Salida has always been a great gathering place for all manner of car buffs. From annual car shows featuring American-made classics to stopovers featuring vintage touring cars from all over the world, there’s something for every fan of the open road.
Up next: the sleek lines of nearly 100 of the BMW Z-series sports cars will grace the greenery of the “Winner’s Circle” from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Thonoff Park on June 30.
Hosted by the Z Series Car Club of America (ZSCCA), the 2022 ZFEST will feature a wide array of BMW Z1, Z3, Z4 and Z8 Roadsters and Coupes. They’ll be stopping for lunch under the shady trees of the park, just across from the Chaffee County Courthouse.
Organizers have rotated the location of ZFEST yearly since 2009 and this summer they are basing the event at Snowmass Village, Colorado. ZFEST 2022 runs from June 27-July 2 and is a national event that includes drives, social events, and DIY clinics. On June 30 they will motor over Independence Pass, turning south towards Salida to enjoy the views of the Collegiate Peaks with a buffet lunch for the drivers at Thonhoff.
The BMW Z-Series (Z stands for zukunft – German for future) were first produced in 1989 and over the years have introduced many engineering innovations, an “M” high-performance variant plus a legacy of sleek styling.
Jon Moorhead of Salida, National President Z Series Car Club of America
Salida resident, Jon Moorhead has been a member since 2016 and is the current national president of ZSCCA. “This year marks only the fourth time ZFEST has been held west of the Mississippi. Most of the membership is focused in the east which is why we don’t venture west very often” he said.
“I volunteered to be the local coordinator because I feel that Colorado offers great roads to drive, stunning scenery, but also destinations which may be of interest to attendees. Leadville and Salida serve as great locations for history buffs to relive ‘the Old West’” he continued.
Moorhead encouraged locals and visitors alike to drop by Thonhoff Park to watch the comings and goings of the Z cars and welcome the drivers to Salida. “Most folks will gladly talk to you about their cars and what this club means to them. I’ll tell you that it’s the cars that bring us together but it’s the people that keep us coming back” he said.
For a history of the Z Series Car Cub of America, Moorhead recommends a short video taken during the club’s silver anniversary at the 2021 ZFEST held in Spartanburg, SC.
Featured image: 2021 BMW Z4-M40i performance roadster. Image courtesy ZSCCA.org
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