TechFest West in SoCal, March 13-16

[scottn2retro]

Hi All -

The old Gateway Tech that was in St. Louis each year will be in LA for 2003. It will be called TechFest West 2003 and hosted by the LA BMWCCA (but open to all car enthusiasts). It promises to be a great/huge event with the diggest vendor names and of course Roundel coverage.

Here is an updated schedule:

Thursday, March 13:
8:00 - 16:00 Driving Concepts Driving School California Speedway, Fontana
15:00 - 21:00 Registration
17:00 - 21:00 Welcome Party

Friday, March 14:
8:00 - 9:30 Breakfast
8:00 - 12:00 Registartion
8:00 - 17:00 Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 - 17:00 Tech Seminars
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
17:30 - 18:30 Social Hour
18:30 - 21:00 Buffet Dinner - Keynote speaker: Mr. Dirk Albert of BMW Mobile Tradition based in Munich, Germany

Sat., March 15:
8:00 - 9:30 Breakfast
8:00 - 12:00 Registartion
8:00 - 17:00 Exhibit Hall Open
8:00 - 17:00 Tech Seminars
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch
17:30 - 18:30 Social Hour
18:30 - 21:00 Banquet - Keynote speaker: Z4 designer Anders Warming

Sun., March 16:
9:00 - 12:00 Exhibit Hall Open


The location is the Pacific Palms resort that aside from having the facilities within the resort for an event this size, also has 2 golf courses and tennis, aquatic & equestrian centers.

Website: http://www.bmwclubla.org/techfestwest2003/

e-mail: techfestwest@bmwclubla.org

[scottn2retro]

More good news regarding the Tech Fest West 2003:

It sounds like BMW AG Mobile Traditions will be there and the driving school at CIR in Fontana prior to the event is being planned. Also, the Sat. night banquet could turn into an F1 party with a viewing of the Australian GP.

Here's some links to threads:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17392

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16901

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=198244#post198244

[B R]

Sounds cool, do I have to sign up for anything in advance? :drink1:

[scottn2retro]

Originally posted by B R
Sounds cool, do I have to sign up for anything in advance? :drink1:

There will be pre-registration available. I'll check and as soon as the website is up, I'll post a link. I would imagine there will be a way to pay at the door for people that just show up, but the number of spots available for some of the activities will be limited (so if there are things you really don't want to miss, registering ahead of time would be the safe way to go).

Ads should start showing up in the Roundel and most of the local chapter (BMW CCA) newsletters soon. :)

[scottn2retro]

Just added the website and e-mail address to the first post. :clap:

[Lee22]

wonder how much it's going to cost.:az:

[scottn2retro]

Originally posted by Lee22
wonder how much it's going to cost.:az:

Hi Lee22 - What a coincidence - my friend Alen was going to show me pics of your car so I could see what he wants to do with his reflectors. I think he was trying to contact you for help with that.

As far as I know, it will be free to just visit the vendor exhibit area, but check the first thread I have linked in the second post on the thread. More info is coming available all the time as the committee firms things up. They are sending out vendor applications now.

[scottn2retro]

Updated the schedule with what we know so far. :)

I'll post a list of seminar topics soon.

[Lee22]

Originally posted by scottn2retro
Hi Lee22 - What a coincidence - my friend Alen was going to show me pics of your car so I could see what he wants to do with his reflectors. I think he was trying to contact you for help with that.



heh, i think i replied to him, i recieve about 12-16 emails a day regarding this sort of stuff. it's difficult to keep up! :az:

[scottn2retro]

Originally posted by Lee22
heh, i think i replied to him, i recieve about 12-16 emails a day regarding this sort of stuff. it's difficult to keep up! :az:

I think he said he hadn't heard back, but at 12 - 16 e-mails a day, I think it's time to open a little side business. :)

[operknockity]

Hey y'all,

The TechFest West web page has been updated with the registration forms, a preliminary schedule, and some boilerplate (eg. What is TechFest West).

Spread the word :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

The URL is http://www.bmwclubla.org/techfestwest2003/

[scottn2retro]

It looks like the web site is getting updated as door prizes get donated.

Griot's Garage was nice enough to donate some Speed Shine. :)

[operknockity]

Originally posted by scottn2retro
It looks like the web site is getting updated as door prizes get donated.

Hotel information is up now too.

I'll be updating the door prize and vendor lists in "real time".

[scottn2retro]

I saw the application flyers that were handed out at the LA Auto Show - very nice.

[scottn2retro]

Looking at the registration form, people that register for Tech Fest get $70 off the Driving Concepts Driving School at California Speedway on Thursday the 13th. :)

[operknockity]

More updates on the web site http://www.bmwclubla.org/techfestwest2003/ :clap:. Vendors are starting to sign up.

[scottn2retro]

More Vendors are signing up!

Also for the Question and Answer session, got this news from the LA BMW CCA prez:

"I got a phone call today from Terry Sayther - he is the guy who is in charge of all the TSA techs listed in the Roundel. He told me he has gotten the OK for all the guys to be sponsored by national - and they will all come. Please send the particulars to those guys as well. One guy in particular, Pete McHenry, has a large following. He is the MASTER of "upgrading and transplanting " engines from the larger cars into the smaller ones. His seminars are usually filled to capacity - standing room only!"

[DSK M3/4]

i heard they are going to have chris bangle there as some kind of "human pinata." can you verify? i'm sure the event would sell out...

[Ben Carufel]

LOL

[scottn2retro]

Originally posted by DSK M3/4
i heard they are going to have chris bangle there as some kind of "human pinata." can you verify? i'm sure the event would sell out...

Even better. Anders Warming - the designer of the Z4 exterior will be there. :D

[scottn2retro]

Last I heard, registrations were coming in and in addiition to Colgon and Toyo Tires signing up, I heard Brembo and B&M Racing wanted to be there. :)

[scottn2retro]

Here are some of the speakers that will be there for seminars:

Jay from Ground Control ---- Topic: Street and Race shocks

Pete McHenry ---- Topic: Engine Swaps

Dave Taylor from Toyo Tires ---- Topic: New Govt. tire regulations

Kinesis Motorsports ---- Topic: Aluminum Wheels

John Rastetter from Tire Rack ---- Topic: let me guess

Jan Evers from Mini Mania ---- Topic: Mini Performance

Gary Hesse ---- Topic: E34 M5 Perf. Upgrades

Jeff Ireland from Ireland Engineering ---- Topic: 2002 & E30 Perf. upgrades

Max Conover from Maximillian Importing ---- Topic: Parts distribution and fake parts

Jack Fahuna ---- Topic: Tii FI performance

George from Bimmer Clinic ---- Topic: selecting best maint. parts

BMW Club Racing ---- Topics: Race car construction, Getting started in Club racing & Club racing rules

:)

[scottn2retro]

B&M Racing will definitely be there as a sponsor for the welcome party and on the vendor floor to introduce their new line of BMW short shift kits.

[scottn2retro]

I also hear that European Car Magazine will be there as well :)

[scottn2retro]

Bentley Publications will be there doing some seminars (with one of them likely to be on Understanding BMWs OBDII system). :)

[scottn2retro]

Meguiar's and Crevier BMW have agreed to be major sponsors for the event and Dinan will be there as well. :clap: