Forth Quarter 2018 , IndianapolisIndianapolis 500 500 Section Section Star Star Inside This Issue

Message from the president President’s Message 1

MBCA Information 2

Calendar 3

As I prepare our last newsletter for 2018 I look back at what we’ve accomplished this year. Sara’s Notes 6

The planning committee has put together a varied selection of events, all with varied levels of Ads 5 member participation. The one comment I can make for all of our events is that everyone Photos 7 who participated seemed to have a great time. 2018 saw what seems like the winter that Christmas Party 4 would never go away and one of our early events was rescheduled and another canceled alto- gether. We’ll try again in 2019 to schedule a tech session at Russ and Linda Jeffrey’s. Welcome New Members As of September 23rd, 19 new people joined the Indy 500 section and 39 members renewed Philip Pardue their membership. Our full member roster shows 129 members. I sincerely hope all our members are happy with what the Section is able to offer them. The planning committee has Eric Rodenberg done a great job for 2018 and will be meeting in a few weeks to plan for 2019. When events Kevin & Liz Schmidt are planned, I will publish them to the membership through an email blast. Remember to tell Rick & Nancy Vanderwielen your friends, and even the Mercedes owner you happen to park next to at times, that we Bill VanLandingham have a great club and they should check out our website and consider joining. It’s been excit- Steve Vickery ing this year to get to know our many new members and members who have been inactive and are now enjoying our events. Thank You, for Renewing Loyal Members We thank Dave Weaver, our treasurer, who has single-handedly resurrected our MBCA web- Matthew Albean site. If you are not one of the 25% of subscribers who have deleted their Facebook account, Richard Datzman Chris & Sabine Dierolf you will notice that I post most of our events there, as another avenue to inform members of Tim Downing our events and add pictures and videos on occasion. In the coming year we’ll be continuing Mark Finch Russ & Linda Jeffrey our usual get-togethers, partnering with other clubs on their events, and trying some creative Randi & Terri Patee outings and new restaurants to enjoy. One new offering Sara and I are looking forward to is a Earl Salisbury William Scott visit to Bloomington, where one of our members, Kent Bolerjack, and other train enthusiasts David Snyder have created several small scale engines on two miles of track, complete with tunnels and David & Ida Swenby James & Joan Voyles yards. When we get a date for that event, be sure to put it on your calendar. We’re looking forward to an even better 2019 with new events and even more new members. Thanks for all who helped make 2018 successful!

2 CENTRAL REGIONAL NEWSLETTER NOTES TECHNICAL RESOURCES DIRECTOR

We ask our readers to support the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Classic Center advertisers appearing in this publication, Central Regional Director however, no inference should be made that The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, advertising in the 500 Section Star implies Rick Siefert California, is the ideal place for owners, approval of products or services by the 367 W Manor Dr collectors, and enthusiasts to connect with publisher, the 500 Section, its officers or Chesterfield, Mo 63017 this legendary brand. In addition to meticu- members, or by the Mercedes-Benz Club of [email protected] lously restoring and selling classic Mer- America. (314) 435-1903 cedes-Benz vehicles, the Classic Center offers appraisals, provides Genuine Mer- We encourage editors of other Mercedes- cedes-Benz Classic Parts, and can even host Benz Club newsletters to reprint articles NEWSLETTER INFORMATION your special event. that may be of interest to their Section’s members. We would appreciate credit Mercedes-Benz Club of America Mercedes-Benz Classic Center being given to the 500 Section. Those 500 Section Star 9 Whatney, articles reprinted in the 500 Section Star Newsletter Editor Irvine, California 92618 with permission from owners of copyrights Tel: (949) 598-4850 Ken Koehler on those articles may not be used without Toll Free: 1-866-MB-CLASSIC 6861 Ruthven Dr written permission from the original Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. PST Noblesville, IN 46062 owners. (317) 669-2072 www.mercedes-benz-classic.com email: [email protected]

500 SECTION OFFICERS BOARD MEMBERS ADVERTISE FREE

President Donors & Sponsors Liaison MBCA 500 Section Members can place Ken Koehler Dave Weaver free ads which will run for two issues. 6168 Ruthven Dr email: [email protected] For additional information:

Noblesville, IN 46062 Membership Chairman (317) 669-2072 Ken Koehler Contact: email: [email protected] (317) 669-2072 Ken Koehler Vice-President email: [email protected] 6168 Ruthven Dr Barry McClelland Noblesville, IN 46062 Board Members: (317) 669-2072 Secretary Kevin Williams email: [email protected] Sara Koehler Ken Koehler 6168 Ruthven Drive Dave Weaver Noblesville, IN 46062 Sara Koehler (317) 669-2072 Roye Gaha Treasurer Dave Swenby Dave Weaver BUSINESS ADS 317-844-7020 Barry McClelland

$50 - Business Card $100 - 1/4 Page $175 - 1/2 Page $200 - Back Cover $250 - Full Page Questions $100 - Webpage ad

Call your Section President Ken Koehler at: (317) 669-2072

Call your Central Regional Director Rick Siefert at: (314) 435-1903 Contact: Dave Weaver Call the National Business Office at: (800) 637-2360 Email: [email protected] M-F, 8am - 4:30pm MT 3

2018 EVENT SCHEDULE

JANUARY 2018 FEBRUARY 2018 MARCH 2018 Jan 13th Indy 500 Section Board Meeting Valentines Day Brunch Tour

New Member Breakfast Feb 11th RESCHEDULED Jan 20th, 2018 1pm June 16th 10am George’s Neighborhood Grill WPAFB Museum Original House of Pancakes 6935 Lake Plaza Drive Wright-Patterson AFB 1518 W 86th St Indianapolis, IN 46220 Dayton, OH Indianapolis, IN 46260

APRIL 2018 MAY 2018 JUNE 2018

June 10th April 7th Cincinnati Section Concours d’Elegance Indy 500 Tech Session 6851 Dean Road

Newton Co Tours SVGA April 14th Jun 7-10th, 2018 Open Wheel World Challenge, Indian- Fair Oaks Farms May 14th—21st apolis Motor Speedway, IN Nature Conservatory MBCA Starfest Snowmobile Museum Birmingham, AL SVGA Jun 10-17th, 2018 Morocco, IN Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IN April 28th Indy 500 Section Board Meeting Panera Bread 2902 W 86th St

4th Saturday 9am-12pm 4th Saturday 9am-12pm 4th Saturday 9am-12pm Cars & Coffee Cars & Coffee Cars & Coffee Gateway Classic Cars Gateway Classic Cars Gateway Classic Cars 4400 W 86th St 4400 W 86th St 4400 W 86th St Indianapolis Indianapolis Indianapolis JULY 2018 AUGUST 2018 SEPTEMBER 2018 July 14th August 5th, 1–3pmContact Us WPAFB Museum Trip Show n’ ShineDo you have a question aboutDrive And Dine 11th Anniversaryyour classic Mercedes-Benz? July 21st Sept 15th, 10am West Park, Carmel,Reach IN us by phone Rush Co Covered Bridges 1-866-MB-CLASSIC(1-866-622-5277)Story Inn Shelbyville, IN 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. PST, MondayStory, through Indiana Friday Griot’s Garage Tour Concours d’Elegance TBA

October 2018 November 2018 December 2018 October 6th December 2nd Caffeine and Gasoline Holiday Party Griot’s, Plainfield The Garrison, Ft 4

JOIN US AT FORT BENJAMIN HARRISON FOR OUR CHRISTMAS PARTY!

December 2nd at 1 o’clock pm Garrison Conference Center 6002 N Post Road Indianapolis, IN 46216

This year will feature the Garrison Buffet Lunch in a private room complete with raffle and door prizes! We will elect officers for next year and review our events scheduled for 2019. But most of all, have fun!

This year will be different than last year but similar to years past. We encourage people to register and pay up front. The buffet will be a flat charge and will include a wide variety of items. Those of you who have not eaten at the Garrison before will be in for a pleasant surprise. We need to confirm to the Garrison how many people are coming by Novem- ber 22nd, so everyone needs to RSVP as soon as possible. Cost per person is $35 if paid in advance and $40 per person at the door. Please make your checks out to MBCA, Indy 500 Section Mail to Ken Koehler 6168 Ruthven Drive Noblesville, IN 46062 IF YOU CHOOSE TO PAY AT THE DOOR, PLEASE EMAIL ME THAT YOU’RE COMING AT: [email protected]

RSVP NEEDED BY NOVEMBER 21ST SO WE CAN ADVISE THE GARRISON. CHECKS TO ME BY NOVEMBER 30TH. 5

The MBCA 500 Section supports its member businesses

And sponsers!

AUTOHAUS DIEROLF IMPORT SALES & SERVICE

Mon—Fri 7:30—5:30 p.m. 429 W. Carmel Drive Carmel, IN 46032

Chris Dierolf 317-571-0800 Fax 317-571-0813

EDDIE MERLOT’S

3645 East 96th Street Indianapolis, IN 46240

317-846-8303 6 NEWS SARA’S NOTES

A HOT DAY AT A COOL MUSEUM On a hot July 14th, four cars from the Indy 500 section traveled to Dayton, Ohio to join 10 cars from the Cincy Club to explore the Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum. This national museum, chronicling the history of the Air Force has to be one of the best bargains for families in the Midwest. The day we toured the facility it seemed that thousands of people entered the gates for free and walked through the displays, awestruck at these machines and the brilliant minds who design, maintain, and fly them. I heard families giving history lessons to their children as they passed various eras in the exploits of flight.

Sadly, I feel it is impossible to admire the beauty and power of these machines without also recognizing that most of them have been involved in the devastation of war. We appreciate the brave men and women of the Air Force and also pray that we can find non-violent solutions to our international conflicts.

Realizing that with more time and energy, we could spend several more hours - or even days - at the museum, most of our group moved on and had a delightful lunch at Young's Dairy. It is a remarkable place with many activi- ties for families. We wished we had time to explore the large complex, but the Indy cars had a long drive after a hot, tiring day and headed home.

FASCINATING PEOPLE

In the past few weeks, I have met a few people who have had remarkable experiences in their lives. For eleven years I have made a summer trip with 6 friends from high school. This year the destination was Seattle, and on my westbound flight I was seated near an airline pilot who pointed out a gorgeous site - we were passing Mt. Rainier, snow-covered and shining in the sun. He went on to say that he had climbed Rainier several times, and in fact, he had climbed the highest peak on every continent, including Everest! Really!!

My second fascinating person is a friend who decided to join the Peace Corps at 55. She recently ended that 10-year phase of her life after teaching English in Arme- nia, Albania, and a city in China. She loved all her postings and plans to work with immigrants in her new home of Columbus, Ohio.

I met two other fascinating people in our own club on a recent Mercedes outing. Several members from the Indy 500 section joined several from the Cincinnati Club at Wright-Patterson Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. I learned that Kent Bolerjack is an airline mechanic who has worked on all of the B-2 Bombers and is a munitions expert. He became our unofficial guide as we walked around the massive B-2 display at the museum. Accompanying Kent that day was Mike Taylor, now an Indiana State Trooper, who had served in the Air Force and had worked on B-1 Bombers. After the group left for lunch that day, Kent and Mike were so interested in the museum displays that they decided to stay and continue exploring and reminiscing,

I've had good luck recently finding a few good books at my local Goodwill Store. I just finished one called Love by the Glass, by Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, two journalists who became known over the years, mainly for their work with the Wall Street Journal. Later they became celebrities in the world of wine connoisseurs with their column about their passion for wine. Reading the book, I learned a lot about wine but I enjoyed even more the many engaging stories these fascinating people shared about their life together. When you think about it, we are all fascinating people when we ask questions and listen to each other.

SHOW AND SHINE PICNIC

Mercedes enthusiasts gathered in Carmel's spacious West Park for our annual Show and Shine Picnic. It was a typical steamy August day, so we were especially grateful to our faithful grillers for braving the heat to serve us delicious burgers, brats and dogs. Roye Gaha and Kevin Williams have taken this thankless job for many years. In fact, this year several members of Kevin's family decided to join us and benefit from Dad's grilling skills. It was great to meet several generations of the Williams Family.

At every Mercedes event this year, we have had new members join us. Erin and Erin (not a typo) Doty transferred their MBCA membership in Florida to become Indy Club members. Kevin and Lisa Schmidt left California to become Hoosiers. Andre Gelber, who works for Napleton Automotive, came to the picnic and met some mem- bers who have benefitted from his dealership in the past.

It may be because Ken and I are getting older and have a hard time remembering names, but we have started providing lanyards with nametags to everyone for events. We will bring them with us to all of our outings.

Check out the group picture of the picnic and note the new "little" Mercedes Dave Weaver has added to his collection. This creation started out as a 30-pound metal drum that someone turned into a Mercedes racer whose top part lifts to reveal a cooler for cold drinks. Pretty clever and a great conversation piece!

STORY INN DRIVE AND DINE

Story, Indiana is one of those places few people outside of southern Indiana and almost no one outside of our state has ever heard of. But our intrepid planning committee member, Katherine Benedict, knew it would be a fun venue for a fall outing. Seven cars made their way to this tiny town and enjoyed a good lunch at the venerable and very rustic Story Inn. We were joined there by other members, Larry and Sharol Laczkowski, who live near Bloomington. After lunch Katherine had created two differ- ent road rallies home, one longer one with an optional stop at a winery, and a shorter one that Ken and I took on the way home. These two routes are ones we will defi- nitely keep and use again - great roads and beautiful fall scenery. Thank you, Katherine! 7

PICTURE PAGE 8

MBCA 500 Section 6168 Ruthven Drive Noblesville, IN 46062 To the Mercedes -Benz Enthusiast:

NEXT EVENT Griot’s Caffeine & Gasoline Tech Session October 6th, 9am Griot’s Plainfield, IN

UPCOMING 2018 EVENTS!

GRIOT’S GARAGE DISTRIBUTION & MANUFACTURING CENTER 2185 Airwest Blvd Plainfield, IN 46168 Join other members at Griot’s for Caffeine & Gasoline, 9am, October 6th at their distribution cen- ter. In the morning enjoy coffee, conversation and demonstrations of Griot’s car care products. After lunch, provided by our host, there will be more demos and even help learning how you can maximize the shine and protection with Griot’s products. ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 2ND, 1:00 PM The Garrison at Ft. Benjamin Harrison 6002 N Post Road Indianapolis, IN 46216 Join us for our last event of the year. Enjoy the incredible Sunday Brunch Buffett at the old Officers’ Club of Ft. Benjamin Harrison. $35 each if you register and prepay by November 30th or $40 each at the door. RSVP needed by November 22nd as we must advise the Garrison. Complete invitation inside this newsletter.