BMW CCA – Sandlapper Chapter

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

President

Mike Radecki

Vice President

Jesus Thiele

Secretary

Vincent Latten

Co-VP Midlands Region & Treasurer

Clarence Kornegay

VP Low Country Region

Hernan "JR" Marquez

VP Myrtle Beach Region

Rodrigo Barragan

Membership Director

Sharon Marcone

Event Planning

Open

Treasurer

Jules Hundley

Strategic Marketing

Exclusive Offers & Benefits

Why Become a Member?

Join the BMW Car Club of America, Sandlapper Chapter, and unlock a world of savings, events, and community built for BMW enthusiasts.

Member Stories

Hear what our members have to say about their experience
Joining the BMW Car Club of America has been a game-changer for me.
Brittany Foxx
Being part of this club has opened up a whole new world of opportunities.
Edward Woo
The BMW Car Club of America has a vibrant community that is unmatched.
Samantha Gilbert

We Have Many Ways To Connect With Our Members

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