Bimmerfest 2011 invades the Rose Bowl
 

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<strong><em><small><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/"><img alt="BMW M1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/lead630-1305556786.jpg" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; margin-bottom: 4px; " /></a>Bimmerfest 2011 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></p>
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Started more than a decade ago as a small get-together for enthusiasts at a Santa Barbara <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW </a>retailer, Bimmerfest celebrated its eleventh anniversary at a much larger venue this weekend: the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The largest BMW gathering in North America draws participants from all over the country thanks to a very active online membership in its <a href="http://www.bimmerfest.com/">Bimmerfest</a> forums. As has traditionally been the case, most attendees meet up early in the morning to caravan hours to the Southern California event.<br />
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Despite unseasonably gloomy weather, there were more than 3,000 BMW vehicles on display. BMW North American brought its big rig with several cars including the new 2011 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/1+series+m">1 Series M Coupe</a>. There was an excellent showing of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134977">E31 8 Series</a> models, including an <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134965">850CSi</a> (powered by a S70B56 5.6-liter V12 with a six-speed manual gearbox). We spotted plenty of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134973">E30 M3</a> models, several <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134972">Z3 Coupe</a> variants and an <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134996">E23 745i</a> (the gray market sedan features a turbocharged inline-six). The Nitto Tire both held the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134959">GSR Autosport Z4R</a>, competing in the 2011 Formula Drift series with a 600-plus horsepower turbocharged S54 engine. Other notable BMWs in attendance included a race-bred <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134993">M1</a>, several sinister <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134975">X6 M</a> SAVs, and a spectacular <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bimmerfest-2011-rose-bowl/#4134964">1972 E9 3.0 CSi Coupe</a> - this year, we'll call that one our show favorite.<br />
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There is good news for BMW owners on the East Coast. The event organizers have announced a second North American event, <a href="http://www.bimmerfest.com/bmw-events/Bimmerfest-East-2011/">to be held in early August</a> in Aberdeen, Maryland. BMW owners, start polishing your cars now.</p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/16/bimmerfest-2011-invades-the-rose-bowl/">Bimmerfest 2011 invades the Rose Bowl</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 16 May 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/16/bimmerfest-2011-invades-the-rose-bowl/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19940915/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/05/16/bimmerfest-2011-invades-the-rose-bowl/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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