Although it feels as if I’ve just begun my term as national president, in fact, as you’re reading this message, I have been four months on the job … and Mercedes-Benz Club of America’s activities are moving forward at a rapid pace. While the Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance is now in the history books – this wonderful show took place February 23-25 – the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is just ahead.

If you have never attended this event, now is the time; many refer to Amelia Island as the East Coast’s Pebble Beach concours. I think it’s even better. Scheduled March 8-11 – you’ll have to hurry – the venue is beautiful and the vehicles, many of which have been shown at Pebble Beach, are fantastic. Amelia Island functions at a more relaxed pace than Monterey Car Week’s schedule of shows and auctions that culminate with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. I have attended Amelia for the past 10 years and still look forward to attending each show; my anticipation begins months before the event.

Mercedes-Benz USA is a major sponsor and is prominent on the show grounds with special display areas. The MBCA is also very visible, particularly because members from sections from coast to coast attend. MBCA sections from different states organize several lunches and dinners for attendees, and club members can participate in a free-to-see Cars & Coffee display on the main show field Saturday before the Sunday concours.

There will be numerous MBCA activities all over the country as the months go on. The club’s premier event, StarFest®, which takes place every other year, is scheduled May 14-21; this year’s event may be one of the best ever. Scheduled activities include something for all club members to enjoy. Defensive driving and autocross instruction at Barber Motorsports Park’s Proving Grounds offers members the opportunity to drive their Mercedes-Benzes on the F1-Indy road course, as well as laps at Talladega Superspeedway; for the off-roaders, an offroad-track driving experience. Want to just enjoy driving your Mercedes? Several road rallies have been planned to interesting places in the area. To round out the StarFest experience,

there will be a concours d’elegance at the Mercedes-Benz USI factory. Moreover, factory tours are planned so members can see where the world’s production of GLE-, GLS- and a large number of C-Class vehicles are built. A welcome reception and awards dinner at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum are scheduled – and so much more. Registration is open; details can be found on page 96 of this issue of The Star and at the MBCA website. I look forward to seeing you there.

On the business side of the job, we are working to continue to grow the MBCA experience as we move forward. Several committees still need to be adjusted to best meet our responsibilities to the club and improve members’ experience, while others are already working well. The Technical Information Committee is available to respond to many of your technical questions, which may be answered via phone or email. Additionally, technical links and references will be available at the MBCA website. The Leadership Committee is up and running. The primary vehicle that this committee will use is “Turn Signals.” Published several times each year, Turn Signals will be sent to each section’s leadership committee and be available to all members at the MBCA website. We are currently working on our Membership and new Driver Skills committees. Members can send us ideas and suggestions, which are always welcome; we look forward to receiving your thoughts.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to visiting as many sectional, regional and national events as possible – and meeting you, too.