If you where driving around the valley on Saturday, February 9th, you may have encountered a number of Mercedes Benz.  The sight of a Mercedes Benz in the valley is by no means a rarity.  But looking inside, you may have been puzzled by the blank expressions of incomprehension on all the occupants.  You were not alone.  Many a call was placed to local valley police and sheriff’s departments reporting this phenomena. 

An in-depth investigation of these occurrences discovered that two men, calling themselves Rallyemasters, convinced eight carloads of people to criss-cross the valley in some sort of hunt.  These Rallyemasters must have been some kind of con-artists.  Not only did they convince local Benz enthusiasts to join in the search, but also people from Seattle, Michigan and Pennsylvania joined in. 

Starting in the vicinity of Pinnacle Peak and Scottsdale Roads on that brisk morning, the group headed north and were sighted minutes later wandering through Carefree and Cave Creek.  For unknown reasons, some drivers kept circling the sundial in Carefree.

The next sighting located the meandering Benzes passing through New River.  One observer overheard an occupant screaming, “Do you see the coyote, yet?”  Yet other sightings were reported in Anthem, where the passengers shouted to passerby for directions to “The 4th of July” Way and “4th Monday of May” Drive.

Later that morning a number of Mercedes Benz were located in a downtown parking lot in Glendale.  But the only unusual occurrence found in the area, was members of a group of picnikers, who for some unknown reason were measuring the brick walkway around the library.  A related report spotted Mercedes traveling eastbound on Glendale Avenue with chocolate smeared on the faces of everyone inside.

By mid afternoon the Benzes were observed in the Willow and Encanto district and downtown by AWA and BOB.  A later spotting pinpointed the cars at Muni Stadium where they split-up.  Reports followed of Mercedes parked in the “Hall of Flame” and “Pueblo Grande” Museums' parking lots.

Miraculously, between 4:30 and 5:00 P.M., the scattered flock converged at the “1889 Bar” at the Stockyards Restaurant, like homing pigeons they had all found the evenings nesting place.   This reporter arrived on the scene to find the Desert Stars celebrating their Valley of the Sun, Day Rallye with dinner and laughing at some of the outrageous twists of the day’s journey. 

After dining on a scrumptious steaks or for a few salmon, and while the rest  consumed specially prepared cheese and carrot cakes, Rallyemasters, Franc Horvath and Rick Stacio, announced the outcome was close.  Only one point separated first and second place.  In first place, Bob Yoder and his navigator Elaine won a replicate of a 300SL dash chronometer.  Close behind Jim and Ruth Munier received the second place prize, a leather tristar logo embossed mouse pad.  Not so close behind, but a great showing since they are home based in Seattle, Pete and Eva Cienciala won third place and received a Mercedes Benz engraved pewter valet key chain.

As the Rallyemasters deciphered the unanswered puzzles of the day, perception returned to everyone face.  There were a few inquiries, but everyone came to agreement on two points.  First everyone had a great time.  And second, the Rallyemasters were right, regardless of whether they were Heaven sent or came from some other place.