BMW Car Club of America

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.cite web|url=http://old.bmwcca.org/roundel/MediaKit|title="Roundel" Media Kit|publisher=BMW CCA|accessdate=2008-03-11] 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.

History and structure

Founded in Boston in 1969, [cite web|url=http://www.bmwpugetsound.com/acacca/acaccahistory.htm|title=CCA/ACA History|publisher=BMW CCA Puget Sound Chapter|accessdate=2008-03-11] 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. [cite web|url=http://old.bmwcca.org/FAQ|title=BMW CCA FAQ (old)|accessdate=2008-03-11]

BMW CCA Foundation

In March of 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 American teens, age 16-19 the importance of safe driving through emergency and accident avoidance training conducted in their own cars by qualified volunteers and professionals. [cite web|url=http://www.bmwccafoundation.org/foundation-history.html|title=BMW CCA Foundation History|publisher|BMW CCA Foundation|accessdate=2008-03-11] [cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/local/15684142.html?page=2&c=y|title=Stopping Teen Deaths on the Road|first=Curt|last=Brown|work=Minneapolis Star Tribune|date=2008-02-17|accessdate=2008-03-11] In 2007, 56 Street Survival schools were held across the United States [cite web|url=http://www.streetsurvival.org/|title=Street Survival main page|accessdate=2008-03-11] , up from 34 in 2006. [cite web|url=http://www.streetsurvival.org/program-guide.php|title=Program Guide|publisher=Street Survival|accessdate=2008-03-11]

"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. [cite web|url=http://old.bmwcca.org/node/5569|title=Techfest 2007 Details|accessdate=2008-03-11]

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. [cite web|url=http://racefaan.blogspot.com/2007/02/about-bmw-cca-club-racing-and-spec-e36.html|title=About BMW CCA club racing and Spec E36|publisher=RaceFaan|first=Mike|last=Gilbert|date=2007-02-15|accessdate=2008-03-11]

References

External links

* [http://www.bmwcca.org/ Official site]
* [http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com/ BMW CCA Club Racing site]
* [http://www.bmwccafoundation.org/ BMW CCA Foundation site]
* [http://bmwccaofest.org/ Oktoberfest site]

Chapters

* [http://stage.bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=na North Atlantic region]
* [http://stage.bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=sa South Atlantic region]
* [http://stage.bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=nc North Central region]
* [http://stage.bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=sc South Central region]
* [http://stage.bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=pa Pacific region]