets holding 3 hoses on the back side of the air box. Release the electrical connector behind the air box. Loosen the hose clamps fore and aft of the air box and pull hoses off the air box. Pull up hard on the 2 rubber grommets at the back of the air box and remove the air box. The picture shows the fea- tures at the back of the air box.

50 9. Remove 1 bolt and 6 nuts from the intake manifold using an 11mm socket. A universal joint is needed for the rearward nut. I didn’t want to drop any of these so I used a magnetic socket. Undo the retaining clip at the throttle body / charge pipe connection. The circled areas show the 3 rubber brackets from step 8.

10. Remove as much oil as possible from the oil filter housing. Disconnect the 2 electrical connectors. Clamp, release the clip and disconnect the coolant hose on the left side of the oil filter hous- ing. Remove the front and top oil filter housing bolts using an E10 Torx socket. Pull the intake manifold out just enough to get the E10 socket on the last housing bolt. Remove the housing. The arrow shows where the bolt is hidden by the intake manifold. The second picture shows everything removed.

11. Use a pick tool to remove the two gaskets from the housing. Clean up any grime on the parts and engine. Install new gaskets. Installation is the reverse. When reinstalling the fan, make sure the two tabs at the bottom slide into the slots on top of the intercooler.

12. Torque specs: • Oil filter housing 22nm • Oil coolant hose under housing 15nm • Oil cooler thermostat 16nm • Oil cooler hose 16nm • Intake manifold 15nm • Shock tower nuts (if you removed a strut tower brace) 34nm. BMW says these are single use nuts. • All other screws are hand tight.

12. If you’ve drained the oil, install a new oil filter and O rings, and add 7 quarts of oil.

13. Top off the coolant. To run the cooling system bleed, connect a battery tender. Without starting the car, press the start button twice so the dashboard is all lit up. Turn the temperature on both dials to the highest setting and the fan speed to the lowest setting. Press the gas pedal to the floor and hold for 10 seconds. The water pump will run and air will be purged from the system. The process takes 12 minutes and the pump will stop and start. Check the cool lant level again and adjust as needed.

51 ZSCCA Annual Awards presented at ZFEST 2019 in Blacksburg Photo by Kathy Desruisseau ZFEST isn’t just about fun. Each Member of the Year: Lester Service Award: year we take a few minutes Stephen Smith Russ Collins on Saturday night to recognize The member of the year award The Lester Service Award is named recognizes a ZSCCA member who after ZSCCA Founders Wayne and deserving members with our embraces the ZSCCA community Amy Lester. The award recognizes a ZSCCA annual awards. Saturday and goes above and beyond in sup- member with many years of excep- night in Blacksburg was no differ- porting it. Stephen Smith has been tional distinguished service to ZSC- ent. Here are the award winners a member for many years, and has CA. Russ Collins has been an active been active with our Southern Cali- member for many years. When his for 2019. fornia Group. He and his wife Sher- local area rep relocated, he took rill were heavily involved with ZFEST leadership of the group and kept it Area of the Year: 2017 in Ventura. The unexpected active. He has established strong re- The Washington State Zs, passing of their local leader Bob Bar- lationships with his local BMW deal- Jim Dunn, tel hit the group hard. After an ap- er. With his wife Alycia, they continue Area Representative propriate mourning period, Stephen to produce quality events, including The area of the year award recog- assumed the leadership role and the the annual Fall Colors Drive in West- nizes a local area group that provides group is active again, building new ern NC, which has taken on legend- solid service to their local members memories and attracting new mem- ary status. and supports the national cause as bers. Like Jim Dunn to the north, well. Jim Dunn and his wife Teresa Stephen encourages their members Congratulations have been solid advocates for the to make the long road trip to ZFEST to all of this year’s honorees! club in an area without much club each year. Do you know of someone we activity in many years. They run good should consider for an award next events and collaborate with the oth- President’s Award: year? Email us at [email protected] er west coast groups. They encour- Meri Johnston and we’ll consider them. age their members to think big, and The President’s award has no spe- make the long road trip to ZFEST cific criteria except to recognize a every year. member for their club service. The winner is chosen by the club Presi- Event of the Year: dent. Meri Johnston served the club The Fred Reinemeyer for several years as the Editor of Memorial Hill Country Drive Cruizin Newz. When she took over The event of the year award rec- the role, the publication was adrift. ognizes an event organized and Publication dates varied wildly and executed by a local area group. Se- content was hit or miss. Meri’s lead- lection criteria include the level of ership helped turn our newsletter promotion of the event, use of social into a true digital magazine that ri- media, and the quality of the event vals those of much larger organiza- itself. The Fred Reinemeyer Memo- tions. Although she has now left that rial Hill Country Drive is organized role, her influence is still felt in how by Bill Elwell, Space City Zs along the editorial team is organized and ZFEST 2020 with other Texas Groups. This event managed. THIS has been held for many years, and Snowmass, Co is named in honor of the late Fred YEAR Reinemeyer- a legend of the early June 29- July 5, ZSCCA. The event draws members 2020 from a large geographic area, and is a highlight of every spring.

52 Cars,Photos by Kathy Desruisseau Country and Car-Enthusiasts!

53 Cars, Country and Car-Enthusiasts!

54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 president.... editor.... has a deep pool of qualified BMW solely for your enjoyment. We invite any technicians and hard core DIYers in It’s about the people. For nearly 25 active member to submit stories and its midst. There are very few repair, years, ZSCCA members have been photos that you think other members maintenance or upgrade issues that establishing deep, long-lasting friend- would enjoy reading and seeing. If you we haven’t experienced and solved. ships through these shared experi- have a story idea, send a note to edi- Likewise, we’ve driven the wheels off ences. Indeed, BMW Manufacturing [email protected] and we can discuss it and these cars, and we can show a new- called their epic annual event “Road- lay out the details. You don’t have to be bie all the bells and whistles, along ster Homecoming”. While that was a great writer, but you can start as they with the best way to enjoy their ex- likely aimed at the idea of the cars do by simply putting your story down perience behind the wheel too. returning to their birthplace, it quickly ‘on paper’. As that basketball saying goes: became a family reunion of people. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t ZSCCA is about sharing amaZing ex- ZFEST continues that annual tradi- take.” So, take a shot and tell us what periences. I often say that it’s hard to tion, but our local groups also expe- your ideas for stories are! We are here relate what our events are like to a rience these deep bonds. In this day to help smooth out any rough spots. We person who hasn’t had a similar ex- and age where people are transient have even been known to ‘kowreckt’ a perience before. This is especially true ZSCCA has become an extended typo or two. J with ZFEST, which carries a registra- family for many of us. I’m happy to tion fee. While some legitimately ex- have my local Queen City Cra-Zs press concern about the cost before family nearby. They are some of the they attend for the first time, there is best friends I’ve ever had. Andy Hartwell seldom any question if it was worth it afterward. At the local, regional I could probably keep writing about Keep your s p e e d up! and national level, we plan top notch how great this club is, but I’m way events all over the country, and most past my word count already. So, go of them are free to members. Single make some memories at a ZSCCA day destination drives. Social dinners. club event near you. ZFEST 2020 DIY sessions that can save you big THIS bucks. Long weekend getaways. Epic Writing from Tupelo, Mississippi, the Snowmass, Co road trips across many days and many birthplace of Elvis Presley. YEAR states. There is nothing quite like ex- June 29- July 5, periencing these things with a group Eric Peck 2020 of fellow enthusiasts, which brings me to my final point...

62 Welcome to the official magazine of The Z Series Car Club of America, ZSCCA!

We are the national car club for all past, present, We are glad you are here to learn more about our and future BMW Z-Series cars and those that ad- dynamic club, comprised of friendly BMW Z owners! mire them. We have a rich, 22-year history, evolving As a benefit of membership, you will have access to as a club with the cars we love. We are an organiza- an online edition Cruizin’ Newz, the quarterly tion of enthusiasts who feel that the road taken has magazine of the ZSCCA, with print copies also less to do with arriving in the least amount of time available for purchase. and more to do with the appreciation of the jour- ney, the road, and the car. We share a passion for Our Web site (zscca.org) serves as a central loca- the open road and the freedom that these special tion for information of interest to BMW Z-Series car automobiles embody. enthusiasts on a national level. We are an informa- tion source for everything Z related. We welcome We are a national club with more than 40 any and all Z enthusiasts as members. We love to local clubs (and growing) situated in many re- meet those who too share our passion for gions across North America. While we are all unique the fun and simplicity offered by great sports individuals, we share a common interest and we cars such as the Z1, Z3, Z4, and Z8. seek to foster the creation and growth of friend- ships between fellow Z owners. To that end we provide as many events and get-togethers as we can We love both the throughout the year. Each local area club schedules roadsters and events for their respective club members and it is not the coupes! unusual for neighboring clubs to share an event. There are literally hundreds of events per year across the local areas.

Whether you prefer cruising (or cruiZing), driv- ing events, concourZ, or just getting together with friends, ZSCCA is the club for Z-lovers everywhere.

63 PARTS for the Cruizin’NOW available Newz in PRINT! Go to magcloud.com/shop and search for “Cruizin’ Newz”. Select Love of the issue you’d like to purchase, then push “Buy Print”. Confirm your selection, hit NEXT, then enter your shipping method, shipping infor- YOUR LIFE! mation, and payment method (credit card or Paypal), and place your order!

The print edition will be uploaded to magcloud for ordering approxi- mately one week after it is available on our website. We will post a message to Facebook once available.

It was an obsession with BMW’s that caused the cre- ation of BimmerBum Co. I have been daily driving, maintaining, modifying, and racing my own BMW’s for the better part of 2 decades. It is with years of ex- perience that I carefully select the parts I sell, if I don’t think a part measures up I simply won’t carry it. BimmerBum Co. specializes in E21, E30, E36, and E46 3 Series models, E12, E28, E34, and E39 5 Series models in addition to Z3, Z4, X3, and X5 models. Be sure to join BimmerBum on Facebook for updates on proj- ects, new product information, and pricing specials. THIS ZFEST 2020 YEAR Snowmass, Co June 29- July 5, 2020

www.bimmerbum.com [email protected]

64 ZSCCA Area Representatives USA Florida (South) Massachusetts (New England) Alabama Jimmy Zapata Jim Werner • Boston, MA Jason Smith • Birmingham, AL [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/ www.facebook.com/groups/NewEnglandZs/ www.facebook.com/groups/bmwzclubofalabama/ palmbeachzs/ Michigan (Plymouth) Arkansas (Central/Western) Florida (SW Coast) Randy Mason Scott Young • Fayetteville, AR [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/suncoastzs www.facebook.com/groups/MIZSCCA/ www.facebook.com/groups/OzarkZClub/ 239-224-9299 Missouri (Southwest) Arizona (Phoenix) Florida (Tampa Bay) Jim Stewart - Ozark, MO Martin Ercoline • Gilbert, AZ Vlad Belsky [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/groups/ facebook.com/groups/SouthwestBMWZClub/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ somobimmerzs/ 480.519.4989 TampaBayZclub/ New Hampshire Arizona (Tucson) Georgia (Atlanta) [email protected] [email protected] Russ Collins • Lawrenceville, GA www.facebook.com/groups/NHZeacoastZClub www.facebook.com/groups/zazsoftucson [email protected] www.atlantaz3.com/ New Jersey California (Northern) www.facebook.com/groups/AtlantaZ3Z4/ Al Mancuso • Burlington, NJ Tarlock Sagoo • San Carlos, CA 770.656.9405 [email protected] [email protected] http://gszscca.org/ Georgia (Southern) www.facebook.com/groups/GardenStateZSCCA/ California (Southern) Steve Mimbs 609.614.0288 Stephen Smith [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/Roadtwisters/ New Mexico www.facebook.com/groups/ZSCCACalifornia/ Denise Inight • Albuquerque, NM Hawaii (Big Island) www.facebook.com/groups/2286279228314069 Mid-Colorado Elizabeth Johnson • Kamuela, HI Jon Moorhead • Salida, CO [email protected] New York City [email protected] Dori Komarin • New York, NY www.facebook.com/groups/hirockeez/ Illinois [email protected] [email protected] Robin Blair • Batavia, IL www.facebook.com/groups/BigAppleZs/ 719.221.1891 [email protected] 917.602.5566 www.facebook.com/groups/ZSCCAILLINOIS/ Connecticut 630.389.0606 New York (Southern Tier) [email protected] Greg Finch • Waverly, NY www.facebook.com/groups/ Indiana (Bristol) [email protected] ConnecticutBMWZCruiZers Will Anthony • Michigan City, IN www.facebook.com/groups/ZonyZsofNewYork/ [email protected] 607.738.2267 Florida (NE Coast) www.facebook.com/groups/HoosierZCarClub/ [email protected] 574.848.9322 New York (Western) www.facebook.com/groups/FirstCoastZs/3 Jay Parnes • Rochester, NY Louisiana (Lafayette) [email protected] Florida (North) www.facebook.com/groups/thebigeaszcarclub www.facebook.com/groups/FlowerCityRoadsterZ/ Greg Cevelin • Gainesville, FL 585.737.2784 [email protected] Maine www.facebook.com/groups/gatorzs [email protected] North Carolina (Raleigh) 352.331.7955 www.facebook.com/groups/BMWZMaineiacs Hayes Potter • Chapel Hill, NC www.facebook.com/groups/triangleareazscca Florida (Panhandle) Maryland Steve Ranner • Tallahassee, FL Gene & Robin Warren • Eldersburg, MD North Carolina (Greenboro) [email protected] [email protected] Mathew Hanson • Ramseur, NC www.facebook.com/groups/FreeStateBimmerZs/ www.facebook.com/groups/TriadAreaZSCCA/ 443.929.0032

65 North Carolina (Charlotte) Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) Washington (Seattle Metro) Eric Peck • Huntersville, NC [email protected] Jim Dunn • Des Moines, WA [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/groups/ [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/queencitycrazs/ WesternNCMountainZs/ www.facebook.com/groups/washingtonstatezs/ 309.214.2753 206.372.6022 Rhode Island North Carolina (Eastern) [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/ West Virginia [email protected] oceanstatezees Adam Moore • Scott Depot, WV www.facebook.com/groups/coastalcarolinazs [email protected] South Carolina (Upstate) www.facebook.com/groups/mountainstateroadsterZ/ North Carolina (Western) David Weeks • Cleveland, SC 304.545.5261 Bill Price • Waynesville, NC [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/upstatescbmwzclub/ Wisconsin http://www.facebook.com/groups/ Scott Hedding WesternNCMountainZs/ Tennessee (Eastern) Waukesha, WI Cindy Callaway • Knoxville, TN [email protected] Ohio (Cleveland) [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/ www.facebook.com/groups/BadgerStateZSCCA Brian Bednar • Cleveland, OH EastTenneZeeClub/ www.facebook.com/groups/greatlakesbmwzs CANADA [email protected] Tennessee (Middle) Nova Scotia Jody Ruffner • Lascassas, TN Bob Angus • Timberlea, CAN-NS Ohio (Columbus) www.facebook.com/groups/middletennezee www.facebook.com/groups/bluenosezclub Mark Kraft • Columbus, OH [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/buckeyeZs Texas Saskatchewan Mike Wood • Fort Worth, TX [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/ Oklahoma (Tulsa) [email protected] PrairieCruZers/ Richard & Kathy Desruisseau www.facebook.com/groups/TexasBimmerZRoadster- [email protected] Rowdies/ Victoria, BC www.facebook.com/groups/OklahomaZclub/ 817.914.3897 Ken McLean • Victoria, CAN-BC 918.577.7760 [email protected] Texas • San Antonio www.facebook.com/groups/VictoriaBMWZEnthusiasts Oregon (Corvallis Valley) Kaye and Tony Jajou • San Antonio, TX [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/PortlandZedHeads www.facebook.com/groups/alamocityzedheads/

Oregon (Portland East) Virginia (Central) Bill Kupchin Stephen Kline • North Chesterfield VA Mt. Hood/Parkdale, OR [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/ [email protected] zeecentralvirginiaclub www.facebook.com/groups/ZsofCorvallisValley Virginia (Potomac/Capital Region) Pennsylvania (Central) Jay Parnes Mark Bigelow • Petersburg, PA [email protected] [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/potomaczs/ www.facebook.com/groups/Nittany.Z.s/ 814.667.2414 Virginia (Southwest) Edward Davidson • Draper, VA Pennsylvania (Eastern) [email protected] www.facebook.com/groups/ Matt Cunningham NRVZs Yardly PA THIS ZFEST 2020 [email protected] YEAR Snowmass, Co Pennsylvania (Northwest) June 29- July 5, Richard Lipchik • Erie, PA [email protected] 2020 www.facebook.com/groups/nwpazbimmers/ 814.449.8892 www.zscca.org

66 Doesn’t everyone go to the Nurburgring for their honeymoon?

Prepared by MagCloud for Ainsley Jacobs. Get more at cruizinnewz.magcloud.com.