Ready for Ofest 2008? The club’s website for Watkins Glen is ready for you

The Oktoberfest you’ve been dreaming of – incredible location, great track, plenty of diversions for bored partners – is open for business. The Oktoberfest 2008 website is up and running for anyone who wants the lowdown on the club’s 39th annual Oktoberfest in Watkins Glen. Registrations will be accept shortly.

This year’s Oktoberfest represents a couple new trends, most important a Tuesday-to-Saturday schedule (Sept. 23-29) that shortens the event by a day, in response to requests from club members who love Oktoberfest but want to fit it into their busy schedules, according to Linda Axelson, BMW CCA’s National Events Manager. The closing night banquet is Saturday not Friday. But with the location of Watkins Glen, most participants can still get home Sunday and – alas – be back at work bright and early Monday morning,

Watkins Glen driving schools every day!
For members who can’t get enough track time, the world-famous Watkins Glen circuit, less than 10 minutes from the host hotel, will be running almost non-stop, with driving schools Wednesday to Sunday. Even though the curtain rings down on Okoberfest Saturday night, there’s still one more driving school Sunday at the Glen.

Full range of events
This year’s Oktoberfest includes driving schools, autocrosses, a gymkhama, rally, fun rally, night rally, car control clinic, photo contest, and club races. There are multiple events every day except Tuesday (set aside for arrivals and a welcome reception). See the website for the schedule.

Less than a day’s drive
For thousands of BMW CCA members, while the location is rural (the population of Watkins Glen is just 2,150), the site is an easy day’s drive from major metropolitan centers. From Buffalo and Harrisburg, Pa., it’s less than three hours. From Toronto, it’s less than four hours. From New York City, it’s less than five hours. From Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, less than six hours. From Detroit, it’s less than seve n hour s. From Chicago and Raleigh, N.C., it’s less than 10 hours – a long drive for most people, but not if you’re in a BMW.

Check it out now. Register soon.
The site is open now. Registration will open in early March, probably March 4, says BMW CCA’s Axelson. Early registrants get low registration numbers and a shot at the choicest hotel accommodations. There also will be an early bird discount to encourage registration. As in past years, participants who register early may request their previous year’s registration numbers.