Nicht Vergessen
(Don’t Forget)
Supplement to Das Heimatblatt- MBCA Newsletter of the Year 2014
Jim Roberts, DMD/ MBCA National Director
Upcoming Events
September
GT World Challenge
Barber Motorsports Park
Saturday-Sunday, 26-27 September
The event hosts several sports car races with the “feature” race being a 3-hour Endura for the fastest GT cars on Sunday.
The promotors have contacted MBCA here in Alabama-NW Florida about reserving a place in the car festival for Mercedes-Benz and AMG cars. They are offering cash prizes up to $1000 for a “people’s choice” type show.
The event runs for 3 days (Fri-Sun) from 25-27 September. Entry is $70/ day or $125 for 3 days and includes this car festival and paddock access to the race cars.
My race mechanic was with one of the AMG- GT’s and knows most of the teams to give us special access.
Friday and Saturday are best to visit the paddock to see the preparation of the cars for racing. I will go with small groups to explain the activity.
The trams from the Indy car race will transport us all the way around the track and to the paddock where the cars are prepared. You really want to view road course races from a variety of vantage points —especially on Friday and Saturday as the drivers are practicing and qualifying.
We will be in the area that is the “fan zone” for the Indy Car races which is the premium viewing area.
More details will follow, so save the dates!
For tickets: https://www.tixr.com/groups/srogtworld
Please let us know that you will be joining us.
October
MBCA Judged Concours
Atlanta (Alpharetta)
Sunday, 4 October
This is an annual event staged by Peachtree chapter. It is a nice intimate event with several levels of preparation including Silver Star.
Traffic congestion is a problem even early on Saturday so allow for this. No surprise to those who frequent Atlanta.
Register on motorsportsreg.com
Mississippi Renaissance Car Show
Jackson, MS
Saturday, 3 October
Our longtime friend, Mississippi chapter Pres, Mile Marsh called to let me know he is reviving this unique multi-marque event in Jackson after a few years in Natchez.
AL-NW FL member, Ralph Neely won Best of Show there a few years ago. Ralph confirmed that taking US 80 west from Tuscaloosa to the Natchez Trace Parkway is a nice, relaxing drive.
The parkway is like a 300-mile-long national park. US 80 intersects it only about 70 miles from the show site which is adjacent to the parkway. Anyone up for this drive?
Contact me at Jertoothsaver@bellsouth.net
Birmingham Stammtisch
Tuesday, 20 October
6:30pm
The Pita Stop, Cahaba Heights
3908 Crosshaven Dr, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
Stammtisch – Huntsville
Ol’ Heidelberg: 6125 University Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35806
Tuesday, 27 October
6:30 PM
Very authentic German food and décor
Farben Fahrt
(Color Drive)
Saturday, 31 October
Start at Atalla Chick Fil A (AL 77 exit from I-59).
We will depart at 8:30 stopping at Noccalula Falls, if it has rained in the last 3 days before continuing to Little River Canyon with breathtaking fall colors and on to Desoto State Park for lunch by 1pm.
This should get everyone home for the Halloween festivities.
November
Birmingham Stammtisch
Tuesday, 17 November
6:30pm
The Pita Stop, Cahaba Heights
3908 Crosshaven Dr, Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
Cullman Christkindelmarkt
Saturday, 21 November
Note that we are again planning a visit to the Cullman Christkindelmarkt (Christ child Fair) on 21 Nov the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This originated in Nürnburg, Germany in the 16th Century. They even have a booth from Käthe Wohlfahrt with authentic German ornaments, decorations, and clothing.
We will drive an interesting route Saturday morning, visit the event that includes Cullman’s 33 foot tall “Weinachtspyramide” (Christmas Pyramid) which is one of only two in the U.S.
As well as lunch at “All Steak” which serves a lot more than steak including their famous orange rolls.
We will meet at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham on Grant’s Mill Road at 8:30 as well as at Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville as well. I will have directions at the dealership for a nice drive. Both routes are beautiful, challenging, and fun. The two groups will meet at Clarkson Covered Bridge just off U.S. 278 10 miles west of Cullman.
Stammtisch – Huntsville
Ol’ Heidelberg: 6125 University Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35806
Tuesday, 24 November
6:30 PM
Very authentic German food and décor
December
North Holiday Party
Saturday, 12 December
11:30am
Bright Star, Bessemer
This is one of the oldest restaurants in Alabama with the present location and decoration dating back to 1904.
We will have a private room.
South Holiday Party
The Grand Hotel at Point Clear
Sunday, 13 or 20 December
On the beautiful Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay this elegant 1847 hotel has been a favorite of both Mobile and Pensacola residents for almost 180 years. If we use the earlier date, the Bougainvillea is blooming along with Camellia and Azaleas.
Please let me know your preferred date at jertoothsaver@bellsouth.net
I think we are the only chapter that stages two holiday parties.