See Rallye on Page 5

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Havasupai Rallye 1

Tech Session 2018 1

President’s Message 2

Welcome New Members! 2

Star Night 3

Holiday Party 4

Digital Daimler 6

MB Enthusiast Dinner 8

Local Car Events 9

Anniversaries 10

Classifieds 10

Registration Information 11

Save These Dates 12

Tech Session The Rise, Fall , and Re-Emergence of The Electric Automobile

By Bud Cloninger

November 10, 2018 at 9:00 AM

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the electric automobile is back and will most likely eclipse the production of internal combustion engine in our future cars. Join me at our tech session to explore the beginnings and future of the electric automobile. We will have on display examples of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric (“PHEV”), and also battery electric vehicles (“BEV”). With several types on

hand we will see the mechanics (and electronics) behind them and talk about how they work. We will look into how hybrid (using both fuel and electric power) cars recharge themselves and how the ones that can be plugged, versus all-electric cars which need to be plugged in are charged.

Havasupai 2018 is Set – A few early-bird discounts are still left. The deadline for registration is September 15th!

Join the Desert Stars for the 2018 “Arizona Heritage” Havasupai Weekend October 5-7. This year’s event will be a “Destination Rallye” beginning in one place and traversing a part of our beautiful state to reach the end point. Along the way, we’ll make a relaxing stop or two to explore some of Arizona’s highpoints and refuel (us and the car!!). Veteran Rallyemeisters Chuck and Ava Stanford are planning what is sure to be a highlight of your fall driving season.

Team Stanford has promised an adventurous weekend drive to Arizona’s high country including all the fresh air, fall colors, majestic scenery, and friendly excitement you can fit into three days and four wheels. They’ve also promised a fun challenge for both rallye neophytes and

experienced competitors that will feature sites and stops that have been a part of Arizona’s history and heritage.

Plan to drive Friday afternoon up Hwy 87 from Phoenix – surely one of Arizona’s most scenic highways! We’ll begin with “happy hour” in Payson on Friday evening for a meet and greet to have fun and plan rallye strategy.

We’ll depart Payson after breakfast on Saturday morning with instructions to get us to lunch among the tall pines

Havasupai Rallye 2018

By Chuck Stanford, Jr.

October 5-7, 2018

The StarDust Sept-Oct 2018

DE S E R T S T A R S SE C T I O N | AR I Z O N A

See Tech on Page 7

Sept-Oct 2018

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President’s Message

By Debbie Ichiyama

Desert Stars Section Officers and Board Members Officers:

President: Debbie Ichiyama (480) 268-9535

Vice President: Karen Manser (425) 478-5509

Treasurer: Dick Sharp (480) 661-1325

Secretary: Don Burton (480) 832-1504

Chairs:

Activities & Events: Karen Manser

Membership:

Debbie Ichiyama

Publicity / Webmaster: Mark Ichiyama

Newsletter Advertising: Ken Borowitz

Newsletter Editor: Matthew Crawford

Sept-Oct 2018 Volume 54 Number 5

©2018 MBCA Desert Stars Section The StarDust Newsletter is published by the MBCA Desert Stars Section bi-monthly. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint original articles is expressly granted to all MBCA Sections.

Newsletter Editor: Matthew Crawford

• Email StarDustMBCA@gmail.com

Contributing Credits for this Issue: Bud Cloninger John Goux Debbie Ichiyama Karen Manser Chuck Stanford, Jr.

Photography Credits for this issue: Mark Ichiyama Chuck Stanford, Jr. McCormickranchgolf.com HausMurphys.com venue8600.com

Activities & Events: Karen Manser

• Email nspinaz@gmail.com

Advertising Manager: Ken Borowitz

• Email kborowitz53@gmail.com Website: www.desertstars.mbca.org

Facebook: DesertStarsMBCA

Twitter: @MBCADesertStars

June

Jodie Brittain

Frank Johnson

Debakanta Mishra

promises to be also. Our Rallye masters this year, Chuck and Ava Stanford, have planned a great weekend for us. This year is a “Destination Rallye” which will start in Payson on Friday Night and will end in Pinetop on Saturday evening.

Other events to check out in the fall/winter are the Tech session in November, the Holiday Party Dec 2, and the MB Dinner on January 19th, 2019. The Holiday Party and MB Dinner events will be at new venues this year and I promise you will not want to miss them.

Check out the Newsletter for other events such as Star Nights.

Looking forward to seeing you and hitting the road soon.

Directors:

Ron Borino (602) 550-9939 Ken Borowitz (513) 706-1765 Todd Bush (928) 699-7050 Susan Cadis (602) 290-2533 John Hutchison (480) 473-4887 Bob Yoder (480) 998-0194

SW Regional Director:

Bud Cloninger (602) 326-6210

With Storm season is almost over and time for us to dust off our cars and head out for drives and enjoy our surroundings. There are open roads away to explore. We have an awesome driving event planned for that will provide us with not only the opportunity to get out and drive but also to enjoy the camaraderie of our fellow members.

October 5 – 7 we have the Havasuapai Rallye. This is always a fun event and this year

“More Than a Car Club | We’re a Community”

Welcome our new Members! July

Tara Boyd

Millie De Roeck

David Harton

Steven Kamlin

Kenneth Mitchell

Joel Morehouse

Jeff Trumper

Sept-Oct 2018

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For four days this November (4-8), participants in the 300 SL Classic will drive 1000 miles of the best backroads that northern Arizona has to offer: from Scottsdale to Winslow to Sedona to the Grand Canyon and back to Scottsdale. This 4-day 1000-mile rally will be similar in format to the Colorado Grand and the Copperstate 1000 – except that it will be a 300 SL - only event. Applications are due May 15, 2018. For more information please see www.300slclassic.org.

Star Night – Haus Murphy's November 3, 2018 12:00 PM

Join Desert Stars for a Saturday lunch in the historic district of Glendale at Haus Murphy's. Haus Murphy's has been a valley staple for authentic German food for over twenty years. Dining for lunch will be perfect as there are several very unique shops and antique stores within walking distance for after lunch entertainment.

First Annual Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Classic Rally Held by the 300 SL Foundation

See the following link for shops to visit while in the area antiquesinglendaleaz.com .

The address is 5739 W Glendale Ave, Glendale.

There is no need to call the restaurant as Todd will have made arrangements.

Do please RSVP to Todd at 928-699-7050 or glamrox92345@yahoo.com before September 30.

Sept-Oct 2018

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The holidays will be here before we know it. Clear the 2nd of December for the Desert Stars Annual Holiday Party - with the always-important Member Anniversary recognition celebration. It is time to reflect back on 2018 as we spend time with friends and fellow members catch up, and enjoy the spirit of the holidays.

This year we will be enjoying a new venue.

The luncheon will be in a private pavilion at the McCormick Ranch Golf Club. 7505 McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. With a separate parking area for us there will be easy access to the pavilion. We will have a no-host bar.

Anniversary celebrants must attend to receive your recognition pins (or you need a really good excuse for not being there!) So, we want to see you! Oh, don’t forget we are collecting for ‘Toys for Tots’ so please bring an un-wrapped gift!

Please see Registration forms for details. Make this holiday season a special one by joining your friends in the Desert Stars Mercedes-Benz club.

Festivities will begin at noon.

For registration information please see page 11 or contact Debbie Ichiyama at 480-268-9535

Holiday Party & Lunch

By Debbie Ichiyama

December 2, 2018 at Noon

Sept-Oct 2018

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Do you know all of the perks of being a MBCA Desert Star?

One of the many benefits that your Desert Stars section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America offers you is complimentary advertising for your Mercedes-Benz. A while ago the board decided it was a nice benefit to offer our members and we are happy to help. If you have a Mercedes-Benz you are looking to sell, please contact Ken Borowitz our advertising Chairman and he will assist you. See Page 2 for Ken’s contact information.

Rallye from page 1

near Show Low, and end the day in Pinetop with an “attitude adjustment” in the cool White Mountains. Our Awards Banquet will be held at a very special 80-year old Arizona Landmark and Steakhouse, along with prizes for all and the traditional Indian Kachinas for the winners. Sunday after breakfast you will be on your own to explore the Pinetop Region or take a different scenic route home through the dramatic Salt River Canyon.

This is an all-inclusive weekend package, and includes two nights hotel, all meals and refreshments from Friday evening thru Sunday morning, entry fees at attractions, and prizes. Not included are your fuel, adult beverages, and

any bribes you feel appropriate for the Rallyemeisters... We have secured rooms for the first 14 entries with attractive pricing of $495.00 per couple or $395 per single, all in, for the weekend. After those initial 14 rooms are taken, the price increases $30 per room. Register now and save!.

Call Chuck or Ava Stanford if you have additional questions at 480-585-0785.

Sept-Oct 2018

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2018 Mercedes AMG E63 S Wagon

The Digital Daimler By John Goux, Contributing Columnist

Wanna drift the kids to school? Arriving sideways

in a cloud of smoke, they’d love it and now you

can!

In a dad’s life, mom’s too, you transport kids, IKEA

boxes, soccer balls and Labradors at the same

time - slobber included. SUVs, crossovers, or

yawn, minivans will adequately do the job. But,

what if there was a capacious vehicle that hauled

the thing secretly desired in the heart of every

soccer parent? You know…a**!

The 2018 AMG E63 S station wagon, nee

“Superwagen”, does just that.

Mash the pedal and launch your squealing kin 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. Mom, smoke the tires! At 603 hp, 627 lb/ft of

torque, no problem. This car is fast – faster to 60 than a Corvette Stingray, Porsche 911 Carrera S or Ferrari

California. Just try taking grandma and grandpa to IHOP in one of those.

More than speedy, the E63 S wagon is a gorgeous estate. Complementing its svelte exterior, the interior is suffused

in S-Class luxury. Hand-stitched leather cossets passengers while Mercedes’ best tech yet keeps them informed,

entertained and safe. Unbelievably, this beauty and beast actually has a Drift Mode. Really!

Still, is this a desirable car? Consider, in a recent internal poll, when asked what car they would personally want to

own the next two years, 25% of the editors at Car and Driver said the E63 S wagon. Understand, these people drive

and review every car on the planet and this is the one they

want. Desirable? Yes.

For the finer points of this uberwagen, let’s turn to

Canadian dynamic duo, Yuri and Jakub – The Straight

Pipes. Don’t believe in reincarnation? You may want to

reconsider as these puppies in human form declare AMGs

E63 S wagon, “The Best Car in the World!” Further

trumpeting the E63s physics defying acceleration (it weighs

4669 lbs!), is a drag race hosted by Car Wow’s, Mat

Watson. Marvel as the AMG E63 S Sheetrock-Hauler

schools an AMG GT R w/RennTech on how to blaze a ¼

mile.

Head ‘em up, move ‘em out, wagons ho!

Mat Watson’s Mercedes-AMG E63 S vs. GT R – Drag race

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG4Uq3aO7As

Yuri and Jakub – The Straight Pipes w/ “The World’s Best

Car!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0g7GW9kjDw&t=230s

(Alternatively, you can watch these videos on YouTube searching for

“Mat Watson E63 GTR” and “Straight Pipes E63S”.)

Sept-Oct 2018

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Also, we will discuss the differences between AC and DC currents and their charging differences. A guest speaker will give us basic information on how BEV electric cars work. Owners that drive these cars every day will also be on hand to answer any questions and talk about their experiences in daily life.

Please join us Saturday, November 10, at M. B. Motors, 2730 E McDowell Rd., in Phoenix, at 9:00 am. The cost is $15.00 to cover a catered lunch. The session will conclude approximately at 2:00 pm.

Please fill out the registration form or for credit card payments call Debbie Ichiyama at 480-268-9535.

Call Bud Cloninger with any questions about the event at 602-236-6210

Tech from page 1

Sept-Oct 2018

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Choice" contest featuring MBCA members personal cars.

Following the voting, join us for appetizers and a no-host bar followed by dinner catered by Café Pranzo, one of the valleys premier catering companies. We will also have our usual program featuring industry experts that will give their perspectives on the past week's auctions and current state of the classic car market. Bring your questions and join the discussion.

Watch for updates for other events during Auction

Week.

As car lovers descend on Arizona for the great car auctions of the valley, we will again celebrate the classic car auction week with the Mercedes-Benz Enthusiast Dinner. We will be sporting a new location for 2019 that hopefully will prove to be the perfect location for our celebration.

MB Enthusiast Dinner

By Karen Manser

January 19, 2019

This year’s event will be held on Saturday evening, January 19th at VENUE 8600, a contemporary event

location located 5 minutes from WestWorld at 8600 E Anderson Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. Activities will start at 5:30 PM in the generous 200 spot parking area with the viewing and judging of the "People's

Right: Dave Tobin, then Editor of

the SL Market Letter, in 2016 at our

annual dinner, gave us his take on

the events of the week.

Sept-Oct 2018

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Local Car Events

Join in local events with other car enthusiasts. We happen to have some of the country’s most active car culture right in our own backyard. Come and attend one of these and you will most likely find fellow Desert Stars and their cars at many of these casual events.

1st

Saturday: Scottsdale Motorsport Gathering 7:00-

10:00 AM Scottsdale 101 Shopping Center www.scuderiasouthwest.com/smg/

2nd

Saturday: Alpios at Troon - Cars and Coffee 7:00-

10:00 AM Villages at Pinnacle Peak www.facebook.com/carsandcoffeeatpinnaclepeak

3rd

Saturday: Penske Racing Museum - Cars and Coffee Scottsdale 8:00-10:00 AM 7125 E. Chauncey Lane

carsandcoffee.com/clubs/scottsdale/

Above & Below: You never know

what you may see at a local event.

Such as this manual transmission R129 “300SL-24”.

Sept-Oct 2018

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO THE MILESTONES EARNERS BELOW! (Holiday Party recognition, see article page 4.)

5 Years

Joseph Alston

Steven Angle

Larry Bryson

Kettisha Colon-Villareal

Charles Dickens

Eddie Fuentes

Kent Howerton

Suneil Jain

Kim Kunasek

Bruce Leimbeck

Edwin Link

Michael McBride

Dieter Schmidt

Marty Sigmund

Frank Wolz

Daniel Wood

15 Years

Alex Glade

Charles Johnston

Charles Moehring

Henry Muranko

Jeff Smith

Dan Withers

10 Years

Andrew Atwood

Roger Brooks

Donna Bryson

Scott Buchanan

Anne Coulter

Alexander Curtis

Lawrence Foster

Andreas Kress

David Lindau Robert Mosley

Billy Rhinehart

Richard Schulte

Brent Smith

Richard Sparanese

Stuart Thorn

35 Years

David Neal

William Jackson Jackson

30 Years

Fred Lewis

J Sheridan

25 Years

Holger Martin Martin

20 Years

James Boyle

Erika Cramer

Charles Gilhart

Phil Hall

Steven Jensen

Zygmunt Kwasnica

Sue Larsen

Don McConaughey

Stanley Spiegel

Daniel Thomas

Michael Weinhardt

Richard Witte

1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL. Runs well. Lots of new parts, very recently tires. Both hard top and soft top. Newer paint and upholstery.

$5,950 or best offer.

E-mail: RhondaLester2@cox.net or call 480-292-3937

Classifieds

1989 560SL Original signal red exterior/cream interior, Matching red hardtop with black soft top; Well maintained & kept in AC garage; dash & veneer in excellent condition; Original Becker radio; Comes w/owner’s manual, records, custom Coco mats, car & top cover w/ stand. 99,050 miles Asking $26,500

Contact John Howard @ 415-627-7383

Sept-Oct 2018

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Holiday Party & Luncheon Sunday, December 2, 2018

Please Register and Pay by November 26, 2018

Name(s) registering: _____________________________________ Number Attending_______

Phone No.: _______________________________Day/ Night Email Address: ___________________________________

$53.00 per person.No-host bar.

Make your check payable to: MBCA Desert Stars; and mail to: MBCA Desert Stars c/o Debbie Ichiyama

6502 E Evans Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Credit Card payments available: Call Debbie Ichiyama at (480) 268-9535.

Registration Information

Havasupai Rallye

October 5-7, 2018 Please Register by September 15, 2018

Name(s) registering: _____________________________________ Number Attending_______

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

City: State/Prov.: Zip: ____________________________________________________________

Phone No.: ________________________________________________________ Day/ Night

Email Address: ________________________________________________________________

The first 14 rooms reserved special pricing - $495 per couple/$395 per single participant.

Plus $30 afterwards. See article for details.

Make your check payable to: MBCA Desert Stars; and mail to:

MBCA Desert Stars c/o Debbie Ichiyama 6502 E Evans Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Credit Card payments available: Call Debbie Ichiyama at (480) 268-9535.

Tech Session Saturday, November 10, 2018

Please Register and Pay by November 7, 2018

Name(s) registering: _____________________________________ Number Attending_______

Phone No.: _______________________________Day/ Night Email Address: ___________________________________

Cost for this event is $15.00 per person to cover the cost of refreshments and a catered lunch.

Make your check payable to: MBCA Desert Stars; and mail to: MBCA Desert Stars c/o Debbie Ichiyama

6502 E Evans Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Credit Card payments available: Call Debbie Ichiyama at (480) 268-9535.

S e p t - O c t 2 0 1 8

September 15, 2018

October 5-7, 2018

November 3, 2018

November 10, 2018

December 2, 2018

January 19, 2019

Sat

Fri – Sun

Sat

Sat

Sun

Sat

“The Art of the Wheel”

Havasupai Rallye

Star Night (Lunch)

Tech Session – Electric Cars

Annual Holiday Party

MB Enthusiast Dinner

SAVE THESE DATES

Visit us at: www.desertstars.mbca.org

Like us on Facebook DesertStarsMBCA

Follow us on Twitter @MBCADesertStars

Update your email address with The National Business Office

Contact our Membership Chair, Debbie Ichiyama, at 480-268-9535 or dichiyama@me.com

Keep your address updated with the MBCA National Business Office at

(800) 637-2360 Online at http://mbca.org