Club News
 
Last week, the New Jersey Chapter hosted its fourth annual Vehicle Distribution Center Tour at the BMW VDC facility in Jersey City, New Jersey. The event not only included a guided tour of the plant, but also a tech session hosted by the BMW Performance and Motorsports group. Thanks to the generous donations from Chapter members and Flemington BMW, the event raised over $5,000 for the BMW CCA Foundation. 
 
The event promptly started at 9 a.m. where everyone was divided into three groups. Two groups participated in the walking tour guided by plant managers and the third group was led to a classroom where Jake Mooney and his team from BMW M Performance Parts talked about BMW Limited Slip Differentials. Members on the walking tour were led through the entire facility with hundreds of BMWs, Minis, and Rolls Royces parked in rows ready to be prepped for delivery. The paint shop talk was very fascinating as members in attendance learned about the different shades of the Silverstone color. In addition, there was a display of 20 M cars and SAVs lined up in a row from the latest M4s in every color to X5Ms and X6Ms.
 
A buffet lunch was served at noon sponsored by Flemington BMW and we were joined by Erik Wensberg, former M brand manager with a 14-year career at BMW NA. He entertained the group with his past racing history and stories from working at BMW NA. As a member of the BMW CCA Foundation Advisory Board, he shared with us the background and future goals of the Foundation. Afterwards, Flemington BMW General Manager, Byron Brisby Jr. challenged the entire group to increase our donations with a matching contribution.
 
Lastly, a One-Day BMW Performance Center Driving School donated by Flemington BMW was raffled off and Larry West was the lucky winner! Overall, it was a successful event.—Paul Ngai