I can’t help but reflect on the many great adventures of the past year as well as the many, exciting new adventures that 2017 is sure to bring!

Without a doubt, the car control clinics, guided driving tours, increasingly popular auto cross, and exhilarating high performance driving events represent some of the many highlights of the past year. Of course, there is also the once-in-a-lifetime Octoberfest and BMW centennial celebration. I will never forget the eye-popping sights and thunderous sounds of legendary BMW race cars speeding around Laguna Seca Raceway during Festorics – and then driving the same track myself a few weeks later at the BMW CCA high performance driving event!

Another highlight of 2016 was getting to know members who live outside of the Bay Area area and most recently in the San Louis Obispo area. We forged new relationships with BMW dealerships in this area as well. Tyler and his amazing team at Coast BMW in San Luis Obispo graciously hosted the club for a board meeting with local members and a very memorable cars and coffee, complete with doughnuts, music, and an impressive turnout.

The timeless cars from our favorite Bavarian brand and beautiful event venues are paramount but I believe the true secret sauce to our success is the undeniable human element that spans throughout all of this excitement. It truly is the people, our members, that make the Golden Gate chapter so special and the reason the aforementioned events have left such a mark in so many of our hearts and minds.

In the spirit of ringing in the new year right, I fondly reflect on all of the amazing people who have helped make 2016 such a memorable year for me and the Golden Gate Chapter. As they say, the people make the place and in the case of the Golden Gate Chapter, the people really do make the club.

Happy New Year everyone!