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 Owner Kermit O'Neal is sitting by the table with the spinning Triumph that is a replica of Austin Powers "Shag" mobile. Behind Kermit is one of the may breathtaking views of the hill country from Alamo BMW.
| | Alamo BMW or Alamo Power Sports is nestled within the Texas Hill Country along IH-10 W at the outskirts of San Antonio, not too far from the 1604 and IH-10 interchange. It is about six miles from the Rim and La Cantera shopping centers in northwest San Antonio and is thus not surrounded by too much commercial development. It makes for a great place for motorcyclists looking for an early meeting place on a Saturday morning tour of the Hill Country or for a great "drop-off" place for husbands when their wifes are going shopping at the Rim or La Cantera or for that matter, if you are the husband, when your wife is going shopping (our go-kart track is now open).
The building is surrounded by oak trees and, although modern, it thoroughly incorporates its surroundings. It might give some visitors visions of “Texas Limestone meets Modernity – Glass Bucket Lamps and Stainless Steel Pipes.” The interior is very spacious and great attention was given to color and space, allowing customers to feel at ease while they enjoy their dream driving machines or, as they say in Germany, while they are in “Slaraffenland,” or as we say, “Shangri-La,” the land that are in many men’s, women’s and children’s fantasies. One of them is the new Triumph Rocket III 2300CC. Its three fuel-injected cylinders pump out 140HP, 147 ft pounds of torque. At a top speed of 135 miles per hour (or more) it is a “whirling mechanized cyclone of power” and as you probably guessed, it is the fastest touring bike on the market today.
Alamo Power Sports has the only go-kart track in San Antonio. The state of the art 3/10 mile go-kart track resides in a park like setting. It is the ultimate exhilarating driving test of anyone’s skills aged 12 and up. The go-karts are the latest Alpha model by Rimo, a German manufacturer. It is a treat for anyone who wants to come out and enjoy some Hill Country ambience and get away from the daily routine – even if it is just for a couple of hours, half a day or a day. It is a great way to unwind, relax and have some down-out-right fun! The go-kart track is scheduled to open in late February. A technician from the United Kingdom was even flown here to install the timing system to ensure it would give participants their right time around the track all the way down to one-tenth of a second.
Another unusual feature that is a first in San Antonio is its large events/conference room that accompanies the track. It can be rented for any private event. Its large windows face the go-kart track and it is perfect for business meetings with its up-to-date furniture and technical equipment and when attendees need to be energized they can go outside for a quick drive around the go-kart track. It can also be used for “little Johnny’s or Susie’s” birthday party as everything in the room is interchangeable. Between go-kart runs and birthday cake “Johnny’s or Susie’s” friends can watch a movie on the large pull down screen.
The owner, Kermit O’Neal was born was born in 1946 in Port Huneneme, California to a career Navy father and mother who was an RN. His father’s job as a Chief Aviations Mate moved the O’Neal family about five times before he retired and opened a foreign car dealership in Corpus Christi. The dealership had a vast array of foreign cars; BMW, Jaguar, Lotus, Mercedes, Porche, Triumph, Morris Minor, Daimler, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Alfa Romeo and MG, just to mention a few. Being around sports cars as a child, Kermit aspired to be a Formula 1 driver one day. He went to college to study history and economics before he finally was able to pursue his dream. He did very well, but racing is very expensive and eventually he had to give it up due to lack of sufficient financial support. Kermit was then drafted for the Vietnam War and served in the United States driving an Army tank retriever that would bring back disabled tanks.
Alamo BMW/Alamo Sports Cars is a family business. One family of mechanics has worked for Alamo BMW for three generations. The first, Santos Sr., has since retired but his son Pedro still works here. His father encouraged him to work here after he graduated from school. When asked why he choose to become a mechanic he said, “It was the most natural thing to do. My father brought me here since I reached to his knees, and it was impressive being surrounded by exotic cars, Ferraris and such.” While he was in school, Pedro would also work at Alamo Sports Cars.
When Pedro’s son Cesar recently graduated from high school he followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps when he too went to work for Alamo BMW. When asked what his first memories were of Alamo BMW he replied “It was always great coming here as a kid, looking at all of the cars and motorcycles that Kermit and the other mechanics were working on, but I will always remember watching my grandpa fully restoring a TR7.” Some day Cesar wants to return to school and graduate from college with a degree that will allow him to remain in the motorcycle and car business (maybe engineering). When asked if one day he would want his son to work for Alamo BMW Cesar responded: “Sure, if he wants to and if he has fun doing it. For me it is like a second family and, I want to get up in the morning and go to work.” Cesar’s younger brother P.J., a vivacious 13 year old said when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up: “a race car driver – I want to drive fast.” So yes, the need for speed and to be around cars and motorcycles will without doubt remain in the elder Santos family for generations to come.
Both Kermit and his wife Suzanne are avid supporters of the community and they are currently working on helping wounded and permanently injurred military personnel. Their goal is to raise money for go-karts that can accommodate paraplegic soldiers and other similarly wounded military personnel so they can come here twice a month and ride for free while they undergo medical treatments at local facilities.
Come out and visit and have a look at our exciting and growing inventory!!
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 P.J's getting ready for a spin around the track in a German made RIMO go-kart. Rimo go-kart's are for rent at the go-kart track that opens in the end of February or you can buy them at Alamo BMW. Personnally owned go-kart's can be kept at the track for a fee and when the owner wants to take them out for a spin all they have to do is call 24 hours ahead and we will get them out and make sure they are running and ready to go! |
 Triumph Rocket III -- The Ultimate Power Cruiser The ultimate 2300cc dream bike with a top speed of 135 miles an hour (or more). |
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 Cesar& Pedro stands next to a BMW K1200GT inside Alamo BMW |
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190.jpg) The Go-Kart Track at sunset |
Alamo BMW
25600 IH-10 W Boerne TX 78006
Phone: (210) 828-5511
Fax: (210) 828-3330
Toll Free Phone: (866) 550-3811
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