The BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA) is an U.S.-based organization of enthusiasts and owners of BMW-made automobiles (including the MINI). Organized into five regions and 65 chapters, the club boasts more than 75,000 active members within the United States, making it the largest BMW owner/enthusiast organization in the world.[1] the BMW CCA arranges a wide variety of social, technical and driving events, including autocross, high-performance driver's education, rallies, club racing and owner education on topics such as mechanical repair, automotive maintenance and collecting vintage vehicles.
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History and structure
Founded in Boston in 1969,[2] the organization began as an owner-support network, the club exists as a separate entity from BMW AG and its North American subsidiary, although there is a close working relationship, such as discounts on vehicles and parts provided to club members by the company. Currently headquartered in Greenville, SC, the BMW CCA is a not-for-profit corporation, governed by an elected board of directors that meets quarterly. Five Regional Vice Presidents, who serve on the board, represent the interests of the chapters. Each chapter is an independent corporation chartered by BMW CCA and operates within with minimum standards of service to the membership.[3]
BMW CCA Foundation
In March 2002, the BMW CCA formed the 501(c)(3) BMW CCA Foundation, a charity aimed at preserving the history of the BMW marque in the U.S., the club's history and to fund and operate what it terms the Driver Safety School Program, known more commonly as Street Survival, aimed at teaching young American drivers, age 16-21 the importance of safe driving through emergency and accident avoidance training conducted in their own cars by qualified volunteers and professionals.[4][5] In 2007, 56 Street Survival schools were held across the United States[6], up from 34 in 2006.[7]
Roundel
Roundel is the club's national, monthly magazine. More akin to mainstream automotive periodicals than a newsletter, Roundel covers the history of the BMW marque, reviews current models and trends, offers articles on vehicle modification and maintenance, coverage of the organization's club races and columns by notable authors, racing drivers and club officials. Local BMW CCA chapters publish newsletters to inform members about upcoming events.
National Programs
Oktoberfest
Each year the club hosts a week-long event, Oktoberfest, a national club gathering, that includes non-speed competitive driving events, a wide variety of technical sessions, vendor displays and presentations, as well as plenty of socializing with fellow BMW enthusiasts.
Techfest
The BMW CCA also plays host to one of the largest gatherings of BMW experts during its annual Techfest, a 3-4 day long series of lectures, panels and technical instruction workshops aimed at informing BMW owners on advanced repair and maintenance techniques, as well as a forum for BMW Motorsport, independent service providers and aftermarket vendors to show off their wares and services.[8]
BMW CCA Club Racing
The BMW CCA organizes and oversees the BMW CCA Club Racing series, one of the largest single-marque amateur racing series in the United States. Begun in 1995, BMW CCA Club Racing has grown to nearly 50 races annually, organized by region, with more than a dozen classes for different models and levels of modification.[9]
References
- ^ "Roundel Media Kit". BMW CCA. http://old.bmwcca.org/roundel/MediaKit. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ "CCA/ACA History". BMW CCA Puget Sound Chapter. http://www.bmwpugetsound.com/acacca/acaccahistory.htm. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ "BMW CCA FAQ (old)". http://old.bmwcca.org/FAQ. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ "BMW CCA Foundation History". BMW CCA Foundation. http://www.bmwccafoundation.org/foundation-history.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Brown, Curt (2008-02-17). "Stopping Teen Deaths on the Road". Minneapolis Star Tribune. http://www.startribune.com/local/15684142.html?page=2&c=y. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ "Street Survival main page". http://www.streetsurvival.org/. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ "Program Guide". Street Survival. http://www.streetsurvival.org/program-guide.php. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ "Techfest 2007 Details". http://old.bmwcca.org/node/5569. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ Gilbert, Mike (2007-02-15). "About BMW CCA club racing and Spec E36". RaceFaan. http://racefaan.blogspot.com/2007/02/about-bmw-cca-club-racing-and-spec-e36.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
External links
Chapters
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