MagnaSteyr Graz factory tour and Schöckl test drive


Mercedes-Benz has offered to make a visit of the Geländewagen production plant in Graz/Austria possible - a drive of the famous Schöckl test track is included.
A visit of MagnaDrivetrain is not possible.

We have two firm dates for a factory tour and Schöckl drive. September 20 and 21. Maximum group size is 20 per day. Your host will be Heinz Neunzig, manager sales & marketing G-Class and yours truly.
This offer is exclusively focussed on US G owners.

Usually this is not a cheap event but DC has agreed to sponsor our group. Thank you Jürgen Achilles!

All other arrangements/activities like travel to and from, lodging, cultural events in Graz, romantic drive through Austria etc. etc. will have to be organized and paid for by us individually. Let me know whether we should plan any group activities or whether you want to stay independent. I'll work on a recommendation of hotels in Graz as well. One hotel for the entire group would probably be best. Let also know if you want me to make the e-mail list of this group available to you so you can coordinate things on your side.

Here are your hotel choices:
a Hotel Wiesler - about $220
b Hotel Kleines Royal - about $70
c Hotel Reif - about $65
(a is downtown - b is in walking distance to factory - c is a 6 mile drive away)
map
I recommend Hotel Kleines Royal as our main hotel. It is in walking distance to the factory. Make sure you make reservations as soon as your spot is confirmed.
Dutch keeps a list on Yahoo for information exchange about the hotels and travel arrangements.

I am still working on:
• getting a photo permit (usually you are not allowed to take pictures inside the plant).
• visit of the Puch Museum

I am looking forward to meeting you all in Graz.

Cheers!
Harald Pietschmann


Itinerary could look like this:

• 9/19 travel individually to Graz, group hotel

• 9/20 Group 1: factory tour, Schöckl test drive, lunch at restaurant on top of Mt Schöckl, transportation provided by MB, dinner at one of the famous "Buschenschank" places outside Graz (hosted by MB)

• 9/21 Group 2: factory tour, Schöckl test drive, lunch at restaurant on top of Mt Schöckl, transportation provided by MB - Group 1: individual cultural, leisure activities or early departure.
Possibly stay at a real castle (see Yahoo Group)

• 9/22 individual departure.

		sign up / waiting list
		confirmed sign up
		Group 1, 9/20: David Heipl - Hotel Royal Peter Christian - Hotel Royal Dutch - Hotel Royal Richard Mazanec - Hotel Reif Damon Haimoff (3) Hotel Royal Adam Chovanak - no show Tomohiko Kawaguchi - Hotel Royal Jan Willem Mol - Hotel Reif Christian Gavrila (2) - Hotel Royal Maximo Matamoros (2) - Hotel Wiesler Julian Burlage (3) - Hotel Wiesler 17 sign ups - 3 open spots 16 participants - 4 open spots Group 2, 9/21: Dan Plumlee (2) - Hotel Wiesler David Pearson - Hotel Royal Anthony Dalzell - Hotel Royal Dave Gomes (2) - Hotel Royal Göran Edström (2) - Hotel Royal Ronald Owens - Hotel Royal Steve Dempsey - no show Richard Sygall (3) - Hotel Reif Drew Polenchar - no show Sean Philyaw(2) Fernando Leta (2) Hotel Wiesler Florian Roebbeling 19 sign ups - 1 open spot 17 participants - 3 open spots The group assignment is not written in stone. Please contact the Yahoo Group to find someone in the other group to switch days.