National Council of Corvette Clubs Partners with Corvette Museum & Motorsports Park

Collaboration to grow and increase awareness, cross promote

With nearly 300 Corvette clubs totaling over 17,000 members in the U.S., the National Council of Corvette Clubs is the largest non-profit, all volunteer Corvette organization in the country. The mission of the group is simple – promote Corvette ownership, but even more-so, encourage others to participate in the enjoyment of using the car. When the NCM Motorsports Park opened, NCCC President Dave Heinemann saw an opportunity for their organization to get more use out of their cars while encouraging visits to the National Corvette Museum.

At his first official meeting as President of NCCC, Dave presented to the board the idea of sponsoring a garage at the NCM Motorsports Park. “Having a sponsorship of a garage at the track is a great way to get our name out in front of Corvette owners who like to have fun with their car,” Dave said. “We use the car, not just show it. I see this as a collaboration and an opportunity for not only us to grow our membership, but for the Museum to grow theirs as well.”

NCCC will be hosting their first event at the Museum and Motorsports Park Memorial Day weekend, providing three-days of Corvette fun at both facilities.  The event is sold out, and according to Dave, participants are coming from 15-20 states or more.  “I’m a firm believer in the Museum. There is nothing else like it in the world, yet our organizations have a lot in common,” Dave said.  “We complement each other and I wanted to be a part of the excitement that’s been grown at the Museum and track.”

As President of the NCCC, Dave also represents the organization on the National Corvette Museum’s Board of Directors. Even prior to that, Dave joined the Museum as a Lifetime Member and also took delivery of he and wife Joan’s 2014 Blade Silver Stingray through the R8C Corvette Museum Delivery program last year.  “Dave’s energy for the Museum and Motorsports Park is infectious,” Wendell Strode, Museum Executive Director said.  “We are thrilled to have him on our board and are looking forward to exploring ways to partner with NCCC, cross promote our offerings and grow both of our memberships. We are excited to welcome their group to Bowling Green for the Memorial Day weekend event.”

Dave echoed Wendell’s sentiment. “Our motto has always been ‘We joined for the car, we stay for the people’ and I think NCCC and the Museum are going to make new friends and have even more people to stay around for.”

Membership for the NCCC is $35 the first year, and $25 renewal annually. NCCC is comprised of regional clubs, each offering their own events and activities to participate in. To learn more about NCCC and become a member visit www.corvettesnccc.org.

NCM Motorsports Park Pavilion and Entry Road Named for Autocross Enthusiast

Family of Kimberlee Fast Donate in Remembrance

Kim Fast started racing in 1997 and was named Rookie of the Year for the Corvette Club of Michigan.  She was always ranked in the top five for the club in racing, and in the top 10 for the Michigan Region of NCCC (National Council of Corvette Clubs).  It was safe to say that autocrossing and high speed events on road courses in the mid-west states were her “thing.”  Kim was also no stranger to the National Corvette Museum, attending most of the events hosted in Bowling Green, KY.

In January of 2007 Kim was diagnosed with ALM leukemia, losing her battle just three years later in 2010.  Her parents, Chuck and Sharon Fast of Northville, MI, wanted an appropriate way to remember their daughter.  “We know that Kim would have been at the NCM Motorsports Park for any and every opportunity,” said Chuck.  “We can’t think of a better way to honor her memory than by contributing to the project.”
Chuck and Sharon first contributed to the Motorsports Park in 2013, purchasing five acres through the Museum’s “Buy an Acre Club” fundraising program, in Kim’s name.

“Kim attended most of the events at the NCM, and that’s why we donated the acres in her name, so when the opportunity came up to name the entry road to the track we couldn’t pass it up,” said Chuck.  “Then in our conversations with Wendell and Gary the naming of the Pavilion came up and we thought that she would really be proud to have the building named after her.”

Chuck and Sharon’s legacy gift to the NCM includes naming the entry road the Kimberlee A. Fast Drive and naming the pavilion the Kimberlee A. Fast Pavilion.  The pavilion’s construction is planned for completion in the spring of 2015 and will include food services, open-air picnic seating, restrooms and showers.  Kimberlee A. Fast Drive will officially open August 28, 2014 as part of the Grand Opening ceremony of the NCM Motorsports Park.

“Chuck and Sharon used what would have been Kimberlee’s inheritance to recognize her love for Corvette and the Corvette Museum,” said Gary Cockriel, Development Officer for the Museum.  “It really is a unique way to remember her and all the memories she made with her family enjoying the Corvette hobby.  Kim’s legacy will continue on at the Motorsports Park.”

NCM Motorsports Park Names Autocross / Skidpad Area

Museum supporter signs on as Park donor

The NCM Motorsports Park has secured a naming rights donor for the autocross/skidpad area of the new Park, giving the project another boost as construction of the track is nearing the finish line.  The Edward and Shari Glazer Vehicle Dynamics Area is slated to officially open August 28, 2014 as part of the National Corvette Museum’s 20^th Anniversary Celebration and 5^th National Corvette Caravan.

“One of the best memories I had with my father was going with him to pick up his first new Corvette back in 1984.  That’s really when my love for the car began,” explained Ed Glazer.  “I’ve been fortunate to own many Corvettes since then and have taken delivery of a couple of them at the Museum.  It’s an incredible experience for anyone buying a Corvette.”

Glazer, of Los Angeles, California, took delivery of a 1999 Light Pewter Corvette Coupe in September 1998, and was the lucky winner of a 2008 Black Z06 Corvette raffled by the Museum, taking delivery in April of that year.

Glazer says he couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the project, “I am so happy to help with the construction of the Motorsports Park and I hope many other fathers and sons or daughters get to create their own Corvette memories there or at the Museum as I did with my dad.”

While the track will be open to all makes and models of vehicles, Mitch Wright, General Manager of the Park, explains how supporters like the Glazers are the reason the Museum is able to take on a project of this caliber.  “For several years, the fundraising for the Motorsports Park was a grassroots effort.  Nearly 200 Corvette enthusiasts and clubs stepped up, contributing funds towards purchasing acres of land to not only get the project off the ground, but to show potential sponsors the kind of support that existed for the track.  Ed’s contribution is a big boost to our on-going fundraising efforts.”

The Glazer Vehicle Dynamics Area will be utilized not only for high performance drivers’ education, but also recreational racing, teen driver safety training, emergency vehicle drivers’ training, corporate hospitality events, manufacturer testing and a resource for engineering, math and science disciplines.  To learn more about the project and view a calendar of upcoming events, log on to www.motorsportspark.org.

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.

National Corvette Museum and Motorspots Park Announces Three-Year Partnership with Michelin

The National Corvette Museum (NCM), over 1,000 Corvette enthusiasts and the community of Bowling Green gathered to celebrate the first official sponsorship of the NCM Motorsports Park. Michelin, a global tire manufacturer, has committed to a three-year sponsorship deal.

The sponsorship will name Michelin as the official tire of the NCM Motorsports Park and will provide the company with product privileges and displays at both the Museum and Park.
Michelin will also serve as the presenting sponsor for three events to be held at the NCM and Motorsports Park during the term of the contract.

“Michelin is pleased to extend our relationship with the Corvette community to include the exciting new NCM Motorsports Park,” said Silvia Mammone, motorsports and sponsorship marketing manager, Michelin North America.

“Since the Michelin technical partnership with Corvette Racing began in 2004, we have developed a strong relationship with Corvette owners and enthusiasts through the Corvette car corrals, the Ron Fellows Driving School at Spring Mountain, and more recently the National Corvette Museum,” said Mammone. “The fact that every new Corvette C7 Stingray and ZO6 Corvette now rolls out of Bowling Green exclusively on Michelin tires aligns perfectly with the launch of the NCM Motorsports Park and our growing relationship with the Corvette Nation.”

The NCM broke ground on the $25 million, 184-acre, dual-track Motorsports Park in June of 2013 and the venue is expected to attract more than 80,000 visitors each year. This will bring an estimated impact of $15 million in motorsports tourism and racing events revenues.

“In 2008 we purchased our first piece of land for a future motorsports park, and in 2013 we held our groundbreaking ceremony.  During that 5-year period our fundraising was primarily grassroots efforts – with key support from Corvette and automotive enthusiasts including individuals, clubs and small business owners,” stated Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the NCM. “This sponsorship from Michelin gives the project a big boost of momentum.  We are excited about the opportunities a partnership between Michelin, the Motorsports Park and the Museum will bring.”

In addition to the two circuits that combine to form a high speed loop of 1.96 miles to an extended 3.15 mile course, the park will also feature a control tower with classrooms, offices and meeting spaces; garages; a fueling station; overnight camping; and commercial property available for businesses that complement the operations of the park.   

“The National Corvette Museum has been a staple in the Bowling Green community since it first opened its doors and continues to be a contributor to the local economy attracting 150,000 visitors annually. Not only will the addition of the Motorsports Park increase the significant economic impact on the community, but the additional services and venues that will be available at the park will further the value of the region as an automotive hub. We are proud to be home to America’s Sports Car,” stated John Mark Fones, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman.

To date, there are already more than 130 days booked at the track in the first year.

“In addition to the opportunities this sponsorship brings to the Motorsports Park, Museum and Michelin, we look forward to also working with Michelin as a customer at the Park for possible product launches, testing and consumer activities,” stated Mitch Wright, Motorsports Park General Manager.

The park is accepting reservations for car and motorcycles clubs, businesses, driving schools and other groups for racing events, high performance drivers’ education, corporate events and hospitality and other track functions. All makes and models are welcome.

For more information on the NCM Motorsports Park, visit http://www.motorsportspark.org/