How we started
John Hermann
The BMW Owner's Club of San Diego was founded on January 7, 1970 which makes it one of the oldest clubs in the nation. The driving force for BMWOCSD was Pete Gianakas, an active duty Marine Gunnery Sgt. and one time top AMA points rider. Pete got the names of local BMW owners from Dudley Brattin owner of Brattin Motors, who was to become a staunch club member and friend to all BMW riders. The first club meeting at Pete's home was attended by many enthusiastic BMW riders and a total of 34 charter members signed up. Everyone was eager to give it a try and insisted that a club run be scheduled for the following Sunday, January 11, 1970. The rest is history and millions of miles have been piled up since that wonderful day.
In the early years, there were two prerequisites for membership: Ownership of a BMW motorcycle and a paid membership in AMA. BMWOCSD started out as an AMA Chartered Club but has since let that affiliation lapse. Today the club embraces all individuals who are dedicated to motorcycling, the promotion of motorcycle safety and the riding enjoyment and camaraderie of its members.
BMWOCSD is Charter Club # 4 in both BMW MOA and BMW RA. With your annual membership, you get 12 issues of "Road Signs," our monthly newsletter, which we believe is one of the finest local club newsletters in the country.
We are proud that our membership of over 200 still includes three charter members who remain active in club events and who have also given long, distinguished service to BMW MOA and many other areas of BMW motorcycling. These notable persons, Reva & Mike Randall and John Hermann, all BMW MOA Ambassadors, are also founding members of BMW MOA and BMW RA and have been voted Honorary Life Membership in BMWOCSD.