Get Up Close and Personal with Corvette Racing April 29, 2010

Everyone knew that ALMS racing was going to get a lot more interesting when Corvette Racing entered the GT2 picture but few expected it to come to blows the way it did in the last race of the year at Laguna Seca on October 10, 2009. A collision between the No. 45 Porsche and the No. 3 Corvette C6.R sent the Corvette and driver Jan Magnussen head on into a concrete barrier at nearly 200 mph. In the end, Corvette Racing earned their fifth podium finish in five races since moving to the GT2 category.

This April, race fans will get the unique opportunity to lunch with Corvette Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan and C6.R No. 3 driver Johnny O’Connell, hearing “behind the scenes” stories and getting a preview of what to expect this season.

Fehan recently shared details with the National Corvette Museum about how Corvette Racing works with the Corvette Design team to develop a better race car, and how that technology is transferred into Corvettes built for consumers.

“Our guys do the driving at the test tracks and have input into the cars, looking at shock balance on the car, over-all handling and performance. GM takes what we learn in racing and they put it into play for you,” said Fehan.

As part of the National Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash April 29 through May 1, 2010, Fehan and O’Connell will share information about why they made the move to the GT2 race program, and provide insight to the all new car for 2010.

“For GT2, we obviously wanted to come out strong and prove that we could be competitive, but only looked at the five-race schedule [in 2009] as a testing program for the car and the team,” said Fehan. 2010 will be the first time the team has competed in GT2 at Le Mans. “If you come out you won’t be disappointed as we wave the Corvette flag, taking on BMW, Porsche and Ferrari. We won’t let you down,” he added.

The luncheon and private autograph session is on Thursday, April 29 from 11am to 1pm. The fee is $18 for National Corvette Museum members and $25 for non-members. More information and an online registration form are available at http://www.corvettemuseum.com/registration/c5_bash/info.shtml. An autograph session is also scheduled to be held in the Corvette Store immediately following the luncheon and is open to all event participants.

High res Corvette Racing images can be obtained from Richard Prince Photography at http://www.rprincephoto.com/. The Museum also has a small selection of images available for media use.

Senator Reynolds files bill naming the Corvette as the official state sports car

State Senator Mike Reynolds, D-Bowling Green, has filed legislation (Senate Bill 111) designating the Corvette as the official state sports car of Kentucky.
The Corvette’s role in Kentucky’s manufacturing and tourism industries make it a natural choice for “official sports car of Kentucky.” Warren County is the home of the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant and the National Corvette Museum.

“Bowling Green is becoming more of a tourist destination. The National Corvette Museum is a major part of that and is a definite drawing card for the traveling public. Drawing attention to our community and the Corvette’s unique role in our American heritage can only boost economic development for our area,” Senator Reynolds said.

The first 300 Corvettes were built by hand in 1953 in Flint, Michigan, just after General Motors unveiled the Corvette as a “dream car” in the Motorama show in New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The next year, the production was moved to St. Louis and in June of 1981, the Corvette production was transferred to Bowling Green. Today, the Bowling Green plant employs more than 500 Kentuckians and is known throughout the world for its famous high-quality product.
On July 2, 1992, the one millionth Corvette was manufactured. The 50th anniversary was marked in June of 2003 with a special 50th anniversary Corvette package. The Corvette plant received a number of awards in 2009 including the J.D. Power’s Top GM Model, Best in Segment and the Bronze Plant Award.

Each year, approximately 50,000 tourists from around the world visit the Corvette plant to watch the manufacturing process. The plant has partnered with the National Corvette Museum to enable Corvette enthusiasts the opportunity to watch their own dream car being built and to take a personalized tour of the facility. The museum has around 150,000 visitors a year.

Senate Bill 111 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor. “The Corvette has become a tangible symbol of our Commonwealth, and I’m excited to make that symbolism official,” Senator Reynolds said.Senator Reynolds represents the 32nd district, which includes Butler and Warren counties.

Celebrate National Boy Scout Day February 8!

On Monday, February 8 the National Corvette Museum is celebrating National Boy Scout Day! The Museum is extending our hours, and running a special to welcome Boy Scouts. From 4 - 6pm we are offering a museum tour, hot dog and soft drink for just $6 per person!

Boy Scout Groups can RSVP at 270-781-7973 ext. 185. Individual visitors can simply show their Boy Scout identification to receive the offer.

Can't make it on February 8? Boy Scout groups can book this special the entire month of February! To reserve your spot, contact our Admission Coordinator, Chris Sweeney, at chris@corvettemuseum.org, or call 270-781-7973 ext. 185 or toll-free at 800-538-3883.

Scouts won't want to miss our new, temporary exhibit, 'The World We Create.' The exhibit includes 10 hands-on displays within three unique 'zones' including the Transit Hub, Tech Works and Construction Zone. The exhibit is from the Louisville Science Center and is available through April 18.

The National Corvette Museum is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. The Museum is located at Exit 28 off I-65 in Bowling Green, KY. For more information on the National Corvette Museum, visit our website at: http://www.corvettemuseum.org/ or call (800) 53-VETTE (83883).