Thank you to everyone that attended bimmerfest 2004!

A more involved thank you will follow once everything settles down and we all get home but Jon, Tim and I just wanted to post a quick thank you to everyone that came to the event this year. It is all of you that really make the event possible and we thank you!

We hope to see everyone again next year

I had the pleasure of attending my third consecutive Bimmerfest yesterday. May Day was a great day for the event weather-wise, and the many interesting sponsor displays were only outdone by the many beautiful BMW's that were parked all about.

My wife Inga and I drove my E39 from Fullerton to meet good friend Ed Becker (2002 E46 sedan) at his dad Ken's (E46 Touring) home in Woodland Hills. Ed brought some walkie-talkies and his beautiful Samoyed, Natasha. We caravaned up ahead of many of the Southern California groups, and used the inter-car communication devices to compare RPM's, speedos, share the Showground address so we could both enter it into our Nav units,etc.

We parked next to three other E39's, and I talked to some of my Bimmerfest / Roadfly acquaintances, including VietSB, who rode up with others (I think his E39 is too low to clear freeway pavement, so he can now only truck it from place to place ). They were busy shining their wheels, etc. I was busy learning that I had let the battery run down in my digital camera, so I didn't get a single picture.

Next, I started walking around the already parked cars, looking and saying "Hi" to lots of fellow BMW lovers. At one point I encountered the Petlows, Andrew and Carolyn, who are Santa Barbara residents, and brought their 740i Sport and X5 over to keep everyone company. I saw Andrew all over for the rest of the day, taking pictures of just about everything!

We looked at the sponsor booths, signed up for the BMW bicycle (which I will no doubt win on Monday when that drawing takes place), talked to several friends I've made through BMW ownership, and made some more, including Propellerhead (Jay) who had driven 32 hours from Memphis in his beautiful siver E39 540i/6.

We got our Tri Tip sandwiches, entered the drawing, drank the water from Crevier Creek in the secluded wilds of Orange County, and then I heard my name called as winner of a pair of E46 stabilizer bars. Naturally, I didn't need them, since I don't have an E46, so I told Jon and company to draw another name for that prize. In exchange, I was given a folder full of AC Schnitzer / Claus Ettensberger product information, and an AC Schnitzer hood emblem and key chain. (A couple of minutes later, I was thinking "eBay", but I'm sure someone else was happy with those bars.)

We didn't go on the drive - that's three years in a row I've missed it - but headed back for "civilization" in the beautiful afternoon sunshine. We stopped in Pasadena to see our daughter, then headed on home to end a long day that began at about 5:20.

We must says thanks to all of you who organized Bimmerfest West, and to all of you who volunteered your time to direct parking, etc. But most especially, thanks to Jon Shafer for his vision and persistence (and time, and charming family) in keeping the event going and growing!

Sincerely,
Colin and Inga Campbell

Must say, thanx for all the hard work guys. I had a blast and cant wait till next year! It was just an amazing day

bimmerfest was awsome!!!

even tho i dont have a bmw, it was cool seeing all the nice cars. the road rally was insane. i was in a tpaz blue 330ci and we were in the front for a while. it was the nicest ride. the pics from the stops are awsome.

jon
the guy with the white rsx

Props to Jon, Tim and Mark

had an awesome time! & glad i made the trip from AZ.
BIG THANKS to jon, tim, & mark for all their hard work!!! tim & mark...i was one of the e21 guys that was rooming a few doors down from ya.

and another big thanks to todd, greg, & the rest of the bimmerfest film crew!

Big hats off to you and Tim, Mark. You guys did a great job!

(Tim, I didn't mean to call you Mark when I won that jacket in the raffle. I just don't win things in raffles. Ever. So I was in a state of shock.)

What a great B'fest. Obviously due in large part to the unbelievable job Mark, Tim and Jon did, but there were a lot of helpers that day that really pitched in to help thing happen. I remember watching someone across the parking lot with Dakar Yellow shoes helping people park their cars and wondering who it was. Turned out to be Ty:

An absolutely outstanding event! The fest gets better each year... This was my fourth.

Getting everyone parked was a real challenge! I have to hand it to the participants -- you all heeded Mark's entreaties not to line up way before nine, avoiding a big hassle outside the gates. But man, when the clock hit 9am, the floodgates opened, and cars came pouring in!

Thanks to all the participants for being very cooperative with the parking volunteers... it really made it easier for us.

More detailed comments, pics, etc. to follow after I regain my bearings

jon, tim, & mark : I had such a fun time. Thanks for all the hard work that was put in to pull this event off. I am very happy i made the treck from AZ. I too was one of the AZ'ers that was over that the Sandman. Waht a fun time and i cant wait till next year!

It was great to meet all you guys in person!

Originally Posted by RKT BMR

An absolutely outstanding event! The fest gets better each year... This was my fourth.

Getting everyone parked was a real challenge! I have to hand it to the participants -- you all heeded Mark's entreaties not to line up way before nine, avoiding a big hassle outside the gates. But man, when the clock hit 9am, the floodgates opened, and cars came pouring in!

Thanks to all the participants for being very cooperative with the parking volunteers... it really made it easier for us.

More detailed comments, pics, etc. to follow after I regain my bearings

Yes, I too concur with Dave's tidbit's (for now) and will write up more as I "wake up" and reflect.
I also enjoyed the festivities on State St. Friday night at Sharkeez, sitting with Mark and watching him, watching the lovely ladies on the dance floor, was entertaining in itself, and yes, there were "lots" of lovely ladies!
Hey Mark, how's your neck from turning it back and forth, not to mention your jaw, it seemed to be dropped quite often!

More later!

Originally Posted by Keith

Yes, I too concur with Dave's tidbit's (for now) and will right up more as I "wake up" and reflect.
I also enjoyed the festivities on State St. Friday night at Sharkeez, sitting with Mark and watching him, watching the lovely ladies on the dance floor, was entertaining in itself, and yes, there were "lots" of lovely ladies!
Hey Mark, how's your neck from turning it back and forth, not to mention your jaw, it seemed to be dropped quite often!

More later!

Speaking of which, have you seen my pics Keith??

Originally Posted by Jon Shafer

Speaking of which, have you seen my pics Keith??

NO, don't do it Jon!!!!!

Originally Posted by Keith

NO, don't do it Jon!!!!!

Too late, dude.

I would like to say a thank you to Jon, Tim and Mark too, I loved the fest and had a great day meeting so many BMW enthusiasts!! On top of that I won my first raffle, some great swaybars for my E46 Touring (not sure if I will use them)...
Thanks again for a great day and I will be there next year too!!!

Originally Posted by scottn2retro

What a great B'fest. Obviously due in large part to the unbelievable job Mark, Tim and Jon did, but there were a lot of helpers that day that really pitched in to help thing happen. I remember watching someone across the parking lot with Dakar Yellow shoes helping people park their cars and wondering who it was. Turned out to be Ty:

Oh you mean these shoes???

Funny Story behind them is that yellow is my favorite color (you'd never guess it). Anyway I custom ordered the shoes from NikeID before I even found the yellow car. I flew out, got the car and when I got home with the car the shoes were waiting for me.

thanks jon, tim and mark for everything. the event went smooth, and everything was awsome!!!

Thanks to everyone envolved in the 'Fest! The cars, the people, the city and the location all proved to make a winning day!

My wife Carolyn and I had the chance to meet, among other attendies, Inga & Colin Campbell - Very nice folks indeed! Colin, I will be getting my pics posted asap!

The day was the greatest I could ever have imagined!

Thanks again to Jon and the whole crew! All you guys and gals rock!

Cheers,