Bimmerfest 2025: Redeemed from the Rain
The typical turnout of BMWs at our events is quite high. This is for good reason: BMW makes a wide range of cars that are reasonably reliable, well-understood, friendly, and very capable. These are all generalizations, but the brand does have a reputation and a following that would confirm these generalizations as at least partly true.
From cut-price E30s on cut springs to optioned-out G80s, the whole gamut was on display that Sunday; proving that the cars are meant to be driven by a range of people with different aims and budgets. Where they all align is on the sensations that these driver-focused machines offer them.
Stroll through the pits at any of our driving events and you’re bound to see several packs of Bimmers with models both new and old. This last weekend at Sonoma Raceway, there were more than several packs present. In fact, our registry shows over seventy different cars were there on Sunday as part of our most recent Bimmerfest event sponsored by Elite Performance, Liqui Moly, and BMW CCA.
The other event thrown back in February was rained out, unfortunately. “We saw this one as a chance to redeem ourselves,” said organizer JJ Chen.
In addition to the thirty-odd cars strictly there to run hot laps, another thirty-odd drivers had opened their passenger seats to interested bystanders who wanted to experience a capable sports-GT at Sonoma Raceway. “I saw so many happy faces after the ridealongs that day. Some had no idea this track was here the day before, but now they wanted to start driving themselves,” said JJ.
Bimmerfest reaches out to the sizable BMW community in the hopes of it growing even more. Through several different appeals to the wider audience, we were able to bring in something like 250 people that day. Ridealongs, raffles, and a well-attended carshow kept the attendees entertained, even though the vast majority weren’t participating in the DE themselves.
Off track, LIqui Moly’s sponsored raffle awarded oil change kits, additive packages, and merchandise packages to nine contestants.
Not many brands put as much into bringing in the new ranks. Sophisticated but approachable, relatable but refined, there’s a unique appeal that these mostly accessible cars have, and that appeal explains the vast following, the friendliness of the owners, and the way no track day is complete without a few E46s buzzing the tower.
Abdul Osmani used this day to shake it down another E46 he’s added to his collection.
With amazing weather, a collection of some of the prettiest track-oriented road cars around, and that infectious enthusiasm that encouraging the next generation brings, this final Bimmerfest of 2025 went well. Hopefully, we’ll draw an even larger crowd the next time around if the weather permits it. The interest will definitely be there regardless of rain, though.
