Regional Directors

Steve Kummerfeldt and Robert Saffian

Introduction

Steve Kummerfeldt is the Western Regional Director for MCA. He lives with his wife and two kids in the Southern California area. He is also the manager for the Southern California Merkur Owners Association, the Los Angeles-based MCA regional chapter consisting of about 60 members. Local events include monthly Merkur meetings ("Ricky and Ronnies") and special events such as a BBQ at the Speedway Racetrack or a Fun Run to Big Bear.

Steve is an original owner of a 1986 Azure Blue XR4ti. This was his daily driver up until 1996 when the car started blowing oil smoke. It sat in his garage for over 3-1/2 years before it was completely overhauled with a new engine and head. In 2003, he caught the "Merkur Disease" by purchasing another 1988 mono-black XR4ti. This car was also restored and was driven over 2,900 miles across country to join with the Merkur Convoy to Carlisle in June 2005.

Bob has been a sports car nut since before he was old enough to drive. He became involved with SCCA and Nelson Course Sports Car Club at the age of 18 as a corner worker. It didn’t take long before he took to the track himself, first via some driver’s school, and then onto some regional racing, first in a TR-4 and then a Mini. Bob first got involved with Merkurs by accident. Almost five years ago, while purchasing a T-5 for his TVR, the seller, a Merkur nut, told him about all the fun Merkurs were as he showed him the XR4Ti he was preparing for the Grassroots 2000. After reading about this event with his son Jonathan, he found it would be the perfect excuse to spend some quality time together in the garage, and the search was on.

Bob found an 88 XR4TI that wasn’t running and made the necessary repairs at a remote location. On Christmas/Chuankah morning, his son’s big gift was in the garage with a bow on the top, and the sunroof to the money pit was opened. At last report, the upper left door hinge is the last remaining original part.

The Merkur group has been a wonderful experience for Bob and his son, and he has developed friendships across the country that will last a lifetime as a result. Bob works for a Civil Engineering/Surveying firm located in a suburb of Akron, OH as the Director of Business Development and hopes to find a night job soon to support his expensive Merkur habit. And “Yes Dear, I’m doing this all for our son.”.