BMW Car Club of America, New Jersey Chapter

What the chapter covers

The New Jersey Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America was founded in 1970 and represents members “across New Jersey and the surrounding region.” Its About page puts membership at more than 3,000, while its join page says 2,000-plus. The mailing address in the national directory is in Westfield, and the chapter is entirely volunteer-run.

Meetings, socials and cars and coffee

Monthly member meetings mix club news with a technical talk or a guest expert, and they move between hosts around the state; recent ones have been held at Shade Tree Garage, 56 Degree Wines in Bernardsville and SIM1 Racing. Bimmers & Brews, a weeknight social series that began in 2026, has taken over the parking lot and taproom at Sunken Silo Brew Works in Lebanon.

The chapter’s cars and coffee mornings draw 100 to 200 cars at most events, from 2002s and E9 coupes to current M cars, and are informal and come-and-go. New dates and locations are announced as they are set; members@njbmwcca.org takes suggestions. The chapter also runs an annual Pick Your Pumpkin Rally, which benefits NORWESCAP.

The year ends with the Pinewood Derby and Holiday Party at the Deutscher Club in Clark, a tradition of more than 30 years. The 2026 party is on Tuesday, December 1, at 6:30pm, with complimentary German food. Cars must use official BSA wheels and axles, weigh no more than 5 ounces and run on powdered graphite only, and kids are welcome and encouraged to come.

Autocross, schools and racing

Autocross has been a core activity since the chapter began. The 2026 season has seven events at TD Bank Ballpark, and the chapter says its events give more runs than most large club autocrosses, usually eight or more. Instructors ride along at no charge, and newcomers are urged to take one. You do not need to drive a BMW. Members pay $95 if registered by Friday and $105 on the weekend; non-members pay $110 and $125.

Driver schools are for BMW CCA members aged 18 and up. The chapter accepts no convertibles of any kind and no SUVs on track, and for 2026 it requires a Snell 2020 or Snell 2025 helmet. A club racing school, where instructors watch from their own cars rather than riding along, is the next step for drivers aiming at a BMW CCA Club Racing license. Tire Rack Street Survival for drivers aged 16 to 21 is held at Campgaw Reservation in Mahwah, generally in June and September.

Members can also borrow from the chapter’s technical library and shared toolbox.

Joining through the cones

A first autocross entered at the non-member rate includes a one-year BMW CCA membership, per the chapter’s autocross page, which makes the ballpark a practical way in. Applications, renewals and address changes otherwise go through the national account system; the BMW CCA club page sets out the dues.