About the Sandlapper Chapter
Experience the thrill of BMW ownership with the Sandlapper Chapter
History of Sandlapper
On January 30, 1976, the Sandlapper Chapter of the BMW Car Club was officially recognized by the tax agents in the state of South Carolina. The initial board members were all located in Columbia, the central part of the state. It was the 28th chapter of the BMW Car Club of America.
Those pioneers developed the first set of chapter bylaws, a mere four and a half pages, to guide the chapter and how it would be managed. By the end of 1977, there were 70 members from across the state.
Over time, areas with the largest populations started to conduct events and activities. Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville – the three largest population centers in the state- were the areas that provided the most activities.
The addition of the BMW plant in the Upstate, which opened in 1998, increased membership in the area. The BMW Performance Center and then the BMW CCA Headquarters also contributed to local growth.
The Sandlapper chapter was the first to regionalize activities as it organically grew with members and leadership from around the state.
Today, the membership is pushing 1500, with seven regions around the State. About a third of the members are located in the Upstate. In contrast, another third is split evenly between Columbia and Charleston, and the remaining third is divided over the Hilton Head, Aiken, and Myrtle Beach areas. Over the years, the chapter has added a webpage, email systems, social media capabilities, and a team to help provide the members with a more complete membership experience. And those bylaws have grown to eight and a half pages.
The Sandlapper origin story
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Your Team
Get to know the board members behind our club.

Neil Baer

Mike Radecki

Jesus Thiele

Vincent Latten
Co-VP Midlands Region & Treasurer

Evan Lease

Clarence Kornegay

Andrew Nash

Hernan "JR" Marquez

Wayne Hall

Rodrigo Barragan

Andrew Liu

Sharon Marcone

Pedro Escobar

Mark Jackson

Leah Vaverek

Sam Bell

Betsie Blumer

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Treasurer

Jules Hundley
Strategic Marketing
Why Become a Member?
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