The Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) will host StarFest 2013 on May 18-22 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The event will bring together technical experts in the fields of restoration, maintenance and performance for four days of seminars and workshops.
“StarTech is MBCA’s longest-running national event,” according to William West Hopper, National StarTech Committee Chairperson. “The MBCA has a deep bench of Members who are technical experts on vintage, classic and newer-model Mercedes-Benz vehicles. And we have hundreds of other Members who want to learn from them.”
The Mercedes-Benz U.S. International production plant (MBUSI), headquartered in Tuscaloosa, Alabama will be the center point for most StarTech activities. MBUSI is the only facility to produce the ML-Class and GL-Class vehicles for the North American market and will soon add the next generation C-Class to its line-up.
Dr. Jim Roberts, President of MBCA’s Alabama Section, said Members will be able to learn from more than 20 nationally recognized experts during classroom workshops then tour the production plant alongside MBUSI Team Members. “StarTech is like technical tutoring on steroids,” Roberts quips. “Our Members feel privileged to be learning from such a broad and highly-respected group of Mercedes-Benz professionals.”
Those professionals will travel to StarTech from across the country and include local experts from Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. Dr. Roberts also adds, “StarTech is not just about appreciating the technical aspects of the world’s finest automobile; it’s about celebrating the lifestyle that comes with owning one.”
The Hilton Birmingham Perimeter Park Hotel will host StarTech participants and speakers. In addition to activities at MBUSI, participants can drive laps around Barber Motorsports road course; tour the U.S. Space & Rocket Center; attend a reception at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and visit Classic Car Motoring — Mercedes-Benz authorized paint and body shop. A local artist’s studio tour, galleria shopping, garden walkabouts and other lifestyle events are also scheduled.
For more information, visit startech.mbca.org.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz Club of America; photo: Nathan Leach-Proffer]
