Section 1: bmw-specific & General Automotive News, Oddball Trivia, Headlines, Jokes, Memes, & Cartoons: bmw x7 Pre-Order Program Starts October 16

~

Note: MotorWeek is available on DSS as well as cable & over-the-air broadcast. DirecTV broadcasts MotorWeek PBS-XD premières on Saturdays at 330pm EST. Various Public TV stations broadcast the same episode close to that day & time. WMPB, for example shows the same episode 90 minutes after PBS-XD. Fox Sports 1 (previously called SPEED), South Carolina WEBA DT2 & WEBA DT3, & Georgia PBS (GPTV) WCES all seem to have discontinued broadcasting MotorWeek. VELOCITY (previously called HD Theatre or HDT) broadcasts the previous week’s PBS-XD MotorWeek Tuesday 730pm & 230am, followed by Saturday 1030am & Sunday 1230pm. Cable channels, DirecTV, & Dish Network all offer VELOCITY MotorWeek episodes. If you have a satellite dish, you can receive the Fox Sports 1 feed on Satcom C4, TR11, & 6.8, 6.2 MHz. VELOCITY is an upscale high definition network with an automotive focus reaching 60 million households through DIRECTV (281), DISH (364), & most cable providers. My Classic Car episodes première on Saturday mornings on VELOCITY & repeat the next morning. Season 20 started January 3, 2016. Repeat episodes of My Classic Car are also aired on MavTV, America’s fastest growing independent network, available in 26 million households through DIRECTV (214), DISH (248), & a number of cable providers. In addition, it looks as if NBC Sports Network started carrying MCC repeats in January 2016. Fox Sports 1 (SPEED) no longer offers Autoline Detroit; it is available on Detroit Public TV & on the show’s web site along with Autoline Daily. Following the firing of co-host Jeremy Clarkson & desertion of his sidekicks, Top Gear on BBC America restarted with new hosts May 31, 2016. Jay Leno’s Garage on CNBC, normally with new episodes Wednesdays @ 10pm, starts new season June 28, 2017. Top Gear USA on History Channel, The Car Show, Fifth Gear, & Car Crazy are conspicuously absent.

Section 3: Web-site references:
TV Guide Listings:

http://www.tvguide.com/listings/
NBC Sports Network Schedule (often including Formula 1 races):

http://affiliate.zap2it.com/tvlistings/ZCGrid.do?aid=nbcsports
NBC Sports Network Formula 1 race schedule & results:

http://scores.nbcsports.msnbc.com/nascar/schedule.asp?series=FORM1
Fox Sports 1 (replaces SPEED) schedule:

http://msn.foxsports.com/tv-listings
ESPN -- race schedule & results:

http://espn.go.com/racing/
ESPN/ESPN 2/ESPN 3/etc complete schedule:

http://espn.go.com/espntv/onair/index
ESPN 3 LIVE internet broadcast schedule:

http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index
SPEED news:

http://msn.foxsports.com/speed
Internet Movie Cars Database (IMCDb) for photos of cars in movies & TV shows:

http://www.imcdb.org/
National MotorWeek episode schedule:

http://www.motorweek.org/about/upcoming_and_past_shows/
Direct TV programming:

http://www.directv.com/programming/
My Classic Car Season 19 (2015) Episodes on VELOCITY:

http://www.myclassiccar.com/episode/19/
My Classic Car Episodes on MavTV:

http://www.mavtv.com/shows/my-classic-car.html
Autoline Detroit:

http://www.autolinedetroit.tv/
Car and Driver:

http://www.caranddriver.com/
Motor Trend:

http://www.motortrend.com/
Road and Track Online:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/
Automobile Magazine Online:

http://www.automobilemag.com/
AutoWeek Online:

http://www.autoweek.com/
British Weekly Autosport includes F1 & ALMS:

http://www.autosport.com/
Links to all newspaper, magazine, radio & TV news web sites in the world:

http://newslink.org/
Auto.com Daily News & Reviews:

http://auto.com/
Popular Mechanics: Automotive News:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/
Cars.com Car Reviews:

http://www.cars.com/go/crp/index.jsp
Car Talk with Click & Clack/ The Best of Car Talk:

http://cartalk.cars.com/
BMW CCA Foundation online store with a great selection of BMW posters & prints; model cars; books; brochures; magazines.

http://bmwccafoundationstore.com/
Goodwood Revival:

http://www.goodwood.co.uk/revival/
Goodwood Festival of Speed:

http://www.goodwood.co.uk/fos/
Official site of the 24 Hours of Le Mans:

http://www.lemans.org/
BMW Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Team (BMW’s American Le Mans Series team):

http://rahal.com/
TUDOR United SportsCar Championship combines the former American Le Mans Series & GRAND-AM Daytona Sports Car Series:

http://www.imsa.com/tudor-united-sportscar-race-event-information
24 Hours of Le Mans & Formula One from Michelin's standpoint:

http://www.michelinsport.com/servlet/srt/sport/home
The Dakar Rally:

http://www.dakar.com/
SCCA

http://www.scca.org/
F1i.com claims to be the most complete Formula One coverage online:

http://www.f1i.com/
GrandPrix.com, supplier of the motorsport database to the FIA:

http://www.grandprix.com/
FormulaOne.com:

http://www.formula1.com/
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) on line (in English):

http://www.fia.com/
The official Formula One web site:

http://www.f1.com/
F1-Live.com = ESPN F1:

http://www.f1-live.com/f1-2001/en/index.shtml or http://en.espnf1.com/
Motorsport.com has ALMS, Grand-Am, Speedvision World Challenge, & F1 coverage:

www.motorsport.com
The Race Site includes ALMS, Grand-Am, & SCCA Pro Racing Speedvision World Challenge coverage:

www.theRaceSite.com
TotalMotorsport has ALMS & F1 coverage:

www.totalmotorsport.com
PitPass.com Formula One site: †

http://www.pitpass.com/
BBC Sport: Motorsport: †Formula One & Sports Car Racing:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/formula1/
Granada Media Group Limited operates ITV F1 on behalf of ITV Network Limited to present F1 news stories:

http://www.itv-f1.com/
Sports.com Formula One news:

http://www.talksport.net/f1/
F1 news stories, etc: †

http://www.grandprix.com/nscurrent.html
John R. Allen, Editor of Mformation, a mailing list for BMW M1/M5/M6 enthusiasts

For info, send a note to [e-mail]

The BMW page on automotorsport web site:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/bmw-8374.html
The MINI page on automotorsport web site:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/mini-8462.html
The Rolls-Royce page on automotorsport web site:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/rolls-royce-8486.html
The ALPINA page on automotorsport web site:

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/alpina-8376.html
BMW 2002 (02 Register Chairman):

http://www.bmw2002.co.uk
BMW's Rolls-Royce Motor Cars site:

http://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/
Rolls-Royce & Bentley history:

http://www.rolls-royceandbentley.co.uk/
Land Rover/Range Rover (previously a division of BMW):

http://www.landroverusa.com/
The old Mini:

http://www.classicmini.com/
BMW's MINI-Cooper web site; How to Find a MINI Dealer in the U.S.:

http://www.miniusa.com/
Dinan Research and Development, High Performance Sales, Installation, and Service:

http://dinancars.com/
McLaren F1 (BMW V12):

http://www.mclarencars.com
Photos, drawings, & details of BMW concept cars and prototypes:

http://www.bmw2002.co.uk/news.htm
BMWism has an illustrated list of all BMW automobiles built from October 1928 through the present.

http://www.bmwism.com/all_bmws.htm
Bimmer.org/Roadfly.com/BMW Central/Porsche Central/MINI Central claims to be the world's largest auto enthusiast website:

http://www.roadfly.com/
BMW Information's site is clean, sharp, useful, and user friendly:

http://www.bmwinfo.com/
BMW World touts itself as the ultimate site for the ultimate car; has 40,000 links & 3,500 pictures:

http://www.bmwworld.com
BMW Car Club of America:

http://www.bmwcca.org/
Peachtree Chapter BMW Car Club of America:

http://www.peachtreebmwcca.org/
Dr. Bimmer:

http://www.taylorbmw.com/
Jeremy Medlin, our favorite BMW parts guy -- [phone] or toll-free 1-877-839-7282 or email [e-mail] :

http://www.taylorbmw.com/parts/index.htm
BMW Motorsport in English or German:

http://www.bmw-motorsport.com/en/index.html
BMW Yachtsport (sailing-yacht racing):

http://www.bmw-yachtsport.com/en/index.html
BMW Golfsport:

http://bmw-golfsport.com/gs/en/index.html
BMW Group sites:

http://www.bmw.com/groupsites.html
BMW Motorrad:

http://www.bmw-motorrad.com/com/en/index.html
Husqvarna Motorcycles – formerly BMW's Husqvarna Motorcycles division (USA):

http://www.husqvarnausa.com/
BMW's South Carolina factory:

https://www.bmwusfactory.com/
BMW Zentrum:

http://www.bmwzentrum.com/
BMW USA:

http://www.bmwusa.com/
Official Eastern US time accurate within 0.4 seconds

http://www.time.gov/

Diecast Model Car Manufacturers:
Several diecast miniatures manufacturers' web links:

http://whitemetal.com/ppro/page5.html
Diecast manufacturer Kyosho's web site shows photos of 1:18 versions of 8 Minis, an X5, a 328Ci, a Z8, and the #15 BMW V12 LMR that won Le Mans in 1999. (Note: Kyosho makes the outstanding 1/18 scale silver Z8 diecast sold by your local BMW dealer, but BMW's list is $55 while your local hobby store’s Kyosho catalog lists $80. Hobby stores can get it in red, chrome, or silver. Kyosho also makes the phenomenal 1/12 scale Z8 sold by BMW dealers [with operational soft top and center console containing sunglasses], but if you want it with the James Bond rocket launchers, you must buy it from your local hobby store.):

http://www.kyosho.com/eng/products/diecast/lineup.html?s1=&s2=&s3=16&s4=&s5=&Submit=Needle+Setting
Minichamps North America’s site shows few of its models; offers its catalog for sale. Minichamps, unquestionably one of the best diecast manufacturers in the world, makes many of the diecasts sold by BMW.

http://www.minichampsna.com/
Part of Minichamps, Amalgam North America offers diecast BMW.WilliamsF1 Team FW22 Formula 1 car & BMW Sauber F1 Team F1.07 Formula 1 car, both in 1/8 scale, for $4500 each; BMW Sauber F1 Team F1.07 1/1 replica steering wheel for $2400; BMW Sauber F1 Team F1.07 1/1 replica steering wheel & BMW.WilliamsF1 Team FW28 1/4 replica steering wheel for $110 each; BMW Sauber F1 Team F1.06 & F1.07 & BMW.WilliamsF1 Team FW26 twin keel & BMW.WilliamsF1 Team FW28 1/12 replica Formula 1 nose cone for $125 each.

http://www.amalgamcollection.com/en/
Spark model cars are imported and distributed into the USA and Canada through the same dealer network as the BBR 1:18, Kyosho, Redline, Le Mans Miniatures, Bizarre, and the Minichamps line by Minichamps North America Inc.

http://sparkmodel.com/Main/search/index.html
Revell has 1:24 scale plastic model kits of BMW Sauber F1 Team F1 car (07245), BMW Z8 (85-2332) and BMW’s new MINI Cooper (85-2995). Send an email to [e-mail] for new product updates to be sent to your email address.

http://www.revell-monogram.com/
Diecast maker AUTOArt manufactures 120 BMWs & 39 MINIs.

http://www.autoartmodels.com/en/
Herpa makes 81 BMW diecasts, 6 Minis (listed under Rover) -- one (740i) in 1/43 and the rest 1/87 or smaller:

http://www.herpa.de/
Diecast maker Schylling’s offerings include BMW Z4, MINI Cooper, & MINI Cooper convertible:

http://www.schylling.com/
Diecast manufacturer Maisto’s site pictures 12 BMWs, including a 1:18 diecast Z8, a 325i convertible, and the #15 BMW V12 LMR that won Le Mans in 1999 -- with detailed engine. Also a 1:24 Z8. Also motorcycles in 1:18 -- R1 1100RT-P, R1200C, R1100RS, & R1100R:

http://www.maisto.com/
IIXO web site does not yet list its 2001 BMW M3 GTR V8 #10 (Team PTG) & #42 (BMW Motorsport); it does list BMW M3GTR V8 "Yokoyama" H.Stuck - B.Said - B.Auberlin #6 ALMS 2001 BMW M3GTR V8 “BMW Motorsports” D.Muller - J.Muller #43 Winner GT3R ALMS 2001 Mini 2000 Black Mini 2000 Red Mini Cooper S 2002 Silver Mini Cooper S 2002 Metallic Blue BMW M3GTR V8 “Ready To Race” White: †

http://www.ixomodels.com/
Sun Star makes 1/43 Minis in choice of 4 colors:

http://www.sunstartoys.com/
Clearly one of the best diecast makers – if not THE BEST -- Exoto makes magnificent 1/18 diecasts of BMW’s Rolls-Royce Phantom (short wheelbase in white & LWB in titanium) & Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé (in blue). I am trying to persuade the firm to manufacture the McLaren F1 and F1 GTR. The company's lines include Racing Legends (including an award-winning Cobra Daytona Coupe and Corvette Grand Sport), Grand Prix Classics, ThunderTrac (GM Hummer, both military and civilian -- one of which has a Bush-Cheney sticker and Florida tag CHAD4U), and First Heat Trans Am Collection. Mostly 1/18.

http://www.exoto.com/s/1/ProductOverview.aspx?Language=en&CategoryId=132
While the BMW Lifestyle Catalog includes the three James Bond BMWs in 1/87 scale diecast, Corgi offers The Definitive James Bond Collection -- the entire set of ten Bond cars from the original Aston Martin DB5 though the Z8 (plus the gyrocopter, but apparently not the BMW motorcycle) in 1/43 and 1/36 scale -- all with "Bond Gadget" features. Corgi also offers 3" tall Bond-character diecast figurines; the 2CV with Bond from For Your Eyes Only; the Stromberg helicopter with Naomi figure from The Spy Who Loved Me; Mr. Bean with his Mini; the Mini, driver figure, and gold bars from The Italian Job; and a host of racing Minis:

http://www.corgi.co.uk/
Concentrating mostly on 1/24 scale, Franklin Mint manufactures superior diecasts, rivaling or besting Kyosho, Minichamps/Paul's Model Art, and Exoto. Franklin has a beautiful 1/10 scale 1957 BMW R-50 Motorcycle with detachable Steib Sidecar listed under “Fire Engines, Big Rigs, & More.” Unfortunately, other than a new primo 1/24 Z8 with aluminum body panels (like the original), the only BMW-related cars offered on this manufacturer’s web site are a dozen Rolls Royces & Minis, including the classic 1907 Silver Shadow in 1/43 and 1/12. (The 1/24-scale 1907, which I have, apparently is now retired.) Of course, Franklin Mint does make the phenomenal 1/8-scale 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen (the world’s first car) -- rolling the model causes the drive belt to turn the flywheel and, therefore, the piston rod to move the piston, as well as the 1/8-scale 1885 Daimler Single Track (the world's first motorcycle). Franklin Mint long ago retired the 1/6-scale diecast model of the 1896 Quadricycle, the first Ford.

http://www.franklinmint.com/tfmweb/corporate/homepage.asp?orsr_url_addr=LS-68ggy5Zr86c-X8%2FSJQEA
Danbury Mint's 1/24 diecasts are close to Franklin Mint standards. Danbury offers no BMWs, but it does have a delightful James Bond Aston Martin with working ejector seat, license plates that rotate to display three different numbers, and more. Get free catalog by calling toll-free number: 1-800-493-2934

http://www.danburymint.com/?gclid=COjg6ojH8cICFXBp7Aod-koA8g

Diecast Model Car Retailers:
DSC SHOWCASES is an English retailer for not only marvelous display cases but also pre-owned Minichamps, Franklin Mint, Danbury Mint, and Creative Masters diecasts. Some items are listed in both US dollars & British pounds; also a monetary conversion formula is posted. WARNING: We do not guarantee that what you pay for will actually be shipped to you. Could that be why he has been kicked off eBay?

http://dscshowcases.co.uk/vIndex.htm
Since 1993, PhillyMint Diecast Model Cars has offered Franklin Mint diecasts, including a 1/8 scale 1957 BMW R-50 motorcycle & sidecar, the 1/24 scale BMW Z8 in aluminum, a 1905 Rolls "Little Sue" in 1/16, and 8 Roll Royces in 1/24 . Vinny will do you right:

http://www.phillymint.com/Diecast/AutoArtimports.htm
If you access Franklin Mint's web site through the Diecast Zone's site, that diecast collector's group gets credit for whatever you order off Franklin Mint's web site:

http://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/list_reviews/manufacturer.asp?id=Franklin+Mint
Diecast Zone includes 4-day online auctions of diecast models & automobilia.

http://www.diecast.org/diecast98/html/asp/auction/auction.asp
BMW Lifestyle Catalog, including miniature diecasts

http://www.shopbmwusa.com/BMW-LIFESTYLE
Lenhardt's Mini Bimmers has a fabulous collection of BMW diecasts sorted by BMW series. Several of them we have not found elsewhere.

http://www.minibimmers.com/
Legacy Motors, an on-line retailer of diecast models with photos of most offerings, including BMWs, Minis, Range Rovers, McLaren F1 GTRs -- with a good search engine:

http://www.legacydiecast.com/showroom1.asp and especially http://www.legacydiecast.com/showroom4.asp?letter=b
Replicarz is owned by the same folks as Sport Craft Miniatures, but the web sites of the two are totally different.

http://www.replicarz.com/
eBay lists many hundreds of diecast BMWs, McLaren coupes, Minis, Range Rovers, & Rolls Royces. †Follow the path Top > Toys & Hobbies > Diecast:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=bmw+diecast&_sacat=See-All-Categories
Amazon, incl 50 hits in BMW search

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=bmw+diecast&x=0&y=0
Exoto has BMW’s Rolls-Royce Phantom (short in white & LWB in titanium) & Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé (in blue) – all in 1/18.

http://www.exoto.com/
GoMotorBids auctions hard-to-find diecasts, toys, & racing memoribilia:

http://www.gomotorbids.com/
Car Models has 319 BMWs, 77 Minis/MINIs, & 16 McLaren/BMWs.

http://www.carmodel.net/
Model-Car has 61 BMWs, 5 Minis/MINIs, & 16 McLaren/BMWs.

http://www.model-car.com/
Classic Jack specializes in Schuco diecasts. 32 BMWs & 4 Austin Minis

http://www.classicjack.com/
Piccolo World is part of Classic Jack. Piccolos are vintage cartoon-like cars made by Schuco. They have 2 Isettas, a 502, 2 Minis.

http://www.piccoloworld.com/
Kevin's Hobbies, including 95 BMWs, 17 MINIs, & 2 McLaren/BMWs.

http://www.scale18.com/cgi-bin/page/diecast.html
Tower Hobbies

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=bmw&search=Go
Minichamps.co.uk (Bobs Models Ltd) specializes in Formula 1 cars, including many BMW.WilliamsF1 Team, BMW Sauber F1 Team, and Benneton/BMW cars from Minichamps, Hot Wheels, and others; also has a few motorcycles and road cars, including BMWs; all prices in British Pounds Sterling:

http://www.minichamps.co.uk/
Scala 43 modelcars incl 76 racing BMW 2002s in 1 / 43 & 5 racing BMW 2002s in 1 / 24. Unique feature: when you roll your mouse over each photo of diecast model, the photo changes to historical photo of the real car in that particular race or rally.

http://www.scala43.com/scala43/bmw.htm
Collectiques incl 1 McLaren/BMW, 26 BMWs, & 13 Minis/MINIs

http://www.ragbone.com/
Collectible Diecast Model Cars has 125 BMWs, 37 Minis/MINIs, & 2 McLaren/BMWs.

http://www.diecastmodelswholesale.com/servlet/the-BMW-Diecast/Categories