emergency lane change, threshold braking, car handling skills and much, much more.
As a rule, the Street Survival School sessions take place in a large empty parking lot with traffic cones to guide the exercises in a controlled and safe environment. For me, as a Dad with three kids, two of whom are teenag- ers coming of age, I feel this is a great thing. It’s something that will help Brett and Kayla (my kids) to become responsible drivers. Again – ownership of a BMW is not re- quired. The club just wants to help all drivers boost their skills. The club holds many pleasure drives throughout the summer. Participants visit various points of interest and end up at restaurants, so everyone can sit down, enjoy a meal and socialize. It doesn’t stop there, my
friends. Add “tech sessions” at local garages on Saturdays; toss in mem- bership club discounts. And there’s great appeal for
vintage BMW owners, too. The club is a good venue for sourcing parts and enjoying the beautiful older cars. These vintage beauties are often displayed at various con- cours d’elegance events or just at an informal meeting. There are also some events with the BMW Motor- cycle Club.
Do they count on winter so
www.bounder.ca BOUNDER MAGAZINE 51
they can take a break? Nope. They keep the fun coming in winter, too, when the club heads to Gatineau to the Top Kart Racing facility where everyone enjoys the kart experience. Then there’s the BMW Club Advanced Driving School at the famous Nürburgring, which circles the village of Nürburg in Germany. The school is organized by Ottawa club’s George Phemister. A crew of enthusiasts from all over the world travel to the most fabled track in the world. It’s 13 miles long, 985 feet of altitude change, and 170 corners. It’s the longest, scariest race track still in existence today − and this is after they shortened it from 18 miles. I sat back in utter amazement as Chris Pawlowicz rattled off all the club has to offer. This club works hard to make sure BMW owners can truly appreciate their cars. The club newsletter keeps the membership informed of monthly meetings and other items of interest.
If you own, or want to own, a
BMW, you might consider signing up and taking advantage of all they have to offer. The membership fee is reasonable at $50 per year. Visit their website at www.
bmwccottawa.org for a car club that believes in the old adage that cars are meant to be driven.
Until next time, keep smiling − and see you in my rearview mirror.
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