BMW CAR CLUB (GB)
SOUTH EAST REGION
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Our Trip to the BMW Car Club of America Oktoberfest in 2000
Part one: We arrive in Nashville and visit the Corvette museum in Bowling Green.
BMWCCA - USA
Oktoberfest 2000
The local time is around 9pm we collect our rental Minivan which we upgrade to a 41/2 litre GMC Minivan. Picking up directions from the local limousine desk we are soon at our Hotel. Book into rooms and down to the bar for a beer. I have to say at this point that the locals really are friendly.
Next morning time to explore Downtown Nashville. After parking the van and checking out the maps, stroll around Nashville. After looking at some of the local shops, It suddenly appeared up the street, our First Nascar Cafe. So just like the tourist we are, there was no hanging around, We pass the no 88 Nascar into to the cafe. I’ll let the pictures do the talking. Once we had brought our Nascar shirts and eaten a Nascar burger and watched part of a live telecast of a race on the three massive screens, it was time to hit the Cowboy Boots and Stetson Hat shops. Dave and Neil try the Hats, and of course Selwyn, just had to have the boots. Ann could not find a pair she liked ! Nashville was quite because the local Football team ,the Titan’s were playing a very important game away, so the locals who could not make the trip stayed in and watched it on the TV.
Being a Sunday we drive up to the Fairground where there is a flee Market. Also there is a Short Nascar racetrack, but unfortunately no race that day. Next morning due to the weather being like back home (raining) we decide to drive 70 miles north up to Bowling Green, The home of the National Corvette Museum. After a breakfast at a Waffle House we arrive around 11am, the rain still pouring down. They must get up early around here in Kentucky, as the first tour around the Vette Museum starts at 8am. We take the 11.15 tour. Once again the pictures can do the talking. There are 66 Corvette cars on display.
During the tour we find out that you can visit the Corvette Manufacturing Plant is just across town and it’s free. So picking up directions from the front desk we are soon on our way to the Chevrolet factory. After a safety film we are taken on a tour of the factory, as usual no cameras allowed, so no photos. After following the manufacturing of the C5 car around the lines, at the point where the Corvette heart starts to beat. This is where the engine is started for the first time and the electrics are tested. One member of our tour group is invited to start a Corvette on the line. After he has done this he received a certificate stating he had brought a Corvette to life. At the end of the tour we a given a gift from the factory.
It was finally time to board the Continental Airlines Boeing 777 from Gatwick to New York.
All our group had made their way to the Airport. Tony from Northampton arrived earlier than he planed. Those taxi drivers don’t hang around on the M1. Selwyn, Dave, Ann , Neil and myself along with Tony after 3,458mls and 7 hours arrive at Newark airport.
No time to sight see as we are soon on what Neil calls our private jet to Nashville, it was a 50 seater ERJ Jet. Another 758miles and 2 hours and we arrive at Nashville Airport.