NCM Motorsports Park's First FIVE Acre Club Member: E. Pierce Marshall, Jr.

E. Pierce Marshall, Jr. of Dallas, TX is a self-proclaimed Corvette Junky as well as a proud Lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum. Having grown up with a father who also had a great love for America’s Sports Car, Pierce currently owns a total of 11 Corvettes. A supporter of the museum since its opening in 1994, Pierce has been purchasing our Corvette Raffle tickets for several years, often 15 at a time! This dedication finally paid off in November of 2011 when his winning ticket #181 was drawn in our raffle for a Build-Your-Own 2012 ZR1 Corvette. Pierce knew as soon as he won that he wanted to order a 2012 Centennial Edition ZR1, which is exactly what he did.

In addition to his many Corvette Raffle ticket purchases, Pierce also became a One Acre Club member, writing a check on the day that he picked up his new ZR1. After seeing the progress that the NCM Motorsports Park project has made over the last year since his initial donation, Pierce recently decided to up the ante and become our very FIRST and only FIVE Acre Club member! We spoke with him recently about his generous contribution:

What is your “Corvette story”?
My father was a huge Corvette fan since he bought his first one in 1958, and he passed that passion (some might call it an obsession) on to me. He had taken me to Powell High Performance Driving School numerous times from the time I was 21 and all we drove were Corvettes. When I got out of law school in 1995, I finally had a chance to own one - I decided to build a replica of one I had seen on the cover of Car & Driver back in 1992: it had a Lingenfelter 383 and the Larry Shinoda body kit and I spent the next 3 years while in school drooling over the prospect of having one, one day. Needless to say, I’m great at buying them and not selling them!

What made you decide to join the One Acre Club and then the Five Acre Club?
I have been a huge fan of the Museum ever since, by complete happenstance, I was driving back to law school in September of 1994 on I-65 at 9:30pm and saw the spot lights during the Grand Opening event. It was open 24 hours all that weekend if I recall correctly. I somehow convinced my wife to let me pull in to check it out, despite how late it was. I was on Cloud 9! Unfortunately by the time I was done at midnight I had to drive 2 hours to find an available hotel room!

I first learned to drive Corvettes on the track at Mosport in Canada at John Powell’s driving school in 1988 and was blown away by what they could do right off of the showroom floor. By far, they are the best sports car available for the money. I am a Lifetime Member of the Museum and Corvette’s racing heritage is vital to its brand and pedigree – to have a track connected to the Museum was a project that I was extremely happy to see coming to fruition.

How do you plan to use the Motorsports Park?
I have a very heavily modified, track-dedicated 2007 Z06 Corvette, and I definitely want to bring that to the track one day to try it out!

Do you own a Corvette or multiples?
I have a small collection:

1. 1961 Silver restored 283/315HP “Fuelie” with the Big Brake option
2. 1961 Red 283/315HP “Fuelie” that my father owned new for just 2 years and then sold in 1963. He never stopped talking about how much he regretted selling that car for the rest of his life. I tracked it down and purchased it last year from the guy that had owned it since 1975; I am having it restored to the way my father had it 50 years ago.
3. 1967 original Black/Black Coupe with a 427/435HP engine and 41,000 original miles- 98 point Bloomington Gold
4. 1995 Admiral Blue with Z07 brake/suspension package, a Lingenfelter 383 and a Larry Shinoda Rick Mears Body Kit
5. 2007 White Ron Fellows Edition Z06, #48
6. 2007 Blue track Z06 for road racing (865HP and is normally aspirated)
7. 2011 Blue Z06 Carbon Edition (Stock) Took Museum Delivery
8. 2011 Blue Z06 Carbon Edition, which has a 1,200HP twin turbo C5R engine
9. 2012 Centennial Edition ZR1- Took Museum Delivery, which I won in the January 2012 NCM raffle
10. 2012 Centennial Edition ZR1-modified with 820HP
11. 2013 Convertible 427 with the 60th Anniversary package

The Museum survives on the generosity of its supporters, and the Motorsports Park is no different. Each acre purchased sends a powerful message to potential sponsors of how committed Corvette enthusiasts are to making this project happen. The National Corvette Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation and is the largest car museum in the world dedicated to a single model. The planned Motorsports Park will have over one mile of frontage on Interstate 65, the third most traveled north-south Interstate in the eastern United States. For more information visit www.motorsportspark.org or call 800-53-VETTE (83883).

Corvette Raffle Winner Spotlight: Dick Murphy

Dick Murphy, like many of our Museum supporters, is also a dedicated Corvette raffle ticket buyer. “It’s hard to say how many tickets I’ve purchased over the years, but I am confident that I spent at least $2,000-3,000 prior to winning,” said Murphy. Murphy, from the Houston, Texas area, won our “Build Your Own 2012 Z06 or Grand Sport” raffle with lucky ticket #490, drawn on Thursday, January 26, 2012.

Murphy is no stranger to Corvettes, as prior to winning he already owned three C3’s; a 1971 LT1 Convertible, 1973 Coupe with a 454 engine and a modified 1981 that Murphy uses as his daily driver. He enjoys working on his older cars and making modifications, but admits that he is a bit intimidated by his new Z06’s level of technology. “The older cars give me something to work on as they pretty much only rely on spark and gas to run; the new car is so computerized it is well beyond my ability and comprehension to even consider working on. On cars 30 to 40 years old, there’s always something to replace or fix. It’s hard to imagine what I could possibly do to make the Z06 any better than it already is!”

Murphy picked up his new Z06 Centennial Edition in April 2012, and has had many adventures and fun experiences in his new toy. “I have truly been enjoying the car.  After winning and driving it back from the Museum I headed to Colorado for a few days.  The trip through northern Texas, New Mexico and some back roads heading up to Colorado gave me a good feel for the car which I doubt I will ever push to its limits.  The car is blisteringly quick, extremely stable at high speeds and gets 27 MPG when driving the car normally; hard to imagine.  The car is truly amazing given the level of power, comfort and economy on the open road.”

The National Corvette Museum has been turning Corvette dreamers into owners since 1997 when the first raffle was held.  As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, the Museum holds a number of Corvette and Camaro raffles each year, with varying odds and ticket prices, as a means to raise funds for the Museum’s operations.  Those interested in participating may sign up for the Museum’s email newsletter to receive updates on the next chance to participate at www.corvettemuseum.org.  Tickets can be purchased online, by phone and in person.

Corvette Raffle Winner Spotlight: Rico Cuomo

Rico Cuomo of Scottsdale, Arizona made an impulsive stop at the National Corvette Museum while on a business road trip between Nashville and Louisville. Little did he know at the time, this trip would result in winning a brand new 2012 ZR1 Corvette, built his way!

During Rico’s impromptu visit, he toured the museum and almost bought a raffle ticket, but his business partner talked him out of it. “When I got home I just had a weird feeling I should have bought one so I went online and pulled the trigger on the $500 ZR1 raffle,” said Cuomo.  His $500 winning ticket, # 29, was drawn on Thursday, January 5, 2012. “When Christy called me, I was on a conference call and saw the call was coming from KY. I just knew that I had won which was a feeling I had from the moment I bought the ticket!”

While he waivered back and forth on whether to take the ZR1 or the $80,000 cash option, he eventually decided on the car. Today, he says that he can’t imagine not picking the car! Rico picked Cyber Gray as his ZR1’s paint color, and loaded it up with options such as cup style black satin wheels, black metallic headlamps, blue stitching in the leather interior upholstery, and of course the ZR1 High Performance package.

Rico’s return trip to the museum to pick up his new car was even more memorable than he had expected. “The experience was almost better than the car! Everyone from Gary, Lori, Christy, Adam, Chuck (Dealer) and especially Ron were just awesome. Yes, winning something as special as a ZR1 is awesome but the way you all delivered it from the call to the car was just beyond our expectations.  The plant tour with Ron was really the icing on the cake for us. You all contributed to the experience in a special way which was truly seamless and appreciated based on the way the car came out. The factory tour was great and taking delivery of the ZR1 couldn’t have been better. I wanted to thank you again for what was one of the best service experiences my wife and I have had in a long time.”

The National Corvette Museum has been turning Corvette dreamers into owners since 1997 when the first raffle was held.  As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, the Museum holds a number of Corvette and Camaro raffles each year, with varying odds and ticket prices, as a means to raise funds for the Museum’s operations.  Those interested in participating may sign up for the Museum’s email newsletter to receive updates on the next chance to participate at www.corvettemuseum.org.  Tickets can be purchased online, by phone and in person.

Bowling Green, KY Resident Wins a Corvette

Jason Mills takes delivery of a 2013 60th Anniversary 427 Convertible Corvette

March 21, 2013 was Jason Mills’ lucky day. At 2:00pm his raffle ticket #82 was drawn at the National Corvette Museum making him the winner of a 2013 60th Anniversary 427 Convertible Corvette. As a resident of Bowling Green he didn’t waste any time coming to the Museum to see his new car and getting the paperwork started to take it home. Proving that maybe good luck could be contagious, he’s got a special friend to thank… fellow Bowling Green resident and recent Museum Raffle Car Winner, Barry Cummings.

“When I heard that Barry had won a Corvette several months ago, I thought that maybe I could win, too. I called him on the morning that I bought my ticket to ask him how he did it. Barry told me that he got his tickets online and got them early when the numbers were low. I bought one $250 ticket, one $500 ticket and several $10 tickets. It worked! I’ve already had 50 people text me now that I’ve won, and you can bet that they are already planning to buy their tickets now!”

Jason had actually forgotten about the raffle by the time the big day arrived, so when he got the call from Christy Thomas at the Corvette Museum, he was caught totally by surprise. “I was speechless, which is a rare thing for me. It was exciting. Really exciting.”

This is Jason’s first Corvette and he says he’s keeping it. “I’ve already got two offers to buy it,” he says, “but it’s a keeper. I’m building a house right now, and so tonight I’ll have to call the contractor about adding a garage.”

Jason participated in the Museum’s R8C Delivery Program on Friday, March 22 – a program where new Corvette owners receive VIP treatment as they pickup their car from the Museum.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, the National Corvette Museum holds a number of Corvette and other raffles throughout the year featuring various models, ticket prices and odds. Tickets can be purchased at the Museum, by phone at 270-781-7973 or 800-538-3883, online at www.corvettemuseum.org/raffle and even on the road at a number of Corvette and car shows across the country.

NCM Motorsports Park Receives Boost from Local Tourism Office

The National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park project crossed the first of three hurdles to secure $400,000 towards the project from the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.  On Monday, March 11 Wendell Strode, Executive Director with the National Corvette Museum met with the CVB’s Board of Directors to request money from the special tourism project fund.  The fund is a portion of the hotel tax set aside each year for projects that will help increase the number of people visiting the community and staying in Warren County hotels.

The Museum is planning to construct an autocross/skidpad area and two road courses.  The CVB’s Board unanimously approved the request, with the stipulation that the Museum construct at least one road course.   The NCM has spent $2.7 million on land thus far for the project and has launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising an additional $1 million by June 1.  The amount raised will determine how much of the project will be constructed during the initial phase.

The Bowling Green City Commission and Warren County Fiscal Court are expected to approve the grant the week of March 18^th at their respective meetings.

Corvette Raffle Winner Spotlight: Phil Hans

Phil Hans of Middleburg, Florida has been diligently purchasing our Corvette Raffle tickets for the past four years. On Thursday, January 17, 2013, Phil and his wife Lorraine were drawn as the lucky winners of the highly coveted 2013 Night Race Blue ZR1, a part of the General Motors fleet and the personal car of Corvette Exterior Designer, Kirk Bennion. Phil’s Corvette Raffle ticket, #997, was drawn from a sold out raffle pool of 1,994 tickets.

"Although winning the raffle was amazing, it was the staff that made it a really memorable time for the both of us. You have a great product and a superlative delivery team. This was truly an incredible experience and your staff made it that way. I can still remember everyone clapping and cheering as Larry drove me out of Corvette Boulevard in my ZR1 Corvette. I can tell you that smile still hasn't left my face! My dream has really come true thanks to the National Corvette Museum."

Prior to winning, Phil had plans to trade in his 1994 Admiral Blue Corvette for a 2004 Z06 Special Edition Corvette, and came very close to making the trade only a week before winning our raffle. Phil did end up selling the ’94 recently due to a lack of garage space for his new addition. Since picking up his prize, Phil says that he has been showing it off at every opportunity and has fallen in love with Corvettes all over again.

“I have been a Corvette fan since my youth,” said Phil. “As a farmer growing up in Maryland, I was a bit of a motor head always working on cars or farm machinery, when not doing farming chores. My first Corvette ride was when my cousin stopped by the farm with her Army Ranger boyfriend who had a brand new 1971 yellow Corvette with the LS5 motor and a 4 speed transmission. We ventured out and of course we had to stop by my friend’s house to show off. On the ride back, he stopped that Corvette right in the middle of a country road and said, “you drive.” So, I excitedly got behind the wheel and felt the power and rumble from that car right through my seat, up my spine and in to my head. I was hooked on Corvettes forever from that moment on.”

 

The National Corvette Museum has been turning Corvette dreamers into owners since 1997 when the first raffle was held.  As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, the Museum holds a number of Corvette and Camaro raffles each year, with varying odds and ticket prices, as a means to raise funds for the Museum’s operations.  Those interested in participating may sign up for the Museum’s email newsletter to receive updates on the next chance to participate at www.corvettemuseum.org.  Tickets can be purchased online, by phone and in person.

Chevrolet Lifts Lid on 2014 Corvette Stingray Convertible

Pictured: Manchester United's Dwight Yorke (sponsored by Chevrolet)
and Corvette Racing driver Oliver Gavin pose with the new Convertible.

Chevrolet revealed the 2014 Corvette Stingray convertible today at the Geneva Motor Show, featuring an all-new, fully electronic top that can be lowered remotely using the car’s key fob. The top can also be opened or closed on the go, at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h).

“The convertible has been a part of the heart and soul of Corvette since the very beginning in 1953,” said Ed Welburn, GM vice president of global design. “With the all-new Corvette Stingray, we designed and developed the coupe and convertible simultaneously. As a result, the Corvette Stingray offers an open-top driving experience with no compromise in performance, technology or design.”
The Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible arrive in global markets in late 2013, with left-hand-drive models to be offered in Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Japan and Russia. Changes to Corvettes for export vary only in equipment required to accommodate a respective market’s regulations, such as lighting, headlamp washers and outside mirrors. 

“It's fitting to introduce the new Stingray convertible on the global stage at Geneva, because Corvette is the face of Chevrolet the world over,” said Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe. “It is an icon that has long been recognized and admired even in countries where it’s never officially been offered.”

All of the performance technology and capabilities introduced on the Corvette Stingray coupe carry over to the convertible. The only structural changes are limited to accommodations for the folding top and repositioned safety belt mounts. Central to the Corvette Stingray’s driving experience is an all-new, more rigid aluminum frame structure, which is 57-percent stiffer and 99 pounds (45 kg) lighter than the current steel frame.

All models are powered by the new LT1 6.2L V-8, with an estimated 450-hp (335 kW) and 450 lb-ft of torque (610 Nm). As no structural reinforcements are required for the convertible, both models share almost identical power-to-weight ratios.

The LT1 combines several advanced technologies, including direct injection, Active Fuel Management and continuously variable valve timing to support an advanced combustion system designed to balance power and efficiency. The new Corvette Stingray is expected to improve upon the current model’s fuel economy of 13.6L/100km (EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of 26 mpg).

With the top up, the Corvette Stingray convertible is designed for a refined driving experience. A thick, three-ply fabric top, along with sound-absorbing padding and a glass rear window, contributes to a quiet cabin and premium appearance.

With the top down, the Corvette Stingray’s signature profile is further accentuated. Behind the seat backs, dual black accent panels enhance the character lines of the tonneau cover. Corvette Stingray’s signature “waterfall” design originates in the valley between the nacelles, bringing the exterior color into the interior.

Additional highlights of the all-new Corvette Stingray coupe and convertible include:

• A sculpted exterior with advanced high-intensity discharge and light-emitting diode lighting and racing-proven aerodynamics that balance low drag for efficiency and performance elements for improved stability and track capability
• An interior that offers genuine carbon fiber and aluminum trim, hand-wrapped leather materials, dual eight-inch configurable driver/infotainment screens, and two new seat choices – each featuring a lightweight magnesium frame for exceptional support
• Advanced driver technologies, including a five-position Drive Mode Selector that tailors 12 vehicle attributes to fit the driver’s environment and a new seven-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Matching that anticipates gear selections and matches engine speed for perfect shifts every time
• Lightweight materials, including a carbon fiber hood on all models and a carbon fiber removable roof panel on coupes; composite fenders, doors and rear quarter panels; carbon-nano composite underbody panels and a new aluminum frame help shift weight rearward for an optimal 50/50 weight balance that supports a world-class power-to-weight ratio
• Track-capable Z51 Performance Package, including an electronic limited-slip differential; dry-sump oiling system; integral brake, differential and transmission cooling; as well as a unique aero package that further improves high-speed stability.

“We wanted the driving experience of the Corvette to live up to the performance expectations that come with the ‘Stingray’ name,” said Tadge Juechter, Corvette chief engineer. “Because it was designed from the beginning as an open-top car, the Corvette Stingray delivers an exhilarating, connected driving experience – no matter what configuration you choose.”