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.

Sierra Chapter BMW Car Club – Reno, NV

14 July 2011 @ Pearce Motors

26 in Attendance

Jeff Whitesides, Past President, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

1. Introductions. Jack Newman, member since September 2008.  He had a 1600, 2002, 1985 M6 and currently a 335xi.
2. Logo Items. The Golden Gate Chapter has a logo used on various items:  name tags (it is currently $8 each), T-shirts, caps, jackets, etc.  Unanimous that Jeff look into the logo usage on items further and report at the next meeting.
3. Club Events.
   1. Blackhawk Musuem. Russ Huntoon gave an overview of the Blackhawk Museum for July 16 and 17.  The route has been changed due to the I-80 work being done.  There is still an iceberg in Lake Tahoe and some snow to road level, which is very unusual as we know.  Will use Highway 40 and go through Antioch.  Leave Saturday morning and stay overnight at the Marriott in San Ramon with dinner in Berkeley.  Tour will be Sunday, 10 am; then will be on your own.
   2. Lincoln County Wine Trip. DeArmond Sharp gave an update.  Trip is being expanded to Calavaras and Amador, September 16 and 17.  In Plymouth there are still seven rooms available at the Shenandoah Inn (until August 15).  Send a message to the webmaster about attending.  Will leave Saturday about 8 am, first stop may be the Ironstone Vineyard at Murphy, then Plymouth, a few other stops and back to the Inn.
   3. Events Calendar. John English was happy to state that basically done for the year.  Blackhawk and Wine Tour are set up.  There will be no Gilson Show and Shine this year due to a competing event at the Golf Tournament which is supporting Children’s Cabinet this year and dual support by Mercedes.  Christmas party ideas are welcome, send any you would like considered during upcoming meetings; have to resolve early enough to reserve space.
4. Driving Events – Jeff Warner.
   1. Tire Rack Street Survival. Will be held on Saturday, September 10, Mt. Rose Ski Resort Parking Lot.  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.
      More information next month.  SCCA and Consumer Reports have also gotten involved in driver training.  Need a flyer to give to schools and Heath Morrison, the Superintendent.  Also should put on the web site and any other venues where it would be seen.  Jeff will make up a flyer.  Jeff was still looking into the Driver’s Edge group (program uses grant funds for public education) that will be up at the Washoe County site.  The charge there is $4000 a day.  They will have 1100 kids there for free.  This is not a Sierra Chapter BMWCCA sanctioned event and has no insurance coverage.
   2. Reno-Fernley. Non-club event, in October.  It is too big to do by ourselves – may combine with Mercedes, Porsche, Mini Club, Volvo and perhaps even Ford.  Prices for at least 30 cars that are needed are prohibitive.  It is $500-600 in California.  We could maybe do it for $250 to $300.  Format would be open to spouses.  Ernie Zanrosso and Jeff were at the track for a full day recently.  Per car cost would be established if we had safety training for spouses.  For a first time, it would be the $250-300 and would include all exercises until about 2 pm.  Then there would be groups on the track and do the lead-follow for the line.  Thus it would be a full day for the spouses.  Run groups would be based on skill level.
      This is not a BMW CCA sanctioned event because CCA instructors will not be in the cars.  Insurance is provided by the track. Ambulance, paramedics and corner works are provided.  There will be four BMWCCA instructors, which will not be nearly enough.
      October 1 date is motorcycles (first available date), so discarded and October 9 is the Mustang Club that is penciled in.  Mustang Club has never done the format before.  Pro Control will have a curriculum set up.  Weekends are open after that for the rest of October.  There would be a test and tune day for the guys; no racing allowed.  If racing is done, car will be pulled off the track.  More information next month.
5. Dinner at LeVecchia – 23 participating.

General Meeting adjourned at 7:05 pm.

Sierra Chapter BMW Car Club – Reno, NV

10 June 2011 @ Pearce Motors

29 in Attendance
Guest:  Matt Meyer, Mini Sales Manager (for tour of new facility after meeting)

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

1. Introductions. New members Lane and Lynn Lefmann, Andy and Sharon Goodrich, Lex Anastassatos; the Zanrosso’s are back for the summer – and hope it comes soon!
2. Driving Events. Jeff Warner
   1. Tire Rack Street Survival.  Boreal pushed us back, so that event will not occur with the Sacramento Chapter.  Will try to connect with Fallon AFB again for a date in August through October.  This is not a Sierra Chapter BMW CCA sanctioned event and has no insurance coverage.
   2. Fernley Test and Tune Day, Thursday, June 16. Cost is $225 for full day; $150 for half day.  Need the attendee numbers by this weekend; will need to have a helmet. Contact Jeff Warner if participating.  This is not a Sierra Chapter BMW CCA sanctioned event and has no insurance coverage.
   3. LeMons Reno-Fernley.  Bring all your own stuff.  It is wild and crazy. Obviously it has nothing to do with BMW CCA.  Contact Jeff Warner or John English for information.  This is not a Sierra Chapter BMW CCA sanctioned event and has no insurance coverage.
3. Events. John English
   1. Tahoe Gal Cruise, June 25, Saturday, $5 for insurance, $40 for cruise.  Meet
      between Raley’s and Starbucks at Sierra Summit. This is a BMW CCA sanctioned event and BMW CCA members may participate.  Membership will be verified
      for insurance purposes.  Our insurance limits us to current members of BMW CCA.
   2. Spectre 341 Challenge, June 17-19, 2011 – Virginia City.  The challenge hill
      climb pits muscle cars and imports against the clock in a full-throttle blast
      up Highway 341.  A local vendor needs drivers for vehicles to be on display at this event.  They would be driven from Reno to Virginia City and back (not raced).  May be multiple trips if interested in a variety of vehicles.  (See www.spectre341challenge.com for details on the event.)  This is not a
      Sierra Chapter BMW CCA sanctioned event and has no insurance coverage.
4. Russ Huntoon thanked Gilbert Dayao for the great barbecue during the Genoa Drive Saturday, June 4.  Great day all the way around.
5. John English asked about interest in theBlackhawk Museum overnight event.  All
   roads would be off-freeway the entire way. Let him know if the July 16-17 date is suitable or not.  Need to get the numbers submitted.
6. Mini Facility Tour.  Would be done before leaving Pearce for dinner at LeVecchia; 19 participating.

General Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.  Matt Meyer, Sales Manager for Mini, gave a tour to fifteen people.  Very impressive.

Sierra Chapter BMW Car Club – Reno, NV

12 May 2011 @ Pearce Motors

29 Members in Attendance
Guests: Mini Club Member

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

1. Introductions. Fred Bursot is a dual member, part-time in Reno and Bay Area.  Has a 2002 330 Convertible, 2006 Mini S with Dinan and 2007 650 6-speed.
2. Events – John English
   1. Tahoe Maritime Museum is $4 per person admission, $5 for insurance.  Meet at 915 am between Raley’s and Starbucks at Summit on Saturday, May 21.
   2. Genoa City Drive and Gilbert Barbecue will be June 4, Saturday.  Meet at Sierra Summit 10 am.  May bring desserts if you want; not required.
   3. Tahoe Gal Cruise, June 25, Saturday, $5 for insurance, $40 for cruise.  Meet between Raley’s and Starbucks at Sierra Summit.
3. Melissa Nicholas had an additional event:  Mini Meets West.  It will be June 21 through 24 at the Cal Neva.
4. Art Ona distributed invitations available for the Sport Haus Open House on Friday, May 20, from 5 to 9 pm.  It is not a BMW sanctioned event.  This is only an invitation of a re-opening by the original owner.
5. Dinner locations discussion.  Art had spent much time contacting various restaurants and there was a problem with almost all locations.  Great Basin said two weeks before, they did not know.  BJs did not do separate checks.  Pinocchio’s was the same, no separate checks, as several others mentioned.  Some do not like Sushi, some do not like Mexican food, some do not like the price of the meals.  There was a reservation at La Posada tonight.  Dody asked for a show of hands of how many preferred LaVecchia than any other restaurants mentioned thus far.  Overwhelming majority for La Vecchia and the food.
6. Dinner. Reservations were at La Posada this evening.  Headcount of 18 for dinner.  Members could proceed to La Posada.

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 pm.