FYI, the inflation calculator I use tells me that those $599 headers, if bought today, would cost you a little over $1000 in today's money.
Photograph courtesy BimmerWorld
In the early oughts, BimmerWorld’s James Clay recalls, a set of bushings for our E36 M3 project car opened the first diplomatic contact between our two companies. A third-page ad in our August 2004 issue featured some great deals on cool wheels, bushings, headers and early OBD tuning solutions.
Since then, we’ve enjoyed a 20-plus-year partnership extending through several BMWs plus safety gear for countless other projects. It extends all the way to our current BMW 435i project that Clay co-drove during its competition debut.
So, we’re sending sincere congratulations their way as the BimmerWorld crew moves into their newest facility in Pulaski, Virginia. The former Memorial Square Shopping Center, once anchored by a Walmart, will now be anchored by BimmerWorld. Nearly two acres of enclosed space will house the company’s warehouse, offices and race shop. So much room for activities.
James recently hosted a tour of BimmerWorld’s original shop, progressing through to their most recent one in Dublin, Virginia, and finally, a walkthrough of the newest one. As of this writing, the new place is fully operational.
It’s a fun watch, with Clay casually strolling through much of BMW’s American motorsports history, as BimmerWorld started with BMW CCA before branching into IMSA and SRO. Plus there’s a dog.
BimmerWorld owns the entire mall, although they are still retaining a few of the previous tenants at the moment. “The Chinese restaurant is DEFINITELY staying,” Clay says, in a move that we fully support. “But owning the whole facility does give us an easy option for future expansion. And hopefully we can find a Mexican restaurant to move in, too.”
We’re already looking forward to our next trip to Virginia for a little work on our F32, even before the chile rellenos show up.
FYI, the inflation calculator I use tells me that those $599 headers, if bought today, would cost you a little over $1000 in today's money.
Wow. Certainly I had heard of Bimmerworld, but I had no idea they were big enough to occupy a Wal-Mart. Neither did I know they were located in SW VA.
Some BimmerWorld history here–plus old photos–as part of our M3 project: How BimmerWorld Grew a BMW Passion Into a BMW Business.
Wow, cool to see where I was buying parts from in the mid 2000s and the evolution since.
Watching the video I spotted an E36 with SSR Integrales under a car cover. I had those exact wheels!
What surprises me is that a Walmart closed.
I swear I've seen James racing on tv from time to time, perhaps even in person a time or two.
Glad the two companies have enjoyed a good business relationship for so long.
I'm not a BMW guy but I have a new found greater respect and love for Bimmerworld....
“The Chinese restaurant is DEFINITELY staying,” Clay says, in a move that we fully support. “And hopefully we can find a Mexican restaurant to move in, too.”
I can get behind this mix of German, Chinese, and Mexican. Seriously congrats guys!! I can assume I'll see you in the paddock at Laguna this weekend.
With much love,
Hardcore Chevy Camaro Guy
kb58 said:What surprises me is that a Walmart closed.
Looks like there’s another one a few minutes away.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
It's common for the old 90's Walmart to close up and move to the Mega-size Walmart down the street.
Datsun240ZGuy said:In reply to David S. Wallens :
It's common for the old 90's Walmart to close up and move to the Mega-size Walmart down the street.
Yeah that's what happened here. They closed this shopping-center based store and opened a Supercenter not far away. right near the former BimmerWorld location, actually.
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