MBCA|KC - der Benz Newsletter June/July 2011

June - July 2011 MBCA Section of the Year

www.kcmbca.

President’s Message

In this issue: Columns

Presidents Message

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Feature Articles

560SL Brake Job 2-5 A Trip to Gemutlichkeit 9 KH Automotive Open House 12 Shatto Dairy Sunday Drive 13 Sadlers Indoor Racing 16 What to Carry for Rd Safety 17 Dana Forrester 17 Complete Garage Open Ho. 17

Miscellaneous Rants, Raves and Ramblings

NTB Discount UMKC Sch. of Dentistry Loyalty Awards Program Tire Rack Rebate New Members How to Join MBCA Officers and Board

Coming up June - September

Art of the Machine Rt. 66, Mother Road Star Trails, 2011 (Colorado) Autocross/Defensive Driving Circle Lake Huron 2011 Spaßnacht Dates Calendar

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6 6 7 14 14 19 20

By Jeff Klepac th Saturday, May 7 was a nice sunny day at McPherson College where I was

able to attend the 12th annual C.A.R.S. car show on campus. Approximately 170 cars were in place for the show, including twelve of the finest Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Yes, MBCA was well represented with members attending from the Kansas City, Wichita, Oklahoma and Colorado sections. During the event, I was able to present a $500 donation from the Kansas City Section to Brian Martin, the Director of Automotive Restoration Development at the college.

The donation was well received and will be used to continue improving their restoration program.

As I write this, I can’t help but think about all those who live in the Joplin, MO. area. The loss of life from the recent storm continues to climb.

The tornado that struck on May 22nd left the town in shambles, to say the least. In our area, many business and community efforts are underway to Jeff Klepac reach out to these people in their time of need. I would urge each of you to look for a special way you might help too. I know any effort you make will be sincerely appreciated.

Our Midwest Route 66 tour is nearly upon us, so this is your last chance to register and come along. The dates are set for June 10th, 11th & 12th. Complete the registration form, get it to me ASAP, and make your hotel reservations without delay!

Our three day getaway will let us visit sights from the Mother Road and more as we travel through parts of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Our initial route planned to take us through Joplin, but out of respect to the area residents and those conducting cleanup efforts, we will detour around this area.

Bob Smith, our newsletter editor, has once again put together another interesting newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading the reports from recent events as well as those up next. We’d love to meet you, so look at your schedule and join us if you can. We promise to deliver a healthy dose of M-B friendship along with plenty of fun for everyone who comes along.

Participating in our events will truly make you appreciate your membership in the greatest car club going - the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.

Don’t be a stranger. Hope to see you soon!

Jeff Klepac President | Mercedes-Benz Club of America | Kansas City Section

Kansas City Section www.kcmbca.org

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560SL Brake Job - Failure was not an option

By Kevin Arburn For several months last year, we had planned off and on to stage an event that we called Samstageautowerkstatt, or Saturday Garage. The idea was to have a hands-on tech session to demonstrate some actual repairs & maintenance to interested club members. All we needed was a subject – a willing guinea pig if you will, to be the specimen under the microscope; and a place. It just so happened that I’d been thinking about replacing the brakes on my 1987 560SL, so I graciously volunteered. In September we set a date for November. Jeff Klepac offered to host the event in his garage. I’d done lots of brake work on American-made cars, but never on a metric monster – a German engineered mystery that demands respect [and a little fear] from any would-be mechanic like me. Let the anxiety begin.

I bought only “Mercedes approved” brake fluid and wheel bearing grease. Das Beste oder Nichts, ya? Over the next few weeks boxes started arriving at the house. I was not at home when the brake rotors arrived, so I can only imagine what the United Parcel guy was thinking as he lugged the two hernia-inducing boxes up the steps to the porch. Thank God they came two to a box instead of all in one. I took the time to mask off and paint the non-contact surfaces of the new rotors, to try to preserve the “new” look as long as possible.

After getting the new parts lined up, I started stressing over the old ones. How do you loosen caliper bolts and rotor screws that had been torqued down to exacting Mercedes specifications and had remained so since the day that President Reagan went to Berlin and challenged Gorbachev to “tear down this wall”? Decades ago. What could I do to “prep” the old parts for removal? The Ghost of Car Projects Past visited me on one restless night to inflict painful memories of auto projects that ground to a halt when things would just not come apart – installing new parts can be fun; removing the old ones is the major stumbling block to that fun. I had to find a way to make it easier.

I’ll say this right up front: had it not been for the generosity of Jeff Klepac, this project would not have happened.

His experience [and his formidable tool collection] was invaluable. He offered his garage for the event, and that was a good thing: my garage was short on both space and tools. Oh, I have the basics: a big floor jack, jack stands, and a pathetic assortment of metric tools. Jeff, however, is a player: multiple tool boxes, an even bigger jack, a compressor and...to my great delight...impact tools! I knew that we’d be dealing with nuts & bolts that had been in place The solution came from another local car guy website: the since the car left Stuttgart and that they would not go quietly. Kansas City Wrenching Society (www.kcws.org) . It was there that I found a lead to buy a product called Kroil – a With a date set, I started the planning stage – more very, very effective chemical to loosen frozen or rusted parts accurately, the “over-thinking” stage. The first step was that comes in liquid or spray form. From what they said on consulting the various online forums and I ended up with KCWS, it makes WD-40 and Liquid Wrench look like tap more questions than answers. There are few if any “DIY” water. Kano Laboratories manufactures Kroil and a variety instructions out there for the 107 series. This meant one of of other related products, and just my luck, they were having two things: since no one had taken the time to do one, that a two-fer sale on the Kroil spray. I ordered two cans and I the job must be fairly easy; OR, it meant that in general, started spraying the target bolts, nuts & screws the day it the majority of 107 owners are not a very hands-on bunch. arrived.

How hard could it be? I did a lot of research on what had to be done and how. I printed off page after page of diagrams A week before the big event, the Klepac family experienced from a CD that I have with the 107 repair manuals. I a death in the family, so we tabled the project until after the assembled a parts shopping list using both the Mercedes first of the year. Eventually the new date was set: March 26, repair manual for the 107 series and the online Mercedes 2011. If I was not ready by then, I never would be. resource: EPC Net. If you’re not familiar with EPC Net, trust me – you need to be. ANY part for ANY Mercedes Benz We started early on the 26th. We had the car in Jeff’s can be researched, including part numbers and diagrams, garage and had it on the jack stands, wheels off, by 8:30. I with this web site. was glad that I had taken the time to read all the technical pages from the repair manual, but there is no substitute for So I started an online shopping blitz: ceramic brake pads to digging in and seeing for yourself just how everything fits eliminate the bane of all Mercedes owners: excessive brake together. Starting with the front wheels, we started taking dust; new rotors, new brake hoses, wheel bearing seals the brakes apart by the numbers. The pads came out first, and those pesky little rotor screws that always need to be Continued next page replaced because they don’t survive the removal process.

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560SL Brake Job - Failure was not an option continued from page 2 which required the removal of two holding pins on each caliper. They are removed with a 3/32” punch, which I thought was an odd thing: push pins on a car that otherwise is known for an overkill of engineering.

Next came the dreaded caliper bolts. As we expected, a normal socket wrench was just not enough to crack them loose. Time to start up the compressor and we resorted to Jeff’s impact wrench. What a great tool. Just a short BRRRRAAAAAATTTTTT and 23 year-old bolts yield to your will!

The photo above is a “before” of the right front – showing the lipped rotor and the invaluable impact wrench on the floor. The top photo in the next column is “after” all the brake components were removed.

The rotors then came off – the anticipated problem with getting the little rotor screws off was solved by the previous liberal application of Kroil and a small impact screwdriver.

A quick smack with a hammer and out they came. It was almost anti-climactic – but still a treat to have something go so easy. Next were the wheel hubs – they had to be removed from the rotors by force. We did this on a bench vice and were careful not to damage the hubs themselves.

The wheel bearing seals were forcibly removed with a hammer & screwdriver. After the hubs & bearing races were cleaned, it was time to clean and repack the front wheel bearings. Jeff’s expertise again came into play and we learned what “clean” really means. Each bearing was soaked in kerosene and scrubbed with a bristle brush… twice.

Then each bearing was carefully and thoroughly packed with Mercedes wheel bearing grease – the bright green goo is unmistakable. continued on next page

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560SL Brake Job - Failure was not an option continued from page 3

The bearings were carefully inserted into a well-greased hub and the bearing seals were just as carefully pressed into place with a very gentle hammer. The hubs were mounted to the new rotors with new rotor screws and were remounted. Adjusting the play on the front wheel bearings was done by the book; again by the careful hands of Jeff Klepac.

After the front hubs were remounted and adjusted, the calipers went back on; each bolt carefully torqued to specification. New brake hoses were installed and the new IFK ceramic brake pads were properly greased and inserted into the calipers. Once seated the holding clamp and caliper pins were re-inserted and driven home with a light tap of a hammer. The last tricky thing to do was to install the new brake sensors. Each set of pads on the front have a sensor that inserts into a groove in one of the pads and connects to an electrical socket of sorts. This wire transmits a signal to the brake warning light when the pads wear enough for the sensor to make contact. The photo below shows the new sensors in place on one side. Fronts were done.

We moved on to the rear wheels, expecting a much easier time of it since no wheel bearing work would be involved.

Wrong. The calipers were harder to reach due to the cramped and immobile nature of the rear suspension. You can’t turn the back wheels to get a better vantage point.

The little rotor screws came out with just a small ratchet, thanks again to Kroil, but the dang rotors would not budge.

Kurt Bednar over at KH Auto had warned me that it would take a hefty hammer to get the rotors off, but damn. It took twenty minutes of solid, energetic pounding with a big hammer, an impact driver and more hammer pounding before the first rotor broke loose. Jeff’s neighbors must have wondered what the hell was going on – it must have sounded like Quasimodo in the bell tower from outside the garage. CLANG…CLANG….CLANG… The second rotor took only…I say only…ten minutes to loosen; probably because I kept spraying Kroil on it when Jeff was pounding on the first rotor. My ears still ring a little. It was not a pretty sight – but finally the back rotors were off:

continued on next page

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560SL Brake Job - Failure was not an option continued from page 4 The installation of the rear brake components was a slow process due to the cramped conditions, but eventually, we prevailed:

By this time fatigue had set in and the photography stopped. The last remaining task was to fill the system with new brake fluid and bleed the air out. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, so it’s really important to change the fluid every two years, minimum. The older the fluid gets, the more moisture it retains and the less effective it becomes. Always use MB fluid too – accept no substitutes!!

Das Beste oder Nichts…erinnern??

We bled the brakes the old fashioned way – I would pump up the pedal while Jeff would loosen the small bleeder screws on each caliper (the fronts have two, by the way) and watch the fluid output. After we did all four wheels, the pedal felt good, but when the car was started, it went mushy. Something wasn’t right, but we could not imagine what. It was getting late, so rather than tear into the system again, I carefully drove the car home; downshifting to slow the car whenever possible to avoid having to use a brake pedal that was not being completely cooperative. The car would stop – it just took planning. I got honked at…a lot.

I took the car to KH Auto the following week (another slow, deliberate drive with much honking and waving) to have them check & bleed the system. The Keen eye of Kurt revealed the problem – something that we could not have anticipated. When Kurt started bleeding the rear brakes with a power-bleeder, he knew right away that something was amiss. He traced the problem right away to the brake fluid reservoir. He had removed it and showed me how the nozzle that fed the front brake lines passed fluid just fine, but that the one that fed the rear lines did not. Nothing came out. There was some baffling inside the unit that was faulty – the reservoir needed to be replaced. Kurt could not speculate how long it had been this way. [a rare factory defect??] Immediately I thought of how new the old brake pads looked on the rear wheels when we took everything apart. The rear brakes do nowhere near the work of the fronts, but the pads that we replaced could have easily been reused in another 107….at least for someone that does not mind clouds of brake dust! It made me wonder if the rear brakes had ever really worked properly. We’ll never know.

The system is now 100% and the ceramic pads are settled in. I went through an elaborate “bedding” procedure that involved extensive acceleration and deceleration – without ever stopping completely – that heats up the pads and rotors and makes for a better bond. The bedding process is best done (and more fun) on a back road in a rural area – doing this on I-35 will get you arrested.

The car now stops on the proverbial dime and I definitely don’t miss the brake dust. I just have to thank Jeff Klepac again for his hospitality and automotive expertise. Our “Samstageautowerkstatt” was a big success - a very handson and intensive learning experience!

Kevin Arburn Postscript: This article is way too short to adequately document all of the process steps that we went through.

Someday I hope to prepare a tutorial with photos and more detailed descriptions. If you are curious about all of the photos that we took that day, feel free to check out the whole gallery at Photobucket: http://photobucket.com/ 560SL_brakes2011

Photos in this article by Kevin Arburn and Jeff Klepac

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Join us for a getaway on the Mother Road!

Jeff Klepac has spent some quality time researching the history of Route 66, and has put together a weekend getaway for us to enjoy the history and excitement of the old route.

We’ve invited our friends from the Ozark and Oklahoma sections of Mercedes-Benz Club of America to join us as we peel off from the super slabs, and relive the wonderful slices of Americana only found on Route 66.

Enjoy the rustic towns of Springfield, Carthage, Galena, Riverton, Miami, and others as we trace the old road and uncover untold treasures along the way.

On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act which initiated the construction of 41,000 miles of interstate highways across America. As a result, many small towns that had once thrived along the famed east-west Route 66 were bypassed by the new high-speed interstate highway system. Faced with financial ruin, these small towns struggled to survive.

Come along and join us as we celebrate the 85th Anniversary of Historic Route 66 and the 55th Anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America.

Art of the Machine Car Display

We have an official date for the 2011 Art of the Machine Car Display for our section. MBCA|KC and the Mercedes-Benz brand will be featured at the Kansas City River Market on Sunday, June 26, 2011. Each week a different automobile brand and local club will be featured and displayed at the historic marketplace.

Make sure you save the date, as this is a really nice event to show your pride for your four-wheeled beauty, and expose our group to the community. As in past years, we’ll likely meet up for breakfast before we go to the River Market. Stay tuned to www.kcmbca.org for more details as they develop.

Also, as in previous years, our Art of the Machine display will be celebrated with a commemorative art specimen, as pictured (right).

These limited edition prints are available as a fundraiser for our section.

Contact grownup@kcmbca.org to place your order.

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Spectacular Colorado Mountain Roads & Scenery Star Trails 2011 You are invited to participate in Star Trails 2011, a very special driving event in Ouray, Colorado in August 2011. A group from the Kansas City Section will be caravaning to Ouray. If you are interested in joining the group contact Joyce Smith.

The Pikes Peak Section, based in Colorado Springs, is the host for this national special event. Nestled in the majestic San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains, Ouray is known as the Switzerland of America and is a popular destination for many outdoor activities. This is a unique MBCA driving event that showcases the off-highway capabilities and versatility of the Mercedes-Benz M- and G-Class vehicles.

We will have guided off-road excursions over national and state forest roads, for every level of expertise. From never-left-the-pavement-before to experienced 4-wheelers, you’ll find a mountain drive for you. You’ll venture over high mountain passes, following trails carved first by miners and then by railroads, in their quest for gold. You’ll see ghost towns and hidden lakes and the stark landscape above the treeline. You’ll experience firsthand the difficulty and the grandeur the early settlers faced and you’ll come away

Become a Patient at the UMKC School of Dentistry MBCA KC member and Dental student Cale Beasley is accepting new patients to be seen for reduced cost yet high quality Dentistry at the Dental College.

Treatment to be performed by a 4th year student at one-third the cost of private practice Dentistry. Skip the long wait times of getting established as a patient at the school by going directly through a student that you now know. To inquire or to schedule an initial appointment, you may contact Cale directly by means of phone or e-mail as follows: cpbeasley@gmail.com; 913-735-5754. Appointments are generally made Monday-Friday at either 9am or 1pm and can take as long as 3 hours.

with a new appreciation for the term “Pikes Peak or Bust.”

Most of all though, you’ll appreciate the capabilities of your Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

For those who prefer to stick to the more civilized paved roadways, we will have a whole range of activities for you too. We’ve got daily scenic drives including sightseeing trips to some of the many natural wonders in the area - the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and the San Juan Scenic Byway are just two examples. We’ve identified off-the-wall places to go and interesting things to do to make your stay in Colorado one you will never forget.

Visit http://startrails.mbca.org/ for more information.

Date: Wed, 08/17/2011 - 12:00pm - Sun, 08/21/2011 - 12:00pm Location: Ouray, Colorado Contact: Charlie Bennett 719.576.9737

NTB Offers Discount to KCMBCA Members NTB National Tire & Battery is offering a discount for KCMBCA members. Our friend, Brandon Ebert, the manager at the 119th & Metcalf store arranged for that generous discount for our members. Mention account #913-660-8439 and your club membership to the salesman/service writer.

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$1,000 Loyalty Rewards Program

Congratulations! Being and staying a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) has its privileges. Because you have been a member 12 consecutive months or longer without lapse, you automatically qualify for the NEW $1,000 Loyalty Rewards Program being offered by Mercedes-Benz USA to Mercedes-Benz Club of America members only. This Program, new in 2011, entitles you to $1,000 off the price of any 2010, 2011 or 2012 Mercedes-Benz vehicle (excluding Sprinter Vans) that you purchase from an authorized U.S. Mercedes-Benz Dealership. To receive your $1,000 discount: Go to your favorite authorized U.S. MercedesBenz Dealership and negotiate the best price for a new Mercedes-Benz vehicle.

Present an Official Loyalty Rewards Program “Member in Good Standing” Certificate to the Dealer (carefully read #2 below). The Dealer will take $1,000 off the purchase price of your vehicle instantly.

To print your Official Loyalty Rewards Program “Member in Good Standing” Certificate, please read these instructions carefully.

You will have 60 days from the day you print your Certificate to bring the Certificate to your Dealer for a $1,000 discount. Certificates will not be accepted anytime after 60 calendar days past the date it was printed (the expiration date will be printed on the Certificate)

Once you print a Certificate, you will be unable to print another one

Primary Club members may redeem one $1,000 Reward Certificate during calendar year 2011. The vehicle must be purchased in the Primary member’s name

Associate Club members may redeem one $1,000 Reward Certificate in calendar year 2011. The vehicle must be purchased in the Associate member’s name.

Copied, forged or otherwise altered Certificates are prohibited. Certificates may not be redeemed toward vehicles purchases prior to January 1, 2011

Questions? Please call the MBCA’s National Business Office in Colorado Springs at 1.800.637.2360 weekdays from 8am-5pm Mountain Time

Complete Garage

15209 W. 87th Street Lenexa, KS 66219 913-322-9175 For the best in Car Care For all your detailing needs, visit us at the Complete Garage. We have Griot’s full line of car care products. Save the shipping and get it today. www.Complete-Garage.com

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A Trip To Gemutlichkeit

By Dudley and Joyce Smith

The Western Reserve Section of the MercedesBenz Club of America held Gemutlichkeit, a national event, in Mansfield, Ohio, May 20-24. Gemutlichkeit, loosely translated, means “The spirit of friendship and camaraderie”. We have attended this event several times and have always had a great time. This year was no exception.

On the first evening, after everyone had spent the day getting to Mansfield and working on their cars to prepare for the concours, we were entertained at the local Mercedes-Benz dealership with cocktails and light snacks.

On display were two exceptional cars, a Duesenberg and a Packard of 1920s vintage.

On Saturday the Concours d’Elegance was held at Kingwood Center, a 47-acre estate renowned for its brilliant floral displays and gardens and a French Provincial mansion. It was a beautiful setting for dozens of beautiful automobiles and a great day to be outdoors. The evening included a welcome reception at a huge restored carrousel with fifty-two hand carved animals.

Sunday was another sunny day for defensive driving and autocross. The evening was spent at the Liederkranz German club where we were treated to dancing by the children of the club members and authentic German food.

Trophies were presented to the concours winners.

Mother Nature was tired of being nice and Monday morning the rain moved in. Dudley ran practice laps at MidOhio Motor Sports Park on a wet track. The rain stopped in the afternoon in time for the acceleration runs. Joyce spent a delightful day touring the Amish country of east central Ohio. The tour was amazing and included lunch at an Amish home.

Tuesday arrived much too soon as we realized this was the last day. More practice rounds were held at the track in chilly cloudy weather. Time trials were held in the afternoon and then it was time to pack up.

The driving awards banquet that night was held in a quaint restaurant in the center of town. We spent a lot of time with old and new friends. To say that a good time was had by all would be an understatement. We would encourage everyone to attend a national event in the near future. The next one will be in August – StarTrails - in Colorado. We plan to attend as do several others from the Kansas City Section.

Gemutlichkeit 2011

Uplift Organization, Inc. accepts donations of goods and funds. See the Uplift website at www.uplift.org for a list of needed items and how to donate them.

There is a link to TireRack on the Kansas City Section’s website, www. kcmbca.org. Click the link, which is the logo shown above, to enter the TireRack website to buy their products.

The K.C. Section receives a small rebate when you purchase their products through our website.

Request from the NBO

With every email and address update that we receive at the NBO, (either by website, phone, email or snail mail), we will send a 10 % Off Coupon for one item in the Club Store. One coupon per member will be sent electronically (so it must include a valid email address). Please send these updates to Geni at geni@ mbca.org. Remember, incorrectly mailed items cost the club money!

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Refinishing

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Straightening

Remanufacturing

CoreFirst Bank & Trust was a major sponsor of the Mid-America Caravan in 2009

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KH Automotive in Mission Hosted April SpaĂ&#x;nacht

Kevin Arburn and his SL on display at KH Automotive. Bob Poduch and Curt Bednar look on.

Reflections of the Mercedes-Benz Star

Kevin Hinckle and his staff and technicians at KH Automotive held an open house for the Kansas City Section members. Their hospitality was enjoyed by all who attended. Later the group walked next door to Johhny’s Bar-be-que Restaurant for dinner. Thanks to KH staff Colleen Pointer, Charlie Sawyer, Scot Hinckle, Cheryl Hinckle and Curt Bednar

Patti and Nick Schuh and their black 2007 SL550 were at the open house at KH Automotive

Photos by Bob Smith

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Shatto Dairy, the May First-Sunday Drive The May first-Sunday Drive was a trip to the Shatto Dairy in Osborn, Missouri. The family owned, private dairy farm produces milk and cheese for the region around Kansas City and St. Joseph. Their milk is distributed in glass bottles, a highly unusual process these days.

“Ol’ number 1394” is producing fresh milk for the Shatto Dairy. One of over 300 dairy cows on the farm.

Evan Smith, Grandson of Dudley and Joyce Smith got to experience “first hand” the milking of a cow.

One final display of the cars at Shatto Dairy before leaving for dinner.

Shatto Dairy had just opened their new reception center. Ours was one of the first tours from the new facility. Guests enjoyed taste tests of different flavored milk including chocolate, root beer, banana and strawberry.

Photos by Bob Smith

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Page 14 Willkommen New Members !

Robert Anderson David Arneson Kelly Bonavia Fred Delibero

Elise Farris Kendall Foland Patrick Hubbard James Johnson

Ormer Rogers Clifford Scott Mark Scott Daryl Scott David Voysey

We look forward to meeting you soon at one of our events.

Autocross and Defensive Driving August 27

An autocross and defensive driving day will be August 27. 2011. We have the MCC Precision Driving Center reserved. It is a 56 acre driving complex with a 400’ x 400’ concrete skills pad, a 500’ x 500’ skid pad, an urban skills course and an indoor classroom. The skills course will be coned and configured for autocross driving.

The facility is located one mile east of the MCC Blue River Campus at 20301 east 78 Highway in Independence, Missouri 64057. Discover the abilities of you and your car with this safe informative and fun way to improve your driving skills. Certified driving instructors will be there to give personal hands-on, one-on-one driving instructions to members.

Bring your family. Drivers must be licensed and be 16 years of age or older.

For more information contact Joyce Smith 913-338-0766 esmith2078@kc.rr.com

Smith Rallye Coming up in August The First Sunday Drive on August 7th starts as usual at 12 NOON at the U.S. Bank at 119th St. & Roe in Leawood. At that point you will be given instructions for the Smith Rallye, a driving experience you will talk about for years to come.

Mark your calendar for this event. You don’t want to miss it.

MBCA‘s Circle Lake Huron Tour September 24 - 30, 2011 INVITATION You are invited to join fellow MBCA members in the second in a series of Great Lake tours on a 5 day tour around Lake Huron including the Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay. You may apply for participation with an interesting car of any marque as long as you are, or become, an MBCA member.

Registration fee will include Kick-off Dinner, Reception at Benmiller, Ferry to Manitoulin Island, concluding German buffet, and commemorative vest.

REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION MATERIALS Name:__________________________________ Street Address:___________________________ City: _____________________ State __ Zip _______ Email: _____________________________________ Phone: ___________ Cell: _________________ Car for tour: ______________________________ Number participating: ______________________ Mail or Scan this form to : Ron Harshman, Tourmeister 33 W Delaware Apt 10J Chicago, IL 60610 r_harshmen1234@msn.com 218-213-4967

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Sadlers Indoor Racing - An Exciting SpaĂ&#x;nacht in May

Abstract speed; Cale Beasley in a composite image.

Cale Beasley successfully finished his laps with pride.

Left to right: Mark Moody Scot Hinckle, Bob Smith, Doug Miller, Cale Beasley, Jeff Klepac and Kevin Hinckle.

Kevin Hinckle buckles up for a run at Sadlers Indoor Go Kart Racing

Photos by Bob Smith

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What to Carry for Road Safety

From CTW Features Having a basic roadside emergency kit can make unexpected breakdowns safer and less stressful. For families with new drivers, this simple kit - and a walk-through with the novice driver of how to use each item – is essential.

Communications: Cell phone with a car charger, roadside assistance or auto club card, GPS navigation system or GPS app for a cell phone.

Tools: A multi-purpose dry-chemical fire extinguisher; warning light, hazard triangle or flares; tire gauge, tire jack, lug wrench for changing tires; jumper cables or portable battery booster.

Tire repair materials: A foam tire sealant (use as directed and only in an emergency), or portable compressor and plug kit.

Personal Items: Basic first aid kit, flashlight, gloves, hand cleaner and rags, $20 in change and small bills, disposable flash camera and paper and pen; water and non-perishable food; pocket knife. (Other personal items recommended by KCMBCA member and dermatologist Dr. Doug Whitley are; 1. wide brimmed hat, and 2. 30 SPF sunscreen cream).

During winter: Windshield scraper; blanket or sleeping bag; warm hat and gloves; chemical hand/foot warmers; small folding shovel; bag of cat litter to use for traction; coffee can furnace – short, wide candle, coffee can and matches or lighter.

Dana Forrester Guest Speaker at April Breakfast Meeting

Our guest speaker for the April breakfast meeting was Dana Forrester, Water color artist. Dana began painting his brick wall series in the mid-seventies and won many Regional and National Awards for his focus on weathered and layered advertising signs painted on brick walls. It was truly a unique and direct look at the world, often showing the viewer a subject he had not noticed before.

Dana was elected as a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society and of the National Watercolor Society in the early eighties, then began painting full time in 1987. His world changed a year later when he bought his first Sting Ray Corvette, the car which brought about a change in the subject of his art.

Dana Forrester displayed slides of his paintings.

Photo by Jeff Klepac He has continued to explore the theme of brick buildings and advertising art while using the collector automobile as a major element of his work. Dana creates about ten to twelve major works a year for publication as well as a number of commissioned watercolors for collectors wanting an original painting of a subject special to them. His paintings are included in many private, corporate, and museum collections worldwide. Currently he owns three significant Corvettes and has plans for more, a fact that separates Dana from other automotive artists.

His paintings are for sale, of course. Prints start at about $100.00. The Kansas City Section acquired two of his paintings of Mercedes-Benz cars for use as awards or prizes in the future.

Open House at Complete Garage

On April 16th, the Complete Garage invited the pro’s from Griot’s Products to answer all of our car detailing questions. The photo above shows a demonstration of using Griots Paint Cleaning clay to remove dirt left over after thoroughly washing a car.

The clay pad can be kneaded and will do about 20 full car cleanings before it wears out.

In this photo the clay is used in combination with Griot’s clear wax.

Just spray the wax onto the surface and very lightly wipe with the clay pad using straight (not circular) strokes.

Then buff with a micro fiber cloth till dry. A deep shine results.

Photo by Bob Smith

kcmbca.org

Page 18

Eveland Bros. Collision Repair

Certified Mercedes-Benz Collision Repair Center • Vehicles restored to pre-accident condition • Expert color matching • Foreign and domestic

• Factory trained technicians • State of-the-art equipment • Rental cars available

Call for an appointment

• Insurance claims assistance • Environmentally safe • Written limited lifetime warranty

913-262-6050

7200 W. Frontage Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66203

www.evelandbros.com

Kansas City’s independent Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Lexus, Land Rover and Audi repair shop.

New Location 5400 Antioch Rd. Merriam, Kansas 66202 913-432-7800

Not just your average garage...

Bosch Authorized Service

kcmbca.org

Spaßnacht Find out more: www.kcmbca.org Click on “Club Info”

Page 19

Join Mercedes-Benz Club of America Kansas City Section • Bi-monthly issues of our award-winning, full-color national magazine, The Star, and bi-monthly issues of our awardwinning section newsletter, der Benz!

• Owner Loyalty Program with a $1,000.00 Discount Certificate good on the purchase of certain M-B vehicles.

• 15% discount on parts, labor and accessories at Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City.

• National events with a wide variety of driving and social events, technical information and active discussion forums.

• Local events: Monthly breakfast meetings and pub nights, tech sessions, dining events, historic and driving tours, autocross and driver education events, rallyes, track events, picnics, annual holiday party, charitable events, concours, and more.

JOIN NOW! www.mbca.org or call 1-800-637-2360 Your membership includes an associate membership for another person in your household in the Mercedes-Benz Club of America and the Kansas City Section. Ownership of a Mercedes-Benz not a prerequisite.

1 year $45, 2 years $87, 3 years $127.

June 20, 6:00 PM

Complete Garage

2011 MBCA Kansas City Section

15209 W 87th Pkwy, Lenexa, KS

Panzon’s

8710 Lackman Rd, Lenexa, KS ___________________ July 18, 7:00 PM

77 South

5041 W 135th St. Leawood, KS ___________________ August 15, 7:00 PM

Jazz A Louisiana Kitchen at the Legends 1859 Village W Pkwy Kansas City, KS ___________________ September 19, 7:00 PM

Cascone’s Italian Restaurant 6863 W 91st St. Overland Park, KS ___________________

Officers

Officers and Board Members

Phone E-mail

Jeff Klepac, president Kevin Arburn, vice president Dudley Smith, secretary Joyce Smith, treasurer John Ryan, past president

Board of Directors

Bob Del Popolo Melvin Price Donna Ryan Bob Poduch

Faith Whitley Doug Whitley Rich Carlson Philip King Denise Klepac Mark Moody

Newsletter Editor Bob Smith

(913) 782-5865 (913) 648-7675 (913) 338-0766 (913) 338-0766 (913) 268-1252

jeff@kcmbca.org kevin@kcmbca.org dudley@kcmbca.org joyce@kcmbca.org grownup@kcmbca.org

(913) 888-2617 bob.d@kcmbca.org (816) 721-0640 melvin@kcmbca.org (913) 268-1252 donna@kcmbca.org (913) 327-1632 bob.p@kc.rr.com (913) 491-6288 faith@kcmbca.org (913) 491-6288 doug@kcmbca.org (913) 897-0260 rich@kcmbca.org (913) 585-9979 pking@kcmbca.org (913) 782-5865 denise@kcmbca.org (913) 685-8573 mark@kcmbca.org

(913) 268-8984 newsletter@kcmbca.org Webmeister-Administrator

John Ryan (913) 268-1252 grownup@kcmbca.org

Membership Director Bob Del Popolo

(913) 888-2617 membership@kcmbca.org

(603) 734-3200 regional.director@kcmbca.org

Midwest Regional Director Bill Denton (Oak Brook, IL)

What activities would you like to do with your Benz friends in 2011? Contact a board member and let them know.

June 4 June 5

June

Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON to Legends Sports, Topeka, Ks. June 5 St. Louis European Auto Show June 10-12 Route 66 Tour, Three States, Mo, Ks, Ok. June 20 Spaßnacht, 6 PM, Complete Garage, 15209 W 87th Pkwy. then to Panzon’s next door at 8710 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, Ks. June 25 BMW Club, Adult Car Control Clinic June 25 Art of the Machine, KC River Market June 26 Art of the Car, KC Art Institute July 2 July 3 July 18 July 23 Aug. 6 Aug. 7

July

Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM Guest Speaker, Dr. Doug Whitley, Dermatologist First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON Spaßnacht, 7 PM, 77 South, 5401 W 135th St., Leawood, Ks. Lunch & Learn, How to Photograph Your Car.

August

Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON Smith Rallye Aug. 15 Spaßnacht, 7 PM, Jazz, at the Legends, 1859 W Village Pky, KCK. Aug. 17-21 Star Trails, Ouray, Colorado Aug. 27 Autocross-Defensive Driving, MCC, Independence, Mo.

September

Sep. 3 Breakfast Meeting, First Watch, Shawnee, Ks. 9 AM Sep. 4 First Sunday Drive US Bank, 119th & Roe, Leawood Ks. 12 NOON Sep. 19 Spaßnacht, 7 PM, Cascone’s Italian Restaurant, 6863 W 91st St,

Overland Park, Ks

For the latest list of events, visit our Web site at: www.kcmbca.org Smart Phone Users, click this QR Code and our website will magically appear on your phone.

Our calendar is continuously being reviewed and updated throughout the year. It’s never too late to suggest activities that you think would be of interest to our members.

Breakfast is at 9 AM the first Saturday of each month at the First Watch, Shawnee Mission Pkwy. at Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS. Order your favorites from the menu. Individual checks.

First-Class Mail U.S. postage paid shawnee mission, ks permit no. 1131

MBCA Section of the Year !

15678 S. Lindenwood Dr. Olathe, Kansas 66062