Board Torque

chairmanschat

Martyn Goodwin - Chairman

My opportunities to use this page to chat in Straight Six are timed to coincide with significant events in our calendar and this month is no exception. By the time the May issue hits your letterbox, we will be just days away from our third virtual AGM. Given the upwardly spiralling costs of adding your chosen fossil fuels to your tank, charging your EV, or a combination of both with your plug-in hybrid, the decision to continue this online method of holding a mandatory meeting is more than justified. It allows each and every one of you that elects to join us on Saturday 14th May, to do so from the comfort of your favourite armchair, desk or any other venue of your choice. I can honestly say that from the feedback that we have received from the first two events of this style is that they have been very constructive and positive, both from the perspective of your Board of Directors and your fellow members. The atmosphere has been very cordial and even humorous and enjoyable rather than the perception of AGM’s being rather stale and structured and no more interesting than watching paint dry. So I would encourage you to at least think about sharing a couple of hours of your time and to sign up for this once-a-year insight into the inner workings of The Ultimate Car Club for the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Our 2022 series of BM-Wednesday virtual events were once again well supported, although the evening with Frank Stephenson certainly didn’t go entirely to plan.

The 50s car was supposed to be the iconic 507 as the result of a members’ poll. However, with less than a week to go before the event, my heart sank after I received an email from BMW UK apologising that the Farnborough workshop had discovered multiple fuel leaks. It would mean the car couldn’t be started, loaded onto a truck, unloaded and put into a showroom full of other U.D.Machines. So, where to get a substitute 50s car, as rare as they are? A quick phone call to Michael Grenfell, owner of the beautiful 503 Cabriolet featured in the November 2021 issue of SS and now featured in our media package for Sommerfest 2022. It’s one of only three right-hand-drive cabrios ever built and it came to the rescue very graciously and helpfully without hesitation, thank you Michael. Thanks also to Dan Wood for bringing his E39 AC Schnitzer 5 Series and Brian Elliott for his F31 Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Touring. Sadly, the plan to record the live stream for all manner of future benefits, not the least of which would have been retrospective viewing and other promotional opportunities, was thwarted. Technical gremlins got in the way and only the short test shoot before the event got recorded. So, apologies to any of those who were unable to join the live stream and were hoping to watch this at a later date. As the cameraman and microphone boom man for the event streaming from Cotswold BMW Cheltenham, I had the best view in the house for the entire event. It was a lot of fun being a part of this very special evening. 2022 will be a full year of activity behind the scenes for the team of ladies in our Aberystwyth office and myself and fellow directors for our 70th Anniversary. The 50 Years of M has already generated some head scratching moments together with BMW UK sourcing cars for a BBC Top Gear shoot, not at their usual Dunsfold track habitat but from Leeds East Airport. Not only was there the challenge of locating suitable cars, but also the logistics of getting the selected cars up to Leeds. So a personal thanks goes out to Ian Bergin for agreeing to lend his very rare and exciting E12 530 MLE in lieu of the E12 M535i originally requested. And even more thanks for agreeing to let the TG team drive it as the God of BMW intended, once suitably warmed up of course. Also, to Graham Barrett for his E31 850CSi, Stu and Lizzie Blount for their E28 M5, thank you for being such lovely people to deal with and so accommodating at short notice, and finally to Martin Broadbent, who works for ITV, for assisting the other channel with his E90 M3. BMW UK with their very helpful and friendly support from Cars in Camera from their base in Hertfordshire, kindly provided transport for the 530 MLE and 850CSi together with a fleet of BMW UK’s Heritage Collection from Farnborough. BBC Top Gear collected and trailered the M5 from the depths of Cambridgeshire and the M3 traversed the Pennines under its own steam thanks to Martin. The new series of Top Gear is scheduled to screen weekly from 29th May and the BMW feature is due in Episode 5 on 26th June. Be sure to tune in to them all as dates are still somewhat provisional. As I write this, we are still in the process of assisting Auto Express, again with BMW UK, for another feature and the wraps are on a feature in Classic & Sports Car for the June issue. I am sure our work is not yet done for these media requirements with the anniversary year in full swing. I am still waiting on requests from BMW UK for support at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. My experience tells me that this could all be very last minute, so all you M car owners get ready for some calls to action on 23rd June.

Finally, I sincerely hope that many of you will be keen to get your Sommerfest 2022 display tickets, which are, of course, now on sale with discounted tickets for both members and nonmembers wishing to participate in the in-field display area at Donington Park. Members should ensure to use the discount code reserved for their exclusive use at the checkout stage, the code may be accessed from within the member login via the Sommerfest webpage. Please continue to watch the website and social media feeds for more details on Sommerfest as they develop. Obviously, these feeds can be maintained, and details added as they happen whilst Straight Six will always lag by several weeks. We look forward to meeting and greeting friends old and new either at Sommerfest or at The Classic, Silverstone during the August Bank Holiday weekend. Or, of course, at both if your heart desires and, back to the fossil fuel issue, if there is enough left in your tank.

BMW Car Club GB Ireland Tour

4th – 8th September 2022 | Killarney, County Kerry

Join fellow BMW owners in exploring some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery on this relaxed driving holiday. The combination of rugged coastlines, imposing mountains and picturesque villages make this area perfect for exploring in your car. When you are not out enjoying the pre-planned circular daydrives, you will be able to relax at the 5-star Hotel Dunloe & Gardens, which will host us for four nights.

What is included:

• Return cruise ferry crossings from Holyhead –

Dublin with Stena Line (other routes are also available) • 4 nights at the 5-star Hotel Dunloe & Gardens in Killarney, in a double or twin garden room. • Breakfast at the hotel each morning • Sunday evening welcome barbecue in the hotel’s gardens • Wednesday night tour dinner • Use of the hotel’s facilities including swimming pool, gymnasium, horse stables, fishing & indoor tennis courts

• Suggested driving routes, route plans & rally boards

Tour Price:

£879.00 per person (based on 2 people in a car sharing a double or twin room) A non-refundable deposit of £200.00 per person will be required at the time of booking This exclusive tour will be limited to 25 cars.

Please call Travel Destinations on 01707 329988 to reserve your place.