o
you pretty much have your early spring plans in place–some gardening, a little work
on the car? Want to have some real fun? Why not plan on coming to our two-day performance
driving school at Summit Point Raceway on March 8 and 9. If you can't make two days, then join
us for one day.
The Point is a two-mile long track with a half-mile straight and ten turns. It's a safe and fun track to drive with lots of runoff room. For a good look at what it's like doing a hot lap, call up the Summit Point page on the Internet.
Are you a novice with no previous track experience? No problem! Instructors from Bill Scott Racing will be on hand both days to teach you performance driving.
You'll love the track and the instructors. No one will force you to drive any faster than your comfort zone. We want you to progress at your own pace.
Don't want to drive the new Benz? Or the old one? You can drive any car you wish, as long as it has $100,000 liability coverage and will pass the mandatory tech inspection. Ragtops require a roll bar or a hard top.
The Pre-Event Tech Inspection Sheet and the Registration Form can be downloaded from the club's web site.
Rates for the event are only $295 for both days or $165 for one day and include a hot lunch. Additional lunches for your guests are $12 each.
Optional hotel arrangements have been made with the Shoney's Inn in Winchester for Friday and Saturday at a special $50 rate (plus tax). The rooms will be held until March 1. Call them at 540-665-1700 and tell them you're with the Mercedes-Benz Club. Shoney's is only 15 or 20 minutes from the track.
Listen! This stuff is good for your soul and will help eliminate the stress in your life. You won't know what fun is until you get off the *#%ø Beltway and try performance driving. Plan now on joining us! If you have any questions, please call Joe Wozney at 703-437-7866.
magine
wandering through lush gardens, green everywhere you can see. Imagine tropical
plants, waterfalls, fountains, and plenty of floral displays. Imagine shopping for the best in garden
goodies. Imagine all that in March after a long cold wet winter!
If you are an avid garden enthusiast, you know the Philadelphia Flower Show, like the Chelsea Garden Show in London, is a must for anyone who loves the garden. And if you have been to the Philly Flower Show you know that it is always mobbed, elbow to elbow, cheek to jowl, and very hard to even see anything but people! Well... that is if you have the regular tickets!
But we have a special treat in store for you–a limited number of pre-show tickets to the Festival de las Flores at the 2003 Philadelphia Flower Show. These pre-show tickets allow us to view the show privately with our own guide, before the public is allowed in.
We have secured a better-priced hotel! Not only will you save $70 per night, the breakfast buffet is included. The Hawthorn Suites (1100 Vine Street; Philadelphia, PA; 215-829-8300, 800-778-4837) is within walking distance of the Philadelphia Convention Center and has parking.
We have arranged for late check out, so no one will feel rushed to get out of the hotel after the show. Extra nights are no problem.
Studio rooms are $109 a night and the Suite is $119. Parking is $21 for valet and $17 for self- parking, and can be direct billed to your room. Hotel reservations must be made on your own.
Rooms may have already been released, but give them a call. Mention the Mercedes-Benz Club of America for special rates.
These limited pre-show tickets are still available on a first-come-first-served basis. Member pricing is now $125.
Mail your check immediately with the centerfold coupon. Call Bill Hopper at 202-363- 4189 or email him to let him know you plan to attend or for more information.
DIY at Curry's
Just Added! Rush Your Coupon!
att
Curry of Curry's Auto Service in Chantilly, Virginia has invited us for a fluids only
Do-It-Yourself Tech Session on Saturday, March 1. This is a great opportunity to refresh your
Benz after a hard winter, get a jump on warm weather prep, or just see what the bottom of your
car looks like. Doors will open at 10:00AM and close at 3:00PM. Processing by your event
chairman begins at 9:30AM. Space is limited and the event will fill quickly, so the session is being
held on a first-come-first-served basis. Target time on the lifts is an hour per participant. Coffee
and donuts will be also be available at the start of the event.
The GWS brake fluid pressure bleeders will be available for use. Members must provide their own "genuine Mercedes Benz brake fluid" in order to use these devices. Other minor maintenance that can be accomplished within the time allotment will be considered by the event chair, if arranged and approved in advance. Tire rotation and brake pad replacement are typical of this category of activities.
Matt has also arranged to have service technicians on hand to provide pre-event safety inspections for the Summit Point Drivers' Ed event. Members attending the driving event are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. There is no registration fee for those attending for safety inspections only.
Be sure to bring with you any fluids, etc. you will need for you work. Map and directions on the Curry website. The event will be held at the Chantilly location. Please contact Steve Walters with questions at 703-765-9405 or email at: gwstech@earthlink.net.
he
Delaware Valley Section has invited us to the Mercedes-Benz of West Chester Tech
Session to be held on March 29. On site registration begins at 8:00AM and presentations begin at
9:00AM.
The session will have two segments. First up will be George Murphy, MBCA Technical Director. His talk will start with newly compiled information on caring for the newer Mercedes with their many computer-managed systems. Then George will open a Q & A forum where any and all questions will be answered on the care (and feeding) of Benzes of any vintage.
Next up will be a presentation by Alpine on audio system options from Mercedes-Benz and beyond–from mild to wild. You will also be brought up to date on the hottest new technology in sophisticated mobile electronics and the advances in "in-car" navigation systems.
The registration fee is $20 per person and includes lunch. Although there will be on site registration, you are asked to preregister so that lunches and chairs can be ordered.
For more information or to preregister call Pete Quinn at 484-252-9512 or you can email him at: peterdquinn@comcast.net
See Westchester Mecedes-Benz for directions to the dealership.
rt
Chase joined GWS-MBCA in 1958 and enjoyed participation in club activities for
more than 40 years. He served as on the National Board as Southeast Regional Vice-President
(now called Regional Director); as a GWS officer, newsletter editor, and as historian and
photographer.
He and wife, Della, were known for their friendly welcome to new members. Art and Della went on the first Safari where MBCA chartered planes to take members to Stuttgart for a Daimler-Benz hosted visit to the factory and for a touring vacation. Many toured in new cars ordered for delivery there. Art reported the DBAG hospitality for the 350 members included being greeted by a band and Daimler-Benz personnel at the airport, buses to their hotels, two-day tours of the factory and test tracks, complimentary luncheons, and more.
Art also reported on section activities–a Concours at Carter Barron Ampitheater with many 300SLs and 190SLs; the Pennsylvania Spring Outing, where the weekend rate for the club was $18.40, including room, meals, and a private meeting room; and the gymkhana (autocross) at Andrews AF Base hosted by General Curtis LeMay driving his 300SL Roadster. It is astonishing to recall early experiences in the club. There were so few Mercedes that, upon seeing another, it was greeted by flash of headlights and a beep of horn as they drove past.
We appreciate the contributions Art made to the club and his friendship. Art, age 92, died December 23, 2002 of an aneurysm.
| Tom Sheppard |
StarTech–April 25-27
Into The Future
tarTech
is MBCA's biennial technical event. This year the Sacramento Section will be
hosting StarTech at the beautiful Hyatt Hotel, across from California's State Capitol and park.
The theme for the event will be Into the Future. Central to the weekend will be a showing of
DaimlerChrysler's NECARs. If you are wondering what a NECAR is, it is the New Electric Car.
These are powered by hydrogen, emit no pollution, are extremely quiet, and actually run with
good pickup!
The first 100 registrants will be guaranteed a personal ride in one of these cars! The Site Manager for the research facility in Sacramento, Wolfgang Weiss, will offer lectures on this technology. This is an excellent bonus, so hurry up and be one of the lucky ones to get the ride.
Other proposed session topics for StarTech include: future fuels, including biodiesel; tire technology; and, lectures by the California Highway Patrol on road rage and carjacking. Becker Radio will probably be here also.
Sacramento offers many activities besides StarTech. Only ten minutes away from the Hyatt is Old Sacramento–a reconstructed area that reflects the original town the gold miners saw. The world famous California State Railroad Museum is in Old Sacramento. The Marshall Gold Discovery Site is a 45 minute drive up in our foothills.
For those who can spend a bit more time in California, Yosemite and Sequoia National Park is only a 4 hour drive. Another option is to take the world famous Highway 1 from Monterey past Big Sur to see Hearst Castle at San Simeon.
If you'd like some additional travel ideas, just call our Section President, Bill Brandt, at 916- 399-1736 or Anne Pezzetti at 916-687-4792 or email Anne at apezz@frontiernet.net. We want to help make your trip a terrific one. For more StarTech information check our web site at www.startech2003.com, or call our organizers Tom or Inga Bourdon at (707) 864-0567 or our registrar Joyce Dupriest at (916) 933-2185.
See you in April!
| Date: | March 2, 2003 | |
| Time: | 10:00AM to 2:00PM | |
| Place: | Herb Gordon Mercedes-Benz Silver Spring, Maryland | |
o,
you like your Mercedes, eh? So, you don't mind a little work to keep it looking good–all polished and shiny? We are going to show you how to do that with some of the best products
available and the people that know how to use them. We have been able to persuade Meguiar's
and their Mr. Rod Kraft, to show us how to do the job right the first time. Meguiar's, as you may
know, is a supplier to Mercedes for many of their car care products.
We will also have some of the people whose cars have been winning at the Concours events the club has held over these last few years. They will show you what the judges look for, and what they do to keep their cars looking good.
So how do we get there to partake of all this wonderful knowledge, you ask? It's easy! Get on I-495–the Washington Beltway (that's the only bad part)–and drive carefully to Exit 28, New Hampshire Avenue (Route 650). Drive North on New Hampshire to Columbia Pike (Route 29), then North or East (right turn ramp) on Columbia Pike to Briggs Chaney Road. Right turn on Briggs Chaney, and then the first right turn will be Automobile Blvd. Herb Gordon Mercedes is on the right, less then a half mile in. From the North, pick up Route 29 and go South until Briggs Chaney Road and turn left. Easy isn't it?
We will have some light munchies to tide you over, but don't expect much, we don't want you to eat or drink in the car anymore. Remember it's you that must clean up all the crumbs that you and the kids have dropped all over. One more small bad part (besides the Beltway), it costs a few bucks. Mail the registration form on page 16 and your check for $15 per person. But, all of those new First Place trophies you're going to win from now on are worth it, don't you think?
Hope to see you there.
| Date: | March 22, 2003 | |
| Time: | 9:00AM to 2:00PM | |
| Place: | Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria Alexandria, Virginia | |
e:
need a few good men (and women) and one of them could be you! The Greater
Washington Section is hosting a Concours Judging School on March 22, 2003, at Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria. With graduation of this class you will be awarded a certificate of completion as a judge. This is considered by many to be a privilege and an honor... and you know, it is!
Pete Lesler, a MBCA member who has been a judge, chief judge, and judging instructor at events like, Tri-O-Rama, Gemütlichkeit, and StarFest will teach the course. We are very fortunate that he is willing to make the trip here from sunny Ohio. You won't believe the materials and information he'll bring along.
The course isn't free. The fee is $20 and, upon completion, you will actually be called upon to work! You will be asked to judge Mercedes-Benz cars at the various Concours events the club holds–like the upcoming Kentlands Concours (see next article), the Deutsche Marque, our Annual Picnic and Mid-Atlantic Concours, and–the big one for the section–Tri-O-Rama 2003. All of these events will take place this year. If you like cars, the smell of old leather, and new cleaning products, this is the deal you've been waiting for.
All graduates who volunteer to judge at Tri-O-Rama 2003 will be entitled to deduct the $20 Judges School fee from their TOR registration fees.
Class size is limited and we will be inviting folks from other nearby sections to join us. So put down that second helping of dessert, fill out the form on page 16, and mail it in. We need you!
Mercedes-Benz of Alexandria is the place. The dealership is off Duke Street near Landmark Mall in the renovated Stohlman Oldsmobile store. Renovations should be completed by late spring but the building looks great already!
Oh yes, one more thing, bring your car, we need something to pick apart in the class, and it might as well be your car. Mine will be there getting picked on too, so we'll all feel the same when we leave (smile).
Finally, bring your own folding chair for the classroom portion of the day!
| Date: | April 26, 2003 | |
| Time: | 10:00AM to 3:00PM | |
| Place: | Main Street Pavilion Kentlands Gaithersburg, Maryland | |
oncours
season for this year will start with a small show called Art & Luxury of the
Automobile on Main Street. We have been invited to show off our best at Kentlands in
Gaithersburg, Maryland. This is a new event and is for Mercedes-Benz cars only this year.
The show area is small and there is room for only about 18 or so cars. We would like a mix of old and new cars, with the emphasis on older four-door cars. The date is Saturday, April 26 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, but we will need you a bit earlier then that for set up. The rain date is May 31, although it never rains at GWS events!
This is the ideal event for you to prepare for the rest of the shows coming up. It is a no-fee, non-trophy event. It will give you a chance to give the competition a good look-see at what they're up against and to put fear in their hearts. The entry form is on page 13 of the paper version of this newsletter.
As an incentive, the organizer will provide a special exhibit sign for each of the first 18 cars registered. So be sure to include on the registration form any information that makes your car special and unique.
Don't be shy! We need you!
Those of you who will not be showing a car are invited to join us. This is the first time this event will be held and the choice of art and cars in the same place will make for a unique show.
Kentlands is off Route 270. If northbound, take Exit 10 (Route 117) left on Quince Orchard Road (Route 124). Cross Great Seneca Highway. Look for Kentlands Boulevard on the left. Follow Kentlands Boulevard to the traffic circle, and then left onto Main Street. The Main Street Pavilion is straight ahead.
If southbound take Exit 11 and you end up on Quince Orchard Road, go westbound, and follow the above directions.
The next car show is our first biggy–the Deutsche Marque Concours with the Porsche and BMW clubs. It is tentatively scheduled for May 4. I'll have more for you–including the date and location–on that one next time.
Calendar of Events
Greater Washington Section Events
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President's Message
It Was the Best of Times...
did it again. Another line from another author. You know him, too. Only this time there is no
second clause. It really was just the best of times! The Annual Holiday Party was held after the
holidays. Call it a test or try out.
Eighty members made the trek to Chevy Chase and the La Ferme restaurant. The food was fantastic. The music was simply perfect. And, the assembled members and guests were (I'm kind of stealing one from Garrison Keillor) the most handsome and beautiful folks ever assembled. It truly was a wonderful event.
Your officers and board members are in the midst of making plans for the coming year. We'll have all the old events and even throw in a few new ones.
Please remember that you are needed. Volunteers are the lifeblood of any social club and deep down inside, that's what we are–it's just that our "social-ism" and raison d' etre is because we love the best car in the world. So, just introduce yourself to any board member, officer, or committee chair and say, "I want to help."
On a very serious note, I ask that you read Tom Sheppard's brief tribute to Art Chase. Art joined the club in 1958. During my own membership of 17 years, I met Art a few times. The last time I saw him was in 1998 when he came to get his 40 year pin. He was very proud of his work for the club and his anniversary pin. Art's wife, Della, knew MBCA's importance in his life. Della buried Art with his pin.
This year we will again hold the one event I believe is the most important one we offer to our members. We have scheduled a Defensive Driving School for March 30. This is not just for teens and novice drivers. Experienced drivers will benefit too. But, we especially want teens to give it a try. It might be a life saving lesson!
The full article and registration form will be in the March issue and on the club's web site. We are awaiting final approval of the use of a close in facility that will supplement our lot in Winchester. If approval is granted, we will likely hold a few of our autocross events there too.
There's still time to register for the Drivers' Ed event at Summit Point. It's not a racing school. It is a school to teach you how to drive your car better, at speed. You'll learn about handling, car control, and braking. You'll be able to do all this at speeds that would get you a ticket in most of the country. Give it a try! It might get you excited about trying the track at Tri-O-Rama in September at Virginia International Raceway.
If you're a member who has not yet made it to one of our events, make 2003 the year you come out and join us. Bill Hopper and Judy Roth and the rest of your board of directors are trying to ensure that we have something for everyone. Please pick something that suits your fancy, and mark your calendar now.
| Joe |
pylon alley by Joe Wozney
Autocross 2002 Wrap Up
here
is no doubt that 2002 saw the most successful autocross series we've ever run. We
had more total cars, more cars per event, and greater participation in the overall race for gold than
ever before.
|
AX #2 - May 18 AX #3 - June 8 AX #4 - July 13 AX #5 - August 10 AX #6 - September 7 AX #7 - October 5 AX #8 - November 2 |
| 300E/E320/190 2.6 Class | |||
| First | Jim Smith | ||
| Second | Lary Taylor | ||
| Third | Mary Taylor | ||
| Diesel Class | |||
| First | Klaus Hirtes | ||
| Older Sedan Class | |||
| First | Steve Walters | ||
| Second | Janet McFarland | ||
| SL Class | |||
| First | Al Angulo | ||
| Second | Debbie Hirtes | ||
| Third | John Robinson | ||
| Ladies Non-Mercedes | |||
| First | Angie Brochu | ||
| Second | Dana Argiro | ||
| Men Non-Mercedes | |||
| First | Bill Brochu | ||
| Second | Gonzalo Puig | ||
| Third | Joe Seward | ||
| Fourth | Harry Newman | ||
| Fifth | Lief Graham | ||
| Sixth | Andrew Lee | ||
| Seventh | Marty Gallagher | ||
In a few weeks we'll announce the date and place for our 2003 preseason get together. At that event, we'll award the trophies to the 2002 winners. Also at that event, you will all have the opportunity to congratulate the new Driving Events Chairman. After more than 10 years at the helm, I'm stepping down.
Now if you've skipped ahead to page 18, you already know that that person is Tom Newman. Tom will be starting with a lot of enthusiasm and a large handicap. You see... Tom bought a Ford. (Arggggh!) Not just any Ford either. It's a Focus SVT. Humor him... he thinks it's fast.
On March 30, we will hold a Defensive Driving School and Autocross for Mercedes-Benz cars only. However, there is an exception. Children under age 20 (first-timers) will be allowed to drive the family's "other" car. Full details will be on the web and in the March newsletter. Watch for it!
We need your help to help you!
ver
the last few years, we have been able to add "extra," last-minute events to our schedule.
A few examples are the DIY Tech Session and the Car Care Seminar in this issue. The newsletter
is not necessarily the most timely method of notifying you there is something new on the
schedule.
Janet McFarland has been maintaining a list of members' email addresses. We do understand that you don't want unsolicited mail. The list is only used to send notices and reminders that events are coming up. National and local MBCA rules are very clear... Your addresses will not be sold or otherwise distributed!
We don't want you to miss a single event. So, if you are not receiving Janet's email bulletins, please send her an email from the address that you want added to our list.
Send your email to: jmcfarland@retrospectpublishing.com.
xtra
Sensory Perception... the ability to perceive data in the absence of input from our
organs of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. There has been an ongoing debate for centuries on
the subject of whether or not extrasensory perception really exists or is just a figment of the
addled human imagination. Being personally a cross between a starry eyed romanticist and a
hard-nosed skeptic; I have never resolved this issue in my own mind.
I was intrigued when I heard that new Mercedes-Benz automobiles destined for the US market would be equipped with..."ESP." My first reaction was: "Wow! The wizards of Untertuerkheim have finally entered the intellectual fray and cut the Gordian Knot. They have proven the heretofore unprovable!" Then my inner skeptic kicked in, "What sort of Schnapps are they serving up in Schwabia these days?" It was something of a let down to find out that in starspeak "ESP" doesn't mean extrasensory perception at all. The acronym stands for "electronic stability program." What a downer!
Further research has revealed that Mercedes ESP is a computerized system that senses vehicle attitude, speed and wheel slip in relation to driver input at the steering wheel and brake pedal. When the system senses that the vehicle is headed in a direction other than that which the driver intends it selectively applies the brakes at different wheels to effect a correction. Interesting... However, as a mechanical person who distrusts all things electronic, and as an ideological Luddite, I don't like it.
The first time that I autocrossed Red Storm, my new C230 Kompressor sports coupe, I switched off the ESP system via the toggle on the dashboard. I wanted to be in control of my starship. Candidly if I got a trophy in a Mercedes-Benz Club of America driving event with my ESP turned on, I would feel obliged to share it with some faraway German electrician. In any event, taking the coupe through the pylons with only one brain in control was a thoroughly satisfying experience. Red Storm corners flat, transitions like an NFL tight end and has the natural poise of a ballerina. All with the electronic stability control turned off!
I personally think that an experienced driver who has been adequately trained in car control by regularly attending driver education events could well keep his or her electronic stability program shut down virtually all the time. I have learned that the application of ESP in the real world can have very undesirable effects. Case in point. You enter a tight curve and set up for a controlled four-wheel drift so that you will exit with a perfect line having caught the apexes just right. With your ESP engaged as your superbly balanced starship starts to take just the right stance in the corner the computer senses that your wheels are slipping to the left while your steering wheel is pointed forward. The computer applies your right rear brake and causes you to slam right into the curb! OUCH!
Yes, I plan to drive with my ESP switched off all the time. As soon as I get Red Storm back from the body shop...
| John Kuhn Bleimaier |
300SD, 1980: Dove grey/blue. Always garaged. 160k miles. Sun roof. Very good condition, must see to appreciate. Climate control needs work. Asking $5500. Call Jessica at 410-642-6989.
380SL, 1985: Black/tan. 113k miles. New DC inspection. New timing chain. Two tops w/top lifter and cover. Beautiful, no rust, no dents. Asking $13,000. Call Tom at 202-243-3005 or email at benz@tomsoles.com
560SEC, 1988: Smoke silver. 51k miles. Maint. to highest standards by EuroMotorcars. Back seats never used! Mouton carpets. Always garaged, rare winter use, perfect eng/susp. $24,000. Call George at 202-623-1839 or 301-963-2911.
300SL, 1991: Teal blue/parchment. Two tops, hardtop stand, 6-disk CD, always garaged and covered, new Michelins, detailed weekly, absolute showroom cond. Only 59k miles. Asking $29,000. Call John at 703-768-1073.
E320, 1994: Beige/parchment. 144k miles. 3rd owner. ASR. Dealer maintained. Carpet excellent. No accidents, no tears on leather. $8400 obo. Too many cars! Call Matt at 703-431-8429.
CLK430, 2000: Silver/dark gray interior. 24.7k miles. New tires, Bose sound, multi-CD, moon roof. Exc. condition. Maint. by EuroMotorcars. Original owner. Free Carfax Vehicle Report. Moving in two months. $37,500. Pictures available upon request. Call Brad at 301-529-4634.
Wheels: 4 Sport w/tires from 1992-2000 C-Class w/center caps. 16x7. Tires 30% tread. Nice cond. Must sell. $250 obo. Call Tim at 703-335-6627.
Wanted: 126 chassis 300SDL or 300SD with 80k miles or less. Call Jose-Luis at 410-838- 5207.
|
American Service Center
703-525-2100 EuroMotorcars 301-986-8800 Merchant's Tire & Auto 800-637-2426 RC Imports 301-762-4205 Curry's Auto Service 703-502-0400 MB Motors 703-978-4564 Potomac German Auto 800-831-7686 |
Radial Tire Co.
301-585-2740 Dent Wizard 800-336-8949 EMB Parts 703-425-5380 Wheel Worx 410-969-7301 MB Roadside Assistance 800-367-6372 Electronics Service Center 301-881-8637 |
The Metro Tri-Star is published monthly by the Greater Washington Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Inc. It is furnished to each of the approximately 1,750 Section members. Please send all materials for publication to The Metro Tri-Star, 1625 Park Overlook Drive, Reston, VA 20190. For display advertising information, contact Joe Wozney, Editor, at 703-437-7866. Explicit permission to copy or republish any article is given to all sections of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Inc. The articles in Metro Tri-Star are the opinions of the writers and no authentication is given or implied as to the validity of any expressed opinion.