Every so often, things really fall into place to make for a great weekend.

To be honest, I didn’t really even consider attending the RMC BMWCCA Summerfest in Vail this year when the announcement first came out in the Motorsport Report. But then Mike Beyer, the event organizer and club president, extended a special invitation to our little online group. Then our good friend Mike Richmond (aka meyekel) offered to let me take his ’73 Verona. I had helped Mike with a motor and transmission swap earlier in the year, but this was really generous. Thanks Mike! My family thought it sounded like a nice weekend getaway. Plus, my kids really like Mike’s car.

The trip up was mostly uneventful. The kids rode with me in the ’02, while my wife, Anne, followed behind in her Honda. The only scare occurred on the first climb up I-70 out of Denver. It was hot, about 95, and the water temperature started rising at an alarming rate—this was later attributed to a slightly loose fan belt. We stopped at the Buffalo Bill exit to let the car cool down before proceeding on. We took it easy the rest of the way to Vail and the car kept its cool; the cool mountain air helped too.

The weekend was great. Mike Beyer and Darlene Doran of the club really went out of their way to make my family feel welcome. My kids, Will (age 7) and Grace (age 4) loved the swimming pool and all of the exploring; especially the nearby waterfall. There was one other ‘02er in attendance, Craig Reisser, who had driven with his family all the way from Omaha. Craig is the original owner of an early 1971 2002.


Craig Reisser's early '71.


This picture was taken in Italy when the car was new. Craig is on the left.

We all enjoyed the Saturday tour through the mountains north of Vail with the club. Alan Warner did a great job on the route; the drive over Gore Pass to Kremmling was beautiful. But with the whole family packed in the ’02 and a fresh motor to take care of, we fell a bit behind the main group. Distracted by the scenery, we missed a turn and ended up being a bit late for lunch. We were met with applause when we finally made it to Kremmling!

Sunday morning, as I attempted to leave the parking lot for the car show, the clutch pedal went to the floor and I couldn’t select any gear. A quick inspection revealed that the clutch slave cylinder had a leak. I thought I was sunk. So the family and I headed to the show in the Honda where Fred Iacino introduced me to Lothar Schuettler with the vintage club. Lothar explained that slave cylinders usually fail slowly and that I should try to pump it up 40 to 50 times. Lothar even loaned me a can ATE brake fluid in case I needed it. Fred gave me a ride back in his ’87 535i (what a nice car!), and sure enough, the clutch did eventually pump back up. The day was saved!


That trail of dark spots is brake fluid.
 
The concours was pretty cool. I got to see some cars that I've never seen in person berfore, like a 1957 BMW 507. (See the image gallery for more pictures). Mike’s car received many compliments. I think everyone was pleased to see a nice 2002.  The car performed well and the new motor ran like a champ; the fan belt being only teething problem related to the motor swap.

Every so often, things really fall into place to make for a great weekend.

Happy '02ing
Martin