This event - The Mercedes

CLUB NEWS
Racing start
T
he Mercedes-Benz Club’s season of events is now well under way. After the
traditional trip to the Techno-Classica show in Essen, Germany Members could
enjoy a weekend’s racing at Donington Park before setting off for Italy and a
celebration of Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson’s win in the 1955 Mille Miglia. You
can see information on these and the many other events planned for this year below.
Which ever model you are interested in, whether you need technical help, are
looking for the car of your dreams or would like new ways to enjoy your
three-pointed-star, joining the Club will help make 2015 a bumper year.
2015 events
Techno-Classica, Essen, Germany – April 16 - 19
The Mercedes-Benz Classic stand at TechnoClassica this year featured the reconstructed
540K streamliner...
O
nce again a coach-load of Club Members, and
others under their own steam, made the
pilgrimage to what is the largest indoor classic car
event in the world. As well as a massive Mercedes-
...and Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson’s Mille
Miglia-winning 300SLR amongst a host of other
breathtaking cars.
Benz Classic stand, this event has displays from many
Mercedes and other marque clubs plus halls full of
dealers’ cars for sale, spare parts, tools, models and
books.
Donington Historic Festival – May 2 - 4
Some of the cars racing
at Donington Park.
C
lub Members enjoyed discounted tickets for this
increasingly impressive event, taking their places
on the Club stand to see the racing, other club displays and the marvellous Donington Museum.
Mille Miglia Drive – May 10 – 17
All three of the 1955 team cars were in
Italy for the 60th anniversary celebrations.
2015
is the 60th anniversary of Stirling Moss and
Denis Jenkinson’s remarkable win in this
1,000-mile road race – at an average speed of nearly
100mph. To mark this occasion the Mercedes-Benz Club
held a special event in which Members drove to Italy,
enjoying some of the famous Alpine passes on the way,
and were road-side for the Mille Miglia retro event – in
exclusive and very comfortable accommodation.
190SL International Celebration,
Mercedes-Benz World –
May 24
Don’t miss this special 190SL occasion.
T
he Mercedes-Benz Club’s 60th
anniversary of the launch of the
190SL has become an international
event, with visitors expected from
France, Germany, Italy and beyond.
Enthusiasts for this model will be
heading for Mercedes-Benz World,
Brooklands for a day of driving on
the handling circuit, technical
presentations and people’s favourite’
competition. If you own a 190SL
you need to be there –
please contact Club Membership
Secretary Catherine Barlow via
[email protected] or 01780 482111. All
Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts will be
welcome but even if you are not
coming in a 190SL please let
Catherine know so that we can ensure
sufficient parking is available. If you
will need overnight accommodation,
Catherine also has details of discounts
at the nearby Brooklands Hotel.
Ponton Rally, Germany – June 4 - 7
T
he UK Mercedes-Benz Club has a long tradition of
its Members taking part in this event, the annual
rally of one of the leading German clubs – the MBIG. In
2015 it will be based in Schwabisch Hall, about 30
miles from Stuttgart. This event is open to all models.
UK Club Members’ cars on
the 2014 Ponton Rally.
National Concours, Milton Keynes – June 20
Judging underway at the 2014
Concours.
T
he Club’s annual Concours
d’Elegance in 2015 will once
again take place at Mercedes-Benz
UK’s headquarters in Milton
Keynes. This event always attracts
many of the best-presented cars in
the country, but it is structured to
encourage everyone to enter – even
with ‘daily-driver’ recent models.
‘Car of the Show’ in 2014 was
this 420SL.
SLK Day, Mercedes-Benz World – June 28
120
SLKs, covering all types, attended the
model’s first ‘Day’ in 2014 and MercedesBenz World’s facilities will once again be devoted to
these cars on Sunday June 28 this year. There will be
track demonstrations, parade laps, a ‘Polish and Show’
competition plus technical presentations and advice. All
SLKs as far as the eye could
see at the 2014 SLK Day.
SLKs will be welcome and all Mercedes-Benz
enthusiasts, which ever model they drive, but to take part
in the event rather than just watch it you need to join the
Club and register in advance. You can join the Club via
this website or by calling 01780 482111.
SL Day, Woburn Park – July 12
A
lways one of the Club’s most spectacular
occasions, this year's SL Day will be on Sunday
July 12. You can expect to see examples of all models
of SL, from the 1950s W198 300SL Gullwing and
roadster to the very latest – all against the elegant backdrop of Woburn.
Woburn Abbey.
SLs at Woburn in 2005.
Silverstone Classic – July 24 - 26
The Club stand in the
paddock at the 2014
Silverstone Classic.
Group C Sauber-Mercedes will be racing again
in 2015.
T
ickets at special rates for Club Members are
available for this massive event. As usual the
Mercedes-Benz Club will have a large stand at the heart
of all the racing action, live music, club displays and trade
stands. Members with R129 SLs will be able to take part
in parade laps marking the silver anniversary of the launch
of this model.
Tynecot Cemetery, Ypres.
Visit to Ypres
– August 4-7
I
n August the Club will be
making a visit to the World
War I battlefield and military
cemeteries of the Ypres Salient,
Flanders, Belgium. Members
will have the services of a
professional
guide,
hotel
accommodation with secure
parking plus opportunities to
visit relatives’ graves and attend
the ceremony of remembrance
at the Menem Gate.
Pagoda Rally, Austria – August 6 - 9
Cars on the 2014 Pagoda Rally.
T
his event, open to W113 SLs from the 1960s,
is organised by the German Pagoda club and
Members of the UK Club always make the
journey to take part. This year’s rally will be
based in Feldkirch, Austria.
W123 Day – Sunday August 23
T
he Mercedes-Benz Club’s 2015 W123 Day
will be held at the Downe Arms Country
Hotel in Wykeham, North Yorkshire. All
Mercedes-Benz models will be welcome and
Club Members will enjoy a three-course Sunday
lunch. The usual awards will be presented,
for best coupé, saloon and estate, plus the
coveted Richard Sturman Trophy for best
W123 overall.
If you are restoring a W123 this is your chance
to view some great examples and even if your
particular W123 is an everyday workhorse, please
bring it along, all will be welcome!
W124 Day, Stratford-on-Avon – September 5-6
If you like W124s, this is the event
for you.
T
his popular event for the
1980s to 90s mid-size saloons,
coupés and estates will include a
Cotswold drive, a visit to a motor
museum, a social evening and a
concours competition.
The Brooklands Control Tower.
Archive developments
he Club’s Archive, which contains an amazing
T
collection of brochures, technical literature,
price lists and photos, as well as the Club’s history,
Archive contents is well in hand and further
accommodation has been taken to house additional
technical information currently stored elsewhere.
is now well established in offices in the old Control Club Members have access to all this fascinating
Tower at Brooklands. The work of ‘digitising’ the material.
A tiny
selection
of the
material
in the
Club
Archive.
Highlights from 2014
Classic Motor Show
T
he Mercedes-Benz Club had
a prominent stand in the
premier hall of the 2014 Classic
Motor Show at the NEC in November. The display, produced entirely by
the Club without financial support
from the manufacturer, featured all
models of the SL sports cars from the
W198 300SLs – both Gullwing and
roadster, through 190SL, Pagoda,
R107, R129 to the R230. There was
also an SLK and a W124 cabriolet.
The Club
stand at the
NEC before
the crowds
arrived.
As well as the cars there was a
‘big screen’ showing the story of
the marque in motor sport and the
Club’s own history. Members were
able to take a break with free tea or
coffee and biscuits, and have a free
entry in a prize draw for a weekend
in Devon.
The big screen in action.
Partnership
with the IAM
An IAM Observer in action.
T
he Mercedes-Benz Club has
entered a partnership with the
Institute of Advanced Motorists to
offer its Members the chance to
enjoy the benefits of passing the
Advanced Driving Test at
discounted prices. Club volunteers
are being trained as IAM Observers
and then they will be able to coach
other Club Members for the test.
This is just the latest in a wide range
of benefits available to Club
Members – there are more highlighted towards the end of these
news pages.
Mercedes-Benz in the BTCC
Adam Morgan at the limit in
the racing A-Class.
T
he Mercedes-Benz marque competed in the 2014
British Touring Car Championship in the form of
an independently entered A-Class driven by Adam
Morgan. MB Club Member Paul Kelly is the team’s
official photographer and his reports appeared in the
Club Gazette every month – including news of the firstever race win for a Mercedes in this championship.
It is hoped there will be two A-Classes competing in
2015 – and the Mercedes-Benz Club Gazette will be
there to report the action.
Denmark and Sweden Rally – July 12-24
T
his year’s overseas
Club rally visited the
quiet and scenic roads of
Denmark and Sweden. Ferry
crossings, hotels and meals
were organised for entrants
– all they had to do was
enjoy the driving and a wide
choice of visits and attractions in Malmo, Stockholm
and Aarhus.
Members and their cars at a lunch stop.
This rally made the most of
the quiet roads of Denmark
and Sweden.
S-Class Fest – July 20
S-Classes as far as the eye could
see at Gaydon (Eric Richardson).
90
Members enjoyed picnics and reduced
price entry to the Heritage Motor Centre.
Mercedes-Benz World brought along an SLS AMG and
Mercedes-Benz of Coventry showed the very latest S-Class.
cars lined up for the Club’s SClass Fest, held at the Motor
Heritage Centre, Gaydon on July 20.
The weather held good even though
the rest of the country suffered frequent rain storms. Members enjoyed
having their cars photographed by
Eric Richardson who raised a
staggering £315 for charity. Others
had their cars valued and bought
items from the Club Shop. All were
invited to try their luck at a tombola in
aid of Help for Heroes and to take
advantage of reduced rate admission
to the Heritage Motor Centre.
Mercedes-Benz World brought
along an SLS AMG and MercedesBenz of Coventry displayed the new
W222 S-Class, which attracted
day-long interest. A Club Technical
Help Desk was on hand to answer
Members’ queries and a membership
desk signed up new Members. A busy
and enjoyable day – which will be
repeated in years to come.
National Weekend and SL Rally – August 22-24
S
outh Wales was the setting for this major event and
full advantage was taken of the open roads in the
Brecon Beacons. The weekend was based in a luxurious
hotel in the centre of Cardiff where a gala dinner was
held on the Saturday evening. On the Sunday there was
a magnificent display of SLs, with concours awards and
driving tests.
SLs in the
Brecon Beacons.
Cars arriving
for the Sunday
display.
Not just national events
A
full list of Club events can be found
on this site if you click on the ‘Events’
button. You will find that, as well as the
national events, there are over 100 regional
shows, visits, drives and social occasions –
across the UK and the whole of Ireland – plus
20 regular pub meetings. The newest region
is Milan in Italy. To get more details you
need to join the Club, which you can also do
via this site or by calling 0845 6032660.
If you do not yet own the car you would
like it is just as important to join because
many excellent Members’ cars are
advertised only in the monthly Gazette and
you can get help in finding a good one from
the Club’s Model Register Captains,
Technical Advisers and from the forums on
the Members’ pages of this website.
The Club’s Regional Officers run events
across the country throughout the year.
February 2015
Gazette
Gazette and Club Directory
T
February 2015
Club
Directory
The official Mercedes-Benz Club
Founded 1952
In this month’s issue
Swedish Rally
Rudi Uhlenhaut
SLK roof hydraulics
The official Mercedes-Benz Club
Founded 1952
he monthly Gazette always brings Club
event previews plus news, technical information, event reports and historic features. Every four
months it is accompanied by the Club Directory.
This contains contact details for all Club Officials,
including the Technical Team and Model Register
Captains. It also contains special offers for
Members from Mercedes-Benz dealers, car accessory manufacturers, hotels and ferry operators.
One of the Directory’s most valuable sections
is the ‘Good Garage Guide’ of Members’
recommendations of places to get your car
serviced, repaired or restored plus specialist parts
suppliers. The Directory is sent only to paid-up
Club Members.
DISCOUNTED INSURANCE
The Club has a panel of approved insurers that offer a full range of policies,
all with discounted rates for Members.
IF YOU NEED TECHNICAL HELP…
A
ll the technical articles and tips that have
appeared in the Mercedes-Benz Club Gazette
are now available – to Members – from the Members’
pages of this website, via a simple to
use search engine. If you can’t find the answer
there, contact details for the Club’s Technical
Advisers, Model Register Captains and its ‘Good
Garage Guide’ of Members’ recommendations are
all listed in the Club Directory supplied to new
Members.
On-line technical
information
S
ince November 2009 Club Members have had free
access to the Mercedes-Benz Electronic Parts
Catalogue (EPC). This enables you to identify the part
number for any component from all models since 1945 – it
is usually only made available to garages, at a cost. Instructions on how to use this facility were given in the
December Mercedes-Benz Club Gazette and are included in the Members’ pages of this website.
Now the Mercedes-Benz Workshop Information System (WIS) has been made available to Club Members. This
gives full service and repair instructions, including wiring diagrams, for all models from the 1990s onwards.
– the Club’s adopted charity
After supporting Macmillan Cancer Care for several years, the Mercedes-Benz Club has now chosen Help
for Heroes, which supports our servicemen and women wounded in action since 9/11, as its adopted charity.
Latest Members’ benefits
A
s well as free access to the
Mercedes-Benz Electronic
Parts Catalogue and Workshop
Information System mentioned
above, Club Members can take
advantage of preferential terms
from a wide range of companies
and organisations.
These include discounts of up to
40 per cent from appointed
Mercedes-Benz dealers and 15 per
cent from alloy wheel refurbishers
The Wheel Specialists and the
ChipEx stone chip repair system.
Members are entitled to a number
of exclusive discounts from hotels
and ferry operators. These can help
you get the best possible enjoyment
from your Mercedes at home and
abroad. The ferry deals cover
Channel and Irish Sea crossings
where significant reductions are
available. Brittany Ferries also
offer a discount on ferry-inclusive
holiday bookings.
To keep your Mercedes in top
condition there are offers on oils,
battery chargers, car covers,
cleaning materials, leather repairs
and replacement parts. If you are
buying a car, there are special terms
on inspections and warranties – and
for peace of mind there are deals on
breakdown recovery.
There are also special prices
for high-performance driving
instruction at Millbrook and
discounts on men’s wear and
ladies’ clothing from Peter
Christian. There is a 15 per cent
saving on Christopher Ward
watches and 10 per cent off DVDs
and books from Terrific Stuff.
The latest special offer for
Members is a chance to try polo –
in the beautiful surroundings of
the Luton Hoo estate – with a 15
per cent discount.
Club Members enjoy substantial discounts on a wide range
of products and services such as...
…ferries…
...car covers…
...a chance to try polo...
…men’s wear…
…battery chargers…
...Christopher
Ward watches...
…and high-performance driving.
CLUB SHOP –
now available from this website
Backpack, black
wide choice of Club clothing,
and tan with
personal and car accessories,
silver Club logo.
books and DVDs can now be ordered
t £19.00
from this website and all the prices
quoted include UK post and packing.
A
£19 .00
Gazette binder –
holds 12 issues,
complete with
year stickers.
t £13.00
Suit carrier in charcoal with
silver Club logo. £25.00 q
£13 .00
Sewn-stripe
short-sleeve
rugby shirt in
navy and white
or royal blue
and white.
£35.00 u
£13 .50
p Baseball
caps in navy, black, red,
burgundy or bottle green with silver
Club logo. £13.50
£25 .00
£35 .00
Club polo
shirts in
various
colours.
t £23.50
Club fleece with
silver logo, in
navy blue,
burgundy, black,
grey or
green.
t £34.50
Coolplus antibac polo shirt
with Club logo.
t £29.00
£29 .00
£34 .50
Ladies’ Tie with
short-sleeve Club logo.
polo shirt in £18.50 q
various
colours,
ring for
details.
t £23.50
£23 .50
Ladies’ rugby shirt in black,
burgundy or navy blue. £35.00 q
Long-sleeve
jumper in blue or
black with silver
Club logo. V-neck
or crew.
£34.00 u
£18 .50
£23 .50
£34 .00
£35 .00