MBCA GENERAL INFORMATION

2010 National MBCA Election Announcement - MBCA will conduct a National Election this year to select four Directors at Large and six Regional Directors. The Directors at Large whose terms expire in 2010 are Steve Dierks, Laura Simonds, Chuck Landenberger and George Murphy. Regional Directors in the six even-numbered regions will also be elected this year. Please see the National Board Section Directory in this issue for those regions. Active members interested in running for office should refer to the election section of the club’s By-Laws, available at www.mbca.org for instructions and petitions. Or call 1-800-637-2360. The deadline for submitting valid petitions to the National Business Office is the close of business on May 15, 2010.

April 22-24, 2010

MBCA Spring National Board Meeting - The 2010 Spring National Board Meeting will be held April 22-24th in Chesterfield, MO at the Kemp Auto Museum. Open meetings 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. For meeting schedules, hotel and final dinner information, contact Cindy at the National Business Office.

July 19 & September 27, 2010

German Trips in 2010 - MBCA is offering two German trips this year on July 19, 2010 and September 27, 2010. In conjunction with Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz, we’ll go places and see things that are just not open or available to the public. As a very special option, members participating in MBCA’s 2010 Trips to Germany may choose to attend the exclusive Europe-only Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience.Click "More" for details on this wonderful adventure.

August 13, 2010

Legends of the Autobahn: West Coast Summer Concours - A National Special Event - MBCA is joining other German marques for a concours to be held on the Friday of the Monterey Historics Races - Pebble Beach Concours weekend. The venue is Rancho Canada Golf Club in Carmel Valley. Enter your Mercedes-Benz to be judged or for display only in the corral. For complete details and registration information contact Laura Simonds.

September 24-29, 2010

StarFest® 2010 - MBCA's Premier National Event - Don't miss out on the Concours d'Elegance, Rally, Seminars, Clinics, Social & Track Events and much, much more in beautiful Winchester, Virginia! Hosted by Greater Washington Section. For complete details and registration information contact Bill Hopper or click "More" to be taken to StarFest®2010 Website.

MARCH 6, 2010

Wisconsin Section Oshkosh WI

Tour the EAA Air Venture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Start with Lunch at Kodiak Jack's, 2059 Witzel Ave.,Oshkosh, at 11:30 A.M., order off the menu. Meet at the EAA for a video at 1:30 pm and then a guided tour from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. $7.75 per person museum entry. Register by March 5.

MARCH 7, 2010

Tampa Bay Section Tampa FL

Tampa Bay Downs Thoroughbred Horse Racing & Brunch 1125 Race Track Rd., Tampa, Register by February 28, $20/adult.

MARCH 13, 2010

San Francisco Bay Area Section Watsonville CA

Tour a private automobile collection. No-host lunch. $15 per person. Register by 1 March. Space Limited.

MARCH 20, 2010

Southern Stars Section Central Florida

Lake County Rally in central Florida starting in Yalaha, at the Yalaha Country Bakery. The rally ($15 per car) stars at 1:00 pm and ends at the spectacular Mission Inn located in Howey-in-the-Hills where we'll have cocktails and our Awards Banquet (Buffet dinner, $30 per person). Pay and register by February 20. Mail a $15 check payable to Southern Stars, MBCA to PO Box 13284, Jekyll Island, GA 31527or contact me to charge to a major credit card.

MARCH 21, 2010

Northern New Jersey Section West Orange NJ

The annual Antiques Road Show at Bella Italia. Mr. Alan Snyder, our resident antique appraiser, will be on hand for the event. Bella Italia has been our restaurant of choice for the past couple of years – good food & service, right price. Appraisal cost is $35; $10 for the under 12 set. We will be awarding two Lands End shirts w/ our logo to attending members. Register by March 17.

MARCH 21, 2010

Seattle Section Bow WA

We have planned a nice drive to the famous Chuckanut Manor Restaurant for a delicious Sunday Brunch.

APRIL 10, 2010

Greater Washington Section Baltimore MD

Day-long Mercedes-Benz judging school taught by MBCA Chief Judge Peter Lesler at the MBUSA Vehicle Preparation Center, Baltimore Maryland This hands-on school includes classroom time and real life examples of what you will find on the Concours field. Pete will explain the MBCA judging sheet to students and then train them in what to look for when judging a Mercedes-Benz vehicle at an MBCA Concours d'Elegance. This school is open to all MBCA members who wish to attend. Lunch will be provided. At the end of the school a tour of the MBUSA Baltimore Vehicle Preparation Center will be available to attendees. Fee $20, register at event.

APRIL 11, 2010

Tampa Bay Section Sarasota FL

Sarasota Polo at Lakewood Ranch. $5 for food; $10 per person for match entry at the gate. Gate opens 11:00 am; matches start at 1:00 pm.

APRIL 17, 2010

Northern New Jersey Section Morristown NJ

All day session at All in the Details, Shade Tree Garage and High Marques. All are located in the same building in Morristown. We will start at Shade Tree with coffee and bagels at 9:30 to about noon, break for NNJS provided lunch, receive a guided tour and discussion of the beautiful cars available at High Marques and then to All in the Details for a detailing seminar (June Jamboree is coming). A drawing for a $100 gift certificate at BOTH Shade Tree and All in the Details. We will also have a drawing for a Lands End shirt at each location. Attend one or all. No cost; but register by April 15, as we need a headcount for lunch.

APRIL 17, 2010

Greater Washington Section Bethesda MD

Mercedes-Benz High Mileage Certification Event & MB Service Clinic at EuroMotorcars in Bethesda. Mercedes-Benz vehicles with 155K miles or more on their odometer are eligible to apply for the Mercedes-Benz High Mileage Award. See information here. Complete this form and bring it with you to the clinic. While there get your car inspected by a M-B certified technician. EuroMotorcars will be providing lunch and a technical Q&A session. And you'll learn more about the EuroMotorcars Classic Car service program. There will be door prizes and an award for the highest mileage MB present.

APRIL 17, 2010

Peachtree Section Blairsville GA

Please join us for Member Appreciation Day on April 17 from 11:00PM -3:00PM at Vogel State Park. This event is FREE to Peachtree MBCA members and their families, $10 per non-member guest and is limited to the first 100 registrants. In addition to a barbeque lunch, there will be live entertainment as well as the use of the enclosed park shelter. Registration must be made through Jim Mitchell.

APRIL 18, 2010

San Francisco Bay Area Section Niles Canyon CA

Wildflower train ride on the Niles Canyon Railway. Complimentary wine tasting on board. Cost, other details TBD.

APRIL 24, 2010

Seattle Section LaConner WA

29th Annual LaConner Tulip Daffodil Rallye with the MG Car Club. 9:30 am. Meet at 201 Cascade Mall Dr., I-5 Exit # 230, Burlington, WA 98233. $12.00 pre-entry/$15.00 day of event. Register by April 17.

MAY 2, 2010

Northern New Jersey Section Florham Park NJ

Concours at Automatic Switch. Car registration is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. $2 otherwise. Bob Wegner has arranged for our own concours judging section for MBs older than 25 years. In addition we will have a separate showing area for our younger cars. Contact: Bob Wegner (973)515-0052 for judging application. There have been more than 200 cars at this event in the past so please arrive by 10 AM.

MAY 8, 2010 Regional Event

Peachtree Section Atlanta, Georgia

Event at the High Museum in Atlanta to view eighteen of the world’s rarest and most brilliantly conceived automobiles from the the golden age of automotive design. Luncheon follows the tour.

MAY 10, 2010

Greater Washington Section Manassas VA

Join MBCA members for a Do-It-Yourself Day, wrenching on your car at Convenience Car Care. Bring your own tools, parts, fluids and what ever you may need to get your job done. Other MBCA members will be around to give you guidance, but not do the job for you. Donuts, coffee and lunch will be provided. Event cost $25.

MAY 15, 2010

Greater Washington Section Calvert County MD

Caravan from Alexandria VA @ 11:00 am. MBCA members will enjoy a leisurely drive to southern Maryland, a tour of Family Auto Care Mercedes-Benz, BMW Specialist (Owings Mill MD) at noon, and then a scenic drive around Calvert County. Topping the day off will be a traditional crab cake and ham dinner at the historic St. James Church in Lothian. While at the church, you will be able to enjoy their Spring Festival featuring tours of the historic church by colonial-dressed guides, a children’s carnival, an antique car show, and various shops. To encourage driving your Mercedes-Benz or BMW, special preferred parking will be reserved at the church. Cost: $5 registration fee, submitted with your RSVP; dinner cost $20 for adults and $10 for children ages ten and younger; free for kids under 2. Dinner cost paid at Church. To reserve, send a check for $5 per car payable to GWS-MBCA to: JD Harriman, 4528 Yorkshire Drive, Ellicott City MD 21043

MAY 15, 2010

San Francisco Bay Area Section Palo Alto CA

Concours judging school at Park Avenue Motors led by National Concours Chair Peter Lesler. Learn how to judge all types and ages of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Use this experience to be a judge at the Palo Alto Concours and "Legends of the Autobahn: West Coast Summer Concours." $17.50 per person, register by May 7, 2010.

MAY 21-24, 2010 Regional Event

Alabama Section Birmingham AL

With the assistance of the Peachtree Section, we are again hosting “Heimatfest” in Birmingham which is the home of Mercedes-Benz production in North America as well as the home of Barber Motorsports Park and Museum.

MAY 22, 2010 Regional Event

Wisconsin Section West Allis WI

Join the Wisconsin Section for this Regional Defensive Driving and Autocross event at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. Lunch available, $6.00 per person. Scoring and Awards will be based on National Autocross rules. Register by May 10. Cost is $35 for first driver; $15 for second driver.

JUNE 4-5, 2010Regional Event

Las Vegas Section Section Las Vegas NV

MBCA Annual Southwestern Regional Joint Event, South Point Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, 702/796-7111. Friday evening, check-in and reception at the hotel. Saturday, breakfast, then defensive driving school in hotel parking lot; certificates given at the end of session. Afternoon rally. Evening motor memorabilia art show followed by hotel awards dinner for memorabilia and rally. More detailed information will follow.

JUNE 5, 2010 Regional Event

Houston Section Centerville TX

The Fifth Annual Texas Mercedes-Benz Get Together.

JUNE 10-11, 2010

Greater Washington Section Alton VA

Join MBCA along with BMW and Audi Club members for two days on Virginia International Raceways full 3.27 mile course. This event is for experienced drivers and beginners alike. All drivers will have experienced instructors assigned to them to teach them the course as well as how to improve their skills. Run groups are set up to match like drivers and vehicles.The event includes a Thursday night driver's dinner. There are a variety of accommodations in the area and on the VIR property, including luxurious villas and suites. Registration is open to members of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Audi Club North America, and BMW Car Club of America. To see the track or to learn more about VIR go to www.virnow.com. Cost of Event: $495 for 2 days - single day rate available.

JUNE 19, 2010Regional Event

Northern New Jersey Section Montvale NJ

The longest running Mercedes-Benz Concours in North America will be held Saturday, June 17 at MBUSA Headquarters in Montvale. NJ. Registration is open from 8:00 am to 10:00 am; judging starts at 10. Registration fee for both the concours and popular vote is the same as in past year - $45 ($55 at the door). Pre-register by Thursday June 17.

JULY 10, 2010

Northern New Jersey Section Fleetwood PA

The annual German Marque car show. We'll be joining the Keystone Section and we'll have our own Mercedes-Benz area at this great, long running car show. Cost, which includes lunch, will be set in early 2010.

JULY 24-25, 2010

Greater Washington Section Summit Point WV

Join your fellow MBCA members running the exciting Shenandoah Circuit (home of StarFest® 2010) at Summit Point Raceway. This two day event (you may chose one day only) is open to experienced drivers as well as beginners. All attendees will be paired with an instructor. Run groups are set to match driver experience and vehicle capability. Special rates are available to attendees at the nearby Winchester Marriott Towne Place Suites. Event cost is $495, register by July 10.

AUGUST 15, 2010

Seattle Section Mountlake Terrace WA

Seattle Section Annual Show and Shine at the Nile Country Club

SEPTEMBER 19, 2010 Regional Event

Our 22nd annual regional picnic hosted by John Bleimaier at his home in Hopewell. Good food, lots of beverages, popular vote car show (50 cars last year) and the ever popular lawn sprints to round out the day.We will have some chairs and tables but bring your own as well. This year we will put together 30 boxes (care packages) for the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan instead of the silent auction. We will ask you to bring specific items - details later. No cost to you but we MUST have a headcount by September 16.

OCTOBER 6-9, 2010

San Francisco Bay Area Section Willows CA

Western States Driving Experience 2010 - A comprehensive driving event including defensive driving training, autocross, track time, countryside rally, car show, and social activities. Detailed information is being sent to all MBCA section newsletter editors and will be in the SFBA section web site shortly. For a registration packet contact event registrar.