This is EXACTLY a big part of the problem, people don't know about it. It's not going to be for everyone, you for example are probably great where you are, and the BMWCCA probably isn't what you're looking for. That's not a knock on the local MINI clubs, I think they're great, but just like they fit many better than the BMWCCA, the BMWCCA fits many MINI owners better than their local MINI clubs. The BMWCCA does the car cleaning clinics, driving clinics, and they have drives and social events like the MINI clubs--different flavor, but similar types of things. But what sets the BMWCCA apart from most MINI clubs (not all, but most) are their HPDE's/drivers education. In the long run, that's what hooks most participating members into the club, at least our chapter. Many only do one HPDE a year, but that's still something. It's not for everyone, but had I known about it sooner, I'd have joined sooner, and been on the track sooner. It's also gotten me into other car clubs that I otherwise wouldn't have been invited to--Northwoods Shelby, Audi, and PCA clubs--it really broadened my horizons, so I feel a certain loyalty to it. MINI is a bit different in that there are many MINI clubs too, but they tend to be more on the social drive, maybe a tuning party, those types of things--which are great too, but that's not my main focus. The BMWCCA does offer something different from that, which is good in its own way too, and I'd like to see it improve, grow, and become a place where MINI owners are just as at home as E30 owners. May not happen, but it's worth a try. One way is for BMWCCA to acknowledge some of the local MINI clubs and maybe invite them to events, something so far the BMWCCA really hasn't thought of, see if there's common ground where they can work together. I'm not sure that will ever happen though, sadly.
This is not the first time I have heard about BMW CCA doing this to MINI owners. I have debated joining the CCA but seeing that this kind of thing is even more common than I thought makes me say I don't think I will bother. I am a very proud member of the Porsche Club of America and I can very truthfully say that our region is mostly full of genuine car nuts. I have had several members ask me how I like my MINI and fully understand that there are many other good cars in the world in addition to Porsche's. That is not to say that there are some bad apples in the basket but there always are no matter where you look. But overall my PCA region is really awesome.
The clubs vary so much, you might want to check out your local BMW chapter before you write it off. I've done events with PCA clubs from 2 separate regions. One region, I've made a few friends, and try to hook up with them once or twice a summer, lots of damned good drivers, a fantastic group, many came over out of the blue to check my car out. The other region, you couldn't pay me enough to run with again, most condescending group of people I've ever met. Not to mention dangerous.
I have found that BMW Z3 owner clubs are very welcoming and friendly. Once you get into other aspects, the egos grow larger and the people do become very high browed. Besides that group, I'm happy to stay with the MINIs. It's unfortunate people have to be 'better' than another person because of the car. Let's be honest though, a lot of the MINIs could SMOKE some BMWs in the track
In my case, I don't see a need to join a BMW club. Griot's Garage is very close, we have detailing school there from time to time and the local MINI dealer is arranging a high performance driving clinic at The Ridge Motorsports park this year. Besides, I have a MINI, why would I want to join a BMW club? Do people with Dodge Challengers join the FIAT club? Dave
In my case, because the National Capitol area club runs track days at Summit Point and I've heard they welcome MINIs. Might have to check that out this summer.
:cornut: Metroplex MINI(club) of Dallas,TX offers it all. Autocross,HPDE's, A driving school with a local Jr College's Police driving instructors, one Sat a quarter MINI of DALLAS opens their mechanic bays and provides mechanic advisors, N.S.E.W. MINI get togethers, a main monthly meeting, Our own Nathan even made his World Famous 'Seafood Chili' for a get together in someone's home, MINI's in the various parades around Dallas, Poker Run, 100mi drive outs to various historic places in Texas...............on and on. Jason PS does CCT stand for(USAF) Combat Control Team?
Now more than ever MINI's are part of BMW, that's only going to continue to grow. It could be a mutually beneficial link between the groups, the BMWCCA group is organized nationally in a way that the MINI clubs never will be, and there's strength in numbers. And the local MINI clubs could maintain their autonomy. Could be a win-win, but it's unlikely to happen. Jason, I wish CCT stood for something as cool as that, but alas, it's nothing more than my initials.... Although over the years my wife has come up with a few things CCT could also stand for, which I'd rather not repeat here.
I have been a BMW CCA member for more than 14 years, and will continue for now, but only as a BMW fan and former owner of four BMWs. Agree 100% that the MINI brand and MINI owners are both treated like a red-headed (red roofed?) step child at Roundel. The magazine offers little reason for a MINI owner to stay. Satch Carlson's refusal to use upper case "MINI" is just one example. The back-handed insults in the recent Roadster cover story are another. BMW NA excludes the entire MINI brand from the Member Rewards Program which doesn't help either. Sadly, this is a huge lost opportunity for BMW CCA. MINI has a rapidly growing and enthusiastic ownership base. We do not have a national club. We could make a substantial increase in the CCA membership base. But for whatever reason, BMW CCA has chosen to ignore this opportunity and offers only a small token of MINI content each month in Roundel. On a local level, we do have an excellent chapter here at Del Val. The chapter leadership and instructors are friends, and are welcoming to all members, even those who don't own a BMW or MINI. So I stay for now, reading Tech Talk and missing Sam Smith, waiting for that review of the M2, and living with low expectations of getting my MINI fix from Roundel or BMW CCA.
Aw shucks, it stinks to read this now. Now that I'm gearing up for a summer of track days, I was planning on getting a BMWCCA membership. Now I'm not so sure. I still might, just for the track days - My first ever HPDE was with the lead instructor for the DelVal chapter, and he was awesome. It sucks to hear of the general disappointment though.
Paul, I think it's time to change your signature. Just saying. Other than that...... I have nothing to add.
Paul - our local DelVal chapter is worth it. Sign up and I'll go with you. +1 on the signature already!
Personally, I think that if BMW included MINI in the rewards program, that would be a huge step forward, and would do more than anything to get MINI under the BMWCCA umbrella. It's probably the major reason MINI dealers don't mention the BMWCCA to new owners, unlike BMW dealers. Until MINI owners are offered the same benefits as BMW owners, attempts to increase BMWCCA numbers through MINI owners will suffer. If BMWCCA is serious about recruiting MINI owners as new members, this, along with welcoming MINI owners with open arms rather than disdain, is a must.
Thing is, if BMWCCA wants to be "BMW Roundel" only then that is fine and dandy, but don't pretend and pay lip service to MINI if it is only to raise a little cash. If you invite others to your events, if you invite others to join your club, they should be treated with the same respect and receive the same benefits as everyone else. Especially when the others you invite have BMW stamped on almost every part in and on their cars... Lol But I guess we all have exhibited some degree of car snobbery, I myself last year at the MOTD was looking down my nose at those that brought their....Ick....Fiats to the event...and one reason I probably won't attend this year in my MX-5...:screwy:
^ Very well said & I agree completely with you. :yesnod: Mark if you stay away because you have a MX5 that's up to you. For me if you have an interesting car, come on down. I like lots of cars & no one has exclusive rights to any part of the world including the dragon. Hope you change your mind. Just my .02.
Thing is, there are some MINI owners involved in their local chapters pretty high up, but really none at the national level...That's probably what it's going to take to get more MINI related stuff into Roundel. With the exception of MC2, there is really no competition for a magazine, they could fill a very nice niche if they wanted to, and dedicated a larger portion of the magazine to the MINI on a monthly basis. I know I'm posting probably way too much in this thread, sorry if it's excessive, but since Nate passed the link on, I'm hoping as many people will post as possible and keep bumping the thread to maybe stimulate some improvements.
I just received an E-mail requesting I renew my membership. Well I haven't been a member since I bought my first MINI in '06 and like a few of y'all was snub at BMWCCA events locally and at the time I own a 5 series. The MINI groups are allot better at soliciting than any BMWCCA event I had gone to at the time. Now the autocrossers are a different group to be with. Real Car people.
I joined BMWCCA when I got my mini but since that has only been a month, I dont have any experience....I did want to take William on a track just to drive fast....as Rt 295 isnt cutting it now that I was alerted to and have used the sport button...
Please see NASA, the National Auto Sports Association for some great track time!! There are others but these guys have something for everyone and it is not one brand specific!!! Check the HPDE out at: nasaproracing.com/hpde ...and you get a subscription to Grassroots Motorsports with your membership!!