by Frank Barrett, Editor/Publisher

MBCA members enjoy helping the builders of the M-Class to generate funds for charities.

More than 100 MBCA members accepted the invitation of Mercedes-Benz to join in Drive For Excellence, a sunny early November weekend of charity, family, and enthusiast-oriented activities based at the M-Class plant in Vance, Alabama. Over two days, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International hosted about 8,000 local residents, employees, and charity donors with activities and entertainment at Talladega Superspeedway and the Visitor Center at the plant.

Mercedes-Benz created Drive for Excellence as a philanthropic initiative to raise funds for two Alabama charities, the Kid One Transport System and Alabama Reading Initiative. The event, which was open to the public, successfully generated about $130,000 in donations.

Kid One provides free transportation to children who suffer from mental, medical, or physical illnesses but whose families can't afford transportation to get them to the necessary treatment. MBUSI has provided two M-Class vehicles to transport these children, and volunteers drive them to doctors appointments, therapy, or wherever else the kids must go for treatment. The Alabama Reading Initiative improves the reading ability of students in grades K-12, working with both teachers and children in public schools throughout the state so that students are better prepared for college or employment. Both organizations represent excellence in people and performance, the underlying theme of the entire weekend.

At the charity dinner: Jeannie Denton, Mark Richey (background), Richard Thaemert, Bill Denton, and Maryalice Ritzmann, MBUSA.

Alabama Governor Don Siegelman greets dinner crowd.

Talladega's stands were empty, but MBCA members still got a thrill during hot laps.

A Night with the Stars

During Friday evening's charity reception at the Visitor Center, Alabama Governor Don Spiegelman chatted with MBUSI President Bill Taylor while guests wandered through the silent auction, held in America's only Mercedes-Benz museum. More than 80 high quality items included everything from toys to a Rolex watch, original art, and exotic vacations. The best was a $25,000 junket to Germany--or you could choose an Arkansas duck hunt (for two). Most items were bargains. A trip for two to a California CART race next year--including airfare from anywhere in the U.S., a luxury hotel room, and an invitation to a special Mercedes-Benz party--went for $1,000. By far the grandest item was the very first ML55 AMG off the nearby line, a handsome silver devil dressed up with special Buffalo hide interior, fitted luggage, and more.

Only a few years ago no one would have believed that lil' ol' Vance would someday be the site of an elegant $350-a-plate banquet. Among MBCA members present were Midwest Regional Director Bill Denton and his wife, Jeannie; Rocky Mountain Regional Director Richard Thaemert; Southeast Regional Director Scott Suits and his wife, Carolyn; Mark and Sue Richey, Peachtree Section; K.B. Pearce, Peachtree Section; and Frank Barrett, Editor/Publisher of The Star. An air of synergy filled the marquee as nearly 500 people from Alabama and beyond discussed their favorite charities and exchanged ideas. Besides being responsible for millions of dollars in donations, most among this happy crowd had a record of providing innovative charity organization and volunteer effort, often at the hands-on level.

After welcome speeches by Governor Spiegelman and Bill Taylor, MBUSI Communications Director Linda Paulmeno honored Russell and Mary Jackson, creators of Kid One, and Dr. Katherine Mitchell and Carolyn Novak, leaders of the Alabama Reading Initiative. As a follow-up to the earlier silent auction, the live auction then offered more gems, culminating with the one-off ML55 AMG. With few "car guys" in the crowd, bidding began slowly. Bill Denton was in the running, but the bidding eventually hit $87,000, and the M-Class escaped to a Tuscaloosa resident. Bill was last seen looking for Linda to ask if MBUSI would build another one.

The evenings entertainment was none other than the legendary Ray Charles. His jazz-oriented program avoided old rockers like "What'd I Say?" but matched the tastes of this upscale audience. He was the perfect artist for the occasion.

M-Class Challenge

Talladega Superspeedway, east of Birmingham, was the site of Saturday's family-oriented activities and entertainment, centered around MBCA's car show. Twenty-nine members' cars marshaled by concours chairman Scott Suits presented a cross-section of Mercedes-Benz history. The selection began with a replica 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen and ran through the 20th century to a new CL500. It wouldn't have been a show without a 300SL., provided here by K.B.Pearce, but the car that impressed us the most was Mike Fisher's subtle but beautifully restored 1958 219.

Just for this show, Long Beach Section member Bob Burchett trailered his 1960 190Db Sedan all the way from California behind his ML320. The Peoples Choice award went to Axel Reinert's 1964 220 SE Coupe. That car was not nearly as mild-mannered as you might think. Axel has modified his coupe for drag racing, adding a roll cage, huge slicks, a nitrous-fed M100 6.3 liter V-8, and more. He should tear 'em up in acceleration runs at MBCA national events!

All Star Sunday

The second day drew everyone to the MBUSI Visitor Center and plant. Demonstration rides again provided the big attraction, but these went through the woods, around the challenging off-road course--over natural and man-made obstacles alike--at much slower speeds than at Talladega. Saturday's car show winners enjoyed pride of place at the Visitor Center entrance; these included K.B. Pearce's 300SL, Scott and Carolyn Suits' 280SL (dripping oil until a leaky hose was replaced with the help of MBUSI technicians), Mike Fisher's 219 , and Axel Reinert's dragenwagen.

The most popular activity was a self-guided plant tour. The assembly line, which normally runs two shifts per day, was idle this Sunday, but "team members" (aka employees) answered questions. M-Class production, now running full tilt, has reached 360 units per day here. More than 100 team members served as volunteer hosts for the weekend.

Out in the parking lot, adults who wanted to learn smooth driving could drive an M-Class around a low-speed course, balancing a ball in a bowl on the hood. Kids enjoyed everything from clanging away on metal "interactive musical sculptures" (whoever manned that activity deserved extra pay) to a fishing derby in the lake, stocked just for the occasion. The unusual Sloss Furnace metal arts team allowed kids (and adults) to design their own castings and watch them being made.

Besides food, the big tent housed entertainers: a jazz group, the Kokomo Blues Band, the Tuscaloosa Symphony, and the impressive New Hope Baptist Choir. As the sun set, the hot air balloon rose again, hopeful kids were still casting their hooks into the lake, and the fireworks show was about to begin.

Will MBUSI do it again? The possibility is being evaluated, since this event might be coordinated with other worldwide DaimlerChrysler public activities. We'll keep you informed, so that you too can Drive For Excellence.