August - September 2015

In this issue:

Feature Articles

KC Regional Event - DD/AX 1Smith Rallye & Picnic 1October Sunday Drive 3Spaßnacht Dates 5Calendar 14

Columns

Miscellaneous Rants, Raves and

Ramblings“LIKE” us on Facebook 2Logo Shop 3QR Code to Receive Email 3Save $500 5Officers and Board 5Gemutlichkeit 6New Members 13NTB Tire Discount 14Uplift 14

Coming Up August - October

President’s Message 2

Helmets Needed 2Important Dates 2June FSD - Clinton MO 7KCAM Display 7

Kansas City Section Regional Event: Defensive Driving & Autocross August 8, 2015

RSVP soon to participate in our DD/AX event that is right around the bend on August 8th. Once again we have reserved the Precision Driving Course located at the Metro-politan Community College Blue River campus in Inde-pendence MO. This is the big driving event for 2015 and we encourage participa-tion by all members and their families. The cost is $20, although licensed drivers 20 years of age and under are free.

A continental breakfast will be provided; lunch will be available at a rea-sonable cost. On-site registration begins at 7:30am, classroom instruc-tion begins at 8am – with on-course driving instruction and auto-cross activities to follow. Defensive Driving participants will receive a certifi-cate of completion from MBCA. Please RSVP to Kevin Arburn at: kev-in@kcmbca.org or at 913-579-6318, so that we may provide an accurate headcount. Thanks – see you there!!

Kansas City Section Annual Smith Rallye and Section Picnic – September 6, 2015

Mark the calendar for September 6th for the running of the annual Smith Rallye, this year we are also including a Labor Day weekend Picnic at Shawnee Mission Park. The rallye begins at noon, and the picnic will start 2pm. The picnic is open to all members and their families, even if you don’t go on the rallye – but we need you to RSVP for either part…or both!

The picnic will be a fully catered event by Crazy Good Eats, featuring BBQ brisket, pulled pork, cheesy corn, baked beans, desert and soft drinks. So you don’t need to bring anything but your appetite! Cost of the rallye is $20 per car, cost of the picnic will be $5 per person, children 6 and under are free. We will collect “at the door”. We have reserved Shelter #4 at Shawnee Mission Park for this event, which will also be the starting point for the rallye. We absolutely need you to RSVP to Kevin Arburn at kevin@kcmbca.org or 913-579-6318 by August 22nd to pro-vide a headcount to the caterer.

President’s Messageby Kevin Arburn

Kevin Arburn, President Mercedes-Benz Club of America | Kansas City Section

Kevin Arburn, President

https://www.facebook.com/kcmbca

Helmets Needed For DD/AXDo you have an old motorcycle or automotive helmet you are no longer using? Consider donating it to the club for use during our Defensive Driving / Autocross event. Hel-mets of all sizes are needed. Thank you!

Important Dates for 2015Mark your calendars for these events in 2015:

Saturday August 8th - DD/AX Regional Event

Sunday September 6th - Smith Rallye and picnic

Sunday, October 4th - Watkins Mill First Sunday Drive

Sunday, October 18th - Oktoberfest Concours - Rosana Square!

More details to follow soon.

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In the last issue I was beating the drum for summer to fully arrive – well, the successful exhibition by our section at the Art of the Machine in the City Market on July 12th was a good lesson in ‘be careful what you wish for’. The hot, humid day made for a great time at the market, but a brutal drive home in my open SL. The Sunday Drive to Clinton, MO in June was easily one of the best yet. Special thanks to Joe Weinrich for setting it up. Believe me, if you did not go, you missed a lot. We may do that trip again next year – it was that good.

August 8th will bring the ultimate driving event for the year: The Kansas City Section Defensive Driving and Autocross regional event at the Preci-sion Driving Course in Independence, MO. We’ve been promoting this on Facebook, our website and via our popular email blasts, but now it’s time to

get serious. By now you should have seen yet another email with registration information. Hopefully you are already planning to attend. Contact any officer for more info.

Don’t forget about the annual Smith rallye that will culminate in a catered BBQ picnic at Shawnee Mis-sion Park. Due to the costs involved and the logistics overall, we are going to need a final RSVP count for the rallye and for the picnic by August 22nd. Check the details in this issue of der Benz – we look forward to seeing you!

Its also time for the annual nomination of officers and board members for the section. If you have ever considered being part of the team that puts all of these entertaining events together for the members, please throw your name into the hat – combine your enjoyment of the events with the sense of accom-plishment of having helped in the planning and execution.

Lastly, it’s with mixed emotions that we announce that long-time section leaders Dudley and Joyce Smith are retiring from the board of directors at the end of this term. I cannot begin to describe every-thing that they have done for the Kansas City Section and on a national level as well – we simply would not be where we are today without their guidance and leadership. On behalf of the officers and board, THANK YOU for your outstanding contributions and dedication to MBCA.

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Are you receiving our email?

For reminders of upcoming events and the most timely information on club activites make sure you’re on our list! Scan the QR code below. Or visit our website, www.kcmbca.org and look for the link on the left.

MBCA|KC Logo ShopOur section can now offer the Club Logo and special events graphics to be embroidered onto hundreds of different items ranging from T-Shirts to polos, jackets to jerseys, and everything in between. Item(s) will be delivered to your mailbox or doorstep. And, every item purchased provides additional revenue to the section’s treasury to help fund the great events where you’ll be wearing your new “duds.” Head over to our website, www.kcmbca.org and click on Logo Shop.

October First Sunday Drive to Watkins MillBy Bob Smith

No surprises about where our First Sunday Drive will take us this time. Make plans to drive with fel-low Mercedes-Benz travelers to Watkins Mill on October 4th, 2015. The Watkins Mill is about 40 miles north of Kansas City in Watkins Mill State Park near Kearney, Missouri. Watkins Mill was a woolen mill that produced denim and other fabrics during the mid-19th century. The adjoining state park is a scenic road through a forest of stately trees.

The historic site provides important information about work and life in the 1800s, including farming, homesteading, business, crafts-manship, technology, wool yarn and cloth production, women’s roles, and the history of the industrial revolution in rural America. The woolen mill contains the finest collection of mid-19th century textile machinery in situ in North America and includes some of the most significant textile artifacts known to survive. This information is taken from the Watkins Mill website. For more information about this national historic site go to www.watkinsmill.org.

The trip will include a lunch at a nearby restaurant. While details are still being worked out for the trip we will have more information for you in the next issue of der Benz! And at www.kcmbca.org.

15% off service for MBCA members

SpaßnachtFind out more:

www.kcmbca.orgClick on “Club Info”

_________________

August 17, 2015

Chappel’s323 Armour Rd.Kansas City, MO

_________________

September 21, 2015

Macaroni Grill9292 Metcalf Ave.Overland Park, KS

_________________

October 19, 2015

Jazz1859 Village West Prky.

Kansas City, KS_________________

November 16, 2015

Grinders Stonewall10240 Pflumm Rd.

Lenexa, KS_________________

2015 MBCA Kansas City Section Officers and Board Members

Officers PhoneE-mailKevin Arburn, President (913) 648-7675 kevin@kcmbca.orgIan Harns, Vice President (816) 812-9495 ian@kcmbca.orgMark Moody, Past President (913) 685-8573 mark@kcmbca.orgMark Moody, Secretary (913) 685-8573 mark@kcmbca.orgIan Harns, Treasurer (816) 812-9495 ian@kcmbca.org

Board of Directors Bob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 bob.d@kcmbca.orgBob Poduch (913) 327-1632 bob.p@kcmbca.orgRich Carlson (913) 897-0260 rbmgr86@aol.comBob Smith (913) 268-8984 bob.s@kcmbca.orgJoyce Smith (913) 338-0766 Dudley Smith (913) 338-0766 Ian Harns (816) 812-9495 ian@kcmbca.orgJohn Ryan (913) 543-1252 grownup@kcmbca.org

Newsletter EditorMark Moody (913) 685-8573 newsletter@kcmbca.orgWebmeister-Administrator John Ryan (913) 268-1252 grownup@kcmbca.orgMembership Director Bob Del Popolo (913) 888-2617 membership@kcmbca.orgMidwest Regional DirectorJohn Ryan (913) 543-1252 grownup@kcmbca.org

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Page 6 kcmbca.org

Pittsburgh

Race Complex

Hosted bythe Western Reserve Section

Fun activities for all:

Defensive Driving Class••

•••

Experience the full potential of your Mercedes-Benz! Take the MBCA defensive driving class and attend the Performance Driving School.Feel your pulse quicken as you participate in the autocross and driving experience at thePittsburgh International Race Complex

Show off your Mercedes-Benz in the Concours d’Elegance! Every class of Mercedes-Benz is welcome from Show to Display.

Sign Up For information and registration package,

call Sue or John Morrison at 330-673-7885or email gobenzing@aol.com. Or register online at www.benzclub.org.

Hotel Headquarters

Cranberry Township, PA 16066

What is Gemütlichkeit?Gemütlichkeit is the oldest Mercedes-Benz

social events, a judged car show, non-judgeddisplay show, driver education events, and thechance to experience driving on the combined

Race sports car course. Beginners welcome.Instruction and coaching will be providedfor all events.

Join us for the oldest MBCA national event!

For information and registration package, call Sue or John Morrison at 330-673-7885 or email gobenzing@aol.com. www.benzclub.org

Hosted by theWestern ReserveSection

Enjoy the friendship, camaraderie and hospitality ofthe Western Reserve Section. This is a great eventfor everyone from the novice to the expert driver.

MBCA

International

Gemütlichkeit:“The spirit of friendship and camaraderie.”

August 19-22, 2015Fun Activities for All

• Event Registration Noon to 5:00 pm

Thursday August 20th• Event Registration

• Defensive Driving

• Driving experience at Pittsburgh International Race Complex

Friday August 21st

Saturday August 22nd

Sunday August 23rd• Hotel Checkout

• Final Awards Banquet

Wednesday August 19th

• Mandatory Drivers Meeting 5:00 pm• Welcome Reception 7:00 pm

• Concours d’ Elegance

• Autocross

• Activities for non-driving registrants

• Driving experience at Pittsburgh International Race Complex

• Activities for non-driving registrants

• No Event Activities

Autocross Track driving experience at Pittsburgh

International Race Complex Concours d’Elegance Activities/Tours for non-driving registrants Awards Banquet

Welcome Reception

Pittsburgh Marriott North

(formerly BeaveRun) 3-mile sports car course.

Club of America National Event. It features

• Event Registration

• Event Registration

North and newly built South track of the Pitt

100 Cranberry Woods Drive

724-772-3700

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Butler’s C & D Body Shop

5747 KesslerMerriam, Kansas 66203

Tel: (913) 262-9109Fax: (913 262-2828

Web: www.butlerbody.com

Club to Display Cars at Kansas City Automotive Museum

The Kansas City Automotive Museum located in Olathe, KS has invited our club to place a display of six to eight cars in their museum during the month of November this year. The board is looking for a selection of cars that best rep-resent the Mercedes-Benz brand and our club. If you have a car you would be willing to loan during November, please contact a board member and let them know. Your car does not have to be the perfect example of its class! We want to display a variety of cars, and share our enthusiasm for our cars with our community. If you haven’t been to the museum, check it out! They have a great display of cars which changes regularly and a lot of Kansas City automo-tive history.

June Sunday Drive - Clinton Mo

One of our long time members Joe Weinrich, helped arrange June’s Sunday drive to Clinton Mo. Located just a little over an hour southeast of Kansas City in Henry County Missouri is town of Clinton. A group of 15 left at 9am on Sunday morning to our first stop of the day, at the Hover Motor Company, a restored dealership that belongs to Jim Raysik. Jim has a terrific collection of cars, mostly from the 30’s 40’s and 50’s with a few 60’s sprinkled in. In addition, the

Several members wait outside the front of the old Downtown Desoto building, which is home to Ray’s collection.

Story continues on page 10, additional pictures on page 8 and 13.

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Part of Ray’s collection inside the service area.

Jim Raysik and his dog Buddy.

Page 9

Refinishing Straightening

Remanufacturing

CoreFirst Bank & Trust was a major sponsor of the Mid-America Caravan in 2009

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old Downtown Desoto which houses the collection is filled with period touches including a fully stocked parts counter, managers office, customer waiting room and so on.

Jim was on hand to show us around the place and answer questions. Jim can tell you about all of his cars, clearly this is someone who knows these vehicles and enjoys sharing them with others. Our group spent about two hours there looking at the cars and exploring the old dealership before making our way to the Henry County museum. Clinton is the county seat for Henry County, and the Henry County museum has an amazing and large collection. Several of the volunteer proctors were on hand, and had lunch waiting for us when we arrived. After a tasty lunch, we were able to tour the museum, with volunteer proctors on hand to tell us about the history

of Henry County and the items in the museum. Outside is a preserved two room log cabin, with a barn, smokehouse, and other typical out buildings. Also preserved is an old one room school house. Inside the museum are several rooms depicting many typical businesses from a century ago, including the bank, a chemist, a general store and a lawyers office. The museum actually spans several adjacent buildings and includes a large collection of farm equipment, furniture, period military items and much more. One could easily occupy several hours here.

At lunch we also met Mr. Buck Harness, a Clinton resident with a private collection of Brass era cars. After we finished at the museum, we drove a short distance to visit his workshop

where he keeps his cars. Buck has several i n t e r e s t i n g and rare cars, including a Stuz, two Autocars, and an Overland. We had a great time looking around the shop,

Our President, Kevin Arburn mans the parts counter.

Group photo inside the showroom at Downtown Desoto.

This is a rare Desoto Ariflow coupe Bob Smith near the old two room log cabin at the museum.Story continues on page 13

Eveland Bros. Collision Repair

• Vehicles restored to pre-accident condition• Expert color matching• Foreign and domestic

Call for an appointment

7200 W. Frontage Road, Shawnee Mission, KS 66203 www.evelandbros.com

Certified Mercedes-Benz Collision Repair Center• Insurance claims assistance• Environmentally safe• Written limited lifetime warranty

• Factory trained technicians• State of-the-art equipment• Rental cars available

913-262-6050

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Bosch Authorized Service

Kansas City’s independent Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Lexus,

Land Rover and Audi repair shop.

5400 Antioch Rd.Merriam, Kansas

66202

913-432-7800

Not just your average garage...

15% off service for MBCA members

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We look forward to meeting you soon at one of our events.

Willkommen New Members !Patrick Bolin - Leawood, KS

Edward Knernschield - Holt’s Summit, MORyan O’Reilly - Clever, MO

Guillermo Rincon - Kansas City, MOEdward Walsh - Kansas City, MO

learning about the cars, and visiting with Buck. A retired Firefighter from California, Buck has been collecting cars and parts for years.

Everyone in our group was amazed at how much there was to see here. We want to thank Joe Weinrich for providing the contacts and helping arrange this trip. We are also very grateful to Jim Raysik, Buck Harness and all the folks from the Henry County museum who took so much time out of their Sunday to spend with us. We are looking forward to another visit with them again soon.

One of the more unusual cars in Buck’s collection.

Section member John Foster (right) thanks Buck Harness for sharing his collection with us.

The 1907 Reliable Dayton Surrey. The sign on the left describes it as “very scary to drive.”

Buck met us at the Museum with his Ford Model T.

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Breakfastisat9AMthefirstSaturdayof each month. Paradise Diner (Enter

Newport Grille) 5501 W 135th St.Overland Park, Ks.

Smart phone users, scan this QR code to view our website instantly on your phone.

For the latest list of events,

visit our Web site at: www.kcmbca.org

What activities would you like to do with your Benz friends in 2015? Contact a board member and let them know.

Upcoming Breakfast SpeakersSpeakers are being lined up for upcoming breakfast meetings.

Check kcmbca.org for the latest information.AugustAug 1 Breakfast Meeting 9:00am Paradise Diner, 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, KS

Guest Speaker: Defensive Driving and Autocross OverviewAug 2 First Sunday Drive - Hillsdale BBQAug 8 Defensive Driving / Autocross event (See page 1 for details)Aug 17 Spaßnacht 6:30pm - Chappel’s, 323 Armour Rd. Kansas City MO.

SeptemberSep 5 Breakfast Meeting 9:00am Paradise Diner, 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, KS

Guest Speaker: No Speaker, Social HourSep 6 First Sunday Drive - Smith Rallye and Picnic (See Page 1 for details)Sep 21 Spaßnacht 6:30pm - Macaroni Grill, 9292 Metcalf Ave. Overland Park, KS

OctoberOct 3 Breakfast Meeting 9:00am Paradise Diner, 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, KS

Guest Speaker: Rich Carlson, Oktoberfest Concours prep and judgingOct 4 First Sunday Drive - Watkins Mill State Park (See page 3)Oct 18 Oktoberfest Concours - Rosana Square (119th & Metcalf)Oct 19 Spaßnacht 6:30pm - .Jazz, a Louisiana Kitchen (At the Legends, KCK)

NovemberNov 7 Breakfast Meeting 9:00am Paradise Diner, 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, KS

Guest Speaker: Jim Schmidt, Uplift OrganizationNov 1 First Sunday Drive - TBDNov 16 Spaßnacht 6:30pm - Grinders at Stonewall, 10240 Pflumm Rd. Lenexa, KS

Uplift Organization, Inc. accepts donations of goods and funds. See the Uplift website at www.uplift.org for a list of needed items and how to donate them.

NTB National Tire & Battery is offering a discount for KCMBCA members. Offer is only available at the 119th & Metcalf store. The new contact name at the 7333 West 119th St. 66213 store is Corey Ross - Manager 913.338.5030. Mention account number 9136608439 and your club membership to the salesman/service writ-er.

NTB Offers Discount to KC-MBCA Members

Mercedes-Benz Club of AmericaKansas City Section6532 W 134th St.Overland Park, KS 66209

Mr. Mark MoodyMercedes-Benz Club of AmericaKansas City Section6532 W 134th St.Overland Park, KS 66209

Make sure this panel is outside.

Affix 49 cent(forever)

stamp here.

How to vote

This year it’s very easy to cast your ballot on one of two ways!

Option #1 Complete the official ballot in this mailer. Then, fold it up, making sure that the mailing panel addressed to Mercedes Benz Club of America is on the outside. Seal it with tape, affix a 49 cent (or forever) stamp, and drop it into a mailbox. It’s that simple. Please note, however, that your ballot must be received before September 5th in order to be counted.

Option #2 Attend the September meeting of the Kansas City Section, Mercedes-Benz Club of America atParadise Diner; 5501 W 135th St. Overland Park, Kansas On September 6, 2014, 9:00 AM.Cast your ballot during the meeting, and have Breakfast with some of the neatest folks you’ll ever meet! Election results will be announced before the conclusion of the meeting!

fold here

fold here

Officers (circle your choices)President - Kevin Arburn

Write-in Choice___________________

Vice President Ian HarnsWrite-in Choice __________________

Secretary – Mark MoodyWrite-in Choice __________________

Treasurer – Ian HarnsWrite-in Choice __________________

Board of Directors(Circle your choices)

Vote for no more than 9 directors.

Bob Del PopoloBob SmithBob PoduchWrite-in Choice ____________Write-in Choice ____________Write-in Choice ____________Write-in Choice ____________Write-in Choice ____________

OfficialBallot

Ian HarnsRich CarlsonJohn Ryan

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FIRST-CLASS MAILU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSHAWNEE MISSION, KS

PERMIT NO. 11319403 Hayes Dr.Overland Park, KS 66212

OfficialBallotMercedes-Benz Club of America

Kansas City Section

Annualelectionofofficersandboardofdirectors

Please exercise your right to vote!

Just circle your choices on the ballot. (lower panel on page 15,)

Letterfold this mailer so that the panel on top of page 15 is on the outside.Seal with tape, add a 46 cent (forever) stamp, and drop it in the mail!

Or, Vote at the September 6th meeting at Paradise Diner.Sorry, you can only cast your ballot once!

Mailed ballots must arrive by September 5th to be counted.

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