das newsletter for the alabama section mercedes-benz club ... · the mercedes-benz suppliers...

AUGUST • 2014

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Sternblick (View through the Star)

Robert HindsPresident, Alabama Section MBCA

HNewsletter for the Alabama Section Mercedes-Benz Club of America

D aseimatblatt

Inside this Issue...

Sternblick 1

Calender of Events 2

Coming Events 3-5

Event Recap 8

Upcom

ing Event Spotlight

We have had a strong assortment of events this year, and there are more to come. Because my cancer and the side effects from the treatments make me too fatigued in the evening, Mason will be conducting the monthly meetings. I will try to make as many of the daytime events as possible. Since I am housebound most of the time,

I welcome visits from my fellow Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, please call first at 205 381-0878. Keep driving your Star cars!

We will be in need of more of our active members to step up into leadership positions since Bob Hinds has stated that he will not seek another term as Pres-ident, and Jim Roberts will have obligations to all of the Eastern Region sec-tions.

Please let Bob Hinds or Mason Beale know that you are interested in active leadership.

UpcomingAlabama Section

Election in October

August 22-23rd

There is another special national concours at Shel-ton Vineyards near Dodson, NC. This is just off I-77 78 miles north of Charlotte. This is a Mercedes-Benz only event hosted by Shelton Vineyards. You don’t even need to register ahead.

There will also be dinners Friday and Saturday evening, and lunch on Saturday as well as tours of the vineyards and winery.

Those involved in or considering MBCA leadership will benefit from the Eastern Region leadership conference on Sunday.

Shelton Vinyards Special National Concours

& Eastern Region Leadership Conference

Member-at-LargeCHAD [email protected]

Member-at-LargeED [email protected]

Member-at-LargeLIZ [email protected]

PresidentBOB [email protected]

Vice PresidentMASON [email protected]

TreasurerBRENDA BROWN [email protected]

SecretaryKEN [email protected]

MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB OF AMERICAALABAMA SECTION

www.mbca.org/alabama

Eastern Region DirectorWilliam [email protected]

Schedule OF EVENTS

Member-at-LargePIERCE [email protected]

Member-at-LargeJACK [email protected]

Member-at-LargeCAROL WADLEY,[email protected]

Executive Board

Board of Directors

Membership/ ReiseführerJIM [email protected]

Questions? Call your Section President at 205.967.5014 or the National Business Office at 1.800.637.2360 M-F, 8am-5pm MT.Or visit www.mbca.org

For more information on advertising rates please e-mail [email protected] or call 205.933.9333

das HeimatblattEDITOR: RHIANNON GAGE 205.933.9333 [email protected]

das Heimatblatt is published bi-monthly by the Alabama Section, Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Inc. Copy dead-line: 10th of the month preceding the month of issue.

ABOUT OUR ADVERTISERS: We hope you will support our advertisers. No inference, however, should be made that advertising in das Heimatblatt implies approval of their products or services by the Club, its Officers or mem-bers, or by Mercedes-Benz-USA Inc. or Daimler AG.

August 19 Birmingham Stammtisch 22 Shelton Vineyards Show Special National Event - Dobson, NC

23 Eastern Region Leadership Conference Dobson, NC

September

20 Barber Tag Appreciation Day24 Huntsville Stammtisch

16 Birmingham Stammtisch

November1 Farbenfahrt - Little River Canyon8-9 HMSA Vintage Races- Barber Motorsports

18 Birmingham Stammtisch24 Huntsville Stammtisch

14-15 MBCA National Board Meeting Atlanta, GA

December

16 Birmingham StammtischTBA Holiday Party

6 Atlanta Section Lunch

October

21 Birmingham Stammtisch

11 Cullman Oktoberfest3-5 Heimatfest 2014 - Special National Event

17-18 Euro Autofest

2000 CLK 430 silver convertible. 46,000 miles. Non-smoker, navi, upgraded to digital phone. Dealer serviced, No dings or dents. AMG wheels, new tires & floor mats.

For more information contact Gary Babb 256-881-5464 or [email protected]

For Sale

Coming events

Heimatfest --Special National Event

October 3-5th

The dramatic turns through hills and valleys in a park like setting make Barber one of the most challenging and absolutely the most beautiful road course in the world. Amenities like heat, air conditioning and hot showers as well as being in a major city make it unique.

Take advantage of this opportunity to improve your driv-ing skills and to gain appreciation for your Mercedes-Benz engineering with MBCA instructors to guide you for 2 full days.

Heimatfest will begin on Friday morning, 3 October with a visit to the $5 billion MBUSI factory just west of Bir-mingham, Alabama to get a first look at production of the new C-class as well as the ML & GL.

After lunch in the MBUSI dining room, we will return to the Barber Vintage Museum with its 1700 motorcycles and 63 Lotus race cars as well as other Formula One Champions for an insiders visit to the restoration shops.

On Friday and Saturday evenings we will enjoy the typi-cal MBCA social events.

We are also working to develop a seminar for regions or sections considering hosting an advanced driving skills event like this or a basic driving skills event for teens on Friday afternoon.

Registration is open and spaces are limited.

Number for Factory Tour _____ (No Charge) Number for Saturday Reception _____ (No Charge)Number for Barber Museum _____ x $16/pp $_____Lunchtime Touring Laps: Saturday_____ Sunday_____

Please make checks payable to Alabama Section, MBCA. Mail with registration form to James E. Roberts, DMD, 2301 Arlington Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35205. Questions: [email protected] Tel: 205-933-9333 or 205-529-0071(cell)

Heimatfest - October 3-5 2014 - Barber Motorsports, Birmingham, AL

Name(s) of Member(s) Attending: ______________________________________________________________Name(s) of Guest(s) Attending:_________________________________________________________________Address: __________________________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip:___________________________________________________Phone: _____________________________ E-mail: ___________________________ Membership #________

Register for Advanced Driving Skills at:

msreg.com/TUBarber2014

Discount Code: MBCA

To register for MBUSI factory tour, Barber Museum, reception, or lunchtime touring laps: Registration form below

Registration info you need to know

For any additional questions contact Jim Roberts at [email protected] tel: 205-933-9333

A discounted rate of $89/ night is available at the Hampton Inn adjacent to Barber Motorsports

Make reservations at:

www.birminghamleeds.hamptoninn.com

Tel 205-702-4141

Hotel Information

Coming events

Cullman OktoberfestOctober 11th

Euro AutofestivalOctober 17-18th

This event grew from a local British car club asking BMW to allow them to use some of the parking area around the factory for a car show. In 15 years it has become a major show for all European cars.

Peachtree Section established a presence several years ago with Carolina’s Section embracing the event in 2012 when Mercedes-Benz was named the featured marque. This year it will be a regional event. Carolinas Section invites all the MBCA participants to join them for dinner on Friday night.

This year MBCA’s Pete Lesler will be conducting a con-cours school for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi, since all 3 use the same suppliers. This is a great way to gain insight into the MBCA judged concours rules.

The host hotel is the Greenville Embassy Suites on Ver-dae Boulevard.

Basic registration is $35. For details go to [email protected]

The Cullman Oktoberfest committee has asked us to participate in the Saturday, 11 October celebration by placing our Mercedes-Benz cars along one of the closed off streets near the center of activity. They will need to have us in place between 9-10am, as access will be closed after that and stay in place until mid-afternoon.

They are very excited to have our cars to add to the Eu-ropean atmosphere they are attempting to create. They would like to have 20-40 cars.

This will be fun and it will help the celebrations. One of the Mercedes-Benz suppliers (Rehall) is in Cullman, so it would be nice to have some of the MK, GL, or R-class cars there.

There is a restaurant with authentic German food within a block or two of where our cars will be parked. We will plan on eating there and then going back to the “Fest-halle” for the music, dancing, and the feature of Okto-berfest.

Details will follow, but save the date and let us know that you will be bringing your car(s).


Please send registration to: James E. Roberts, DMD, 2301 Arlington Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35205. Or e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 205-933-9333 or 205-529-0071(cell)

Cullman Oktoberfest

Name(s) of Member(s) Attending: ______________________________________________________________

Car Make: ____________________ Model: _________________________Y ear: ________________________




Farbenfahrt (Color Drive) to Little River Canyon

November 1st

The fall colors are more striking here than any other part of Alabama Section, since Southern Sugar Maples, with their brilliant yellow, flaming orange and fiery red leaves as well as the magenta Dogwood, red Beech, and bril-liant red Sumac form complete canopies over the lower part of the 23 mile canyon rim road as it climbs and dives through this massive tunnel of trees to emerge at the confluence of Little River 1200 feet below and a side stream that has also carved a deep canyon.

This is the longest and deepest canyon east of the Rocky Mountains with one of the greatest roads and very little traffic. It is the largest national park in Alabama.

We will stop several times including the Canyon Mouth, Crow Point, and the Falls of Little River before proceed-ing to lunch at Desoto State Park. We will then continue to Desoto Falls and the lovely mountain top village of Mentone which has unfortunately lost its landmark hotel to a fire.

We will need a count so the restaurants can prepare, and we will arrange rooms at Atalla as our starting point.

Please let us know you will be joining us at [email protected]

Coming events

HMSA Vintage Car Races at Barber Motorsports Park

November 8-9th

This event will draw participants from the west coast and from Europe as it is being linked with the classic 24 hours of Daytona the following weekend. That race is also sanctioned by HMSA, which sanctioned the Mon-terey Historics for several years. I will be driving in the Barber events, so contact me if you would like to attend with your Mercedes-Benz at [email protected]

This is the informal preliminary event before they start full scale promotion in 2015. This time the Barber Mu-seum is backing the event as they do the vintage mo-torcycle races in October. That has become the largest vintage motorcycle event in the world.

MBCA National Board MeetingAtlanta, GaNovember 14-15th

This is a chance to see how the business of MBCA is conducted on a national level. It is also your chance to discuss matters with the board members. They are all very approachable. They became so accustomed to taking over things with me that they asked me to serve on committees and most recently to join the board as Eastern Region Director. Surely I'm not the only Ala-bama Section member who is interested in the national workings of MBCA.

Alabama Section has been nominated for section of the year. I will need others to help hold the banner if we win.

We are also vying for newsletter of the year, so it could be a fitting time to have the national board meeting so close.

Our ancestors, the Peachtree Section, is also celebrat-ing its 35th anniversary, so there will be a major party on Saturday night.

VIew from our Farbenfahrt 2013

Jim Roberts - Event Planner Jim Roberts - Event Planner

Jim Roberts - Event Planner

1800 Montgomery Highway • Hoover • 205-985-4200 • CrownAutomobile.com

Great cars make us appreciate

the journey, not just the destination.

Cruise-ins and Gatherings

If you are close enough to Birmingham for a Saturday morning visit. The 3 events listed welcome Mercedes-Benz cars. Even if you don’t see one already there, chances are that many participants own a car with the three pointed star. In order of seniority.

Krispy Kreme, Hoover US 31 1st Saturday year round Older cars start to gather about 7:30 and dissipate by 11:30 -12 noon. You will get a free cup of coffee and a donut, if your car is at least 25 years old. This event is staged by the Dixie Vintage Car Club which was founded back in the 1950’s. This will be about 75-80% domestics as well as a few street rods. Euros are mostly British with 2-4 Mercedes-Benz’s. The August event had 5 Mercedes-Benz cars.

Logan’s on US 280 11:30- 1pm Most SaturdaysThis is organized by M.O.B., INC, so you will see mostly newer European exotics. Most of them own and occasionally bring a Mercedes-Benz SL, SLR, or SLS. Don’t be put off by them, as they love cars and greatly respect Mercedes-Benz. They will almost certainly invite you to have lunch with them.

Cars & Coffee, Brookwood MallEvery Saturday 8:30-10:30amYes, the name is the same and the ambiance is similar to the event in Los Angeles that you have seen on T.V. because a recent California transplant was not satisfied with the existing car club scene. The location is the top floor of the parking deck of the Merrill Lynch, office building between the west end of the Brookwood Mall building and the new Target store. There is a coffee shop in the building. This attracts both Asian and European cars including exotics.


Welcome, New Member(s)

Robert WagnerLillian, AL

Irvin WestDothan, AL

Bruce WeigmannOwens Cross Rd, AL

Odell WilhoteMathews, AL

Vilpoot VilsuthikosolFlorence, AL

Thank You, Loyal Member(s)

Gary Babb Huntsville, AL

Christopher BookerMobile, AL

Brenda BrownAnniston, AL

Harold CochronAlexander City, AL

Frank FrantzenKingsport, TN

Clarissa LewisOwens Crossroads, AL

William MorrisLillian, AL

Joe PettyTuscaloosa, AL

Donald SandaalNiceville, FL

David TreadwellMoody, AL

Martin WojtynaBirmingham, AL

Jason BardisMeridianville, AL

Robert BrooksLaurel Hill, FL

James KotisMobile, AL

Belinda NewfieldBirmingham, AL

Scott PowellBirmingham, AL

Jim SparacioBirmingham, AL

Breakfast & BenzBy: Mason Beale

Event Recap

Alabama Section gathered at Klingler’s Café & Bak-ery in Vestavia on July 19 for an authentic German breakfast. Owner Irmgard Klingler, a native of Germa-ny, welcomed MBCA members to her 27 year old es-tablishment and discussed various menu options. The selections were tasty and enjoyed by all members.

After breakfast, members traveled to Crown Mer-cedes-Benz in Hoover. Upon arrival Sales Manager Mike Musso greeted members and acted as host for our visit.

Members’ attention were initially focused on AMG CLA45, S550 and CLA models. After viewing other models and review-ing various specification documents, members departed Crown thanking their host for an enjoyable visit.

Crown Mercedes-Benz regularly hosts Club events and the Alabama Section appreciates their generous support.

Several of us including some first time participants met for breakfast on 9 August at Klingler’s German restau-rant. Some drove to the Barber Museum to be joined by several other star cars for a nice drive down the dra-matic twists and elevation changes of Alabama 25 “The Copperhead”.

Crossing Logan Martin Dam into Talladega County we made our way east and south to Kymulga Covered Bridge and Grist Mill and ultimately to Desoto Caverns. This was described by Spanish explorer, Hernando

DeSoto in 1540. The beautiful formations in this limestone and onyx cave are worth a visit.

Lunch followed at Fincher’s in Sylacauga which doesn’t even see the need for a sign. We would agree, as the food was excellent. Many thanks to local MBCA member and Mercedes-Benz mechanic James L. Horne for the recommendation.

In spite of ominous clouds and predictions of rain, we had dodged it all day. Some of us paused at Morgan Creek Winery for a guided tour and tasting to complete a won-derful day. Then we had torrential showers that subsided by the time we left.

Drive to Desoto CavernsBy: Jim Roberts

Accelerate Your Driving Skills at Heimatfest 2014!October 3-5 | Birmingham, Alabama

Registration Fee: Registration for October 4 & 5 Advanced Driving Skills on the Barber track $589 Rental helmets available Register by 09.12.14: At www.msreg.com/TUBarber2014. Use discount code “MBCA” Register with the Alabama Section for MBUSI Factory & Barber restoration tours plus Friday & Saturday social eventsGood to Know: $89/night @ Hampton Inn, Leeds, AL. Breakfast included. Mention code “MBCA” @ 205.702.4141FMI: Contact Jim Roberts [email protected] 205.933.9333 | www.alabama.mbca.org

• Helmet-up for high speed thrills and technical driving with Tracks Unlimited at Barber Motorsports Park — one of the most challenging and beautiful race courses in

the world! (2.4 miles, 17-turns, Formula One-certified)*

• On Friday morning, October 3, be one of the first to see the production of the NEW C-Class at Mercedes-Benz US International — the only Mercedes-Benz production factory in North America (includes lunch in the MBUSI employee lunchroom)

• Tour the Barber Motorsports Museum — site of the world’s largest collection of Motorcycles and Lotus Race Cars. Tour the Museum’s (normally off-limits) vehicle restoration facilities on Friday, October 3

• Visit with old and new enthusiasts at social events Friday & Saturday nights

*Includes MBCA in-car instructors. Classroom instruction for novice and beginnerdrivers; tailored to driver experience. This will NOT be a timed or racing event;therefore all Mercedes-Benz makes/models are encouraged to participate

Warning:This Experience willbe Habit-Forming!

Barber Motorsports Museum

MBUSI Factory

What is the chance of seeing two gold 116 sedans built within a few months in 1977?

Mercedes-Benz Club of AmericaAlabama Section2301 Arlington Ave S. Suite 200Birmingham, AL 35205

Where: Dale’s Southern Grill, Hoover 1843 Montgomery Hwy S. #107 205-987-4757

When: 3rd Tuesday of every month

Time: 6pm dinner, 7pm meeting

Dale’s Southern Grill in Hoover is south of I-459 and 1/4 mile south of the AL 150-US 31 intersection on the left.

Monthly Membership Meeting

Where: Hildegard’s German Cuisine 2357 Whitesburg Dr. 256-512-9776

When: 4th Wednesday of every odd numbered month

Time: 6:30pm

Directions from I-565 towards Huntsville: Take S. Memorial Parkway (exit 19A), turn left on Governors Drive, turn right on Whitesburg Drive. Hildegard’s is approximately 1/2 mile on left at the corner of Bob Wallace and Whitesburg Dr.

Huntsville Membership Meeting

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