Spring 2017 Newsletter

» President’s Great Plains
Chapter
Corner Of The
Garage - 3 Der Maisbauer

» The Road Annual Dinner Reminder

Chaser - 4 Last chance to register for the
annual dinner!
» 4th Annual
Saturday, April 1 at 5pm
Flat Out Billy’s Restaurant
Classic - 6
1301 H St Lincoln, NE 68508
» Sonic Show N
Drive the old car (or the new car) and step back
Shine - 6 in time with us as we gather at Billy’s Restaurant,
inside the Nobel-Dawes House built in 1887.
» End Of An Era Gathering begins in the Chautauqua Bar at 5pm.
Social hour will feature a cash bar, appetizers, and
Sort Of - 7 a fun opportunity to learn more about this historic
house as we mingle before our Chef prepares our
» Kearney Cruise dinner. This event is sure to be Legendary!

Nite - 8 Please RSVP with your meal selection at:
annualdinner.gpcbmwclub.com
» Calendar - 9

See Inside For
More Information

Spring
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President’s Corner
Of The Garage

By Dave Gannon

I know what you're thinking! You are It seems that our South Central Region
thinking: "Who's this old guy cluttering up of BMW CCA has not been well served
the President’s column, and what's he done since Dan Baker stepped down as our
with Jeff Gomon?" Regional Vice President. (To be honest,
Okay, settle down everyone. There has Dan Baker was a hard act to follow. He
been no Coup de’État! Jeff is fine, and was responsive, communicative, and
everything is going great with our chapter. highly supportive of our chapter and the
Let me try to explain what has been chapters with whom we collaborated
happening with our chapter and with to put on large events. He did us a lot
our national club over the past couple of of favors.) This gap in Regional Vice
months, and how we got to where we are President presence did not go unnoticed
now. As you will soon see, the underlying by people at the national level of our club.
cause of all of this is that…Jeff is just too
good at everything he does! A few months ago, a small contingent of
First, as your Election Commissioner for CCA leaders quietly approached Jeff Gomon
this year's chapter elections, I am happy to to solicit his interest in running for the
report that this year's election was a success. position of South Central Regional Vice
The electronic voting system that was set President (RVP). They also let him know
up and run by our Information Technology that if he were to be elected, he would
Coordinator Tarun Kundhi was quick not be able to continue as President of
and easy to use, and we had the highest a chapter, because being RVP while also
participation rate that we have ever had. being President of a chapter could create an
I was also encouraged by the fact that we appearance of conflict of interest.
received at least one paper ballot, which
tells me that our members will do whatever Jeff gave this a lot of thought and, as part
it takes to participate in our chapter's affairs. of his due diligence, he discussed it with
The results of the election were that all several of us in our Board & Officers
three incumbents who ran for office were group. We all gave him the same advice.
reelected: Jeff Gomon as President, Chet Jeff has been an outstanding President
Dawes as Secretary, and Ben Kerwood as for our chapter, and it will be a challenge
Director At Large. for us to operate without him as our
Okay, so why am I writing this column?
Well, as it turns out, at the same time that Continued on Page 8
our chapter elections process was taking
place, other things were happening at the
national level of our club.

SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER 3

The Road
Chaser

By Dave Gannon

In this installment, we are going to look at • I quit/ Cancel my membership/ Cancel my
some of the concerns that are expressed by subscription (huh?) I will never buy another
members in the Letters section of Roundel. BMW and no one else ever should either.
Much like Letters to the Editor in all I don't understand this perspective. It
magazines, many Letters in Roundel express seems narrow. The only car companies
"interesting" points of view (which is to say that make exclusively cool cars that only
off-base, misguided, or screwball). Although car enthusiasts would like are companies
some are one-offs, others repeat or expand like Lotus, Koenigsegg, and Ariel, and
upon running themes. those companies don't sell anything that
Some of the more interesting of these you can drive year-round if you live where
consistent concerns can be lumped into bad weather happens. As a result, they do
the category entitled, "Some of the cars not have the resources to make anything
that BMW makes/ markets/ sells are cars but small runs of highly focused cars
that I don’t want buy". This assertion, of which even the most committed car
usually made in reference to a specific enthusiasts can rarely take advantage.
new car that BMW has released, is I have a completely different point of view
generally followed by a logic chain that on this. I like small cars that handle well
goes something like this: on the street, and I like to drive at speed
• This vehicle is not a near replica of the first on tracks. Almost every car company
BMW I owned/ the best BMW I have owned. makes at least one car that I like, and
• It has too much weight, complexity, every car company makes plenty of cars
lack of road feel, electric power steering, that I have no use for. I have absolutely
comfort features, amenities, and no use for, and have no interest in even
connectivity to be a narrowly focused getting behind the wheel of, enormously
driver’s car that can only be used in ideal large luxury sedans, minivans, SAVs, SUVs,
weather conditions. or trucks of any size or description.
• Any vehicle that is not a nearly exact With that being said, I think it is great that
replica of my all-time favorite BMW BMW is making cars that I don't want. The
throws shade on me, my family, my more, the better! Niche cars can be image
favorite BMW, and everything that is
good and pure in the world.
• (There is often also a whole lot of
nonsensical words that represent confusion
about the identity of and differences
between BMW CCA, BMW NA & BMW AG.)

4 SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER

leaders and help companies build their Speedway Motors Museum
"brand", but they will never themselves
make that company profitable. It's all those
more utilitarian, mainstream cars and
trucks that bring in the money and give car
companies the resources to make the cars
that we car enthusiasts really want.
When I see an X5 or an X6 M on the
road, I just want to run up to the owners
and say, "Thank you for helping BMW
design and build a really cool, limited-
edition M2 just for me!"
See you on the road…and keep those
Tweets (@DaveGannonE30) and e-mails
([email protected]) coming.

SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER 5

4th Annual Flat
Out Classic

A car lover's dream you'll never Be one of the first to drive the new surface!
forget! Appealing to our diverse BMW Please visit www.flatoutclassic.com
community, the Flat Out Classic features for additional event and registration
a car show, autox clinic, autox & high- information. While you’re there check out
performance driving event. Novice or the promotional video.
pro, come experience the newly repaved Direct registration link:
Heartland Park (16 turns, 2.5 m), the same kcbmwclub.motorsportreg.com
track seen on ESPN & ABC. Dates: June 9th -11th
The Midwest’s premier BMW festival - Flat Contact Person: Angel Hall
Out Classic - is June 9-11 at Heartland [email protected]
Park, Topeka, Kansas. It’s a weekend filled 816.896.1155
with BMW fun: Car Show, AutoX Clinic,
AutoX, and High Performance Driving Sonic Show N Shine
Event with the region’s best instructors.
Advanced solo students are welcome Saturday May 6th
on Friday the 9th. Heartland Park is a 5601 S 48th Street
true “driver’s track” and this event is the
perfect way to spend a summer weekend. Lincoln at 6pm
Join BMW enthusiasts from the entire
central US. Connect with old friends and
make some new ones over a great dinner.

6 SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER

End Of An Era…
Sort Of

By D. Jeff Gomon

Fellow Members, Membership has more than tripled in that
As you can tell by looking at the author time and instead of a single fall drive and
of the former “Presidents Piece”, it is an annual dinner, we now have events
not my name or picture leading off almost every month. That didn’t happen
the article. Since the last issue of Der over night and not without a lot of people
Maisbauer, some things have changed. helping throughout the years. I am
While I did recently run for the office of grateful to them for all they did in growing
Great Plains Chapter President, I also ran and bettering the member experience.
for a position on the National Board as The chapter remains in great hands and
South Central Region Vice President, or there will be no change in the wonderful
SCRVP. Well, as it turns out, I have been events we all have become accustomed
elected to represent the South Central to. The current board has been, and
Region and will be sworn in for a 3-year remains, some of best people I have had
term at the Chapter Congress in Dallas in the privilege to volunteer with. I still have
mid March. For that reason, our Chapter many relationships and friendships from
Board has shuffled some positions and my first days with the chapter. I’m pretty
Dave Gannon has graciously accepted proud of that. With that in mind, I would
the duties as Chapter President, and Ben like to ask that should anyone reading this
Kerwood accepted as the new Vice- have any desire to give some time to the club
President role and I am now acting as and make a difference, please don’t hesitate
“Director-At-Large”. All other positions to contact me, or any of the other board
remained unchanged. That means I can members. We can always use a helping
continue helping with event planning and hand or someone to step into a leadership
execution, and volunteer as needed. My role. Some of us hold several positions and
responsibilities will shift from our chapter would be happy to share!! Besides, we need
only, to working for, and representing some new and fresh ideas and perhaps some
the interests of all the chapters in our younger eyes and perspectives.
region. There will be more traveling, more Once again, I look forward to seeing many
meetings and events to attend as well as of you at some upcoming events.
monthly conference calls. I look forward
to the new challenges ahead.
I believe I have been sitting President
since late 1998 or early 1999. I was voted
in at a membership meeting while taking
a restroom break, and without prior
warning. That has been 18-19 years, and
it has been my honor the entire time.

SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER 7

President’s Corner Continued yBouratnrudsst.

President. On the other hand, Jeff is Genuine BMW
extremely well suited to be our Regional
Vice President, and (in my opinion) he is Best price guarantee ■ No sales tax
absolutely the right person for the job.
Those of you who scour all corners of 800.535.2002 | BavAuto.com
Roundel already know what happened
next. As reported in the January issue of Kearney Cruise Nite 2017
Roundel, Jeff Gomon ran for South Central
RVP, and because all three candidates Save the Date and join us for our annual
running for national office ran unopposed, road trip to Kearney on Saturday July 15th
in accordance with new bylaws, no ballots for one of the largest gatherings of cool cars
were prepared or sent out. Jeff is scheduled in the state. This event attracts cars of all
to be certified as South Central Regional types and eras which come from near and
Vice President at the annual BMW CCA far to offer a family friendly atmosphere
general meeting that will be held on the last everyone can enjoy. Expect more than 1000
weekend of March (about the time that you special interest cars to converge on Kearney,
receive this issue of our newsletter). Nebraska again this year! Join the club for
Well, where there is good news, there can also the day or stay for the whole weekend of
be bad news, or at least challenges and need events! For more details check out: www.
for change, and all of this left our Board & cruisenite.org. Our club caravan will depart
Officers group in a predicament. Fortunately, from BMW of Lincoln at 7:30 am and meet
according to our bylaws, the Board can in Kearney to proceed to registration and
appoint members to fill Board vacancies parking downtown as a club. RSVP to Chet
through the next election. At our last Board Dawes at: [email protected] by
& Officers meeting, after much discussion, July 8th with the number of people
the group decided to elevate me (reluctantly) attending and if you will be meeting us
to President, elevate Ben Kerwood to Vice in Lincoln or Kearney. More details to
President, and appoint Jeff Gomon as Director follow in the next newsletter!
At Large. Chet Dawes will remain Secretary,
and Jason Brewer will remain Treasurer.
Please join me in congratulating Jeff Gomon
on his new position as South Central Regional
Vice President, and as a member of our
national CCA Board. I for one look forward to
benefiting from Jeff's outstanding leadership of
our region, and of our national club.
For any chapter members who are
interested in getting more involved in our
chapter, or getting involved in leadership,
now is the time. We have unfilled officer
positions, and we would welcome your help
and participation!

8 SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER

2017 Calendar

Note – March 24-26 – Chapter Congress
Sat April 1st – West Omaha Euros & Exotics - Cars & Coffee at Pinnacle Back Headquarters - 18081

Burt St, Elkhorn - 10am*
Sat April 1st – Annual Dinner at Billy’s Restaurant - Lincoln - 5pm*
Sat April 22nd – Officers Meeting – Teleconference- 10am - 12pm
April 27 – 30th (Thu – Sat) – Mid-America ’02 Fest - Eureka Springs, AR
Sat May 6th– PCA Show ‘n’ Shine Cruise Nite at Sonic – 5601 S 48th, Lincoln 6pm*
June 9th-11th – Flat Out Classic – Heartland Park Topeka*
July 11-15th – BMW CCA Oktoberfest – New Orleans
Sat July 15th – Caravan to Kearney Cruise Nite – Kearney – 7:30am*
Sun July 30th – Officers Meeting – Teleconference- 10am - 12pm
Sat Aug 5th – PCA Show ‘n’ Shine Cruise Nite at Sonic – 5601 S 48th, Lincoln 6pm*
Sat Aug 5 – 6th– Ice Cream Cruise – RPM*
Sun, Oct 8 – The Loess Hills Fall Driving Tour*
Sun Sept 10th – All European Car & Bike Expo - Lauritzen Gardens – Omaha*
October 13-15th (Fri - Sun) – “No Excuses” Driving School- Hallett, OK *
Early August – TBD - Colorado 3-day trip*
November 5th – Officers Meeting –Lincoln- 10am-1pm

*Chapter Sponsored Event

Be sure to check www.gpcbmwclub.com for the latest information about upcoming events

SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER 9

Der Maisbauer Chapter Officers
A publication of the
Great Plains Chapter Inc. President:
of the BMW Car Club of America Dave Gannon
[email protected]
The Great Plains Chapter, Inc. of the
BMW CCA welcomes submissions Vice President:
of articles, letters, and artwork to Ben Kerwood
“Der Maisbauer.” The staff, however,
reserves the right to edit any of the [email protected]
submitted material. Please send all
Treasurer:
correspondence to: Jason Brewer
Der Maisbauer [email protected]

3130 Jasper Court Secretary:
Lincoln, Ne 68516 Chet Dawes
[email protected] [email protected]

Advertising Rates: Director-At-Large:
Full Color (5” x 8.25”) $900 per year D. Jeff Gomon
Full B&W (5” x 8.25”) $600 per year 402-421-8299
Half Horiz. (5” x 3.75”) $400 per year
Half Vert. (2.25” x 7.25”) $400 per year [email protected]
Qtr Horiz. (2.25”x 3.75”) $250 per year
Qtr Vert. (2.25” x 3.75”) $250 per year Newsletter Editor:
Krystle Vollmer
To advertise, please contact our
Chapter Advertising Coordinator [email protected]

Kathy Gomon, at Information Technology Coordinator:
[email protected] Tarun Kundhi

“Der Maisbauer” does not represent any commercial [email protected]
interest, nor does it endorse or approve any product,
Membership Coordinator:
service, or advice. The Great Plains Chapter, Inc. Position Currently Vacant
assumes no liability for any of the information contained
[email protected]
herein and, unless otherwise indicated, none of the
information bears the status of “Factory Approved.” The Advertising/Sponsorship Coordinator:
ideas, opinions, and suggestions expressed herein are Kathy Gomon
those of the authors and no authentication is implied.
[email protected]
The right to use text from this publication is hereby
given, provided it is not used in connection with any MINI Columnist:
commercial publication. Modifications within the Jim Peterson

warranty period may void your BMW warranty. [email protected]

Great Plains Chapter, Inc © 2017 Driving Events Coordinator:
Chet Dawes

[email protected]

Social Events/Meeting Coordinator:
Lori Dawes

[email protected]

Web & Social Media Coordinator:
Position Currently Vacant
[email protected]

Cover and Calendar photos: Hallett Foto Shoppe

10 SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER

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Autocross Clinic Autocross Competition Car Show

Heartland Park - Completely Repaved Fall 2016 June 10 - 11, 2017
FlatOutClassic.com
The Midwest’s Premier BMW Festival

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Iowa Chapter St. Louis Chapter

SPRING 2017 - GREAT PLAINS CHAPTER - BMW CCA NEWSLETTER 11

Great Plains Chapter Inc.

BMW Car Club of America
3130 Jasper Ct
Lincoln, NE 68516