slk55er

Before leaving this forum I wanted to thank all of you for the help that you’ve provided that has enhanced my enjoyment of my GT S and, if you’ll indulge me, reminisce a bit. And Mister Moderator, how do you keep up with all of these various forums? Thanks to you for maintaining all of them that have been so helpful.

You may have seen my post “Need a GT S? -- Check the One I Traded” and my rationale at age of 72, for making that definite “downgrade” to a GLA250. That’s for now at least while awaiting the next generation of AMG vehicles and the new engines with their 70,000 rpm electric turbos.

Over the past 40+ years, I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to drive, race and/or instruct at most of the major racetracks in the US and some lesser known ones (but not yet at COTA in Austin.) And I expect many of you all have had or will have similar great opportunities. But please indulge me for sharing a couple other experiences and photos:

I’ve often suggested that at a track event, one should always expect that there will be someone there with more money, more experience or at least, stickier tires. Walter Payton flew into Road America by helicopter at one of my race weekends (racing in a different race.) At Sears Point (Infineon) driving in a faster class, Paul Newman and Boris Said were on track with me in a World Challenge Race.

But the most dramatic, memorable and thrilling example of this was riding in MY car as a passenger with Derek Bell, F1 driver, 5-time winner of 24hr of LeMans, etc., as he streaked around Sears Point in MY modified all-wheel-drive 325iX -- the white BMW pictured below. I recall drifting sideways up the hill between turns 1 and 2. He extracted every ounce of performance, traveling at eleven 10th around every turn as he tested the capabilities and limits of BMW's then-state-of-the-art AWD system and compared my BMW to the Audi prototypes that he often raced.

In 1968 I purchased one of the first BMW 2002s in the US. My dad initially couldn’t understand how I could sell my beautiful Firebird for that box -- but he came around to drive an impressive Mercedes 280SE 4.5. But this all started in 1965 with my first car, the '64 MGB pictured below and with the book "Sports Car and Competition Driving" that my wife now of 50 years and high school sweetheart gave me that same year. Thankfully she has been incredibly tolerant and supportive through of all this.

So to you all — I hope you enjoy your various GTs and all your future vehicles as much I have mine over the decades and that your better half supports you in all your ventures. That helps a lot!

Thank you again for your help, for tolerating my ramblings and for the opportunity to reminisce.

Signing off from this forum…
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My ’88 325iX “Blowing Snow” in one of my wins in the BMW Club’s Ice Gymkhana on the frozen lake in Georgetown, Colorado:




Driving this M3 to a 3rd place finish and fastest lap in class in an Escort World Challenge Race at Sears Point:





My yellow M3 “Cleared for Takeoff” on the closed main runway of Denver’s Stapleton Airport which we had as a racetrack and driving school for 2 seasons. The paddock area was 25 acres of concrete:




In 1966, my first car, a ’64 MGB bought for $1200 when gas was 33 cents per gallon:

thecutter64

Thanks for your Class and Dignity. You will be missed.

Case1906

Well done sir.

Vic55

Am I Mr Moderator?

Good luck in your future endeavors... oh just because you dont have the car doesnt mean you cant jump in from time to time and provide valuable input.