View From the Peak by Steve Dierks

Transcription

1 September 2018 Welcome New Members! Mia Cullman Inside this issue: Holiday Party 3 Members Meeting 3 DAM Tour 4 OTC Tour 5 DIY Tech Session 5 MHS Events 5 Der Marktplatz 6 Click 6 New Website 6 Cool, Colorful CO 7 Mercedes?? 8 Wolf Tour Recap 8 Photo Rally Recap 9 EQ Silver Arrow 10 ROUND THE BENZ Newsletter of the Pikes Peak Section September Breakfast 9:00 a.m., Saturday, 15 September 2018 Please come and join us for breakfast on Saturday 15 September at 9:00 at The Egg & I restaurant at Platte and Academy. We ll have a special guest speaker, Wilson Hitchings, who will talk to us about the coming revolution of electric vehicles. Wilson is the president of the local electric vehicle club and is an expert in all things electric. He ll tell us about the pros and cons of EV ownership, how the batteries work, and even a little bit about the history of EVs. Electrics are the wave of the future, so find out about what s possibly in store for your next vehicle. Wilson and Tom Croak in Tom s GLE Hybrid As you may have heard, Mercedes-Benz is planning to introduce its first all-electric model under the EQ brand on 4 September. Not many details are known yet, but you can expect a battery pack up to 60 kwh in size with about 250 miles range per charge. Electric models include an EQC electric SUV that has been undergoing testing for the last four years. The EV will be a global car, selling in Germany, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Dubai, South Africa, China, and the United States. Mercedes is betting big on electric cars and plans multiple models over the coming years. You won t want to miss this breakfast!

2 Section Officers: President: Steve Dierks Vice-President: Andrew Nelson Secretary: Judy Bennett Treasurer: Julie Nelson Directors: Karen Absher Wendy Adams Charlie Bennett net, Mary Bixler Stan Bixler Joyce Blutt Glenn Hamill Pete Kulzer Henry Russell Sylvia Russell Webmaster: Robert Boren Regional Director: Michael Davison View From the Peak by Steve Dierks circles. Every organization has a story that begins with why the organization exists. The Mercedes-Benz Club of America Procedures Manual asserts that this organization has six defined purposes. They are to serve the interests of active members through official contacts with Daimler AG and MBUSA, assemble members and guests in social settings, provide opportunities to enhance members enjoyment of their Mercedes-Benz vehicles, facilitate procurement of technical and engineering information about Mercedes-Benz vehicles, participate in events with Mercedes-Benz vehicles, and to represent the marque in contemporary motoring Pikes Peak Section events are the core elements that bring members together for friendship and fun. They illustrate the Club story. Our Section newsletters are filled with accounts of locally organized rallies, tours, social gatherings, tech sessions, holiday celebrations, car shows, and more. Your participation in Section events begins with your enthusiasm for the marque and is the life-blood of our Section. The most easily identifiable reason for member gatherings is enthusiasm. Each Pikes Peak Section event brings people together for friendship and fun. For example, this month, we ve got a local expert on electric vehicles and EV technology coming to breakfast to speak to us and answer the questions we probably all have. Next month, we re traveling to Denver to visit the Denver Art Museum. It s important to talk about this because our Annual Meeting of the Members and Pikes Peak Section election of Board Members and Officers is in October. This is the group of leaders who develop and plan opportunities for participation in the coming Club year. You are invited to attend this annual Section meeting on Tuesday, October 9. This no-host gathering will be at Rocco s Italian Restaurant at 3802 Maizeland Road. Your enthusiasm, insights, ideas and friendship are the life-blood of the Section. Just send me a note at steve.dierks@gmail.com and I ll get you in the count. Everyone is welcome to attend. Let s git er done, Steve Round the Benz is published monthly by the Pikes Peak Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA). Articles and ideas are the opinions of the writers and no authentication is implied as to the validity of the information contained herein. Explicit permission to republish any article with proper attribution is given to all sections of MNCA. Articles for publication consideration should be mailed to Pikes Peak Section, MBCA, Attn: Editor, 4335 Penhurst Place, Colorado Spring, CO or, whenever possible, ed to: bennett912@ comcast.net. Deadline for receipt is the 18 th of the month prior to the month of issue. Please support our advertisers. They help to make this publication possible. 2

3 Annual Holiday Party 5:00 p.m., Sunday, 9 December 2018 It s hard to believe but the holidays are right around the corner and your Pikes Peak Section has them under control. We ll kick off the season with our first-class, world-famous, awe-inspiring wing-ding at the El Paso Club in downtown Colorado Springs. We re hard at work on the details, but be sure to put the date and time on your calendar today, so you don t miss out on the raffle, the awards, and the great time we always have. The reservation form will be in next month s newsletter. Look for it! Annual Meeting of the Members 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, 9 October 2018 Please join us for our annual Pikes Peak Section Meeting of the Members and board elections at Rocco s Italian Restaurant, 3802 Maizeland Rd, Colorado Springs, CO We ll dine at 6:00 p.m. and elect our board members shortly thereafter. This year we have 3 board member positions up for election. Every Section member is encouraged to attend and cast your vote or throw your hat into the ring. As Steve said in his President s Message this month (if you haven t read it, you should!), the health of the Section depends on how innovative and vigorous our leadership is, and our Board of Directors is key to that success. The term of office is 3 years. Our Board of Directors is very active and engaged, deciding on the types of events the Section holds, the frequency of those events, as well as the detailed management of those events. If you enjoy participating in Section events, if you d like to get involved with the day-to-day management of the Section, and if you have the time to plan and direct one event per year we re looking for you. the health of the Section depends on how innovative and vigorous our leadership is. Dinner for new and current board members and their significant others is on the Section. If you re interested in serving on our board (as well as a free meal!), please contact Steve Dierks at steve.dierks@gmail.com or give him a call at

4 Denver Art Museum Tour 9:00 a.m., Saturday, 20 October 2018 visit the worldrenowned Denver Art Museum. After breakfast at the Egg & I restaurant in October, we will drive north on the I to our state capital to visit the world-renowned Denver Art Museum. The exhibitions on display include Stampede: Animals in Art that includes more than 300 objects that explore the presence of animals in art throughout the centuries and across cultures. Then there s Rembrandt: Painter as Printmaker that will showcase more than 100 prints plus several drawings and paintings career spanning from 1625 to Claes Oldenburg With Coosje Van Bruggen is an exhibit of drawings of the monumental soft and hard sculptures of the 1960s. The drawings represent the conception of an artistic idea, striking visual representations of manifested creations where line and form playfully intertwine the surreal and the natural elements of a landscape. Here are a few rules: Photography is permitted and welcome in all of the permanent galleries, but the flash must be off at all times. If photography is not permitted, there will be a sign at the gallery door. There are free lockers on level one or the lower level to stow bags, lunches, or packages not permitted in the museum. Sketchbooks and small notebooks (11x14 inches or smaller) and pencils are welcome; please leave colored pens and pencils at home. Guided group tour admission is $8 per person. We will leave in time for a 12:15 p.m. tour of the museum. Lunch at a suitable venue will follow our tour. Contact Pete Kulzer at wgfp@aol.com or for more information. 4

5 Preview of Coming Attractions Olympic Training Center Tour 17 November 2018 In November, we ll be visiting the center for the hopes and aspirations of the cream of American athletics. The U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs is the flagship training center for the U.S. Olympic Committee and OTC programs. More than 15 member organizations, as well as 2 international sports federations and the USOC headquarters are located in Colorado Springs. The CSOTC is able to provide housing, dining, training facilities, recreational facilities and other services for more than 500 athletes and coaches at one time on the complex. Athletes are selected to train at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center by their respective National Governing Body. Guided tours are $13 per person and reservations are required. Contact Stan or Mary Bixler for more information at mebixler@comcast.net or DIY Tech Session 18 November 2018 It s August and despite the heat, it s time to start thinking about the unthinkable yes, we re talking about snow and ice that accompany Old Man Winter. Sigh. So, do you need to change out your summer tires for your Blizzaks? Do you need new wipers? Do you need to change your oil? Do you need to top off your fluids? Do you need to check your battery? You can do all that and more yourself in the comfort and convenience of the service bays of Mercedes-Benz of Colorado Springs on Sunday, 18 November. Call Dave Williamson to reserve your spot Cost is still only $10 and you get donuts! Mile High Section Events For more information, visit the MHS website at Quote of the Month: Driving a brand new Mercedes feels like driving around in an open wallet with the dollar bills flapping by your ears as they fly out the window. ~Grey Livingston Fort Collins Drive Date: 15 September 2018, 9:30 a.m. Location: Meet at Starbucks, 45 E 120 th Ave, Thornton Cost: No Host Contact: Michael Davison, , mhd539@msn.com Annual Christmas Party Date: 1 December 2018 Location: Columbine Country Club, Littleton Cost: TBD Contact: Michael Davison, , mhd539@msn.com 5

6 Der Marktplatz Wanted: C36 or C43 sedan. 300 SEL 6.3 sedan. Call Pete at For Sale: SL. Black, 120,000 miles. Runs great; must see. Call Greg at , For Sale: SL, 53K miles, automatic, red. Needs transmission work or a new one. $26,000. Contact Walter, Click This, just in from the latest edition of the MBCA e-newsletter, Click, a quick wrap-up of news, discounts, and special events: 2018 German Trips: Germany trips are very popular and fill up quickly. These member-only trips provide direct and personal access to Mercedes-Benz facilities and museums as well as many amazing European landmarks. Don t wait any longer space is limited. September 24-30: Fall Stuttgart, Germany Trip Don t wait any longer space is limited. Visit mbca.org to download the registration form. To learn more, contact trip Leiter and past national MBCA president Jim O Sullivan at or osullivanj55@gmail.com National Election: Watch your for your invitation to vote in early September Voting is cut off on Oct 15 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a valid registered with the club, please update it as soon as possible Those without an address will receive a paper ballot in the mail. MBCA members will have the opportunity to elect 4 Directors-At-Large and 5 Regional Directors to the National Board. The Regional Director for the Rocky Mountain Region is not up for election this year, however we will vote for Directors-At-Large. New Pikes Peak Section Website Our webmaster, Robert, has just finished a complete restructuring of our Section website and he invites everyone to check out the new features, particularly the interactive comments section. Members can comment on posts on the site, giving us immediate feedback on events or announcements. The goal is to create a more contemporary and responsive site that gets everyone more involved and increases member participation. We think he hit it out of the park. Check it out at 6

7 Pikes Peak Section Scenic Drives A Series Cool, Colorful Colorado By Steve Dierks An early slogan on Colorado license plates was Cool, Colorful Colorado because we are particularly cool and colorful in the Fall of the year. Late September and early October are Leaf Peeping season. Many of the best Fall leaf peeping areas are within easy driving distance of Colorado Springs. Here are two of my favorites: Twin Lakes to Aspen. Driving to Aspen from Colorado Springs and returning will take most, if not all, of a day. It is well worth the drive if you love the Fall colors. What I enjoy is leaving Colorado Springs early in the day, driving to Aspen for lunch and reversing the route to return. The leaf peeping is spectacular, and a little different, in each direction. From Colorado Springs, take US-24 through Woodland Park, Divide, Florissant, Lake George, over Wilkerson Pass and through Hartsel to Antero Junction where US-24 joins US-285. Turn left (south) onto US-285/24 over Trout Creek Pass, through Johnson Village and to the T-intersection at which the routes divide. Turn right (north) on US-24 through Buena Vista, past Granite and to the intersection of CO-82. Turn left (west) on CO-82 drive through Twin Lakes and you are on your way to Independence Pass. On the west side of Independence Pass, you may see the remains of the town of Independence. Continue on CO-82 until you reach Aspen. Find a parking space (there is ample parking in the lot behind the library), enjoy a walking tour of Aspen, have a leisurely lunch, and reverse the route to home. You will know why the town is named Aspen. Cripple Creek and Vicinity. One of the most spectacular leaf peeping opportunities in Colorado is the area around Cripple Creek and Victor. The area is easily reached from Colorado Springs. Take US-24 through Woodland Park and turn left (south) on CO-67 at Divide. Continue on CO- 67 to CR-81 (Lazy S Ranch Road). Turn left (south) on CR-81 toward Victor. Continue on CR-81 to Victor and connect with CO-67 in Victor. Continue on CO-67 through Cripple Creek. This is a short loop that includes some gorgeous views and is equally rewarding if you reverse directions. If you don t mind driving on a narrow dirt road, the Gold Camp Road from CR-81 to Colorado Springs includes many brilliant Aspen groves. Let s go out there and enjoy Cool, Colorful Colorado. 7

8 Mercedes Question of the Month Question: The Mercedes-Benz Classic High Mileage Award is awarded to owners who have an odometer reading of: Answer: a. 155,000 miles b. 312,000 miles c. 466,000 miles d. all of the above Answer to Last Month s Question: a. fewer than 40 a very rewarding day a beautiful drive, a great tour, a satisfying lunch. Wolf Sanctuary Tour Recap The Pikes Peak Section and guests thoroughly enjoyed a guided tour of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center on Saturday, 28 July. The center is located in a picturesque mountain setting just west of Divide. The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is home to 16 wolves, as well as coyotes and fox, who each live and thrive in large wooded enclosures. These enclosures provide privacy, sanctuary, and stimulation for these amazing and beautiful animals. This sanctuary does not breed the wolves, merely provides a place where they can live in peace. We met residents Xaltana, Akela and Princess Delight and we learned about the story of the lovers Chinook and Nikita. It was a very gratifying and educational wildlife experience. We even learned how to howl like the wolves at the end of our tour and were rewarded when the wolves howled back. Following our tour, we adjourned to The Wines of Colorado for an excellent lunch and a great selection of wine. We got there just in time to avoid the rain that chased the diners inside. All in all, it was a very rewarding day a beautiful drive, a great tour, a satisfying lunch. We did it all. Many thanks to Karen and Clark Absher for putting this event together. Well done! Clark & Karen Our Group of Howlers Natural Predator 8

9 Photo-Photo-Photo Rally Recap Tom Croak outdid himself once again, proving that he hasn t lost his knack for confounding the Pikes Peak Section during a five-year absence. The 5th Annual Photo-Photo-Photo Rally on Saturday, 18 August, took us all over town, chasing down 40 photographs. We had to capture as many as we possibly could within a 3-hour time limit. No easy task, as we can all attest, because Tom had scrambled the order of the photos. That was his evil intent, doncha know. We were able to easily identify what they were the Space Foundation, the World Arena, the Fine Arts Center, Cheyenne Canyon, the Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, Fort Carson, Red Rock Open Space, St Francis Hospital, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. You get the idea. We were not able, however, to figure out how to get all of the photos within the time limit. So, out of the 40 photos, the first place winners, Julie and Andrew Nelson, were only able to get 29. Judy and Charlie Bennett came in second with 28 and Harvey LeCato got 25. The effort we put in was worth it though since we got to choose our favorite from Tom s collection of nature photographs. Then we were able to settle in and swap lies about the photos that got away. Tom and Joyce served up tapas and beverages to feed our hearty appetites and we lingered longer than we should have, but we were having such a good time! So, thanks Tom for a glorious day with more than our average share of aggravation. On Deck Pete & Stan Kick Back The band s back together! Julie & Andrew 1st Place 9 we got to choose our favorite from Tom s collection of nature photographs.

10 EQ Silver Arrow Concept By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Prior to the onset of World War II, the grand prix racers of Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union (today Audi) were dominating race tracks all over Europe. The cars were referred to as the Silver Arrows, a name Mercedes-Benz still applies spiritually to its current Formula 1 cars, and one of the most famous examples was Mercedes' W125 of a singleseat speedster with looks inspired by the upcoming range of EQ electric cars. Last month, Mercedes unveiled the EQ Silver Arrow concept in Monterey, California as a homage to a particular W125, while at the same time also providing a halo for the new EQ sub-brand for electric cars. The concept, with its streamlined looks, specifically recalls the modified W125 Silver Arrow that 80 years ago clocked an average speed of mph over a stretch of Autobahn. It was a record speed for a car driven on public roads, a record that stood all the way to 2017 when Koenigsegg's Agera RS hit mph on a Nevada highway. The EQ Silver Arrow is a single-seat speedster with looks inspired by the upcoming range of EQ electric cars, the first of which is the EQC small SUV debuting this month. The concept stretches 17.4 feet in length and is powered by a purely electric powertrain rated at 738 horsepower. An 80- kilowatt-hour battery should provide more than 250 miles of range. The body is almost entirely made from carbon fiber. Functional attachment parts are also made from carbon, like the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser. Another highlight is the partially free-standing multi-spoke wheels. The 168 spokes per wheel are made of lightweight aluminum and painted a rose gold color, which Mercedes says together with silver and blue is also a signature hue of the EQ brand. 10 The concept's interior is adorned with high-quality materials such as leather, brushed aluminum and solid walnut, while a highly-futuristic digital cockpit complete with a curved panoramic screen that projects from behind and a touchscreen integrated into the steering wheel add a touch of modernity. A touchscreen on the steering wheel can be used to alter the driving modes selector. Sound settings can also be configured here: choices include the sound of a current F1 car or an AMG V-8. One awesome feature is the virtual race function. With the help of artificial intelligence, it is possible to engage in a virtual race against historic or present Silver Arrow racing cars. A virtual race track is superimposed onto the real roadway via the panoramic screen and the driver sees their opponent either ahead of them or behind them as a "ghost." A coach function helps one improve driving skills by giving instructions during the race. "Over 80 years ago, the historic Silver Arrows demonstrated that Mercedes-Benz was a pioneer when it came to speed, thanks, among other things, to their streamlined shape," Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener said in a statement. "The EQ Silver Arrow show car draws on that legacy; intended for acceleration and driving pleasure, it embodies progressive luxury and provides an insight into the future of our design.

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12 Round the Benz Editor 4335 Penhurst Pl Colorado Springs, CO Return Service Requested To: Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day Aargh! Calendar of Upcoming Events On the Web at: org MBCA Pikes Peak Section 4 September 2018 Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Steve Dierks September 2018 Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Steve Dierks September 2018 Silver Stars & Golden Aspens Judy Bennett October 2018 Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Steve Dierks October 2018 Section Elections 6:00 p.m. Judy Bennett October 2018 Breakfast & Denver Art Museum 9:00 a.m. Pete Kulzer November 2018 Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. Steve Dierks November 2018 Breakfast & Olympic Tng Ctr 9:00 a.m. Stan & Mary Bixler The Pikes Peak Section Board of Directors meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Mercedes-Benz of Colorado Springs, 730 Automotive Drive. Meetings start at 6:00 p.m. All Section members are welcome and encouraged to attend. 12