Tampa Bay Star · PDF fileThe Tampa Bay Star 3 President’s Message We continue to find...

Tampa Bay StarAugust/September 2015

Coming Events

October 31, 2015Daytona Speedway Tour

& LunchDaytona Beach, FL

November 14, 2015Tech Inspection

& LunchWesley Chapel, FL

December 6, 2015Holiday Brunch

Safety Harbor SpaSafety Harbor, FL

At The TempleSee Pages 8 & 9

At Ringling Circus Museum See Pages 6 & 7

Section members Don & Splash Eckerson

SL Displayed at Amelia Island Concours

See 0

2 Aug/September 2015

OfficersPresident Dan Cabrera 813-480-3484 [email protected]

Vice President Paul J. Cooper 727-726-6837 [email protected]

Secretary Lynn Hutchinson 727-726-6711 [email protected]

Treasurer Pat Tornblom 727-856-5584 [email protected]

Past President Dave Hutchinson

Newsletter Editor Linda B. Cooper 727-726-6837 [email protected]

ChairpersonsMembership Paul J. Cooper 727-726-6837 [email protected]

Activities Lynn Hutchinson

Photography Dave Hutchinson

Historian Lynn Hutchinson

Technical

Legal Advisor Dick Wolverton

Webmaster Dan Cabrera [email protected]

SE Regional Director Pierre Hedary 407-765-2867 mbownersforlife @bellsouth.net

About the NewsletterThe Tampa Bay Section, Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Inc. publishes this bi-monthly newsletter in even-numbered months. Opinions expressed are those of the authors. Express permission is hereby granted to other Sections of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America to reprint articles contained herein, without exception. Articles of general interest are solicited for inclusion in the newsletter, and should be mailed to the Editor or e-mailed to [email protected]. Copy deadline is the first day of even numbered months.

An Overview of the ClubEstablished in 1956, MBCA has more than 20,500 members in over 84 sections across the nation. These local sec-tions organize hundreds of events each year, ranging from social gatherings to specialized technical sessions. We’re a not-for-profit organization.

Join the ClubEnroll as a member of MBCA for:One Year $49Two Years $95Three Years $139 Call 800-637-2360

Local ActivitiesYour dues include membership in the sec-tion of your choice. Each section publish-es a newsletter with news of its activities and its year-round calendars of events, in-cluding rallies, defensive driving courses, car shows, technical sessions, and dinner meetings. Many sections host special events. Any MBCA member may attend any section, regional, or national event.

Mercedes-BenzRoadside AssistanceCall 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES

24 hours a day.

NOTE: The night for the monthly business meeting is the FIRST MONDAY of each month (except for September and sometimes July & January when it moves up 1 week) and is open to all members. We go to a nearby restaurant for dinner after the meeting. Please join us and help us with your input.

Oct 2 Monday 6:30PM Business Meeting & Dinner Crown Eurocars

Oct 31 Saturday 11AM Daytona Speedway Tour Daytona, FL

See details in THIS issueNov 2 Monday 6:30PM Business Meeting & Dinner Crown Eurocars

Nov 14 Saturday 10 AM Tech Inspection Wesley Chapel, FL

See details in THIS issueDec 6 Sunday 10 AM Holiday Brunch Safety Harbor, FL

See details in THIS issue

Important Dates

Dec 7 Monday 6:30PM Business Meeting & Dinner Crown Eurocars 6001 34th Street North St Petersburg, FL

Jan 4 Monday 6:30PM Business Meeting & Dinner Crown Eurocars Feb 3 Monday 6:30PM Business Meeting & Dinner Crown Eurocars

Mar 14 Monday 6:30PM Business Meeting & Dinner Crown Eurocars

The Tampa Bay Star 3

President’s Message

We continue to find interesting places to visit and experience. Forty-two club members turned out for the tour of the Ringling Circus Museum in Sarasota. As an added bonus, our tickets also gave us access to the Museum of Art, Ca’d’Zan (the Ringling home), and the Bayfront Gardens. Many of the attendees arrived early and took the opportunity to see the other museums on the property. The forty-minute tour through the Circus Museum was enhanced by the knowledgeable docent who offered stories about the history of the Ringling family and Ringling Brothers’ Circus. August took us to a Buddhist Thai Temple in Tampa. With an-other good turnout, thirty-two members spent a pleasant morning tak-ing in the Temple, then enjoying the farmer’s market on the property. We had the opportunity to experience the many different flavors of Thai foods. As I write this message, I am looking forward to the Septem-ber visit to the Suncoast Center for Fine Scale Modeling in Odessa. October will take us to the Daytona Speedway for a 4-hour tour and lunch. Several members will be staying overnight to enjoy the Day-tona Beach area. In November, we will have a Tech Event hosted by the new Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel. The General Manager is looking forward to our visit so that he can introduce us to this new dealership. You can put your vehicle go through a quick inspection and will have an opportunity to ask questions of the technicians. In December, of course, we will gather for our Holiday Brunch at the Safety Harbor Spa. This get-together provides us the stage to honor our Member(s) of the year, as well as a chance to participate in our annual charitable event collecting gifts to be given to children over the holidays. I would like to take the opportunity to thank our Board, the members who attend our business meetings, the members who partic-ipate in our monthly events, and for the support they have extended to me during the last two years as club President. It has been both challenging and fun. Please continue to support the Tampa Bay Sec-tion Mercedes-Benz Club; it is the best in Florida! Please welcome your new Tampa Bay Section Board Members: President, Gary Dolin; Vice-President, Scot Suits; Secretary, Lynn Hutchinson; Treasurer, Paul Cooper.

Dan

Welcome New Members!

Fred Alberts • TampaPatricia Duffy • InvernessHarold Fleming • Dade CityJames Fugit • OdessaCarla Ann Garbin • St PetersburgJohn Logan • BrooksvilleCooley Ludtke • TroyGeorge Mason • LargoSandra Obee • AltamonteThomas Petersen • TampaGary Smolik • Homes BeachJeffrey Tibbs • Sarasota

To the right are the new and renewed members from June18 through, September 10, 2015.We look forward to meeting the new members and hope to keep seeing our renewed members at many of our events. – Editor

Renewed MembersRuzhdi Aliev • Saint PetersburgSteven Beatty • St. Pete BeachArmando Bernardi • Bonita SpringsFrank Cannoe • Apollo BeachWilliam Caseber • ClearwaterTodd Christian • LakelandJoan Cure • Palm Harbor Robert Dostal • TamaracThomas Dupont • St PetersburgHenk Eisinga • SeminoleLinda Garnatz • Temple TerraceMichael Germak • TampaRobert Glasier • PalmettoTim Gorske • HudsonGeorge Greene • St PetersburgChris Gregoriou • Crystal RiverDaniel Hawtree • FrankfortWilliam Iseman • Anna MariaMichael Julian • Treasure IslandBarbara Karassik • University ParkEric Kriby • LargoJimmie Lee • Wesley ChapelAttila Letai • TampaScott Lowry • OconomowocNicholas Marsala • SarasotaHarry Mead • St. PetersburgGayle Moore • St. PetersburgWilliam Nelsen • Tarpon SpringsPaul Nguyen • VeniceWalter Piff • ClearwaterJeffrey Radwanski • Apollo BeachRobert Reason • SarasotaWoody Richey • St PetersburgStephen Rush • St PetersburgDaniel Singer • TampaDavid Stein • Plant CityFrank Titlow • Saint PetersburgPeter Werner • MissoulaLarry Wiggerton • St. Petersburg


Name ____________________________________________________________

Phone _______________________ Cell Phone________________________

Email ____________________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

No______ @ $16/person for the tour PLUS $5/person for lunch ___________ Enclosed

I/we will be staying for lunch Yes No I would like my box lunch to be:

_____Hamburger _____ Hot dog _____ Fish sandwich

Make check payable to:Tampa Bay Section MBCA

Mail by July 12, 2015 to: Len Berman

7344 Stanhope CtSarasota, FL 34238-4443

Daytona Speaway Tour & Lunch Saturday October 31, 2015

Details: Get an up-close look at Daytona International Speedway with a privately guided tour around the track, along the infield and down pit road.

Meet at the track entrance around 10:30 so we can begin our tour promptly at 11:00. We can preorder a lunch that will be ready after our tour for $5/person. Please mail your payment for the tour and lunch to Len Berman by October 24th so we can give them an accurate count of all who will attend. Call the hotel using the number provided in the Info box above to make your reservations. Please mention Mercedes Benz Club to get the $79/nite rate.

Dinner Saturday will be at a local restaurant yet to be selected.

The hotel provided some additional ideas for activities for Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning. They are: Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail that is a 30 mile scenic drive. See more info at http://www.ormondscenicloopandtrail.com/. An evening sunset cruise on a 50 ft catamaran. Website is http://sailingdaytona.com/.

Directions: Editor: I put the address in Google Maps, Mapquest & my iPhone and they all found the speedway address. Please test your GPS/phone before the day of the event. If you are lost call thetrack for directions.

Important Info WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2015 WHERE: Daytona Speedway Tour 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (800) 748-7467 Homewood Suites by Hilton 165 Bill France Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 386-258-2828 COST: $16.00/person for track tour $79/nite for hotel with breakfast CALL: Len Berman • H 941-923-7436 Cell: 941-539-3471 • [email protected] TIME: 11:00 AM for 90 minute guided tour 12:30 PM lunch after RESERVE BY: October 24th

Daytona RacetrackTour & Lunch


Details: We will gather at the new Mercedes Benz of Wesley Chapel at 10 am for a Tech Inspection day. The dealership will provide the technicians & food - we

will provide the fun and frivolity. So get your starship inspected or just come & meet some fellow members. Either way we will have a terrific day. Mail your coupon so we know how many for lunch provided by the dealership. Let us know if you will have your car in-spected so the technicians are prepared. Also we need to know how many will be coming in your car, so they have a head count for the food. Contact Dan with any further questions.

Directions: Editor: I put the address in Google Maps, Mapquest & my iPhone and they all found the the dealership address. Just for reference it is at the I-75 exit for SR 56 on the North West side of the exit. Please test your GPS/phone before the day of the event.

Important Info WHEN: Saturday November 14,, 2015 WHERE: Mercedes-Benz of Wesley Chapel 2383 Willow Oak Drive Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 813-200-7788 COST: $5.00/CAR CALL: Dan Cabrera Home 813-759-0776 • Cell 813-480-3484 [email protected] TIME: 10:00 AM RESERVE BY: November 7th

Tech Inspection & Lunch

Name(s) __________________________________________________________

Phone _______________________ Cell Phone________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

Email address _____________________________________________________

$5/CAR enclosed I plan to have my car inspected Yes No _______ Number of persons in your car

Tech Inspection & Lunch Saturday, November 14, 2015


received by November 7, 2014 to: Dan Cabrera

3016 Leila Eselle Dr.Plant City, FL 33565


Above: Gary & Connie Dolin, Bob Martino, Lynn Hutchinson & Catherine MartinoBelow left: Our docentbelow right: Marsh & Debbie Houck

Ringling Museum Tour & DinnerSarasota, FLJuly 19, 2015

This part of the Ringling complex is more that just the miniture display. With our guided tour we saw one of the refurbished train cars

used to transport the circus, _______ , along with the miniture displays. Dinner after was the usual Barnacle Bills seafood delights despite the fact that even for our large group of 40+ they would not make a reservation!!

All event photos in this issue taken by Dave Hutchinson (to the right with Lynn.


Below: Bob & Catherinf Martino, Paul & Linda Cooper, Ben & Len Berman, and Connie & Gary Dolin

Left: Marci & Geoff Gibbs, Lou Dughi, Karen McBride, Richard Kruszynski, Sandy Schwartz & Julian HartzogBelow: Marsh & Debbie Houck, Scott Suits, Pat Anagnostis, Rose Bennagott, Deanna Mills & Steve Kerxton

Above: Helen Sanders & Elaine Lee Left: Jimmy Lee

Above: Bob Reason, Michael & Lynn Gulick, Dan & Debbie Cabrera, and Marilyn ReasonRight: Tim & Marianne Gorski, Lynn Hutchinson, Nancy & Jim Merada and standing Carolyn & Ed Jarotz


Wat Mongkolratanaram TempleTampa, FLAugust 30, 2015By Lynn Hutchinson

Our August 30 event was something we had never done before. It was held at Wat Mongkolratanaram, a Buddhist Temple along the river in Tampa. We

arrived at 9:30 a.m. The reason for the early start time was that the Temple and Market get very crowded. Thirty club members attended this event. We were very lucky with the weather… a beautiful Sunday morning… a nice breeze… and no rain even though it had been forecasted as a remnant of Tropical Storm Erika. We were able to go into the ornate Temple as a monk was delivering prayers. Then we enjoyed a huge assortment of very inexpensive Thai food ($5 for a huge portion of Pad Thai, for example) as well as soups and desserts. We ate at picnic tables in a beautiful grassy area near the river. After eating we inspected the gorgeous flowers on display for sale…and some of us had “shopping accidents.” I have never seen so many different species of orchid plants in so many vivid colors at such reasonable prices. The temple has been there since 2007 yet no one in our group had ever visited. Some members, however, men-tioned that they had driven by the street often, not realizing the Temple was there. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning; I think some of us will go back on our own.

Scenes of the Temple & grounds. Photos taken by Dave Hutchinson


Above: Pat Watson, Debbie Cabrera, Connie Dolin, Catherine Martino, Lynn Hutchinson, Linda Cooper and Lynn Gulick

On the Cover L-R, Front to back:Norma Vannes, Gary & Connie Dolin, Lynn Gulick, Debbie & Dan Cabrera, Carolyn Jarotz & Nancy Pease. Lee Vannes, Michael Gulick, Catherine Mar-tino, Lynn Hutchinson, Bob Martino, Scott Suits, Linda Cooper, Ed Jarotz and John Thomas. Lou Dughi, Krissy Bacon, Marci & Geoff Gubbs, Greg & Pat Watson and Paul Cooper

For SaleAny member wishing to place an ad in the newsletter for au-tomobiles and/or related equipment for sale, may do so at no charge by sending a typed or printed copy to the Editor no later than the 10th of the odd number months.

FOR SALE – Bonnie & Dick Wolverton cars 2007 S-550, 55k miles, Options include parktronis backup camera, Iridium silver; all services at Crown. $26,000. 2003 SLK32 AMG black, 53k miles, all service Crown, new tires, 349 hp, very good condition. Great for driving events. $15,250. Call Dick (H) 727-896-1995, (O) 727-823-1399 or [email protected]

FOR SALE – 1984 500SL dark blue w/tan interiors, 2 tops, 160K miles, always garaged, 2 sets of wheels, $7,500. 727-864-1622 (St. Petersburg, FL) call Bob Alexander for apptFOR SALE - 2005 SLK 350. SUPER clean -auto -7 spd-V6 268 HP -Black -Beige interior; Harman/Kardon sounds- 21,650 miles. $21K Call John @ 941-755-9154FOR SALE - BECKER GRAND PRIX AM-FM stereo/cas-sette car radio. OEM for 1980s Mercedes, Porsche and Audi cars, perfect working condition. Checked out by Becker tech-nicians. $250. Call Dr. Anthony LoBalbo in Beverely Hills, FL at 914-548-5450.cell or e-mail: [email protected].

Above: Bob Martino, Greg Watson & Ben BermanRight: Dan Cabrera, Gary Dolin & standing Michael Gulick

Tech Inspection

MB of Wesley Chapel

Saturday

November 14, 2015

See Page 5 For Details


Member Car Spotlight

Amelia Island, FLby Don & Splash Eckerson

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is held each March, just north of Jacksonville. Being car show car enthusiasts, we had heard of Ame-lia, but never thought of participating. MBCA announced room for

forty SL’s and we surprisingly got picked. Our car show experience has been limited to vintage cars, but our SL is a late model. As it turned out, our sixth generation SL made an interesting contrast with the highly collectable SL’s like the 300SL Gullwing.

This year’s Amelia honored Formula One racing legend, Stirling Moss. Moss was the greatest racing driver of his time. In the view of many, one of the greatest of all time. Stirling Moss graciously autographed our Certificate

of Participation. His stories are many. Here’s one many may re-member. The Mercedes Benz 300SLR was introduced in 1955 to Formula One racing by winning five of the first six races. In the 24-hour race at LeMans, Moss and Jaun Fangio were team-mates with #722 300SLR. Pierre Levegh and John Fitch were partners in the other SLR. Early in the race, Levegh crashed into the crowd resulting in the worst accident in sports history. Later in the race, MB management decided to respectably shutdown while Moss was leading. The accident was so horrific, Mercedes Benz stayed arms-length from Formula One racing for one-half century. Moss is now happy that Mercedes Benz has returned to Formula One and can boast the 2014 World Championship.

The Amelia should be on every member’s “Bucket List”. The event is very spectator friendly with easy parking and shuttle

service. Show cars ranged from brand new to highly collectable vintage and antique. Two golf fairways were covered with very pricey four-wheelers. The event got underway with a inspiring rendition of the National Anthem fol-lowed by a fly-over (Wow...…).

We had fun watching a fashion show where guys and gals, dressed in era garb, paraded their antique cars. Other car related displays took place in and around the impres-sive Ritz Carlton host hotel. The event also had a Sotherby’s auction where a Ferrari fetched a mere 6.4 million smackers.

An added pleasant surprise to us was Amelia Island itself. A great resort area with

terrific restaurants, his-toric area, you-name-it. Yes, you can still drive your car on the beach. We ate seafood at four different restaurants; all top notch. We encourage anyone to mark their calendar for Amelia next March.

Their car details:The SL displayed by Don & Margaret “Splash” Eckerson2013, First Year for Sixth Generation SL RoadsterNew R231 PlatformNew All-Aluminum Body DesignNew V-8 BiTurbo EngineNew Turbine-Inspired Wheel OptionGold Interior/ExteriorFeatured Car on MB BrochureTop photo: Their car with Splash displayed at the Concour taken by Don Eckerson All other photos taken by Dave Hutchinson at the road rally


Name(s) __________________________________________________________

Phone _______________________ Cell Phone________________________

Address __________________________________________________________

Email address _____________________________________________________

No. _____ $25/person enclosed _______________

Holiday Brunch Sunday, December 6, 2015

Important Info

Details: Please join us for what promises to be a most enjoyable and unforgettable Holiday Brunch. This year’s party begins at 11:00 AM and I’m sure you will agree will be filled with much delicious food and the usual MBCA fun. We will have our famous lively Chinese Auction. Bring a wrapped gift costing about $15 (car or holiday related in good taste) if you want to participate in this gift exchange. If you are participating, you must stay until ALL gifts are exchanged. If you bring 1 gift you get 1 ticket and 1 gift to take home. Sunday Brunch at the historic Safety Harbor Resort and Spa is more than a collection of enticing entrees, savory soups, salads and delectable desserts - it’s a sensory experience served up with a dash of history. Our Section is paying for part of the brunch cost. Valet parking is available. We will also be collecting upwrapped toys for distribution at Hope Child-rens Home..


received by November 30, 2015 to: Dave & Lynn Hutchinson

2104 Flamingo PlaceSafety Harbor, FL 34695

Holiday Brunch

WHEN: Sunday December 6, 2015 WHERE: Safety Harbor Spa 105 North Bayshore Drive • Safety Harbor, FL 34695 727-726-1161 COST: $25.00/person

CALL: Dave & Lynn Hutchinson • 727-726-6711 • [email protected] Cell phone: 727-420-0424 TIME: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

RESERVE BY: November 30, 2015

Limit 2 per membership

Directions: Put the address into your navigation system (even outdated disks will have this location as the Spa has been there longer than all of us!), smart phone GPS, google maps or Mapquest for specific directions from your location.

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