THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTEROF THE MERCEDES BENZ CLUB OF AMERICA, CAROLINAS SECTION

FIRST QTR 2013M

BC

A C

arolin

as

MBCA | Carol inas Sect ion

The Beautiful Biltmore

Members of all three sections in our Carolinas region, forty-four in all, enjoyed a weekend at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Club section presidents and our Eastern Regional Director, Bill Hopper attended as well.

The weather was perfect! We started our weekend with refreshments and a tour of the newly expanded Skyland Mercedes in Asheville, where members learned about some of the latest service techniques available only from Mercedes Benz dealers.

From there, we caravanned to the Biltmore for a luncheon at their restaurants. After some brief time, we started a guided tour of the Biltmore mansion.

The personal tour guides provided fresh information and provided the unique opportunity to answer questions. After our tour, we assembled on the green for a group picture with our vehicles, directed by Bill Hopper.

Then on to a tour of the winery and winetasting for some brief relaxation or shopping for others. Most of the group had traveled some distance and were staying at the Inn at Biltmore.

Due to the number of people involved, some of us chose to eat at the Inn, who provided a private dining room. Others selected the Bistro at the Winery or Cedric’s, a casual pub with live entertainment in the New Antler Village.

Continued on page 4

2

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

2

CONTENT2 President’s Message

3 New Member Roster & Benefits

4 - 5 Biltmore Tour Wrap-Up

6 - 7 Calendar of Events

8 Raffle Details

10 Tell MB Your Story

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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 updates to Geni at geni@mbca.org.

Who’s Ready?

PRESIDENTRichard DeiberHuntersville, NC(704) 948-1433president@mbcacarolinas.org

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTAnthony SantagatiBeaufort, SC (843) 522-9444sandspub@aol.com

VICE PRESIDENTNick PasquineLancaster, SCnickpasq@aol.com

SECRETARYPosition Vacant

TREASURERRoy L. DavisColumbia, SC(803) 331-1852royleedavis42@gmail.com

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRPosition Vacant

EVENTS CHAIRNick PasquineLancaster, SCnickpasq@aol.com

NEWSLETTER EDITORMelissa Sprouse BrowneColumbia, SC(803) 791-3800info@mbcacarolinas.org

About MBCAEstablished in 1956, MBCA has approximately 20,240 active members and 9251 additional household members in 12 regions which are comprised of 80+ local sections throughout the United States and Canada. Each region is adminstered by a regional director who is responsible for assisting and inspiring the sections in the region. The regional director also fosters the forma-tion of new sections, coordinates regional activities and represents the constituents as a member of the national board of directors. Hundreds of events are organized by sections, from social gatherings to tech sessions, from car shows to driving events. Most sections publish a newsletter of information and events and each section has its own officers and bylaws.

We’re three months into the new year and there is already plenty on the agenda for the Carolinas Section. We have a great slate of regular events coming your way, as well as a regional meeting in April at Northlake Mercedes Benz.

We’ve had a lot of fun lately, so don’t just read about the activities, come out and be a part of your club.

One of the strongest benefits of membership is the Loyalty Reward Program. This program is undergoing a change that takes effect April 1st. As a member in good standing, you will be able to take $500 off a new 2013 or 2014 Mercedes Benz and combine that discount with a second MBUSA dealer incentive. In some case, you may actually save more than $1,000 when you combine discounts. The national business office sent an email regarding this change very recently. If you didn’t receive the email, please contact the national office to update your email address. Send changes to geni@mbca.org.

As an FYI, Hendrick Motors of Charlotte will still match the $500 contribution from MBCA.

If you have an interest in being a more active member, we are still in need of a new president, secretary, membership chairman and newsletter editor. Please contact me for details. Enjoy Spring in your Mercedes!

3

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

Matthew Hunter Goose Creek SC

Charles Pedergraft Charlotte NC

Michael Patterson Charlotte NC

Charles Jessopp Hilton Head SC

Gerald Crossman Mint Hill NC

Glen McFadden Charlotte NC

Paul Witt Simpsonville SC

Carl Delvecchio Hamer SC

Marc C. Cornelius NC

Alan Phillips Burnsville NC

Michael Krause Greenville SC

Richard Hayes Aiken SC

Pedro Campuzano Mooresville NC

We are so pleased to welcome the newest members of the Mercedes Benz Club of America to the Carolinas Section!

Who’s Ready?

BENEFITS FOR NEW MEMBERS There’s a lot of good to be had from your membership! In addition to all of the cool things you get from National, such as the loyalty discount you receive on the purchase of a new Merceds Benz, your very own Carolinas Section offers special benefits, too! First, as a new member, please feel free to attend an event at no charge. For activities that include travel or dinner, those expenses will still remain the responsiblity of the member. But any cost 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

and beyond the normal extended to a club member. At Hendrick Motors of Charlotte, MB of South 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.

THE LATEST FOLKS TO JOIN US

4

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

And, of course, some of us wound up at the bar later, discussing world problems and Mercedes late into the night.

Sunday, after a much needed rest, found members at breakfast at the Inn and then enjoying coffee in the vast lobby lounge while talking about Saturday’s activities, their plans for the day, additional tours and of course, Mercedes.

Thanks very much to the wonderful staff at Skyland Mercedes Benz for their great hospitality.

It is dealer participation

in our area that makes it so much more enjoyable and interesting to be a Mercedes Benz owner. Your contributions are valuable to our club!

BILTMORE TOUR & SKYLAND MERCEDESContinued from page 1

5

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

BILTMORE TOUR & SKYLAND MERCEDES

6

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

2013 CALENDAR OF EVENTSAPRIL•Eastern Region Leadership Workshop, April 6, Charlotte, NC. This will be the first time in a number of years that MBCA leaders within this region have had the opportunity to come together to focus on how the club is run. Mercedes Benz of Northlake is hosting this workshop, which will be an all day, inter-active event. Section leadership and all members are welcome to attend. A special MBCA rate has been set up at the Comfort Suites Northlake, 7315 Smith Corners Blvd, Charlotte of $80 per night, reserve by calling 704-598-0478. Come in on Friday, so you’re ready to start at 9am on Saturday. RSVP to Bill Hopper, wwhrestoration@att.net.

•Spring Auto Fair, April 4-7, Lowe’s Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC. Charlotte AutoFair Spring Meet April 4-7, 2013 includes the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) National Car Show on Saturday April 6, 2013. 10,000 Vendor Spaces chock full of Restoration Parts & Cars For Sale in the Blue-Orange-Green-Red Fields! Plus more than 1,600 Vehicles For Sale in the Car Corral on the Track Oval - All this happens Thursday to Sunday. In addition, more than 50 other Car Clubs display their vehicles on Satur-day & Sunday. www.charlotte-autofair.com.

•Members Event, April 20, Northlake Mercedes Benz, Charlotte, NC. Car show and more. Contact Rick Deiber for details, president@mbcacarolinas.org.

MAY•Pinehurst Concours, May 3-5, Pinehurst, NC. The first ever Concours show competition at Pine-hurst Resort will feature a staging of 118 prestigious cars, some valued at more than $2 million. General admission and VIP tickets are now available. www.pinehurstconcours.com.

•StarTech 2013, May 18-22, Alabama. Registration is now open for StarTech 2013, running May 18-22 in sun-kissed Alabama. Save up to $45 if you register by March 15th. Rick Deiber, Carolinas Section president, has already reserved his room. Join him and have a great time. MB factory tours, a special event with the NASA Rocket Facility in Huntsville on Saturday, parade laps on the Barber Track and seminars at the MBUSI Training Center, next to the factory. Check out startech2013.org.

JUNE•Annual Dock Party, June 15, Charleston, SC. This event is a can’t miss! Hosted by the gracious Henry and Katherine Dunbar, enjoy Low Country Boil, adult beverages and more on their lovely dock, right on the waterway. Contact Henry Dunbar, dunbardome@yahoo.com.

7

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

CLASSIC MERCEDES MAGThe new issue of Classic Mercedes is bulging with features that will appeal those who love Mercedes classics from the 1950s to the 1990s. The cover car, a beautiful 280SE 3.5 Coupe, is arguably the most stately Mercedes coupe ever, and we describe and drive the car that was the final and most power-ful model in the 1961 to 1971 W111 coupe range.

We also have the full and fascinat-ing history of AMG, the Mercedes

tuner that was started in 1967 and which changed the face of performance cars, among other things being responsible for the celebrated V8 powered AMG Hammer, which we drive. We also take a close look at the first ‘official’ Mercedes AMG cars, launched in the early 1990s.

Issue three of Classic Mercedes brings two new items: reports from around the world on

club members’ activities, and your letters. After all, it is the magazine for true enthusiasts of the German marque.

If you can’t find Classic Mercedes at your local store, then you can order Classic Mercedes on the website ($12.50 inc. air mail) or subscribe for just $40. For more information go to www.classicmercedesmagazine.com  

AUGUST•Shelton Vineyards, August 24, 286 Cabernet Lane, Dobson, NC. In addition to the Mercedes Benz car show, Shelton Vineyards will be celebrating their 13th anniversary on this date with an Italian Affair on the Patio. www.sheltonvineyards.com.

OCTOBER•EURO Auto Festival, October 17 - 21, Greer, South Carolina. The amazing venue - the grounds of the BMW Manufacturing Facility in Upstate, South Carolina. This show is a lot of fun and includes work-shops, rallyes through the countryside, hot laps on the test track and of course the car show on Saturday. www.euroautofestival.com.

NOVEMBER•CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE & CAR CLUB JAMBOREE, October 25 - November 3, Hilton Head, South Carolina. The annual car show in Hilton Head has a BIG change this year! The venue will be adjacent to the Westin host hotel and no longer at Honey Horn! No more dusty cars! Look for additional info on this event in the next issue and plan to join us the first week of November. Events are moving to the Port Royal Golf Club.

DECEMBER•Annual Christmas Party, Location TBD. We’ll have a fun end of the year get together, planned just for you. Information will be sent when it’s avail-able.

8

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

Purchase Tickets TodayClick: www.mbca.org/raffle for complete rules and credit/debit card purchase instructions

Mail: Check your mailbox for an official mail-in order form

Call: 800.637.2360 weekdays, 8am-5pm Mtn Time

Vehicle featured in this ad is representative ONLY. Odds of winning dependent on total number of tickets sold. Ticket buyers and Grand Prize winner MUST be a current Member of MBCA at time of purchase and day of prize drawing. Members may attend live drawing (not required to enter or win). 100% of net Raffle proceeds shall be devoted exclusively to the lawful purposes of MBCA International Stars Section.

More Than a Car. We’re a Community.SM

DeadlineLast day to purchase tickets is June 10, 2013. Grand Prize ticket will be randomly selected on June 20, 2013. Winner will be announced on mbca.org and in the July/August 2013 issue of The Star®

Start Here• One Grand Prize — A 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550 plus $26,000 cash

• Open to MBCA Members ONLY; 18 years of age and older

• Cost per Raffle ticket is $50 US. No limit to number of tickets you can purchase

• A minimum of 4,500 tickets MUST BE SOLD to award the Grand Prize. Prize of $105,500 US will be awarded in the form of a check to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealership of winner’s choice (where winner will shop for his/her vehicle). An additional check, in the amount of $26,000, will be awarded as partial Federal withholding.

• If fewer than 4,500 tickets are sold, the Grand Prize will be one-half (50%) of the gross Raffle ticket sales — less Federal withholding of 25%, or at least $25,000 (less withholding) — whichever is greater.

In the “Make Mine a Mercedes” Spring Raffle

Enter to Win a2013 Mercedes-Benz SL550

Plus $26,000 Cash!

($105

,500 M

SRP)

9

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

One Day. Four Marques. Hundreds of Legends.Celebrate Them Here.

Pasadera Country ClubMonterey, CA

Friday, August 16, 20139am-3pm

For details & information, go to www.legendsoftheautobahn.org and click on the MBCA logo or “Mercedes-Benz.” Or contact Laura Simonds at 650.592.7613 | simondsl@pacbell.net

LEGENDS OF THEAUTOBAHN 20

13

Hundreds of vehicles on display for viewing& judging — enter your Mercedes of ANY ageor model for a chance to win an award!All models and ages in clean condition welcome. Registeryour vehicle by July 31 at www.motorsportreg.com. Scroll to “August 16” then to “MBCA – Legends of the Autobahn.”

Celebrating the 50th Anniversaryof Mercedes-Benz Pagoda and 600 ModelsHosted by the Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW and Audi Car Clubs of America

1969 Grand 600 SWB

1965 230 SL Pagoda

• Music • Beer Garden • Food Tents • Local Media • All-Day Fun!

New Venue

10

WW

W.

MB

CA

CA

RO

LI

NA

S.

OR

G

MBCA Fast Facts By Lisa A. Juhl, Director of Marketing

Every Mercedes-Benz Driver Has a Story — MBUSA Wantsto Know YoursThis edition of Fast Facts is a bit different than previous issues. That’s because there is an ‘all call’ for MBCA Member stories. As we all know, MBCA isn’t held together simply by the car we drive — it is the unique experiences we’ve had with and in our vehicles that count most.

Mercedes-Benz USA has a new feature on its Facebook page called “Owner Stories.” Owner Stories features photos and videoof Mercedes-Benz owners and their cars; and the special stories that go with them.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/mercedesbenzusa/app_370473163028210

Here, you’ll find dozens of stories already submitted by MBCA Members; including Matias Bombal, Vice President of theSacramento Section and Keith Morgan, Member of the Greater Washington Section.

New stories are featured every month. Submit yours, along with a photo or video and YOU could beMBUSA’s next featured Owner!