National Corvette Museum's Anniversary Celebration to Showcase Corvette Racing's Past and Future

Display Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Le Mans Participation

This year's 24 Hours of Le Mans marked the 50th anniversary of Corvette's first participation in the world's most celebrated sports car race. And this year’s NCM Anniversary Celebration will re-unite Briggs Cunningham’s No. 3 Corvette with the 2011 Special Z06 created as a modern version of the 1960 racer.

"When you look at the Corvettes that raced at Le Mans 50 years ago, it's impossible not to be impressed by the passion, the immense courage, and the physical stamina that was required to race for 24 hours in those vehicles," said Corvette Racing program Doug Fehan. "It was an astounding feat, and the men who drove them have my respect. Regardless of what Corvette Racing may have accomplished in the past or what we may accomplish in the future, we will always work in the shadow of these racers."

Briggs Cunningham's No. 3 Corvette was purchased by the late Chip Miller who went through great lengths to restore the car. His son, Lance, has carried on the passion by shipping the car to this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race… a race where it finished first in the large displacement GT category and eighth overall at Le Mans in 1960.

Driver Johnny O'Connell enjoyed the rare opportunity to drive the No. 3 1960 Corvette during a photo shoot at Le Mans. "The race cars and technology have changed greatly over the years, but Chevrolet's approach to racing has been consistent," O'Connell said. "The Corvettes that raced at Le Mans in 1960 were very nearly stock vehicles, and to this day, Corvette Racing is still a tool to improve the breed. The relationship that the race team has with the production engineers definitely benefits Chevrolet customers.”

Lance will travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky September 2-4 with the Cunningham Corvette, and conduct a seminar as part of the National Corvette Museum’s weekend activities. His Corvette will be displayed side-by-side with the 2011 Special Z06.

The 2011 Special Z06 was created by Chevrolet as a one-off production Corvette Z06, the first 2011 Corvette manufactured with VIN 001. GM Design Center created a modern version of the famous white and blue stripe 1960 Le Mans winner, adding many special features. Event attendees will get the chance to photograph both cars together at the Museum.

KY Gov. Ceremonially Signs Bill Naming Corvette Official State Sports Car

Governor Steve Beshear today visited the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, Ky. to ceremonially sign House Bill 104, which designates the Corvette as the official state sports car of Kentucky.

"Sports car enthusiasts have been in love with the Corvette since it was first unveiled in the Motorama show in New York in 1953," said Gov. Beshear. "For nearly 30 years, Kentucky has been the exclusive home of this iconic sports car. Today, we proudly honor this fine example of American ingenuity by designating the Corvette as Kentucky's official state sports car."

In 1981, General Motors moved production of the Chevrolet Corvette from St. Louis, Mo. to Bowling Green, Ky., where currently 471 employees build the distinctive high-performance vehicles. Approximately 50,000 people visit each year to watch the manufacturing process at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant, which has a tourism economic impact of more than $205 million. This figure does not include the nearly 150,000 who visit the National Corvette Museum, located directly across the street from the Plant, which attracts Corvette enthusiasts from all over the world.

"This is an exciting day for Bowling Green and the entire state of Kentucky as we celebrate the Corvette as the state's official sports car," said Rep. Jody Richards, of Bowling Green. "This passage of this legislation during the legislative session and the ceremonial bill signing that is being held today highlights the importance of the Corvette Assembly Plant to the Commonwealth and especially to the south central region of our state."

"I am pleased that we were able to move legislation through the lawmaking process during the 2010 session to highlight the importance of the Corvette Plant to Kentucky's economy," said Sen. Mike Reynolds, of Bowling Green. "Bowling Green continues to become more of a tourist destination. Therefore, drawing attention to our community and the Corvette's unique role in our American heritage can only boost economic development in our area. The Corvette has become a tangible symbol of our Commonwealth and I am grateful that Governor Beshear has taken the time to come to Bowling Green to make that symbolism official."

Kentucky ranks third in total light vehicle production, placing it at the hub of "auto alley," the strip of middle America that stretches from Michigan into the deep south. In fact, 9.8 percent of all cars and trucks produced in the United States are manufactured in Kentucky. As of early June 2010, more than 64,600 people work in Kentucky's 418 auto-related industries.

Governor Steve Beshear signs House Bill 104 with witnesses GM Bowling Green Assembly Plant Manager Bob Parcell, Warren County Judge Executive Mike Buchanon, Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker, Representative Martha Jane King, Representative Jody Richards, UAW Local 2164 Chairman Shane Colvard, Senator Mike Reynolds and Representative C. B. Embry.

2014 Corvette Caravan - Letter from the Chair

Many thanks to all of you who have already sent your best wishes and offers of help. All support is greatly appreciated. I most certainly will be soliciting your assistance, advice, and action in the days and months to come.

Although the next caravan is four years away, the time will pass so rapidly we will wonder why all the planning didn’t start in 2009. With that certainty in mind, I have set the following goals for completion by the end of this year. I want to have all the caravan segments identified and the captains for each assigned.

So, how do we get there by Christmas? First, I am soliciting inputs from all those who would like to captain a caravan segment in 2014, both past and future captains. If you felt like your area of the country was not served by an authorized caravan and you think an added segment is warranted, let me know. If you are a past captain and wish to assume the task again, let me know. If you weren’t a captain on the last caravan, but would like to lead a group this time, let me know. In other words, to paraphrase the rum commercial, “calling all caravan captains”. Please let me know your telephone number when responding. Once the captains have been installed, we can begin to massage the routes. Not down to the rest stops, but the overall plan to ensure we have optimized all the routes.

The traffic pattern from the past caravan will be the basis for the one in 2014. Some additions, deletions, and modifications may occur, but in general, not much will differ from that successful event. I do want to review all the past routes so I am familiar with how the segments were connected.

Having been involved in the organizing and funding of two caravans, I know all the hard work is done by the caravan captains and their local teams. My job will be to help make that task as trouble free as possible and keep everyone informed, on a timely basis, of the caravan status. In addition, the NCM will be streamlining the registration process and further reducing the workload of the captains. I solicit all participants to join in and help support your captain. It is a huge task to raise funds, book venues, publish route books, time daily routes, etc. Please volunteer and become part of the caravan process. You won’t be sorry.

This caravan will mark the twentieth anniversary of the opening of the museum and the silver anniversary of its conception. We have the opportunity to make it the largest and best caravan ever. All we need is an abundance of new ideas and a ton of hard work.

You can contact me at vettltd@hotmail.com. I promise to get back to you within a 24 hour period. One exception, I will be out of the country from June 8 until June 27. If I can reach a computer, I’ll get back to you during this time.

Paul Mariano
National Chair
2014 NCM Caravan

Kentucky Teen Loans Stingray Skateboard Artwork to National Corvette Museum

Artwork is on display in front window of Museum's Library & Archives

The National Corvette Museum received a unique and interesting piece of art for display on Thursday, June 10. Harrison County High School Senior, Tyler Hardin presented the museum with a skateboard bearing artwork of a 2011 Stingray Concept Corvette in multiple perspectives.

Tyler was first given the skateboard by members of the Harrison County High School “Skaters with a Purpose” club (S.W.A.P.). The club gave out 13 boards to multiple artists around the county and some to other states. “I am a diehard Corvette fan, so I figured that this was one way to show it,” Tyler said. “Beneath the center image is the reflection, which is that of a 1965 model and the top right hand corner is a 1969 model, but it’s all about the 2011 model,” he added.

Tyler just graduated from Harrison County and is from Sadieville, Kentucky. He will be entering Spencerian College this summer, majoring in Graphic Design. Tyler currently has no formal training in the area of drawing and design, and learned his technique from his grandfather at an early age. Tyler said everything on the skateboard was hand sketched, and amazingly – it only took four hours of drawing and two hours of finishing to produce this one-of-a-kind skateboard.

Tyler’s Stingray Skateboard will be on display in the front display window of the Library and Archives at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky for a period of 6-9 months.

The National Corvette Museum is located at I-65 exit 28 in South Central Kentucky. It is open daily from 8am until 5pm Central Time. More information is available online at www.corvettemuseum.org or by calling 800-53 VETTE (53553).

Pictured: Tyler Hardin presents National Corvette Museum Executive Director Wendell Strode with the Stingray Skateboard for display.

Photos of the skateboard can be downloaded at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/corvettemuseum/StingraySkateboard?feat=directlink

Horses to Meet Horsepower This Friday at the National Corvette Museum

Alltech and the First Lady of Kentucky to hold formal press conference on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

The First Lady of Kentucky, Jane Beshear, is partnering with Alltech’s president and founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons, to travel the Commonwealth and states surrounding Kentucky to promote the largest sporting event to come to the United States since the 2002 Winter Olympics – the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

On Friday, May 28 the National Corvette Museum will host a press conference for the event, allowing area media to interact with the First Lady, an accomplished equestrian herself, and Dr. Lyons in regards to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In just over 100 days the world’s finest athletes will gallop into the Bluegrass to compete in eight world championships over 16 days at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

The press conference begins at 8am Central Time in the National Corvette Museum Conference Center and will last approximately one hour, including a short video about the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Media and the public will have the opportunity to ask questions.

National Corvette Museum Announces 2014 Caravan National Chair

They come from miles around… lines of colorful Corvettes, all generations represented, traveling from every continental United State and even a few foreign countries to gather in the Home of the Corvette. 2014 will bring the 5th National Corvette Caravan and will mark the 20th Anniversary of the National Corvette Museum. Leading the spectacle is Paul Mariano of Huntersville, NC, a 20-year Museum member who is not only a lifetime member of the Museum but also a founding member.

Paul is currently the ambassador to the Museum for the Queen City Corvette Club in Charlotte, NC, and previously was the ambassador for the Corvette Club of Santa Barbara, CA. He is a member of the NCRS and was a participant of the Southern California caravan in 1999, co-captain of the Southern California caravan in 2003, and sponsorship/advertising chairman for the 2009 North Carolina / South Carolina / Virginia caravan.

“When Roc Linkov, NCM Events Manager, asked if I would do it, I did have a little trepidation,” said Paul. “But as when I agreed to take the Southern California caravan at the last minute, I thought if not me then who? I have such a deep love affair with the museum that I want to contribute as much as I can, wherever I can. Without the great help that my wife Barbara provides, I could not manage to take on any of these caravan tasks. I just hope I can provide the service that everyone has entrusted to me.”

Paul is an avid supporter of the National Corvette Museum, the Corvette Race Team and the Corvette lifestyle. He currently owns a 1967 big block coupe Corvette and a 2007 Z06.

The 5th National Corvette Caravan will take place the first week of September, 2014. Regional caravans will form and join other caravans as they travel across the United States to gather in Bowling Green, Kentucky for four days of festivities at the National Corvette Museum. “A national caravan such as this requires years of planning and coordinating and the Museum is fortunate to have a volunteer like Paul to take on this monumental task,” stated National Corvette Museum Executive Director, Wendell Strode.

The Museum is located at I-65, exit 28 in South Central Kentucky and is open daily, 8am to 5pm Central Time.

National Corvette Museum Helps Stamp Out Hunger

The National Corvette Museum is offering two dollars off admission now through Saturday, May 8 to any visitor who brings a donation of nonperishable items to the Museum. The National Corvette Museum is participating in ‘Stamp out Hunger Day’ by collecting canned food items for local food banks.

Visitors will be sure to enjoy hands-on, interactive exhibits, a new Corvette Café, expanded Store, Conference Center, the chance to sit in a Corvette and even register to drive one home. Not only will visitors enjoy an afternoon within the ‘Gateway to all things Corvette’ but they will be helping stamp out hunger in South Central Kentucky.

‘Stamp Out Hunger’ is an annual drive by the National Association of Letter Carriers. Items collected by the National Corvette Museum will be picked up on Saturday, May 8 by the local postal service.

The National Corvette Museum is open daily, 8am until 5pm. Regular admission prices are $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for youth age 6-16 and children 5 and under are free. For information call 800-53-VETTE (83883) or visit the Museum online at www.corvettemuseum.org.

For more information on the National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, visit: www.helpstampouthunger.com.