%%%%***EuroFest 8@20 NEWS-UPDATED 10/04/09***%%%%

Bruce and I are working as fast as possible to make this a memorable event. Things are going great.

Here's our progress as of today, Friday, October 2nd:

Friday - Octrober 16 -

10:30-12noon Lunch on the road at The Varsity Drive-In, Norcross,GA. We have in excess of 23 cars that will meet here on Friday for lunch and the final drive on I-85 into Spartanburg. This has turned out much bigger than expected (like everything else!) and a group will be leaving Spartanburg Friday morning to drive out and meet the west and south caravans from Florida,Mississippi,Louisiana and Texas at The Varsity. Could be some press coverage on this one!

photo courtesy George Whiteley
Car wash facilities (hose/buckets/soap) will be available at the Courtyard for us.

There will be a private 8@20 Reception Friday evening at the Marriott.
- This 8@20 reception will be in the host hotel (Marriott) Friday night, separate from the Eurofest banquet, but obviously in close proximity to the host activities and arrivals. DO NOT register for the Eurofest Friday reception.
- The Friday night 8@20 banquet will include dinner/desert and cash bar.
- The 8@20 gathering on Friday will give us the opportunity to socialize and coordinate ourselves for picture opportunities and other activities for the weekend.
- We will distribute a program with 8@20 information, maps and schedules for our specific gatherings and events.
- 10pm-12am Go Cart track! We have arranged to rent the track from 10-12midnite for the group. They have 24 carts and we can run 10 at a time on the track. So far we have in excess of 35 "kids" signed up!

Saturday - October 17 -

This is show day with many activities managed by our host, EuroFest.
- This is not a "cotton swab" clean car show for us, be sure to enter your car. There will be washing facilities coordinated at the Courtyard starting Friday afternoon. Many long distance travelers will need a wash. Buckets/soap will be there.
- The larger the number of 8er's participating in the show, the better the coverage and prestige our 8er's will give to this event.
- We will have an informal tech session at 4pm in the Courtyard parking lot following the show. This is also the opportunity if necessary to assist any travelers cars with issues and teach at the same time. Florida SE8 rendered a few free Euro LKM upgrades a some resets, never know what might happen! A full Modic setup will be there.
- Be sure to register with Euro for the evening Eurofest awards banquet so we can pick up some trophies!!
- Please, please be sure to enter your car for show and Saturday Euro banquet on registration form.

Sunday - October 18 -

This is final day of EuroFest.
- We will have a photo op at the Zentrum
- 8-9am 8@20 Sunday brunch at the Courtyard, there will be a full breakfast buffet available. Breakfast charges for those who elect will be payable directly to the Courtyard. Apx cost $8. We elected to remove this cost from our 8@20 registration package to allow those who just want coffee or the hotel's continental breakfast to save $8.!

****AT THIS TIME WE NEED YOUR HELP TO ASSEMBLE A PARTICIPANT LIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE****-

Lodging:
The 8@20 hotel is the COURTYARD SPARTANBURG and is 3 miles away from the host Marriott down one straight road, no turns- maps to follow. We have negotiated a group rate of $64. for the 16th&17th. We have already needed to increase the number of rooms! CUT-OFF TIME ON THIS BLOCK IS NOW! Book immediately if you read this.

To make reservations by phone, call 1-800-321-2211 and ask for the 8@20 Room Block at the Courtyard Spartanburg.

To make online reservations with our group code prefilled click here - COURTYARD

You will be directed to the property's home page with the code for a King guest room already entered in the appropriate field. All you need to do is enter your ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE date, specific to your group block, to begin the reservation process.

Tell Us You're Coming:

Once you have booked your hotel room at Courtyard AND mailed in your registration form to Eurofest, please drop an email to euro8at20@gmail.com with:

Your Name and forum name

Cell# for the trip

Hotel you're booked in

Year/model/color of car.

City and time you are departing for the trip. (for future caravan plans)

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE RECEIVE AN EMAIL TO EURO8AT20@GMAIL.COM TO ASSEMBLE AN ACCURATE LIST. PLEASE BE SURE TO NOT FORGET THIS PART!

Future and detailed information will only be distributed to those registered with us via their email to euro8at20@gmail.com. No matter if you have posted your intentions on any of the forums, please send this email now.

This is getting more exciting as we go. Things are moving fast, the momentum of the attendance is really exciting and we are shooting to break the 54 car record of the 2004 East Coast 8-Fest that was held at the Spartanburg Zentrum. So far we have 32 cars registered, and several who have just not sent an email yet.

Thanks to all for the continued input and support. This is coming together to be an unforgettable weekend for all. To those "on the fence" about going.....don't miss out!!! If anyone is interested in the other activities offered through-out Saturday, it's up to the individual. To reiterate- Register for the Saturday Evening Euro Banquet and to show your car. The Friday and Sunday dedicated 8@20 events will require separate registration/payment thru 8@20 Group. All forms need to be received NLT Wed.,Oct.7th

Most important now is get your registration in and confirm at euro8at20@gmail.com

COURTYARD SPARTANBURG

EUROFEST REGISTRATION FORM

The text within the 8 pictured reads as follows:
In 2009 the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the BMW 8, an unparalleled series beloved by owners, coveted by collectors and still hailed for it's groundbreaking design today. With over three quarters of models outfitted with 12 cylinder power plants, the 8 series represented the pinnacle of BMW power, style and luxury on streets across the world until production ended in 1999. Today, the 8 series represents yet another chapter of a proud legacy that BMW carries on and celebrates two decades later.

*********UPDATES*********

This is an abbreviated post to summarize our progress to date.
For the original announcement post with complete info click HERE

There are several exciting things coming together with Bruce and Euro/BMW folks. They are impressed with our attendance and how far most of us are driving our cars to get there. They have moved us and we have been awarded PREMIUM parking at the Zentrum for the show. We are drawing more attention every day. Here is a post from another forum-The word is out!
Our position in the show has been cultured and matured by Bruce's efforts and the enthusiasm of our group. They are watching our threads and are impressed. There should be a few other surprises from our hosts we are not announcing because honestly, to Bruce and I, sound too good to be true! History making material!!

We have Courtyard folks wound up too. The manager of the hotel is getting a kick out of us. We will have washing facilities and roped-off parking. Check out the pic of our requested spots submitted and confirmed-

Caravans, wow the caravans. This is going to be a mini gumball rally for many. Without everyone's registration in yet, I have not put any specifics together. There are significant numbers coming from upper east coast, Florida, and of course Texas. The Texas caravan via I-20 looks to have in excess of 12-15 cars that will be together starting in Louisiana. Crazy!
Here's some pics of past SE8 journeys-

Now there's a string of 8's with a police escort courtesy Roger.

and here's what it looks like when all are parked.

"on the way"

who we try to avoid!

tearing up I-75!

We really, REALLY need everyone to submit the registration forms to Bruce and EuroFest immediately. A quick summary but please read the entire first thread above for full info and instructions.
Here are all the links for your convienience:
EUROFEST registration
8@20 registration (download)
Courtyard registration
Be sure to send an email with info requested in announcement to euro8at20@gmail.com This is the most important part, we will not have you on the list until this email is received.

10/5/09- We have received official word that BMW TV will be there to film our group!