Sierra Chapter BMW Car Club – Reno, NV

12 January 2012 @ Pearce Motors
31 in Attendance

Guests: None

Art Ona, President, called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.

1. Art Ona thanked Cheri and Russ Huntoon for the fantastic job setting up the Christmas dinner.  Did anyone remember who the Reno Rennsport oil change winner was?  Brian Lowder was also present at the meeting.
2. There will be a 2012 Planning Meeting on Saturday, January 14, 10 am at Pearce.  Everyone is invited to attend and provide suggestions and ideas for events.  Dawn Hammond said she could not attend, however, would like to put on the “list” the Old Sacramento Railroad and Sonoma.  Art Ona will not be able to attend; Jeff Whitesides will moderate the planning session.
3. New members:  Bob M, from New Hampshire, has lived in many states and two countries.  Ron L and Rita L are new members also.  Bob S said he was still a member but BMW CCA had moved him to the Sacramento chapter for some reason – he would try to get it fixed soon.
4. John Strom put out some recently published information.  BMW is 13 percent ahead of Mercedes for the first time in years; Lexus is way down now.  BMW will be investing $900 million into the Spartenburg NC plant.  It will be production of about 350,000 cars a year and 300 new jobs.  Total investment in the plant will then be around $6 billion.  The X3, 5 and 6 are currently built at that plant; others will then be added.
5. John Strom passed around a May 18-20 flyer for a coastal cruise to Cabot Cove, home to Jessica Fletcher of “Murder, She Wrote.”  A great road trip up the Northern California coast.  It will be a three-day, two night “drive and dine” that begins at noon on Friday.  Contact John Strom if interested.
6. Jeff Warner said there would be another Track Driving Event at Reno-Fernley Race track on Sunday, April 22.  It is a non-BMW sanctioned event.  Cost will be $195. The flyer will be emailed to Sierra Chapter members. Participants will again be driving Audi, BMW, Mercedes, MINI, Mustang, Porsche and Volvo cars/SUVs.  Invite the spouses to come and drive – or there is excellent shopping area nearby.
7. Dave and Chris from Hogg Skinz gave an excellent presentation on hydrographics and custom coatings work they do.  Currently they are located on North Edison (35 Edison Lane) in one of the industrial buildings being bought/vacated for the flood project.  However, information is available on their web site www.hoggskinz.com along with a great gallery of items they can and have done.
   Their work includes water immersion, water transfer printing or camo dipping up to a 6 by 12 foot part.  That includes bumpers, grills, spoilers, mirrors, etc.  They use House of Colors on most of the work.  It goes over the existing finish after rebasing.  The original paint is gone forever.  They can do brush aluminum, but not chrome.  Items are heated up to 240 degrees.  The pricing is very reasonable.  The automotive clear coat is usually six coats.  They have about 2,000 graphics out already.  Hours are usually 9 am to 6 pm but sometimes due to work maybe working until 10 pm.
8. Dinner would be at Los Compadres:  17 would attend.

General Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.

Sierra Chapter BMW Car Club – Reno, NV

13 October 2011 @ Pearce Motors
25 in Attendance

Guests: None

Art Ona, President, called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM.

1. Mike Dietel gave an overview of the Fernley Car Control Clinic on Sunday, October 9.  There were 36 cars and the weather was ideal.  Participants were driving Mercedes, Audi, Mini, Subaru, Porsche, Corvette and BMWs.  Will try to find “orphan days” at the track, then there would be maybe two or three next year.
2. A Board meeting for 2012 Events will be held at 5 pm before the November meeting.
3. Christmas Dinner – Thursday, December 8, 6 pm.  Need the check no later than the November meeting for $36 per person.  Checks should be made out to Sierra BMW.
4. Sierra Foothill/Lincoln County Wine Trip – September 16 and 17.   DeArmond Sharp said it was a great time and went as planned.  Murphy’s visit was a one time stop.  Carol Villar had a PowerPoint presentation of the tour.  There were 13 cars and 25 people.
5. Jeff Warner – Driving Events.
   a.  Boreal was not cooperative for a Street Survival Driving School and Sacramento would be a good group to do it together.  Mr Rose is a perfect venue, just need more participants.  Jeff Warner wanted to have Pearce move involved and felt that the $75 fee being reduced or removed would get more involved.  Other schools were free, this one was not – but the results from the full day by the students showed on their faces that they learned a lot.  To make it worthwhile 30 students are needed as well as 15 instructors.  Mt Rose has been very cooperative for the program.  Would like it held during the first three weeks of September; other activities and school are less likely to be an issue at that time.  Dody Gustafson suggested contacting Homeowner Associations and check into attending meetings and/or putting articles in newsletters if they have them.  Jeff would work on that next spring.
   b.  Monterey events were visited by Jeff Warner with Gary Balleisen and Paul Beacham.  Really great cars.
   c.  Car Control at Fernley was a really good event.  Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Mustang and two Corvettes from their clubs were in attendance.  It was put on by Pro Control and Mike Dietel.  The $175 price is really good.  He would work on increasing attendance for next time.
6. Dinner would be at Los Compadres:  20 would attend.

General Meeting adjourned at 650 pm.

Sierra Chapter BMW Car Club – Reno, NV

9 September 2011 @ Pearce Motors
31 in Attendance

Guests: JK from Dinan Engineering

Art Ona, President, called the meeting to order at 6:10 PM.

1.  Street Survival – Jeff Warner discussed the upcoming event to be held on Saturday, September 10^th, at Mt Rose.  Need more volunteers.  There will be a break at noon.  (Most were present at the 5 pm meeting.)  This is not a BMWCCA sanctioned event because CCA instructors will not be in the cars.

2.  Fernley Car Control Clinic - Jeff Warner discussed the upcoming clinic.  It would be brake, steer, slalom and skid pad.  It was October 9^th, Sunday, report at 730 am, meeting began at 8 am and track time began at 9 am.  It is a joint item with Audi, Mustang, Porsche, Mercedes and BMW.  Pro Control Driving Academy will be putting on the event; cost is $175 per person. This is not a BMWCCA sanctioned event because CCA instructors will not be in the cars.

3.  Sierra Foothill/Lincoln County Wine Trip – September 16^th and 17^th.   DeArmond Sharp said it was set to go.

4.  Christmas Dinner – Thursday, December 8, 6 pm.  Russ Huntoon provided a flyer:  Roundabout Catering, 6148 Mae Anne, Reno, $36 per person.  Orders and money would need to be turned in by the November 10 meeting.  We can not bring our own wine.  Deposit of $500 was approved; estimate 50 attendees.

5.  JK from Dinan Engineering was guest speaker.  Steve Dinan started the business in 1979 and redid a 320i at the shop in Mountain view.  There was a relocation to Morgan Hill in the early 90s and currently there are 35 employees.  Dinan is used by 130 dealers in the US.  Steve gets a new vehicle and then decides stages one through four and what they will entail (engine, chassis, suspension, drive line tuning, etc).  The motto is performance without sacrifice.  JK had a vehicle and gave a few people a quick trip through the Pearce area after the meeting.

6.  Dinner is at Los Compadres, which has opened at Foothill area, 21 attending.

General Meeting adjourned at 705 pm.

Sierra Chapter BMW Car Club – Reno, NV

11 August 2011 @ Pearce Motors
23 in Attendance

Guests: Jeff Leathers – Service Manager – Speaker; Avery Roberson – Master Mechanic – Speaker; Walt and Carol Nelson – Mini – Dayton; Steve Winters (M6)

Art Ona, President, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

1.  Jeff Leathers, Service Manager, was first speaker of the night, along with Avery Roberson, Service Technician Manager.  Jeff has been with Pearce for 16 years.  The information provided on BMWs Condition Based Maintenance Program was very detailed and good for all members to know.

Where are the Dip Sticks?  Government action began the change.  The oil level sensor is precise, the temperature, viscosity and level are taken right before the car starts.  Five minutes later it does a dynamic oil test.  Without the dip stick, it helps keep the oil from breaking down.  Question:  so does the sensor fail?  Jeff said the first sensor this year was replaced last month; the previous one was in December 2010.

2.  Introductions.  Graeme Price was a new member.  Carol and Walt Nelson from Dayton are Mini members.  Steve Winters has an M6.

3.  Blackhawk Museum was a great trip.  Russ Huntoon said the information exchanged was also very good for the docents.

4.  Art asked for Christmas ideas.  Cheri Huntoon mentioned Collin Smith’s Roundabout Catering off Robb and Mae Anne in Northwest Reno.  Check www.RoundaboutCatering.com for more information.  The December date is open and it could be just our group in the room as it is small but very comfortable.  Price would be $25 – 35 per person.  Cheri would check and give more feedback at the September meeting on whether our own wine could be brought or if it was restricted.  Vote was unanimous.

5.  Dinner will be at La Vechhia this month and Los Compadres in September which has opened at Foothill area.

6.  Oktoberfest.  Russ Huntoon would like a banner and goody bag to take with him.

7.  Street Survival.  Jeff Warner was not available, however, July meeting notes were read: Tire Rack Street Survival, Saturday, September 10, Mt Rose.  This time there will be use of indoor bathroom and classroom.  Fire truck will be there, students will use their own cars.  Need volunteers as coaches to sit in the cars with the kids.  It will be straight ahead braking.  Starting age is 15 (with permit) to 22 years old.  Need 30 participants.  Would like to have 30+ workers, coaches, etc.  Do not have to be club members to work this day with the students.  This is not a BMW CCA sanctioned event because CCA instructors will not be in the cars.

8.  Track Day – Reno-Fernley, October 9, Sunday.  Mike Dietel had 12 sign ups so far, need 15-20.  Should have ten from our group, cost is $175.  This is not a BMW CCA sanctioned event because CCA instructors will not be in the cars.

9.  Sierra Foothill/Lincoln County Wine Trip – September 16 and 17.   DeArmond Sharp has done a pre-drive and made a few changes.  It would be 89 to 4, Murphy’s, Ironstone Lunch at the Deli, then on to Plymouth and the Shenandoah Inn (209.245.4491).  They probably did not have any more rooms available due to another scheduled event; last he checked there were only two remaining.  Sunday am will be breakfast at the Dead Fly Diner then to Helwig Winery ( www.helwigwinery.com/ ) for a cave tour and wine tasting.  After that you are on your own.  Will be meeting at the South end of Sierra Summit parking lot in back of the Tilly’s store where restrooms are available.

10. Gilbert Dayao provided a flyer for a Children’s Cabinet fundraiser – September 19, 2011.  Montreux Golf and Country Club ( www.montreuxgolf.com ), starts at noon, participation fee is $250 which includes golf, dinner, silent auction, and donation to Children’s Cabinet.

11. Avery Roberson, Master Mechanic, was introduced by Jim Goodfellow, who has been a friend for many years.  General comments were to replace the air filter every year as it gets dusty.  Oil sensors are reliable; short trips, however, get moisture on the sensor.  Many items are now Federally mandated:  tires, headlights, fuel filters, air filters, and more.  Data is collected, but it is still best do check and change items every 15,000 miles.

12. Dinner at LeVecchia – 27 participating.

General Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.