FIRST QTR 2012
MBCA | Carolinas Section THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MERCEDES BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA, CAROLINAS SECTION
ClubDates
Special Edition
2012
Events Calendar
Your Key To Fun!
Check inside for all of the exciting events planned for your club this year. You’ll want to grab your calendar and add the special dates for the Mercedes Benz Carolina’s Section that you won’t find anywhere else.
CONTENT 2
President’s Message
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3 New Member Roster & Benefits 4
Charleston Kick-Off Luncheon
5
Calendar of Events
7
Legends of the Autobahn
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Odds and Ends
PRESIDENT Richard Deiber Huntersville, NC (704) 948-1433 president@mbcacarolinas.org IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Anthony Santagati Beaufort, SC (843) 522-9444 sandspub@aol.com VICE PRESIDENT Soren Pedersen Waxhaw, NC (980) 722-5651 vicepresident@mbcacarolinas.org SECRETARY Position Vacant TREASURER Roy L. Davis Columbia, SC (803) 331-1852 treasurer@mbcacarolinas.org MEMBERSHIP CHAIR Fred Harris Statesville, NC (704) 902-6253 harrisfred@hotmail.com EVENTS CHAIR Position Vacant NEWSLETTER EDITOR Melissa Sprouse Browne Columbia, SC (803) 791-3800 info@mbcacarolinas.org
From the National Business Office: With every email and address update that we receive at the NBO, 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 2 updates to Geni at geni@mbca.org.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Pardon me,
Have we met before?
Did you know that the Carolinas Section has 313 members? Spread out over two states, our members are interesting folks who have at least one thing in common: passion for their cars and the Mercedes Benz brand. As a part of my last year in office, iber.biz rick@de which concludes at the end of this year, my goal is to meet as many of our members as possible. For the members that I have met already, several of them represent some of my closest friendships. I have enjoyed every conversation and fun encounter at hundreds of events over the years and know that you would likely feel the same way - my hope is that you will make a point this year to attend at least one club event in a city or town near you. Even if you’re never been to an event, don’t worry; you’ll be welcomed as the friend you already are. One of the most unique and special outings planned for this year is the private, behind the scenes tour of the Rick Hendrick’s famous auto collection. Rarely accessible to the public, we’ve made arrangements for you to have access to the racing operation and a chance to see up close some of the very fine automobiles in his private garage. Good things are happening here and there’s plenty of room for you to become more involved. Officer positions for President and Vice President will be open in the next term and we are currently seeking someone to serve as Event Chairman. If you are interested, please contact me at my email address listed above. Let this year be the one you always remember for the great times you had with the Carolinas Section!
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WHAT’S NEW: 28 NEW MEMBERS! We are so pleased to welcome the newest members of the Mercedes Benz Club of America to the Carolinas Section!
As a member, you can enjoy great meals, like this Lowcountry Boil served at the last Dock Party!
and beyond the normal extended to a club member. At Hendrick Motors of Charlotte and Mercedes Benz of Myrtle Beach, members receive a fifteen percent discount on parts. AND, both dealerships generously offer a reduced hourly labor rate of $99, which represents a savings of thirty percent over the standard rate! Finally, a chance to meet with fellow enthusiasts may provide benefits you never expected. One chance conversation might lead you to that one piece of information you needed; for example, several of our members are very knowledgeable about parts and may be may be able to point you to a resource you never knew existed for that one part you needed. 3
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Ralph Almkuist Wrightsville Beach NC Chris Arthurs Greenville SC Dennis Bailey Charlotte NC Antares Bennett Charlotte NC Dee Carboni Taylors SC Ralph Crisp Rock Hill SC Nat C. Frederick N. Charleston SC AJ Geffert Charleston SC H Blair Hahn Mt Pleasant SC BENEFITS FOR NEW John Hargette Matthews NC MEMBERS Michael Harte Asheville NC There’s a lot of good Sandy Holland Garden City SC to be had from your Richard Holmes Huntersville NC membership! In addition to all of William Jackson Darlington SC the cool things you get Steve Jordan Charlotte NC from National, such as Richard King Salem SC the loyalty discount you Bobby Long Dallas NC receive on the purchase of a new Merceds Benz, George W. Price Charlotte NC your very own Carolinas David Rokes Statesville NC Section offers special Rick Scott Charlotte NC benefits, too! First, as a new Ed Sewall Bluffton SC member, please feel free Jeff Spector NEW ZEALAND to attend an event at Peter Suttoni Charlotte NC no charge. For activities Frank Towson Asheville NC that include travel or John Wade Charlotte NC dinner, those expenses will still remain the Edward Wagner Cornelius NC responsiblity of the Charles Williams Greenville SC member. But any cost Gary Wingate Rock Hill SC charged by the club to participate will be waived for your first outing. Second, your club officers have made some amazing arrangements with dealers in our territory to offer discounts above
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CHARLESTON KICK-OFF LUNCHEON Haunting the Holy City... on Saturday, January 28th, a crosssection of membership from the Carolinas Section converged on Charleston, South Carolina for a luncheon to begin our series of club events for 2012. Charleston was originally called Charles Town (in honor of King Charles II of England), and its nickname is “The Holy City.” The venue for lunch was 39 Rue de Jean, a restaurant downtown on John Street. The cuisine was French and the location in the heart of downtown was very convenient. Many thanks to Odette Sigler Pedersen for making all of the arrangements with the restaurant and creating the lunch invitations! Odette has done a tremendous job over the past year as the Events Chairman and everyone appreciates all of her hard work. She has now completed her term and the club is looking for someone new to fulfill the duties of this position. If you’re interested, please contact Rick Deiber, president, at rick@deiber.biz. In a city as interesting as Charleston, simply having a great meal isn’t enough. So, to that end, several members went sightseeing afterwards. The rich history and beautiful coastal location provided plenty of opportunities for picture taking. The photos accompanying this article were graciously provided by Roger Levesque, member from Upstate South Carolina. The next big event in the Charleston area will be the annual Dock Party, held at Katherine and Henry Dunbar’s lovely home on June 9th. Hope to see you there! 4
Ordering your MBCA Name Badge is Easier than Ever! Show your local “Section Pride” at the next club meeting or event. Order name badges for yourself, your significant other or anyone else who needs one. The shipping fee is included in the low cost. Use the additional third line on the badge for your model of car, city in which you live, office held, year joined, or anything else you like. Choose from blue, silver or gold and your choice of back – either magnetic, safety pin or tie tack. Call MBCA National at 800-637-2360 to order, or go online at www. mbca.org and select “Club Store” from the top menu navigation.
FINALLY! THE 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH •March 9 - 11: Amelia Island Concours. Mercedes Benz marks sixty years of “SL” history at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance with a 1952 300SL Le Mans Victory Car and a 2013 SL550. Now in its second decade, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is among the top automotive events in the world. Always held the second full weekend in March, this event draws nearly 250 rare vehicles from collections around the world to The Golf Club of Amelia Island at Summer Beach and the Ritz-Carlton. Since 1996, the show’s Foundation has donated nearly $1.8 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida and other deserving charities on Florida’s First Coast. For more information, visit www.ameliaconcours.org or call 904-6360027.
•March 16 - 17: Hendrick Motor Sports and Rick Hendrick Car Collection Private Viewing. A rare treat, Hendrick Motors of Charlotte is offering members of the Carolinas Section a once in a
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lifetime chance to tour the Motor Sports operation with a behind the scenes encounter on Friday afternoon, March 16th in Concord, North Carolina. Located just one mile from the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the campus features state-of-the-art facilities and technology, which the organization’s four NASCAR Sprint Cup teams employ in preparation for race day. And if the chance to see the inner workings of the race organization wasn’t enough, the next morning members will be able to view the private collection of fine and unique automobiles in Rick Hendrick’s own garage. Don’t miss either part of this amazing weekend, planned for Friday March 16th and Saturday, March 17th. For more information, contact Rick Deiber at 704-231-1879. Registration information will be posted shortly on the www.mbcacarolinas.org site and Facebook page.
APRIL •April 19 - 22: Charlotte Auto Fair. The Carolinas Section is gathering participants who want to
exhibit at the Auto Fair on Saturday, April 21st as a part of the AACA National Meet Car Show. Cars will be shown until 3:00pm. This event is a huge, multi-day affair at the Charlotte Motor Speedway with lots to see and do. Registration information will be made available to members as soon as it’s available.
•April 28: Second Annual Broad River European Classic Car Show. Come out and show
your favorite car at this event held in Shelby, North Carolina. The show takes place in the Court Square on April 28th. This car show is for all European Cars & Motorcycles. This event held along with the Arts On The Square and the Merry Go Round Festival. To register, please visit www.broadriveremc.com.
MAY •May 4- 6: Myrtle Beach Fun Weekend. Come take advantage of one of the top Tourist Destina-
tions in the South! The MBCA Carolinas Section will gather for a weekend of fun in the sun, combined with fun outings for shopping, shows and more. Look for additional details via email in early April.
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2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS, CONT’D
JUNE
•June 9: Annual Dock Party. A Carolinas Section tradition, the annual Dock Party will be held in
Charleston at the home of Henry and Katherine Dunbar. Right on the water, enjoy sitting on the dock while eating some of the finest LowCountry Boil anywhere. For additional details, please contact Henry Dunbar at 843-670-6000 or at dunbardome@yahoo.com.
AUGUST •August 16 - 17: Road Trip to Alabama Mercedes Benz Plant Tour. The Mercedes Benz
Manufacturing Facility is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The plant tour will be on Thursday, August 16 at 12:45p.m. Tour fee is $5 per guest. Transportation will be provided to Alabama.
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SEPTEMBER •Columbia, SC Member Barbecue. Hosted by Carolinas Section members in the Columbia area, this Fall party is a must! Additional details will be forthcoming.
•Sept. 20 - 23: Charlotte Auto Fair. The Fall version of the popular car enthusiast event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
•September 29: Rock Around the Clock Car Show and Street Fair. Held on Congress Street in Winnsboro, South Carolina, the car show portion is held on Saturday from 11:00am - 3:00pm.
OCTOBER •October 5 - 6: Oktoberfest in Banner Elk, NC. Take in the beautiful fall foliage, cool, comfortable mountain temperatures, and a weekend full of festival activities from 10 am until 5 pm each day. Be sure to bring the kids because the event is for the whole family. Held at the Sugar Mountain Resort, Main Lodge, 1009 Sugar Mountain Drive. For details, check out http://oktoberfest.skisugar.com.
•October 20: Eurofest at BMW in Greer, SC. Finally, it’s our year! The honored marquee this year is Mercedes Benz, so let’s have a good showing at the field in Greer. A three-day event, the Eurofest activities are hosted by BMW North America.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER •November 3 - 4: Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance. The Carolinas Section is an invited car club and exhibits at the Car Club Jamboree on Saturday. Stay overnight and return for Sunday’s official Concours d’Elegance at Honey Horn.
•December 7 - 8: Christmas at Biltmore. The year concludes with the Annual Meeting and dinner
at the famed Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. Decorated for the Christmas holidays, Biltmore is unmatched in its majesty during the month of December. Don’t miss it! 6
LEGENDS OF THE AUTOBAHN
Three German Marques. One Unforgettable Concours.
LEGENDS OF THE
2012
AUTOBAHN
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Share the Excitement of this Legendary Event During the World-Famous Monterey Classic Car Week
Friday, August 17, 2012
Rancho Cañada Golf Club, Carmel Valley, CA Open to the Public | Judged Classes & Corral | Awards Refreshments | Media | All-Day Fun! Register before August 1, 2012 at www.motorsportreg.com Scroll to “August 17” then to “Legends of the Autobahn – MBCA”
For information, contact Laura Simonds at 650.592.7613 or simondsl@pacbell.net 7
ODDS AND ENDS
FOR SALE SL Hard top. Complete, good condition with all trim and glass. $600 or best offer. Located in Lugoff, South Carolina. Can be shipped for an additional cost. Fits Mid 70s - 80. Call 803-572-1186 or email yewmanlugoff@gmail.com.
FOR SALE Diesel Mercedes SEL, 1976. Call Rick O’Conner, 919-365-0184. NEWS FROM NATIONAL Effective January 1, 2012, MBCA membership
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dues increased as follows: one year $49; two years, $95; three years, $139. It has been twelve years since MBCA last raised its dues. This modest increase represents less than nine percent over 2011. Operating expenses have increased, making it virtually impossible to avoid a modest increase today.
JUST FOR FUN
Here are some “not so great” feats of automotive engineering...
The list of MBCA member benefits and discounts has markedly expanded in the last two years. Please visit www.mbca.org/member-benefits for a complete list.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR PUBLISHES BOOK ON SENIOR CARE Melissa Sprouse Browne, a Carolinas Section member since 2003, has written a book on caring for aging parents. The Caregiver’s Training Program: What You Need to Know to Take Care of Your Parents in Their Golden Years gives you practical, immediately useful tactics for caring for a senior loved one. This book provides the step by step instruction you need to understand what to do, who to call and how to find help when you need it. Written by Melissa, who owns Seniors First Home Care, this book addresses the common issues you’ll encounter, incluing how to handle a parent with Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson Disease, breathing disorders, mobility issues, stroke, congestive heart failure and more. Available in print on www.amazon.com, and through www.caregiverstrainingprogram.net. E-book offered on Kindle, Nook, Kindle Fire and all other e-readers. If you have questions about caring for an aging parent, please feel free to contact Melissa at melissasprouse@aol.com.
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