www.bmw-clubs-international.com | Council News | Year 6 | Issue 01 | April 2008 Council News 1/08 Newsletter of the International Council of BMW Clubs BMW 524td and 525e, which constituted the start of a 25-year-old tradition of energy-efficient BMW models, at the Techno Classica 2008 Techno Classica 2008 Highlights of this issue: To put my impressions of this its entirety for the use of the year’s Techno Classica in Essen clubs. According to the press, • Report: Techno Classica 2008 into words is no easy matter, sim- the majority of the resources ply because it was so complete- in 2008 were reserved for the • Current Events: The BMW Welt – an attraction ly different to last year’s event. museum. Or was it that the men for all the senses So, inspired by Mary Chase, in Munich wanted to send out a • Report: A fantastic BMW Z4 weekend the BMW Clubs now have their message to their colleagues in very own Pooka, by the name of Stuttgart and Ingolstadt about • Report: BMW Race Series in New Zealand: Harvey (of course), who will pre- stemming the contest for gear A visitor’s perspective sent his report from the TC. at the TC? The BMW Clubs had just about Not all the visitors to the show • Diary: Key international events for the BMW all the space they could wish saw the good intentions. Club scene and BMW Mobile Tradition for and the vastly reduced BMW budget was available almost in Read more on page 04 Council News 1/08 Editorial / Contents Content Edition 1/08 Dear BMW Club Friends, Page Editorial / Contents To begin this new year, I Greeting from Dr. Bernhard would like to inform you of 2 Knöchlein the latest developments in the International BMW Classic and Type Clubs Page Current Events Section, the mainstay of Passing of Dr. Robert Hellman the International Council 3 Bruce Hazard – new President of of BMW Clubs “BMW the BMW Car Club of America Tradition”. Page Current Events Although it is only a few Techno Classica 2008 4 years since its forma- tion, we are already able to look back on a period of considerable growth, characterized by the entry of a number of international BMW Classic and Page Current Events Type Clubs from both the automobile and the motorcycle sectors. For me The BMW Welt – an attraction personally, this development has been all the more enjoyable thanks to 5 for all the senses the intensive and friendly communication that has taken place between the clubs and their members, their cooperation in many events and exhi- bitions, and the unique role that they play in taking care of and preserving Page Report classic BMW cars and motorcycles and ensuring that they are still out 6 A fantastic BMW Z4 weekend there on the roads. For example, the entry of the Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners of America into the section has served to forge an important bridge between Page Report BMW motorcycle enthusiasts in America and the club community. The BMW Race Series in New Zealand activities of groups like the BMW Z8 Club or the ALPINA Gemeinschaft 7 e.V., which is about to assume membership, enrich the club scene and support the ongoing development of a lively BMW brand history as it looks Page Current Events ahead to the future. Derag – BMW Club Special 8 With around 20,000 individual club members now represented in the International BMW Classic and Model Club division, you are all, dear club members, perfectly justified in considering yourselves part of an indepen- Page Portrait dent and truly idealistic and successful club community. Please feel free BMW Car Club of B.C. – to make more intensive use of the opportunity for publicity afforded by our 9 10th Anniversary Council News to integrate even more club friends around the world in your events and in your club activities. Page Diary To finish with, I would like to make this final greeting to a dear friend who Key international events for the has now left us forever: “The BMW Club community has lost a giant who 10 BMW Club scene and BMW Mobile walked among us. Robert Hellman died last month suddenly and with no Tradition in 2008 warning. Robert was well known and highly respected for his many years of service to the International Council of BMW Clubs and the international BMW Riders Association. His fastidious approach to meeting the chal- lenges facing him was what made him such a valued member.” Further information “Robert, we salute you.” Visit us on our website: www.bmw-clubs-international.com He will be missed. I wish you and your clubs a pleasant spring and a successful driving and motorcycling season 2008. Publication details: Responsible: Jörg-Dieter Hübner Dr. Bernhard Knöchlein Schleißheimer Straße 416 / BMW Allee Vice President 80935 München International Council of BMW Clubs International BMW Club Office www.bmw-clubs-international.com Council News 1/08 • Page 02 Council News 1/08 Current Events Obituary for Dr. Robert Hellman, first “Friend of the Marque” Passing of Dr. Robert Hellman By Ian Branston, Chairman, International Council of BMW Clubs Columbia University in 1972 before moving to Washington and working on Capitol Hill. A tireless proponent who helped popu- larize the term “Boxer” for BMW’s air-cooled motorcycles, Dr. Hellman’s too-salient wit once got him banned from reviewing cars for the company’s flagship magazine. He was the recipient of the first “Friend of the Marque” award by the International Council of BMW Clubs in 1997 and given BMW of North America’s first BMW Icon award a decade later. Both awards created with him in mind, his name became synonymous with advocacy of the BMW brand worldwide. A long-term friend and enthusiastic contributor to the International Council of BMW Clubs, including the position of Vice Chairman, Motorcycles, Dr. Hellman was honored in 2007 Working Meeting 2004, Villa D’Este – Dr. Robert Hellman (left) and Dr. for over twenty years as editor of the BMW Riders Association Bernhard Knöchlein (right), Council Vice Chairmen magazine “On the Level”, with kudos from participants on the order of BMW AG Motorcycle Designer David Robb in Munich Writer and recognized BMW enthusiast Robert J. Hellman died and peripatetic investment guru Jim Rogers in Shanghai. on March 9 at his Chesapeake Bay home in Tracy’s Landing, Maryland, USA, of carcinoid-related heart disease. He was 62. Dr. Hellman is survived by his companion of nineteen years, Dr. Hellman obtained a Ph.D. in German intellectual history from Mary Lee Kingsley. Bruce Hazard – new President of the BMW Car Club of America By Satch Carlson, Editor-in-Chief of Rocky Mountain Chapter driving-school has worked in healthcare supply chain the CCA magazine “Roundel” program, for which he served as chief and materials management for the past Bruce Hazard has succeeded Scott steward or safety steward for over fif- thirty years. Blazey as president of the BMW Car teen years. Little did Hazard know that when he Club of America. Having served on the took delivery of that 2002 36 years ago Board of Directors for three years as The BMW 2002 served Bruce well; it that it would lead to developing so many Secretary, Hazard took the reins at the was the only car he owned for seven- great friendships and memorable expe- BMW CCA annual meeting in March at teen years – until it was retired in 1989 riences. As he settles into his leader- the Club’s South Carolina headquar- with 320,000 miles on the odometer! ship role of the BMW CCA, he is looking ters. Since the BMW 2002, Bruce has owned forward to the friends and experiences Hazard purchased his first BMW, a 1973 a 1980 BMW 320i and a 1985 BMW he will develop with the international BMW 2002, while he was stationed in 535i. Currently he drives a 1995 BMW community of BMW Clubs. Augsburg, Germany, with the U.S. Army. 540i M Sport and a 2000 BMW 528i. Taking delivery at the factory in Munich Then there was the 1970 BMW 2002 in October 1972, he began a love affair that he raced with the Sports Car Club with the Ultimate Driving Machine that of America. has lasted ever since. He joined the BMW CCA in 1975 as a member of the On the personal side, Hazard grew up Rocky Mountain Chapter in Colorado. as an “army brat.” His father was a U.S. Beginning his club career as chapter Army dentist, and as a result the family secretary, Bruce has held every chapter traveled all across the United States office at least once, except treasurer. plus Okinawa, Japan, in the mid-’50s, Driving events have been a special pas- and a stint in Landstuhl, Germany, in sion over the years. Hazard began auto the mid-’60s. After serving his own crossing in 1977 and was instrumen- term in the U.S. Army, Hazard settled in tal in establishing and developing the Centennial, Colorado. Professionally, he CouncilCouncil News News 1/08 2/07 • • Page Page0306 Council News 1/08 Current Events Continued from page 01: Techno Classica 2008 Techno Classica 2008 Two prominent friends of classic BMWs, standing beneath the restorer of exclusive BMW vehicles who was there raised our banner emblazoned with “THE BMW CLUB” and looking at the hopes somewhat, while the cabin of the mixed goods dealer BMW classics on display, exhibits which not even BMW could that followed provided the next disappointment. have improved upon, were heard to say to one BMW represen- The BMW Peninsula was located opposite the eastern en- tative, “Well, it’s a nice club stand, but where is the BMW one?” trance.