The last several weeks have been difficult for the club. President and Editor of Classic BMW Motorräder, the club's magazine, Jeff Yost, has had to resign his positions due to his health. As you may have read in his column in the Summer 2012 issue, he has been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, which he was infected with as a result of a blood transfusion he had in 1974.

Sandy Cohen, editor of BMW Motorcycle Magazine, has made a generous offer to 10 VBMWMO members who use an iPad. She says:

Happy Holidays to all our friends in the riding community!

Famous BMWs took 1-2 at the Pebble Beach Concours this year. BMW AG continued a streak of wins with the unique R7 prototype, beautifully restored by a team of star restoration experts assembled for the project. Last year, as we reported, the R7 won a prestigious award at the Amelia Island Concours. You can read BMW's press release here.

In addition, VBMWMO founder and member #2, Jeff Dean, came second with his beautifully and painstakingly restored 1954 R68. The restoration, carried out by renowned restorer Tim Stafford of San Diego, has been seen at the Quail Lodge Motorcycle Gathering and is absolutely stunning.

2012 Speed Week is underway, and Kevin and Barbara Brooks of Olympia are campaigning their vintage BMWs in many classes:

• 250 single.
• 250 sidecar.
• 350 (yes! 350!).
• 500.
• 650.
• 650 sidecar.

They are aiming to set many new speed records. Barbara is tweeting the proceedings as the action unfolds.

Follow the tweets: https://twitter.com/brooksmotorwks

We just received the following press release for the Ride To Work 2012 campaign:

The 21st annual Motorcycle and Scooter Ride to Work Day is Monday, June 18th. This year, over a million commuters are expected to participate, demonstrating the positive benefits of riding, which include: reduced traffic and parking congestion, decreased commute times, and lessened fuel consumption.

The 2/12 edition (2nd quarter 2012) of the BMW Clubs International Council Newsletter is now online as a PDF at the Council's website.