September 2018 Volume 30, Issue 9

President’s Corner by Chuck Valley

September 2018

As the 1966 hit song by The Happenings proclaims, “See you -- in September!” Well, September is here,

and we have a lot of great things happening in our club! If you’re hankerin’ for a Drive & Dine, there’s few

months that top September’s more predictable, usually comfortably cooler, dryer air in mornings and early

evenings. September is the month that closes out hot Summer and ushers in cooler days and nights of Fall,

my favorite time of year.

Since the club doesn’t have any drives planned _until_ the 15th, with The Tail of the Lizard Drive in South

Central Ohio hosted by Bonnie and Pat Sturgeon, there’s room next weekend for someone to step up to

the plate and host a drive. Our faithful MVMC Rally Master Roger Gordon is aching to help you pick a

restaurant, make reservations for the group, and plot a course from archived drives or some new route you

may want to try. We have able-bodied members who love to help too, like being the tail gunner or rockin’

chair on large caravans. “The tail gunner has gone through the traffic light!” is always a welcome

announcement to the lead car.

Other club events in September are:

o Meet & Greet TJ Chumps in Fairborn, Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd, Tues 18th

o MVMC Poker Run hosted by Pat and Chuck Valley, Sat 29th

o Chautauqua Festival, Madison IN, hosted by Tony and Jeanne Zlocki, Sun 30th

Look to the MVMC website calendar “What’s Happening?” at miamivalleymiataclub.org for details on

upcoming events in September.

MVMC 25th Anniversary Planning Committee

Among the current MVMC Executive Officers, Tim Howard, Dave Berry, Roger Gordon, Tony Zlocki, Fred

Hoppel, Pat Valley, and I, MVMC members Byron and Skeeter Pettit, Peggy Berry, and Jeanne Zlocki will

be getting together again Tuesday evening, September 4th for our second planning meeting for the Miami

Valley Miata Club’s 25th Anniversary. We should have most of the tasks for the event taken care of, or at

least nearing completion at this point. In the next few weeks, look for an announcement calling on members

to sign-up to attend our Miami Valley Miata Club’s Silver Anniversary. Save the date on your calendar:

Saturday, October 6th for a fun evening with dinner, door prizes, a mix of car-themed music and other

popular songs you remember, and even some trivia games. We want you to join us in this important fun

milestone celebration!

MVMC Anniversary embroidered monogrammed and non-Monogrammed shirts: MVMC caps may

be available as well. Stay tuned – we will be sending out detailed information on how to order these

products in the next few weeks.

It’s getting on that time of year to be thinking about nominating for MVMC’s Executive Committee Officers.

Officer nominations will take place at the October 16th MVMC Annual Pizza Party at Jeff Schmitt Mazda.

Any member can either nominate someone _who they know wants and has the time to take on the

responsibilities of the office_ or you can even self-nominate. Membership ballots will be handed out at the

November Meet & Greet.

We are unsure at this time who among our current Executive Committee Officers would like to serve in

2019, but technically all officers except for President are open for nomination. The club needs to nominate

a new Vice President so be thinking about running for this office. Through the club’s history, there have

been some exceptions, but normally, the year as VP serves as a launch pad to become club president the

following year. You’re welcome to talk to me or any of our officers to find out what’s all involved before you

commit.

Thanks to the Shop for another great year! For the October Newsletter, I’d like to solicit some enlightening

and sometimes downright funny stories from patrons of the shop this year and some stories or observations

from the “shop masters” Ed Kramer and Tim Howard and ‘mechanical sidekick’ Roger Gordon.

Skipping ahead a bit, we will be getting out an announcement in a few weeks for trip details for all signed

up for the wonderful Fall Foliage Drive 18-21 October. Fifteen (15) cars with members, family, and friends

comprising 28 are signed up so far. We are looking forward to a great color-filled Fall return road trip to the

Smokies!

So you can maximize your fun factor, be sure to check our website often, read our newsletters monthly,

and keep up with the event calendar, and the event announcements for upcoming events.

Again, participate with us while your good health allows. You’ll get more out of your club, keep your seals

from drying out (which causes engine and tranny leaks), and build some good memories along the way! It

beats cleaning the house or falling asleep in front of the boob tube. Save naps for the cold, rainy, and snowy

days of Ohio winters when your little beast is snug as a bug in a rug (er… car cover)!

"The newsletter is an official MVMC publication. By agreement with Jeff Schmitt Mazda we are to provide them with advertising space with their logo in every issue of the newsletter. As the Jeff Schmitt logo is a part of the newsletter, we don't want to appear to be in competition with our sponsor. Therefore, no advertising of used vehicles will appear in the newsletter.

We will advertise Miata related parts in the newsletter at no charge for MVMC members. The MVMC will help with preparing and releasing advertisements for used vehicles for MVMC members by e-mail distribution directly to members and on MVMC Facebook page(s)."

Miami Valley Miata Club Officers for 2018

Membership Update

By Pat Valley

Membership Director

We have three new members joining in August. Welcome William Marshall, Marlean and Scott Ohlwiler, and Hunter Turner! If you have missed the emails or forgot where to send your renewal, here is the form. Please mail it with your $20 renewal fee to: Pat Valley, 2000 Deer Hollow Trail, Xenia, OH 45385.

President

Chuck Valley

Secretary-Treasurer

Fred Hoppel

Rally Master

Roger Gordon

Vice President

Tony Zlocki

Membership Director

Pat Valley

Technical Director

Tim Howard

Newsletter Editor, Webmaster

Dave Berry

September Birthdays

9/03 Ed Walker 9/04 Roger Gordon 9/05 Carlos Quintana 9/05 Dale Burnside 9/05 Sherry Crossman 9/06 Russ Loughlin 9/08 Sam Mitchell 9/10 Chuck Valley 9/11 Paul Haller 9/16 Scott Ohlwiler 9/18 Frank Brewster 9/27 Mike Mardis

New Members for 2018

William Marshall

Marlean & Scott Ohlwiler

Hunter Turner

Mark Fritz

Thomas Birkbeck

Carlos Quintana & Sherry Crossman

Patrick & Lori Powell

Richard & Barb Robinson

MVMC 2018 Calendar of Events

NOTE: This is displayed as a running three-month calendar of upcoming events for which at least two of the three factors of date, host(s) and venue are CONFIRMED.

Date Event Host(s) Venue Sep 15 Tail of the Lizard Drive & Dine Bonnie & Pat Sturgeon Moyer’s, Manchester, OH

Sep 18 Meet & Greet Chuck Valley TJ Chumps, Fairborn, OH

Sep 23 Autocross Troy Corvette Club Kil-Kare Raceway, Xenia, OH

Sep 29 Poker Run Chuck & Pat Valley TBA

Set 30 Chautauqua Festival Drive Tony & Jean Zlocki Madison, IN

Oct 6 MVMC 25th Anniversary Celebration

Executive Committee, 25th Anniversary Committee

Fairborn Senior Center, Fairborn, OH

Oct 7 Autocross Troy Corvette Club Kil-Kare Raceway, Xenia, OH

Oct 13 SCCA Autumn Classic Tim Howard Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, OH

Oct 16 Meet & Greet Chuck Valley Jeff Schmitt Mazda, Beavercreek, OH

Oct 18-21 Fall Foliage Tour Chuck & Pat Valley Maryville, TN

Oct 27 William Henry Harrison Museum & Memorial Drive & Dine

Dave & Peggy Berry North Bend, OH

Nov 10 Ohio Presidents Tour Part 2 Chuck & Pat Valley TBA

Nov 20 Meet & Greet Chuck Valley TBA

Links of interest:

MVMC GROUP FACEBOOK PAGE:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/300608016771949/

MVMC ORG FACEBOOK PUBLIC PAGE

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miami-Valley-Miata-

Club/229407270577928

LINKS TO MIATA CLUBS IN THE MIDWEST

http://www.miata.net/clubs/ohkywv.html

BUCKEYE MIATA CLUB / COLUMBUS-

http://www.buckeyemiataclub.com/

GREATER CINCINNATI http://www.cincimiata.com/news.asp

INDY MIATA CLUB http://www.indymiata.org/

OHIO MIATA OWNERS FACEBOOK PRIVATE GROUP (request to join)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/478759678813248/

In anticipation of the Miami Valley Club’s 25th anniversary, we offer an article penned

by founding member, Drake Daum, on the occasion of the Club’s 10th anniversary,

from the newsletter archives.

Night Out to listen to Generations Big Band and some Classic Swing Jazz

Hosted by MVMC Member – and Band Member – Larry Roberts!

For more photos from May MVMC events, visit the club’s Google Drive page at:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=16N7B5tzMKhx3F3iHTXISJ5d7rvbAeXHP

The MVMC crew gathers at the Milton Athletic Club for an evening of iconic music

Hosting was Larry Roberts, MVMC member and Trombonist in Generations Big Band

Watch a brief video capture of Generations Big Band in action!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qCOMxbuujqLnyNoLf4jEJ8dpBocwozsW

Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum Tour

By Tony Zlocki

On August 18th, nine members of the Miami Valley Miata Club in five cars spent about two-and-a-half hours

on some of Indiana's back roads. We eventually arrived in Auburn, Indiana, at the Auburn-Cord-

Duesenberg Museum, which is located in the original 1930’s national headquarters of the world-renowned

Auburn Automobile Company. Over 120 classic, antique, vintage, and special interest cars are displayed

with various other automobile related exhibits on three floors.

This was a decade of wealth and style, two things Americans consumed at a rapid pace while shelling out

thousands of dollars to maintain the illusion of luxury.

A few companies like Packard, Peerless and Hudson introduced a boat-tail model that set land speed

records with unparalleled style.

As car enthusiasts the trip was enjoyed by all.

Hocking Hills Drive & Dine

By Fred Hoppel

On Saturday, August 25, 2018, we did a Hocking Hills Drive and Dine to the Lake Hope Dining Lodge. The drive was well attended with (19) cars, and (37) participants. The weather forecast was earlier predicted to be one of the worst rain days of that week but turned out to be a very nice top-down day. Near the end of the drive we did have a few sprinkles on our way back home.

The following persons took part in the drive: Mike and Gail Allen, Bill Bateman and Carole Stofer, David and Peggy Berry, John and Carol Bowling, Enrique and Ruth Ellenbogen, Calvin and Bonnie Hebert, Fred and Jayna Hoppel, Russ and Dianne Loughlin, Mike Mardis and Diana Reed, Marlean and Scott Ohlwiler, Byron & Skeeter Pettit, Patti Purdon and Wendy Rodgers, Tom and Gina Seay, Michael and Mary Beth Smith, Doug Snyder and Laura Norris, Pat and Bonnie Sturgeon, Chuck Valley, Pat Valley and Kaitlyn Fields, Chris and Donna Vollmer.

I would like to thank all the above-named persons who joined us on this Drive and those members who took and submitted photos.

Please join us for a Drive

on the Tail of the Lizard!

Saturday, September 15, 2018

We will be driving twisty roads,

meandering past stone walls,

streams, and old barns

to Moyer Winery and Restaurant.

Meet us at the Xenia Station

at 9:30AM with a driver’s meeting at 9:45,

leaving at 10:00AM

Reservations are for lunch at 2:00!

Please RSVP by Thursday, September 13th

so we can give the restaurant a heads’ up!

RSVP: Pat & Bonnie home: 937-372-3615 Pat at 937-532-8550

Bonnie at 937-532-3994 Oma.sturgeon@gmail.com

Miscellany

Can we change "Meet & Greet" to "Meet & Eat"?

“Froggy Boy” with his little suction cup feet sticks to the Valley’s front door transom. He has visited every night for the past week to wait on moths and various bugs flying around the porch light. It’s become his favorite spot to grab a late-night meal.

No comment.

Shop Talk (It’s not just about the cars) By Tim Howard

As with all the summer months, August was filled with activities and went by so fast

that in my mind, I still think it is July! Unfortunately, that is not the case. We are now

into September and soon we will all be wishing for top-down weather again and, along

with it, some club activities to fill those long, cold weekends. Maybe during those dark-

days we can all relive some of the summers good times. Good times like August 4th,

when a dozen or so of us met at Bob Evans for breakfast before the British Car Show.

During breakfast, the food was good, as was the service, and the conversation was

lively. We discussed cars, airplanes, our misspent youths, and more. After that, we caravanned to Eastwood

Park where Chuck and Chris White had again arranged for special parking for our Club right at the front

door so to speak. Let’s just say that Miata Club members did not waste precious energy walking from the

parking lot to the exhibit area. As usual, the 2018 show maintained its reputation as one of the top annual

automotive events in Dayton. There were between 200 and 300 autos on display, and as usual, the quality

of the exhibits was very high. Pictures of a couple of my favorites are displayed below.

On August 23rd, our group celebrated our final shop day at Ed’s shop with our normal donuts, coffee and

conversation, followed by a small work project, and then finally on to the real business of the day – a

celebration replete with chicken wings and other sundry items. The celebration of course was to honor the

work that was done and the friendships that were nourished through our time spent at Ed’s shop. After what

I think is more than a decade of making his shop

and his skill available to club members on a

regular basis, Ed has decided that he wants to

spend the next few seasons of his life exploring

some different passions. I know that I for one

will miss the fun we have had during the six

years that I have been involved. Who knows,

maybe we can talk Ed into an occasional future

shop day to commemorate our past

experiences. We all wish Ed the best of luck as

he enters this new season of his life. Included

are a few pictures from the activities on the 23rd.

Finally, if you are not on their newsletter mailing list,

you probably do not know that Mazda has recently

provided Flying Miata with one of their new 2019

Miatas for testing and experimentation purposes.

This is the model that we have all heard about with

the new engine sporting an additional 23

horsepower. Without going into extreme detail, it

appears that there are few changes to the

suspension and braking systems between 2018 and

2019. The engine is where the engineers focused their efforts. In that department, there were extensive

changes made to strengthen critical components, enhance performance, and increase the engines redline.

The article reveals the results of the first comparative dyno tests performed by Flying Miata. The results

reveal that up to about 6000 rpm, the horsepower and torque profiles for the 2018 and the 2019 engines

are almost identical. All the gains in both horsepower and torque come between 6000 and 7200 rpm. That

means that the average driver will see very little difference between the 2018 and the 2019 model. Those

of us that tend to press the limits on either the street or the track will want to wait for the 2019 model before

we plunk down our hard-earned cash at the dealership.

Bill Cardell, the owner of Flying Miata, also offered the following first driving impressions of the 2019 model.

“The best Miata Mazda has ever built. It will be a challenge to fine tune and focus it even more. It’s basically

everything good about the 2018 model, but with an engine that is both smoother and loves to run to the

higher redline. Naturally, we’ve already had it on the dyno and we are busy bolting parts on to see how it

reacts.”

That sounds like a winner to me.

Gail and Mike Allen donated a portable battery charger to the shop