Thursday, July 17, 2014

Holley Performance Products Joins NCM Motorsports Park as Control Tower and Event Center Sponsor

Structure will house viewing deck, event space, offices and more

The NCM Motorsports Park announced today that Holley Performance Products, a leader in automotive performance products, has committed to sponsoring the Park’s Control Tower and Event Center.

“It is only fitting that two great American motorsport brands like Corvette and Holley unite with our sponsorship of the NCM Motorsports Park,” said Trevor Wiggins, Holley VP of Sales.  “This track is going to secure Bowling Green’s identity as a motorsports town and we’re proud to be a part of it.”

Holley has been in Bowling Green since 1951, and has been an important part of the Bowling Green economy, currently employing over 250 people at its Russellville Road facility.  The company’s industry leading products include electronic fuel injection systems, carburetors, exhaust systems, and many other products for high performance street and racing applications.  Holley has powered every NASCAR team since the 1960s with products made in Bowling Green including their current EFI throttle body. 

The two-level Holley Control Tower and Event Center will feature 6,300 square feet on each level (12,600 total in building) including 1,800 square feet of meeting and classroom space, lobby/retail area, restrooms, catering kitchen, reception office, administrative offices, race control room, storage and more.  The second level will feature a 2,100 square foot open-air viewing deck, available for private events. A Winners’ Circle Podium is slated for the paddock side of the building, and the overall design of the Holley Control Tower and Event Center mimics that of the Museum. 

“We have been talking to Holley since we first announced that we were building a Motorsports Park and they were as excited as we were,” said Mitch Wright, General Manager of the NCM Motorsports Park.  “Those conversations grew into something bigger and we are thrilled to have them on board.”

Construction on the Holley Control Tower and Event Center is planned for 2015.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

1974 Corvette Donated to Museum

Paul Marseglia from Franklin, Mass. has loved Corvettes for a long time. Growing up he didn’t really care about school or sports, his main interest has always been cars.  When a friend bought a used 1959 Corvette though, his attention turned to America’s sports car. “Gas was cheap back then, so we went riding in it all the time. I had to have one after that.”

In 1969 Paul got a 1958 that needed restoration. “It was a ten year old car that needed everything,” Paul says. Although Paul was a skilled mechanic and loved working on cars, the process was long and painstaking enough to where the idea of having a new one was getting more appealing all the time. “Coincidentally my brother was interested in Corvettes at the same time, so we end up getting two new 1974s.”

He’s had it ever since.

When asked why he’s had it for so long he smiles, “I like it. I like everything about it. Every generation of Corvette that has come out I’ve liked, but not enough to trade in my 1974 or buy a new one and hold on to the old one.”

Being  a mechanic, it was not a problem changing the fluids every year. He kept it out of the rain, and took care of the leather seats, treating them so they’d always be like new. He kept a log book to keep track of the work he had done, and tried to keep it as close to original as possible. After four decades of ownership though, he began to think that maybe it was time for someone else to take care of her. But who?

“I’m a founding member of the Museum so I know that people donate their Corvettes. I figured that was the best thing to do… to take it somewhere for other people to enjoy, and for other people to take care of.  I don’t want to sell it locally and see it getting beat up or neglected by somebody. I wanted it to go to someone who would take care of it.  I get emotional when it comes to my cars.”

Paul touches the car as guests come around to look at it. A member of the Museum passes by and says, “What a nice addition to our collection.”

Paul breaks out in a smile. “That makes me feel good to hear that. It makes it worth it.”