April - May, 2014

www.kcmbca.org

In this issue:

Feature Articles

Norm’s Classic Cars 3Spaßnacht Dates 6Calendar 12DD/AX 3Art of the Machine -

- Aug. 24, 2014

Columns

Miscellaneous Rants, Raves and

RamblingsQR Code to Receive Email 3Loyalty Rewards Program 5Save $500.00 6Officers and Board 6NTB Tire Discount 9Tire Rack Rebate 9Advance Auto Rebate 9New Members 10How to Join MBCA 10

Coming Up

Presidents Message 2

Texas Trifecta 1KC Traffic Officer Speaks 2Chicago-Key West 2015 2Springfield Mo. Event 5Breakfast Place Update 3KC Section Rallye 10

Driving in the Texas Trifectaby Dudley Smith

After a long, cold and snowy winter, a trip to south Texas seemed like a good idea. It became an even better idea when the chance to drive on the track at the Circuit of the Americas, the facility used by Formula 1 when it came to the United States. Joyce and I and our son, Ned, and his family spent five days in the great city of Austin, Texas We attended the Texas Trifecta a three day performance event, club race and autocross put on by three BMW clubs in Texas. The event was attended by about 150 students 100 instructors and 50 or so racers. There were BMWs of every type, lots of Porsches, American made cars, Lamborginis, Ferraris, Panozs and I shared a garage with a Lotus. Besides my E63AMG, there was a C63AMG and a 2014 CLS AMG 12 cylinder. Ned and I are both instructors so we met drivers from all over the country with all kinds of cars. Driving and instructing allowed us a lot of time on the track. It is a three and a half mile long track with a mile long straight on the back side. The entire facility is amazing and well run. Those of us who opted to rent a garage were amazed at the cleanliness. Each garage had its own bathroom. We were able to watch the action from various viewpoints around the track. I attended the same event last June and would suggest that if you have the chance to see this track facility you should go. Formula 1 will be there again in the fall of 2014. We were brought back to reality when we had to drive the last 100 miles home in the snow and fog!

Page 2 kcmbca.org

President’s Messageby Mark Moody

Mark Moody, President Mercedes-Benz Club of America | Kansas City Section

Mark Moody, President Photo by Morgan Klepac

A familiar guest speaker was featured at the March breakfast meeting. Sgt. Tim Gaughan of the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department presented the group with some very interesting “tid-bits” he has experienced over years as a motorcycle traffic patrol officer in Kansas City. Sgt. Gaughan has been featured at KCMBCA meetings several times in recent years and again this year he had lots to share with the group.

Your greatest chance to be killed in traffic is when stopped on the highway. Please go to an exit, even if you destroy a wheel with a flat. Then get away from the car. Don’t stand by it. Your chances of being hit are just too great.

Red-light camera generated traffic tickets currently are not legal in Missouri. Sgt. Gaughan is not a fan of them. He prefers to give violators “full customer service”. He has an opinion that if, as the City implies, red-light cameras are for safety and not for generating revenue, then

Motorcycle Patrol Officer Tells How It Is on Streets of KC.the fines money should not go the City, but somewhere else.

Profiling, or “investigatory stops”. Police cannot treat different people differently. Using a statistical approach, the police enter a lot of data into files for every event they encounter. Then, it becomes is very difficult to interpret the data accurately. Traffic stops of people under the influence of marijuana are the nicest, most cooperative of all those that he arrests. He thinks maybe the substance should be used in prisons, as it makes people friendly. Prisons should be for violent people, not the gentle people. Marijuana smokers are his favorite criminal.

Dear Benz Friends,

This cold winter is finally loosening it’s grip, which means Sunday drives and car shows are right around the corner. I just removed the hard top from my SL, and it’s awakened from it’s winter sleep. I know I’m not the only one looking forward to top down windows down weather. We recently had the opportunity to visit the private collection of Bob Ehinger. Bob held an open house and invited our club members among others to see this wonderful collection of pre-WWII cars. I saw many of you there, and everyone I talked to enjoyed the collection very much. I can’t wait to see it again. Just as a reminder for those of you who were there, Bob prefers to keep the collection very private, so please don’t forget to respect his wishes and do not publish the photos or other information about the collection online. The board and I are hard at work planning more events for this year, stay tuned, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

On behalf of Renee Welsch of the Chicagoland Section, you and your significant other are invited to join the Chicagoland Section’s Chicago to Key West 2015 Road Trip Adventure! From August 16-26, 2015 (next summer) an enthusiastic group of 50 vehicles/100 guests (MBCA members/guests) will travel from Chicago to Key West. We’ll take private museum tours; stay at magnificent hotels; Enjoy unique nightly dinner parties (think lots of Margaritas!); sail the emerald green waters of Key West on a private catamaran and SO MUCH MORE! (See our travel route on page 85 of the March/April Star®). Meet MBCA’s new national president, Terry Kiwala, who will also be joining our ‘Adventure’! Cost for the entire package is $3975 for couples; $2927 for singles. Please note, hotels have a limited number of single-guest rooms left. Deadline for submitting a $400 per person deposit is Friday, August 1, 2014. Reservations are filling fast! Please call “Margarita-meister” Renee Welsch @ 847.344.1153 or visit the Chicagoland Section website at www.mbclub.com/2015trip to securely complete your reservation. Don’t spend next summer doing the same old thing! Come out and have fun with new and old friends from MBCA!

Deadline to Register for CHICAGO TO KEY WEST is Coming Up Soon

Page 3kcmbca.org

Meetings to be atAriana Restaurant1130 W. 103rd St.

Kansas City, MO 64114The new venue for our monthly Saturday morning breakfast meetings is Ariana Restaurant in Kansas City. Ariana Restaurant is located near I-435 & State Line Road. It is just east of State Line Rd. on the north side of 103rd St.

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.

For the best in

Car Care

Complete Garage

15209 W. 87th Street Lenexa, KS 66219

913-322-9175

www.Complete-Garage.com

May First-Sunday Drive to Norm’s Place

The First-Sunday Drive for May 4th be a drive to Raymore, Missouri to the home of KC Section member Norm Kressmann. This is a special treat for those of us who enjoy seeing classic cars. Norm owns several cars besides his Mercedes-Benz, which are worthy of the best of Concours d’Elegance and classic car museums. Plan to go to this Sunday Drive in May. It will be a good one.

Defensive Driving / AutocrossSaturday, August 2nd

The Kansas City Section will sponsor the Midwest Regional Defensive Driving and Autocross School at Metropolitan Community College in Independence, Mo., on Saturday, August 2, 2014. The event will begin with classroom training on vehicle dynamics and driving techniques. We will then move to the MCC drivers training facility a few blocks east of the college for “hands-on” defensive driving followed by the opportunity to sharpen your skills on a low speed autocross course. Experienced instructors will

provide in-car training for drivers on the defensive driving course and on the autocross course. Drivers of all ages, including young drivers age 16 and older with a valid drivers license, are encouraged to attend. Some auto insurance companies will reduce premiums for those drivers who complete this course. A dinner at a location to be determined is planned for the eve of the event on Friday night. Mark your calendar for this event now. More information will be provided at kcmbca.org and in upcoming issues of der Benz!

Kansas City Section members; scan this QR code with your smart phone, and then sign up to receive email concerning news and information about KCMBCA events. You can also register for the email service by going to the Kansas City Section website at www.kcmbca.org. It’s a great new way for you to keep up with what’s going on in your Mercedes-Benz Club.

kcmbca.orgPage 4

15% off service for MBCA members

Page 5kcmbca.org

Gary and Linn Reusswig have arranged for the MBCA Ozark Section to meet Brent Singley, the Event Manager with the Springfield, Missouri Elite Mercedes Dealership. We have been invited to come see their newly remodeled facility. We will be given a tour of the showroom, service and parts departments, body shop, and meet the dealership staff, plus view their Mercedes inventory. Brent is also inviting their Mercedes customers to this event, and we will invite the MBCA Kansas City Section. Since we will be at the dealership by 10 am, refreshments will also be served. We will receive welcome gifts, plus there will be a drawing for a one (1) night stay at the Downstream Casino in Joplin and a $150.00 voucher for one attendee.After we have enjoyed our visit with Brent Singley and the Elite Mercedes dealership staff, we will continue our day with a lunch at the Bass Pro Shop in the Hemingway’s Blue Water Café by the Museum. Gary and Linn have arranged for us to enjoy the Hemingway’s wonderful lunch buffet. Hemingway’s is a beautiful scenic restaurant overlooking the Bass Pro Shop. Each MBCA member and associate member will receive a $5.00 Bass Pro gift card. After we eat, this is an opportunity to shop, browse, or tour the Museum. EVENT: Elite Mercedes Dealership – Springfield, Missouri April 19, 2014 – 10:00 am

ADDRESS: 3727 S. Campbell Avenue – Springfield Missouri - 417-887-5800 LUNCHEON: Bass Pro Shop - Hemingway’s Blue Water Café – 1:30 pm ADDRESS: 1935 S. Campbell Avenue – Springfield, Missouri RSVP: Kathy Menold – 479-756-6798 or menold1@cox.net by April 11th

DIRECTIONS: To the Elite Mercedes Dealership

FROM US 71 N: Take exit right for US 71 North/I-44 East/I-49 North towards Springfield/Kansas City. Keep straight onto I-44 East. At approximately 50 miles exit 69, take exit right for MO-360 East toward Route 60. Keep straight onto US-60E/James River Fwy. In approximately 2 miles take exit right for MO-13 South/US-160 East toward Nixa. Turn Left onto US-160 West/MO-13 North/South Campbell Ave. Keep straight onto South Campbell Ave. Arrive at the dealership.

FROM BRANSON: Take US-65 North. At approximately 33 miles take exit right for US-60 West/US-65-BR toward Airport. Keep straight onto US-60 West. Take exit right for US-160 East toward Nixa. Turn right onto South Campbell Ave, stay in left lane. At 0.7 miles arrive at the dealership.

DIRECTIONS TO HEMMINGWAY’S & BASS PRO SHOP: Turn left onto Campbell. Go north approximately 2 miles to the Bass Pro Shop on your left. (Due to heavy traffic on Campbell, you may want to take side streets from the dealership. Turn right and the first major cross street is Walnut. At Walnut turn right, and at the next light, Campbell, turn left. Stay in left lane on Campbell. Go to Bass Pro traffic light and turn left. At the first stop sign in the Bass Pro lot, turn left. Then turn right and go between the large building and the Catalog Outlet Building. You will see the Hemmingway’s sign on the south entrance of the larger building. This is the area in which you will park. Enter south entrance and take elevator to level 4.

Have a safe trip and we will see you soon.

Springfield, Missouri Elite Mercedes Dealership Event

2014 Loyalty Rewards Program (U.S.)Mercedes-Benz, Members can take $500 off a NEW

2013 or 2014 Mercedes-Benz and combine that discount with a second MBUSA Dealer incentive — including guest appreciation certificates, seasonal event discounts like Summer and Winter Clearance sales and other Dealer offers. In some cases, you may actually SAVE MORE THAN $500 when you combine discounts.

SpaßnachtFind out more:

www.kcmbca.orgClick on “Club Info”

________________

April 21, 6:30 PM

Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen,

1859 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, Kansas.________________

May 19, 6:30 PM,

Talk of the Town, 11922 W. 119th St, Overland Park,Ks.

_________________

June 16. 6:30 PM

Joe’s Crab Shack11965 S. Strang Line Rd.

Olathe, Ks._________

July 21, 6:30 PM,

Salty Iguana 8228 Mission Rd,

Prairie Village ,Ks._________________

2014 MBCA Kansas City Section Officers and Board Members

Officers Phone E-mailMark Moody, president (913) 685-8573 mark@kcmbca.orgKevin Arburn, vice president (913) 648-7675 kevin@kcmbca.orgHelen Hull, secretary (913) 568-3310 helen@kcmbca.orgKevin Arburn, treasurer (913) 648-7675 kevin@kcmbca.orgJeff Klepac, past president (913) 782-5865 jeff@kcmbca.org

Board of Directors Bob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 bob.d@kcmbca.orgBob Poduch (913) 327-1632 bob.p@kcmbca.orgDonna Ryan (913) 268-1252 donna@kcmbca.orgRich Carlson (913) 897-0260 rich@kcmbca.orgBob Smith (913) 268-8984 newsletter@kcmbca.orgJoyce Smith (913) 338-0766 joyce@kcmbca.orgDudley Smith (913) 338-0766 dudley@kcmbca.org Ian Harns (816) 812-9495 ian@kcmbca.orgJohn Ryan (913) 543-1252 grownup@kcmbca.orgLisle Kauffmann (701) 728-6329 lisle@kcmbca.org

Newsletter EditorBob Smith (913) 268-8984 newsletter@kcmbca.orgWebmeister-Administrator John Ryan (913) 268-1252 grownup@kcmbca.orgMembership Director Bob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 membership@kcmbca.orgMidwest Regional DirectorJohn Ryan (913) 543-1252 jlryan@kc.surewest.net

Page 6 kcmbca.org

Page 7kcmbca.org

Bosch Authorized Service

Kansas City’s independent Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Lexus,

Land Rover and Audi repair shop.

5400 Antioch Rd.Merriam, Kansas

66202

913-432-7800

Not just your average garage...

Refinishing Straightening

Remanufacturing

Eveland Bros. Collision Repair

• Vehicles restored to pre-accident condition• Expert color matching• Foreign and domestic

Call for an appointment

7200 W. Frontage Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66203 www.evelandbros.com

Certified Mercedes-Benz Collision Repair Center• Insurance claims assistance• Environmentally safe• Written limited lifetime warranty

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

913-262-6050

Page 8 kcmbca.org

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

Page 9kcmbca.org

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. Sec-tion receives a small rebate when you purchase their products through our website.

Advance Auto Parts offers many online-only specials and rebates to our section with 8% of the sale being returned to the KC Section. You can have your order shipped to your home, or pick it up at your neighborhood Advance Auto Parts store.Just click on the Advance Auto Parts banner ad on our website, www.kcmbca.org, and you will be taken to their websites to shop.

NTB National Tire & Battery is offering a discount for KCMBCA members. Offer is only available at the 119th & Metcalf store. The new contact name at the 7333 West 119th St. 66213 store is Corey Ross - Manager 913.338.5030. Mention account number 9136608439 and your club membership to the salesman/service writ-er.

NTB Offers Discount to KC-MBCA Members

Butler’s C & D Body Shop

5747 KesslerMerriam, Kansas 66203

Tel: (913) 262-9109Fax: (913 262-2828

Web: www.butlerbody.com

Page 10 kcmbca.org

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

Monthly,

Third Monday6:30 PM

JoinMercedes-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 award-winning sec-tion newsletter, der Benz!

• Owner Loyalty Program with a $500.00 Discount Certificate good on the pur-chase of certain M-B ve-hicles.

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

• National events with a wide variety of driving and social events, technical information and active dis-cussion 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, pic-nics, annual holiday party, charitable events, con-cours, and more. 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 $49, 2 years $95, 3 years $139.

JOIN NOW!Call

Bob Del Popo-lo

cell 913-269-4498email

bob.d@kcmbca.org

or go towww.mbca.org

1-800-637-2360

Willkommen New Members !

Cathey Bossert Weatherby Lake, Mo.Lisa Davidson Shawnee, Ks.James Dillehay Eagle Rock, Mo.Tammy Landrum Lee’s Summit, Mo.

April BreakfastMeeting to be at

Ariana Restaurant1130 W. 103rd St.Kansas City, MO

KC Section Rallye Sunday, June 1st

The KCMBCA Club Rallye will be held on Sunday, June 1st. It will start at 12 NOON at the U.S. Bank at 119th St. & Roe in Leawood. At that point you will be given instructions for the Ral-lye course. Joyce and Dudley Smith are mapping out a route to befuddle your best intuition, (and test relation-ships). There will be a social hour at the Rallyes ending point.

Awards will be given. To be eligible for awards only two people over the age of 10 may be in the car. One driver and one navigator. Entry fee is $10.00 per car. Look for more in-formation future issues of der Benz! and on kcmbca.org.

Nathan Ordo Kansas City, Mo.Brent Singley Springfield, Mo.Constance Walker Lee’s Summit, Mo.Steven Wise Kansas City Mo.

What activities would you like to do with your Benz friends in 2014? Contact a board member and let

them know.

Page 11kcmbca.org

15% off service for MBCA members

FIRST-CLASS MAILU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSHAWNEE MISSION, KS

PERMIT NO. 1131

6532 W 134th St.Overland Park, KS 66209

Breakfast is at 9 AM the first Saturday of each month. Ariana Restaurant,

1130 W. 103rd St.Kansas City, MO

Smart Phone Users, click this QR Code and our website will magically appear on your phone.

For the latest list of events,

visit our Web site at: www.kcmbca.org

May

AprilApr. 5 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Ariana Restaurant 1130 W 103rd St., KC, Mo. Auto Motorplex. Apr. 6 First-Sunday Drive. Meet, US Bank Parking Lot, 119th & Roe, Leawood. Apr. 12 Auto Tech Car Show, Turner High School, Kansas City, Ks.Apr. 21 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1859 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, Kansas.

May 3 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Ariana Restaurant 1130 W 103rd St., KC, Mo. Speak-er, Midwest Tinting.May 4 First-Sunday Drive, Norm Kressmann’s cars, Raymore. US Bank Parking Lot, 119th & Roe, Leawood. May 3 McPherson College CARS Show. McPherson, Ks.May 10 Tech Session, 10 AM to 2 PM, Complete Garage, 15209 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, Ks.May. 19 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Talk of the Town, 11922 W. 119th St, Overland Park, Ks.

July

JuneJune 1 First-Sunday Drive, 12:00 Noon, KCMBCA Club Rallye, Meet, US Bank Parking Lot, 119th & Roe, Leawood. Ks.June 7 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Ariana Restaurant 1130 W 103rd St., KC, Mo.June 16 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Joe’s Crab Shack, 11965 S. Strang Line Rd. Olathe, KsJune 22 Art of the Car. Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Mo.

July 5 Breakfast Meeting, 9:00 AM Ariana Restaurant 1130 W 103rd St., KC, Mo.July 6 First-Sunday Drive, 12:00 Noon, US Bank Parking Lot, 119th & Roe, Leawood. Ks.July 21 Spaßnacht, 6:30 PM, Salty Iguana, 8228 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, Ks.

Upcoming Breakfast SpeakersSpeakers are being lined up for upcoming breakfast meetings. Check kcmbca.org for the latest information.