Congratulations Battle of the Bimmers winners!!

If anyone has any pics of these cars, PLEASE add to this thread in a follow-up!

I. Stock Class:

1. Chris Lee • Bright Red 318ti
2. Kim Wright • Maritsius Blue 325is
3. Greg Schultz E34 Alpina B10

II. Classics:

1. Paul Cain • 1973 Blue 2002 Bi-Turbo
2. Ron Perry • 1977 Sahara 530i
3. Chris Provo • Inka 1971 CSL

III. Modified:

1. Vic Taza • Imola Red E46 M3.
2. Jeff Nguyen • Steel Grey E46 M3
3. Aaron Jimenez • Black 330i

BEST OF SHOW:

George Lee • 2000 E46 323i

__________________________________________________ __________

Best Team: Europrojektz

Furthest Travelled to Bimmerfest: Some guy from Norway...



Signing off for now ~ needing some time to get grounded. For me this was by far the best Bimmerfest ever. Met so many cool people it's gonna take me some time to integrate all of this. Friday night dinner with Will Turner and crew. Sipping Margaritas last night with Jim Conforti. Judging the Battle of the Bimmers with Ben Liaw. Some curmudgeons will say that Bimmerfest has become something different, and that they don't like what is has become. Yesterday we assembled what was arguably the most outstanding collection of BMW vehicles ever seen in one place in one time this side of the Atlantic. More important was all of the people who added their energy to create such an amazing vibe... To top it off, our vendors donated a fantastic array of prizes (wheels, tires, carbon fiber, ...) to our annual opportunity drawing, and the attendees purchased so many tickets. All in the name of charity to support a local non-profit. All I can say is that Bimmerfest has become exactly what I envisioned it would when I began planning the first one eight years ago, "Bringing the BMW Community Together".

Thank you all for coming.

Namaste.

--Jon Shafer

Here are the winners of the Classic Division that I personally took while I was judging that particular group.

The judges of the other 2 divisions were extremely well-qualified. Ryan Castro of DPE judged the Modified division, and Ben Liaw of Rogue Engineering handled the stock class.

Congrats to all the winners but the 2002 by Paul Cain should have been in the modified division. Nothing stock and classic about that car(carbon fiber, computer, 3 litre six, transaxle) but very tasty.

Once again, thanks Jon, great event!

Originally Posted by surfcitydude

Congrats to all the winners but the 2002 by Paul Cain should have been in the modified division. Nothing stock and classic about that car(carbon fiber, computer, 3 litre six, transaxle) but very tasty.

Once again, thanks Jon, great event!

You took the words right out of my mouth. Very nice car; just superbly done, but as far from Classic as a BMW can get. In addition to all the items borrowed from other BMWs, that car even has a number of Porsche parts in it.

Originally Posted by ///M Blitz

You took the words right out of my mouth. Very nice car; just superbly done, but as far from Classic as a BMW can get. In addition to all the items borrowed from other BMWs, that car even has a number of Porsche parts in it.

The three judges deliberated quite some time. Paul Cain's car could easily have won best modified or best of show, but we felt the best place for it was the classic division, the mindset being when people think of a classic BMW what is the archetypal/prototypical image? A 2002, of course. Paul's was the most outstanding one of those. George Lee's 323i (for those who checked it out) was probably the most radical I've ever seen in 8 years of Bimmerfests, so he got best of show. Best modified division really belongs to the fire-breathing E46 M3s imo. Sorry if I upset anybody with my own judging - the primary reason why I usually delegate the responsibility. I knew that no matter what was decided, it'd get questioned. There were many other cars there such as CJ Viola's Reseda Green E21 that should have won a trophy. At least CJ is a good sport, and hopefully doesn't mind as his shelves at home are already loaded with several Battle of the Bimmers trophies.

I don't have a picture of the Alpina.

Originally Posted by Jon

The three judges deliberated quite some time. Paul Cain's car could easily have won best modified or best of show, but we felt the best place for it was the classic division, the mindset being when people think of a classic BMW what is the archetypal/prototypical image? A 2002, of course. Paul's was the most outstanding one of those. George Lee's 323i (for those who checked it out) was probably the most radical I've ever seen in 8 years of Bimmerfests, so he got best of show. Best modified division really belongs to the fire-breathing E46 M3s imo. Sorry if I upset anybody with my own judging - the primary reason why I usually delegate the responsibility. I knew that no matter what was decided, it'd get questioned. There were many other cars there such as CJ Viola's Reseda Green E21 that should have won a trophy. At least CJ is a good sport, and hopefully doesn't mind as his shelves at home are already loaded with several Battle of the Bimmers trophies.

This kind of interested me as well. Maybe there should be more clairifcation made on what determines the class a vehicle is in prior to the next event.

What determines Modified? Stock? Classic? Etc....

photos of the ALPINA B10 Bi-TURBO

Originally Posted by Jon

The three judges deliberated quite some time. Paul Cain's car could easily have won best modified or best of show, but we felt the best place for it was the classic division, the mindset being when people think of a classic BMW what is the archetypal/prototypical image? A 2002, of course. Paul's was the most outstanding one of those. George Lee's 323i (for those who checked it out) was probably the most radical I've ever seen in 8 years of Bimmerfests, so he got best of show. Best modified division really belongs to the fire-breathing E46 M3s imo. Sorry if I upset anybody with my own judging - the primary reason why I usually delegate the responsibility. I knew that no matter what was decided, it'd get questioned. There were many other cars there such as CJ Viola's Reseda Green E21 that should have won a trophy. At least CJ is a good sport, and hopefully doesn't mind as his shelves at home are already loaded with several Battle of the Bimmers trophies.

Jon - Sorry if I came across as being upset. I assure that's not at all the case. I think that Paul's car deserves to win whatever the heck class he decides to enter in. I also think that you and the judges did a fantastic job, as always. However, as a BMW purist I would like to see a completely stock car -- and I mean completely stock -- win the Stock and Classic classes.

As you know, my M6 won the stock class last year (stayed home this year) and it is exactly as it was delivered to me new in 1988.

In any event, I had a great time and look forward to next year.

Originally Posted by ///M Blitz

Jon - Sorry if I came across as being upset. I assure that's not at all the case.

No, no, I didn't take it that way... Btw, I was looking all over for you just to say hello.

Originally Posted by Jon

The three judges deliberated quite some time. Paul Cain's car could easily have won best modified or best of show, but we felt the best place for it was the classic division, the mindset being when people think of a classic BMW what is the archetypal/prototypical image? A 2002, of course. Paul's was the most outstanding one of those. George Lee's 323i (for those who checked it out) was probably the most radical I've ever seen in 8 years of Bimmerfests, so he got best of show. Best modified division really belongs to the fire-breathing E46 M3s imo. Sorry if I upset anybody with my own judging - the primary reason why I usually delegate the responsibility. I knew that no matter what was decided, it'd get questioned. There were many other cars there such as CJ Viola's Reseda Green E21 that should have won a trophy. At least CJ is a good sport, and hopefully doesn't mind as his shelves at home are already loaded with several Battle of the Bimmers trophies.

Thanks for the kind words Jon. Back in 2003 when I won 3rd place for the competition I was honored that I would be considered. I didn't even know the show was a competition and was very surprised I placed.

Bimmerfest to me is not about taking home a trophy or bragging rights. To me it's the community and the great memories that I have, and for the ones that will take place the following year, every year. That's why I go, and I thank you Jon for making this possible.

Every year I go I have no intention or a desire to win. I go there to hang out with people that I now consider very good friends to me. Although winning makes me very proud of my accomplishments with the E21. There are way too many nice cars there that deserve the recognition of their accomplishments and this year the scale of this showed. Every year I see cars that are very well put together and you can tell the level of detail that went into refining the car was not an easy task.

Our group had a discussion on the extremely well built (neither words nor pictures do it justice) twin turbo 02. It should have won in any category hands down. And Ron, I don't know how you do it, you have quite the collection of wonderful old school bimmers.

Congratulations to all the winners, you deserve it!

Kim, you rock, Congrats on 2nd place! And thanks for participating in our Rally

Oh, and Jon, I think I shook your hand in the VIP at Q's, don't know if I said much, but somehow me and another E21'er (Matt from AZ) ended up playing host to a bachelorette party of about 13 females and the night is a little hazy

Jon,

Thanks for the trophy. I was taken by surprise. When I volunteered my car for the detail I was told I wouldn't be eligible. I have another rare bird ready for next years b-Fest.

Greg

Congrats to all of the winners!

congratulations!!

Found a pic of the Alpina car. Not my pic.

Pauls car was beyond Modded for a 2002, it was extreme and awesome!!! The classics were all great. The 1, 2, 3 spots were very deserving. I had a blast and was glad I could attend. See ya at Rincon...look for me, I will have the 9'7 glow in the dark mettalic yellow board with the lawn chair and margarita machine on it!!!

Congrats to all the winners! Till next year...

Another pic of Chris Lee's award-winning car...

Thanks again guys. I'm still in shock that I won 2nd place. I wasn't expecting anything and completely biffed any sort of a speech. "Party tonight!" Oh well. Thanks Ben, Ryan and Jon for the hardwork. It is much appreciated.

Are there any posts floating around with more info on chris's Ti?

Originally Posted by oakley

Are there any posts floating around with more info on chris's Ti?

I wanna shoot myself for not staying till the end . It was a long day in the sun, but it only comes once a year. Shoulda, coulda, woulda....... Anyway, thanks to the Bimmerfest team for putting on a great show. This was my first time attending, after having read about it for the past several years while I was on the east coast. Honestly, I think I am more shocked than Kim about even getting mentioned, let alone 1st place. There were so many great cars that I figured I didn't have a chance. I know Kim has done a ton of stuff to her car. I figure no car there was totally stock, so I know at least Kim's car and my car are heavily modded...but using only genuine BMW parts......so that's stock I guess.

As for more stuff on the 330ti, it can be found on 318ti.org and on bimmerforums. My handle on every forum is clex2.

....or you can wait for it to show up in one of the BMW publications soon. I won't say which one right now .

Cheers dude i use ti.org (same user name as well!) i'll check it out later..cant view it at work as they've firewalled it as i used it too much!

First of all, and I know I have said it before, but thanks again to Jon for all of his dedication to making this the best Bimmerfest ever. This event just keeps getting better and we always get some of the best BMWs in the country and always a great variety of them.

Now on to the subject of Paul Cain's car and some interesting trivia that most probably don't know! This has to be a Bimmerfest first....Paul Cain, Chris Provo, and I are all the best of friends and spend a lot of time together, so we were all just tickled pink that none of us were out of the running in the classic division. I spent countless hours helping Paul with his project and applaud his success.

Now if Chris would have brought his perfect and multiple award winning Alpina 3.0csl to the show, it would have been even harder for the judges. We are all happy to be winners of this event and none of us have any animosity towards one another.

Stay tuned for next year as Paul and a few others that were present this year will be helping me to complete my next project that will make it's debut at Bimmerfest 2008!!! I promise you that it will turn some heads! As Jon knows, I don't bring middle of the road cars to the event!!

There were several other cars that could have won this division as well.

1

Both Paul and I are judges for our the L.A. chapter BMWCCA's clean car contest as well as the San Diego chapter so we both know how hard it is when things get close to come up with a winner!