Smithsonian Magazine's 7th Annual Museum Day Offers Free Admission to Area Museums

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, the Historic Railpark and Train Museum, National Corvette Museum, and Riverview at Hobson Grove will participate in the seventh annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. The Museums will join other participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide to open their doors free of charge to all visitors who download the Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian.com. A journey to celebrate our world’s dynamic heritage and cultural life, participating Museum Day venues emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities.

The Historic RailPark & Train Museum takes a step back in time to the golden era of passenger service. A guided tour of vintage railcars showcases the workings of a Post Office Car, Dining Car and Sleeper Car. The self-guided tour of the two story museum immerses visitors into the cultural story of the railroad including two new exhibits. "Hobo Times explores the life of the Hobo with the secret language interpreted into quilts by Creative Quilters Guild," said Sharon Tabor, Executive Director of the Railpark. "The Civil War and the Railroad includes personal stories, models and antique photography," she added.

Visitors to the National Corvette Museum will view 14 examples of Chevrolet models through the decades as part of the special 100 Years of Chevrolet Exhibit. The Museum also offers a new display of NASCAR race suits worn by Jimmy Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin - on loan from Hendrick Motorsports. "We are an ever-changing Museum and no two visits with us are the same," said Katie Frassinelli, Corvette Museum Marketing Manager. "We are more than just Corvette, offering a little something for everyone!"

Riverview at Hobson Grove is celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War in Kentucky with a juried art show with a Civil War theme. The home is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and an official site on the Civil War Discovery Trail.

Other participating Kentucky museums include: Kentucky Historical Society (Frankfort), Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (Louisville), My Old Kentucky Home (Bardstown), Owensboro Museum of Science and History, The National Quilt Museum (Paducah), Kentucky Derby Museum (Louisville) and International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park (Lexington).

The Museum Day Ticket is available to download at www.smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the official pass will gain free admission for two people to one participating museum or cultural venue of their choice. One ticket is permitted per household, per email address. Listings and links to participating museums’ and sponsors’ sites can be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.

About Historic RailPark & Train Museum
Located off I-65 at exit 28, The Historic RailPark & Train Museum is open 9-5 Monday – Saturday and 1-4 on Sunday. For more information visit http://www.historicrailpark.com/ or call 270-745-7317.

About National Corvette Museum
The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to all things Corvette’ and is open daily from 8am to 5pm Central Time. It is located at I-65 exit 28 and more information can be found by calling 800-538-3883 or online at http://www.corvettemuseum.org/.

About Riverview at Hobson Grove
Open daily, 10am-4pm, Riverview is located at 110 W. Main Avenue and can be reached at 270-843-5565 or online at www.bgky.org/riverview.

About Smithsonian Media
Smithsonian Media comprises Smithsonian magazine, Air & Space, goSmithsonian, Smithsonian Media Digital Network and the Smithsonian Channel. Smithsonian Media’s flagship publication, Smithsonian magazine, is one of the nation’s largest magazines with a circulation of more than 2 million and nearly 7 million readers. Smithsonian Media is a division of Smithsonian Enterprises, the revenue-generating business unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum and research complex consisting of 19 museums and galleries, the National Zoological Park and nine research facilities. Approximately 30 million people from around the world visited the Smithsonian in 2009.

Corvette Museum Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Chevrolet

Chevrolet’s first car pulled onto the auto scene like a decked-out debutante. Race-car driver Louis Chevrolet imagined an upscale dream car based on the racing cars he loved. The Series C Classic Six produced 40 horsepower and could go a whopping 65 miles per hour, competing with the high-performance cars of its time. For the first couple of years, it was simply called “the Chevrolet.” While Chevrolet co-founder Bill Durant would quickly shift the company toward affordability, performance would stay at the heart of Chevrolet for a century to come.



The National Corvette Museum celebrates Chevrolet’s 100th anniversary with a special 14-car exhibit, showcasing a variety of Chevrolet vehicles through the decades. On display are a 1912 “Little” – a product of the Little Car Company which was dissolved into Chevrolet; a 1928 Phaeton Touring Car; a 1935 Chevrolet; a 1936 Canopy Express Pick-up – used for produce display and delivery; a 1942 ‘War Car’, a 1955 Bel Air; a 1958 Impala; a 1964 Corvair; a 1965 Chevelle 300; a 1970 Chevelle; 1987 Monte Carlo; a 1996 Camaro; a 2003 50th Anniversary Corvette and a 2012 Volt.



“Our goal for this exhibit was to not only offer a wide variety of Chevrolet models, but also select vehicles to represent each decade of the 100 years,” said Katie Frassinelli, Marketing Manager and member of the Museum’s Display Committee.



As with the majority of vehicles on display in the museum, all of the exhibit cars are on loan from private individuals with three of them on loan from the General Motors Heritage Center. The display runs through December 31, 2011 in the Museum’s Exhibit Hall and is included with regular museum admission.



The National Corvette Museum is located at I-65, exit 28 in Bowling Green, Kentucky and is open daily, 8am-5pm CT. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for kids age 6-16, kids under 6 are free, or family admission (everyone in the same household) is $25.



In addition to the Museum’s celebratory exhibit, Chevrolet has launched a special “Chevy 100” channel on Pandora featuring 100 popular songs with Chevrolet-related references such as Prince’s “Little Red Corvette” and Don McLean’s “American Pie.” Additionally, Chevrolet is sponsoring the August 20 Woodward Dream Cruise – a grassroots event which draws an estimated 1.5 million car enthusiasts and 30,000 muscle cars to Michigan’s legendary Woodward Avenue. Chevrolet fans can also vote for their favorite models in a tournament-style bracket challenge which will eventually crown just one Chevy as “the best” at www.chevrolet.com/100-years/best-chevy-of-all-time/.

National Corvette Museum Staff Join "One Acre Club"

Museum Team Demonstrates Support of Project with $15,000 Commitment

For just over a year the National Corvette Museum has offered a unique sponsorship opportunity for those wanting to play a role in helping to build the Motorsports Park. By participating in the “One Acre Club,” individuals, groups, clubs and businesses can help raise funding for the project, one acre at a time.

At the May National Corvette Museum staff meeting, development assistant Virginia Crump brought an idea to the group. She proposed the staff coming together to purchase an acre.
“During the Winner’s Circle celebration dinner, I was so impressed with Doug Fehan’s talk. The group of donors he was speaking to have a powerful influence on others, which if that power was utilized, could have an enormous impact on the reality of the Motorsports Park,” Virginia said. “Then, when individuals started coming forward to make their one-acre commitments, I felt like we as an employee group could make a powerful statement to others by buying an acre!”
Virginia proposed at the staff meeting that individuals could sign up for payroll deductions, spread out over a period of time, or make a one-time donation. Staff members felt this was a great idea and signed up to commit. At the June staff meeting Virginia announced that we were just shy of the $15,000 mark so some staff stepped up and agreed to pitch in more – bringing the total to $15,000.

“I’m so thrilled that we DID IT!” Virginia added. A total of 34 staff members stepped up to the plate to become a part of the “One Acre Club.”

Currently the “One Acre Club” Campaign has a total of 27 full acres committed, 2 half acres and 8 quarter acres. The “One Acre Club” promotion ends December 31, 2011 and affords full acre participants the choice of receiving track time in exchange for their contribution, or they can be recognized as donor members and receive an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes. All full acre participants receive an honorary “deed” for their acre.

For more information on the Motorsports Park project, visit www.motorsportspark.org and become a ‘fan’ on Facebook at www.facebook.com/motorsportspark.

National Corvette Museum Participating in Blue Star Museums

Corvette Museum one of more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer

The National Corvette Museum has joined Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their immediate family from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2011.

The National Corvette Museum kicked off the Blue Star initiative with an American Warrior Recognition event on Thursday, May 26 bringing nearly 80 wounded warriors from Fort Knox and Fort Campbell to the Museum for complimentary tours, a luncheon and souvenirs.

“We think it is only fitting that America’s sports car – the Chevrolet Corvette – shows its appreciation to American warriors,” Museum Executive Director Wendell Strode said.

The Museum also offers free admission during the month of November to any American veteran (not just active) and their immediate family as part of Military Appreciation Month. Additionally, active military receive free admission to the Museum year-round, while the Blue Star summer program extends the benefit to their immediate family.

“Blue Star Museums may be the program at the NEA of which I am proudest,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Blue Star Museums recognizes and thanks our military families for all they are doing for our country, and simultaneously begins young people on a path to becoming life-long museum goers.”

“Last year the success of the inaugural year of the Blue Star Museums program showed that partnerships between the nation’s museum and military communities are a natural,” said Blue Star Families Chairman Kathy Roth-Douquet. “We are thrilled that 300,000 military family members visited our partner museums in the summer of 2010. We hope to exceed that number this year as the military community takes advantage of the rich cultural heritage they defend and protect every day.”

This year, more than 1,324 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 500 new museums this year. Museums are welcome to join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer. This year’s Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and 70 children’s museums.

Participants in Kentucky also include International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort, National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Museum of Science and History in Owensboro and Speed Art Museum in Louisville. In nearby Nashville, TN, The Frist Center for the Visual Arts and the Parthenon Museum are participating.

About Blue Star Museums
Blue Star Museums runs from Memorial Day, May 30, 2011 through to Labor Day, September 5, 2011. The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members). Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members. Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits or museums, please contact the museum directly. To find out which museums are participating, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. The site includes a list of participating museums and a map to help with visit planning.

Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov, or Wendy Clark at 202-682-5451.

About National Corvette Museum
The National Corvette Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation and is open daily, 8am-5pm Central Time. It is located at 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, KY – just off I-65 exit 28. For more information about the Museum visit www.corvettemuseum.org or call 800-538-3883.

NCM Motorsports Park Project Kicked Into High Gear

Six more acres committed for Motorsports Park Project, Phase 1 Progressing

Each April during the National Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash festivities an evening banquet is held to recognize and thank those who go the extra step to support the Museum with donations totaling $1,000 or more for the previous year, and those who have added the Museum to their estate planning.

The 2011 banquet brought special guests, members of the Corvette Racing team including Program Manager Doug Fehan, Car #3 Crew Chief Dan Binks, and Driver Tommy Milner. Doug inspired the group with a moving speech on how important dedicated enthusiasts are to both the Museum and the brand, saying that the Motorsports Park is the “final jewel in the crown of Corvette.” He added “nobody has a museum funded by the people who buy the car, love the car, have a passion for the car.” Nobody except Corvette of course! Doug reminded supporters that they have the power to make the Motorsports Park a reality and they have the power to influence others to join with them.

After presentations were made to the nearly 100 donors and supporters in attendance, Larry and Peggy Martin of Louisville, Kentucky made a surprise visit to the stage. Larry spoke of how Doug’s words inspired them, and how they wanted to come forward and commit to joining the “One Acre Club” with a contribution of $15,000. Larry welcomed others who felt as strongly about Doug’s speech to also come forward and share the stage… and joining Larry and Peggy were Jack and Doris DeLong of Huntingdon Valley, PA; Andy Guinn of Douglassville, TX and Wendell (and Jan) Strode of Bowling Green, KY . Also making a commitment of purchasing an acre that evening were Steve and Debbie Uhrig of Arcanum, OH. Steve and Debbie had previously committed to purchasing an acre and increased that commitment to two acres. The following day, Wayne and P.J. Ray, founding members from Roswell, GA, came on board, committing to an acre. Other members and clubs also expressed interest in supporting the project in the near future.

“We’re so thrilled with the support and enthusiasm for our project,” said Museum Executive Director Wendell Strode. “In a tough economy, it means a lot to have so many Museum and motorsports supporters step up to the plate.”

Strode also announced at the Bash that the Motorsports Park would now be completed in phases so that the project can continue to progress. The museum currently owns 70 acres of land, and will be executing the option to purchase an additional 92 acres for Phase 1. Phase 1 will include a two mile “west” road course and autocross/skid pad area.

“Rather than hold up the entire project, hoping for major sponsorships to cover the initial $35 million project, we decided to break it into smaller, more achievable phases so that motorsports enthusiasts could begin enjoying portions of the park in the near future,” added Strode.

Phase 2 will include a ¼ mile drag strip, followed by an “east” road course, karting track and separate autocross / skidpad area in future phases.

Keep up to date on the Motorsports Park project at www.motorsportspark.org and become a Fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/motorsportspark!

Replica 'General Lee' Part of 14 Vehicle American Muscle Car Exhbiit

Kelly Ransom has been a Dukes of Hazzard fan since he was five years old. “That was the one night a week Mama would let us eat dinner in the living room,” Ransom said. In fact, Ransom has been dreaming of owning his very own General Lee, a 1969 Dodge Charger, for years, but it wasn’t until 2009 that he started seriously looking into purchasing one.

In July 2010 he ran across one for sale on eBay and the car happened to be in Hendersonville, TN. Ransom said the owner had fallen onto some hard financial times and needed to sell. The owner, Gary Dull, had taken a soft top and slowly transformed it into a replica of the General Lee. The car has the same motor – a 383 – as the real cars used in the show. It also has a three-speed 727 Torquefite transmission, 383 Richmond gears, 8-3/4 sure grip rear axle and “official issue” decals from the Confederate General Lee Fan Club.

Ransom said only 12 General Lees survived the popular late 70s-early 80s show… the rest are replicas.

Ransom, being very community-minded, brings the General to kid’s birthday parties, schools, fundraisers and other public events. “I like to have fun with it,” he said. And unlike other General Lee owners, Ransom doesn’t charge a fee to bring his car out… but he said he won’t turn down gas money! The car gets a whopping 12 miles per gallon.

Monday, April 18 the General found a temporary new home at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The car is part of a 14 vehicle ‘American Muscle Car’ exhibit which runs through Father’s Day weekend in June, however the General Lee will only be on display until May 26. Several hundred Allen County school children will be awaiting its arrival back to Scottsville on May 27 for an event, and Ransom doesn’t want to disappoint the kids.

The 1969 Charger is the first Dodge to be displayed in the Museum. Ransom said “I’m so happy, yet so sad… I’m gonna pretend it is like summer camp.”

Other cars on display include a 1970 Buick Grand Sport Stage 1, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Rally Sport Convertible, 1970 Pontiac Ram Air IV Trans Am, 1968 Pontiac GTO, 1968 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible, 1967 Chevrolet Nova SS, 1968 Shelby GT 500, 1969 Javelin SST, 1970 Dodge Challenger, 1970 Plymouth Barracuda and 1966 Plymouth Belvedere. The display is in the Museum’s Exhibit Hall.

The National Corvette Museum is open daily, 8am-5pm Central Time and is located at 350 Corvette Drive, just off I-65 exit 28 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. For more information call 270-781-7973 or visit www.corvettemuseum.org.

National Corvette Museum Recognizes Other Area Non-Profits

Museum provides non-profit volunteers free admission April is marked as “Volunteer Appreciation” month and in an effort to recognize fellow non-profit organizations’ hard work and community efforts the National Corvette Museum provided complimentary admission passes as a gift to the volunteers, employees and other members of those organizations. The passes offer a free admission to the “living” Museum which features ever-changing displays and a new Muscle Car exhibit. “As a non-profit organization, we understand the importance of community support,” said Marketing & Communications Manager Katie Frassinelli. “The hard work and dedication that each and every one of the area non-profits unselfishly provides is vital to our community. These passes are a way of saying ‘thank you’ for their contributions that impact so positively on our community.” In 2010, volunteers provided 5,396 hours of service to the National Corvette Museum. In order to “pay it forward”, the Museum provided complimentary passes to over 60 non-profit organizations within Warren County. The National Corvette Museum is dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at 350 Corvette Drive, just off exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY. For more information contact the Museum at 270-781-7973 or visit www.corvettemuseum.org.

National Corvette Museum's Insurance Agency Launches New Website

The NCM Insurance Agency unveiled a redesigned website this week that makes quoting collector car insurance as easy as the click of a button. The redesign allows current customers the opportunity to manage their policies, request ID cards, make policy changes and more. The new site also helps the National Corvette Museum more effectively provide useful information about collector vehicle coverages and offer online tools to facilitate the process for them.

“The previous website had a great nostalgic feel, but failed to provide important and useful information to current and future clients,” said NCM Insurance Agent Adam Boca. “The new website is easier to navigate for visitors and creates a positive experience, with useful Corvette and collector car insurance information in an easy-to-browse format.”

NCM Insurance is provided through American Modern Insurance Group, which offers discounts for eligible Museum Members. “American Modern Insurance Group was founded in 1965 and is a national leader in specialty insurance. The company’s financial stability is rated A+ (Superior) by an independent industry analyst and is acknowledged for its claim service,” according to Dave Seibert, American Modern sales representative.

“What makes NCM unique is its national reach from its vantage point within the National Corvette Museum,” Seibert explained. “It is truly integrated into the history and future of the ‘Corvette culture’ and has leveraged its special knowledge to serve the insurance needs of virtually all collector vehicles. This new website should allow the NCM Insurance Agency to enhance their customers’ experience, and that supports the mission of the Museum.”

Boca said that 100% of the agency’s commissions go to support the Museum. “We want to become a leading provider of Corvette and collector car insurance, and with this new website, we are on the right track,” he said.

NCM Insurance offers insurance plans for owners who drive up to 1K, 3K or 6K miles per year who occasionally drive their cars to enthusiast events, club meetings and on special trips.

“The new website provides free quotes, making it simple to compare your coverage options,” Boca said. “I encourage owners to log on to www.ncminsurance.org to discover what the NCM Insurance Agency has to offer. You can also connect with NCM Insurance on Facebook and Twitter at facebook.com/pages/NCM-Insurance-Agency/225876839230 and twitter.com/NCMInsurance.”

The National Corvette Museum is dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, and is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

Corvette Museum Welcomes 'From Here to There' Science Exhibit

Explore the science of how things move by land, sea and air at the National Corvette Museum’s new traveling exhibition, From Here to There, open now through April 16.

Lift, launch and levitate as you experiment with hands-on exhibits that make learning about gravity, friction, and the laws of motion fun. Ride a hovercraft to experience how air pressure works, adjust wind speed to form fabric into an airfoil, and float your sailboat to experiment with the effect of wind, rudder and sail positions.

Visitors can turn up the heat to launch a colorful hot air balloon, operate an authentic canal lock system to move a boat from one water level to the next, and experiment with pneumatics, pulleys, hydraulics and levers to see what kind of mechanical advantage works best.

From Here to There consists of twelve fun, interactive exhibits. “Each exhibit is designed to spark conversation and encourage interaction among families, friends and other museum visitors,” said Katie Frassinelli, Marketing Manager.

The 1,500 square foot exhibition is color-coded and divided into three main categories: transportation by land, sea and air.

At the Earthmovers exhibit, visitors can discover how simple machines can help move things across land. This ball-pit is fun for all ages, but is designed with the museum’s youngest visitors in mind.

Air Tubes allow visitors to send colored balls in a rushing channel of air from one station to another. Visitors can watch the balls as they dart across walls, over the exhibition entrance, and appear at the other station in record time.

In addition to exhibits like Waterways and Set Sail that explore transportation by water, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with exhibits that explain the principals of how things move.

Visitors can Feel the Friction as they try to move different weights across dirt, tracks and through water and Start Your Engines! to explore how internal combustion engines work to power anything from cars and airplanes to lawnmowers and snow blowers.

“We’re excited to bring this hands-on exhibit to Bowling Green,” said Kevin Carrico, PNC Regional Manager. “PNC’s Grow Up Great program offers educational opportunities to children everywhere, and From Here to There has activities families not only from south central Kentucky can enjoy, but also the many visitors who pass through our wonderful community.”

This exhibition will be on display through April 16, 2011 in the Museum’s Exhibit Hall. Discount tickets are available for the public at any Warren County PNC branch. Additionally, PNC customers may show a bankcard to receive discount admission.

The Rochester Museum & Science Center of Rochester, NY and the Sciencenter of Ithaca, NY developed From Here to There as part of the Traveling Exhibits At Museums of Science (TEAMS) collaborative. Funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, From Here to There is sponsored locally by PNC.

The National Corvette Museum is a 501 (c)(3) educational non-profit organization located at I-65, exit 28 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Museum is open daily from 8am to 5pm CT.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, PNC operates more than 2,400 branches and 6,500 ATMs in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Warren County offers five branches and 8 ATMs for your banking needs. PNC’s Grow Up Great program is a 10-year, $100 million investment in school readiness to help prepare children from birth to age five for success in school and life.

National Corvette Museum to Auction VIN 001 - 2011 Special Edition Le Mans Z06 Corvette at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Tribute Car to Benefit Planned Motorsports Park

2010 marked the 50th anniversary celebration of Corvette’s first appearance and win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and to celebrate that significant occasion Chevrolet built a special 2011 Corvette Z06, donning the same Arctic White paint, blue racing stripes and number “3” as the car it pays homage to… the 1960 Cunningham Corvette which won its class 50 years ago.

Bidders at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction will get a unique and rare opportunity to own this true one-of-a-kind Corvette on Friday, January 21 when it hits the auction block in support of the National Corvette Museum. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Museum’s planned Motorsports Park – a nearly 500 acre facility complete with road courses, autocross course, skid pad, karting track and drag strip.

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary, the 2011 tribute Corvette participated in a Legends of Le Mans event with a memorable parade lap at Laguna Seca alongside three historic Le Mans cars (1960 Cunningham, 1967 Bondurant/Guldstrand, 1973 BF Goodrich) as well as the Corvette C6.R GT2 car. The car has also been used for a number of other publicity functions including the first public showing at the Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash April 30, ALMS Races at Utah, Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio and Road America, Corvettes at Carlisle and finally the NCM Hall of Fame event. The car is autographed by racing legends and Corvette Hall of Fame members Dick Guldstrand, John Fitch and Dick Thompson as well as the 2010 Corvette Racing drivers Johnny O’Connell, Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Jan Magnussen.

In addition to being a tribute car, Chevrolet with the help of GM’s Design Center added special one-off features to this production Corvette Z06 which is also the first saleable 2011 Z06 Corvette with VIN 001, manufactured on April 19 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Features include Competition Gray headlamps, mirrors and wheels; heritage 1960 style blue split stripes and #3 door numbers; special 50th Anniversary of Le Mans Racing logos; blue brake calipers; Z07 Performance Package with Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, 19” front / 20” rear 20-spoke competition gray wheels, Michelin PS2 tires, and Magnetic Selective Ride Control; black carbon fiber front splitter and rockers; ZR1 style rear spoiler; ebony leather wrapped interior with Competition Gray trim; LS7 7.0 I 427 ci 505 hp small-block V8 with dry sump system, titanium components; 6-speed manual transmission with launch control; carbon fiber fenders and floor panels; and an aluminum frame structure and magnesium engine cradle.

The Corvette is listed on the Barrett-Jackson website at: http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?aid=403&ln=1032&pop=0&it=1 and the auction of this car will be televised live on the Speed Network between 7 and 9pm MST. The National Corvette Museum will be in attendance at the show with a booth by the General Motors area to answer any questions about the car and offer Corvette merchandise and raffle tickets for purchase.

Download a hero card about the car here:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/lemansauctioncar.pdf
Download a fact sheet here:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/lemansfactsheet.pdf
View high res images of the car here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/corvettemuseum/2011SpecialZ06#
View a short video of the car here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ATyrea7Qv4

The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to All Things Corvette’ and a member-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Weekly news on the latest Corvette developments, racing updates, event features and raffles are available by subscribing to “NCM eNews” at: corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews. Dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, the Museum is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

National Corvette Museum in Running for Pepsi Refresh Grant

The National Corvette Museum is competing during the month of January for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant to develop and build a KidZone within the museum. In 2010, Pepsi launched the Pepsi Refresh Project, awarding over $20 million in grants to over 400 ideas, and this project is one of 1,000 ideas submitted and approved nation-wide for the final round of voting.

The planned KidZone will expose children to ‘real world’ science and math, giving the 146,000 annual visitors to the Museum the chance to educate their children about the automotive industry and how it affects their everyday life. Interior design students from Western Kentucky University worked with museum staff to develop design proposals for the nearly 500 square foot space, incorporating a number of hands-on activities, colors, imagery and themes which focus on the automotive world and Corvette.

Each round, Pepsi awards two $250,000 grants, ten $50,000 grants, ten $25,000 grants and ten $5,000 grants. Grant categories include health, arts & culture, food & shelter, the planet, neighborhoods and education. Voting began January 2 and concludes on January 31. Voters can vote for up to 10 different projects every day through the Pepsi Refresh website, Facebook and texting.

To learn more about the National Corvette Museum’s KidZone project, visit http://www.refresheverything.com/corvette. You can also vote when you visit this site by clicking the VOTE link, then logging in to your Facebook account from the Pepsi page to vote, or sign-up for a free Pepsi Refresh account. To vote by phone, text 105439 to 73774. There is no charge to vote other than your normal text messaging rates.

The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to All Things Corvette’ and a member-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Weekly news on the latest Corvette developments, racing updates, event features and raffles are available by subscribing to “NCM eNews” at: corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews. Dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, the Museum is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

National Corvette Museum Announces 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees

The National Corvette Museum has announced the following inductees to be recognized as part of the 14th Annual Corvette Hall of Fame Ceremony in 2011. Ron Fellows, a champion driver for Corvette Racing, Clare “Mac” MacKichan, a key designer for the first and other early Corvettes, and Ray Quinlan, donor of a 1953 Corvette to the Museum taking the project from an archives facility to museum will be recognized with the highest honor bestowed by the Museum for their contributions to the past, present and future of Corvette.

The 2011 Hall of Fame recipients will be inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame during a ceremony and banquet on Friday, September 2, 2011. Their induction will take place as part of the Museum’s 17th Anniversary Corvette Celebration festivities September 1-3, 2011.

Corvette Hall of Fame Inductee Ron Fellows’ impressive skill as a driver for the Corvette Racing Team has earned him the respect of Corvette fans everywhere. His 27 wins, three ALMS championships and two wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, along with his unprecedented four consecutive "Most Popular Driver" awards from ALMS fans, testify to his track record of success. Although he has not raced for the factory team since 2008, he remains one of the most recognizable, respected and popular personalities to ever represent Corvette's racing heritage. As evidence of his enormous popularity, GM paid tribute to Ron by creating the "Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06" in 2007.

While he still races in NASCAR events and is tied with Terry Labonte for the most road course wins in NASCAR history, Ron has served as an advisor for the GM/Pratt & Miller factory team and an ambassador for Corvette in general, showing up at races, Corvette Corrals, Corvette functions and charities, often auctioning off passes to the Ron Fellows Driving School for worthwhile causes.

Corvette Hall of Fame Inductee Clare “Mac” MacKichan was instrumental to the design and success of all Chevrolets in the mid-twentieth century. In his position as Chief Designer of the Chevrolet Studio, General Motors Design Staff, he was directly responsible for the design of all of the Corvettes from number one, through the 1950s and early 1960s. It was under his guidance that the 1954 Waldorf Show Corvettes were designed. In addition to his position as Chief Designer for Chevrolet, Mac also served as Director of Design for GM's Adam Opel AG in Germany, and later as Executive in Charge of Advanced Design and Engineering for Design Staff.

While he didn't always work on the Corvette brand, he continued to own one and participate in many Corvette activities - appearing and speaking at car shows and event all over the country. He would even decorate his office with parts of Corvettes that had been thrown away. Mac bought Corvettes and truly loved having a role in the creation and evolution of America’s sports car, even though it was unrecognized due to Harley Earl’s policy of giving credit only to himself, and later to Bill Mitchell. Sadly, Mac passed away but his contributions to the Corvette live on.

Corvette Hall of Fame Inductee Ray Quinlan is probably the first Museum enthusiast, and it's fair to say the Museum might not be where it is today without the support of this NCM Lifetime Member No. 001. When the idea of a Corvette Library & Archives first came about, it was Ray who came forward and said he would donate his 1953 Corvette if the plans would incorporate a Museum... a place to house not only historical documents but also artifacts and cars. Memberships were the sole means of raising money in the early days, and Ray was right there, joining at the beginning.

While Ray owned a number of collectible cars, Corvettes were his passion. He was a member of the Corvette Club of Illinois and active with the National Council of Corvette Clubs and National Corvette Restorers Society. Ray always loved the Museum and all it represented, talking to visitors that were looking at the 1953 on display and sharing with them the history. Today, every visitor passing through the halls of the Museum hears the story of Ray and how his donation started the Museum.

The National Corvette Museum established the Corvette Hall of Fame in 1998 to confer the highest honor and recognition upon the most influential individuals in the history of the Corvette. The award recognizes those who have made significant contributions to their respective fields, each having reached the highest level of accomplishment. Inductees must also reflect the highest standards of integrity and character to positively enhance the prestige of the Corvette and the National Corvette Museum.

Additional information on reserving a spot at the prestigious Corvette Hall of Fame banquet will be available in the coming months via our website at: www.corvettemuseum.org or can be obtained by subscribing to our weekly eNewsletter “NCM eNews” at: http://www.corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews/.

The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to All Things Corvette’ and a member-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Weekly news on the latest Corvette developments, racing updates, event features and raffles are available by subscribing to “NCM eNews” at: corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews. Dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, the Museum is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

Corvette Museum Offers $1 Admission for Kentucky Residents

The National Corvette Museum has named the entire month of December “Dollar Days” for residents of Kentucky who visit the Museum. All month long, Kentucky residents can tour the Museum for a $1.00 admission per person, and will only need to show a Kentucky drivers license to take advantage of the special offer. Children will be admitted at the $1.00 price with adults presenting the Kentucky identification.

The Museum features over 70 Corvettes, from the 1953 - the first Corvette to capture the hearts of America, to one-of-a-kind prototypes, the only 1983 in existence and historic Corvettes normally unavailable to the general public. A special Camaro exhibit with more than a dozen examples of the model is on display throughout December as well. Visitors can sit behind the wheel of a new Corvette and Camaro, race against the clock with the interactive Pit Crew Challenge, and take a drive in the new educational Driving Simulators.

“Dollar Days” is the Museum’s way of giving back to Kentucky residents to thank them for their support and gives them an opportunity to see first-hand why the Corvette is one of the state’s greatest resources and now the official state sports car of Kentucky. “We are proud to be able to showcase our Museum dedicated to this extraordinary automobile and celebrate, educate and preserve Corvette’s legendary past and future,” states NCM Executive Director Wendell Strode. “Each visit to the Museum is different because things are ever changing, and guests visiting in December will be able to see our new Camaro display. We look forward to welcoming our Kentucky friends.” Visitors can also take a chance to win a 2011 Corvette or Camaro for only $10 and do some holiday shopping in the Corvette Store.

The National Corvette Museum is the ‘Gateway to All Things Corvette’ and a member-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation. Weekly news on the latest Corvette developments, racing updates, event features and raffles are available by subscribing to “NCM eNews” at: corvettemuseum.org/ncmenews. Dedicated to the mission of celebration, education and preservation, the Museum is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT - located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

National Corvette Museum Offers "Free Admission" to Recognize U.S. Military, Fire Fighters and Police During "Military Appreciation Month"

The National Corvette Museum would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the many men and women who have served, and are serving our country.

November is "Military Appreciation Month" at the National Corvette Museum and all military personnel, firemen, police officers and their immediate families will receive "Free Admission" during the entire month of November. All branches including active, retired and reserve members will be honored with free admission when presenting a military or service ID or copy of their DD-214.

"We are truly a blessed nation and our military provide the safety we have to enjoy our American privileges," states NCM Executive Director, Wendell Strode. "Corvette is an American icon and we invite these special individuals and their family members to experience a tour of the Museum dedicated to America’s favorite sports car."

In addition to free admission, this year will be even more special as the Museum has added some displays and activities to enhance the experience.

3rd Annual Vets ‘n Vettes Event – November 4-6, 2010
Regular Registration $10
While many of the participants will have a Corvette, owning one is certainly not a requirement to participate! The event features road tours, a poker run, warrior session BBQ luncheon, military history team trivia, participation in the Bowling Green, Kentucky Veteran’s Day Parade, presentation of colors by WKU's ROTC, seminars and a banquet.

Special Displays and Activities

- Military vehicle displays provided by the Kentucky National Guard Nov. 4-6: himar, resupply vehicle,and rigid wall shelter. Representatives from the Kentucky National Guard will be on-site to tell visitors about the vehicles, answer questions and even let visitors sit in them They will also perform himar demonstrations at 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm.

- Memorial circle on the Museum's front lawn. Purchase a flag for $1 to place in memory or in honor of someone. The names of those who the flags represent continuously scroll on the lobby television monitor.

- Aviation Heritage Park, a local group who acquire and restore military aircraft for display at Basil Griffin Park in Bowling Green, has display cases of memorabilia on Corvette Boulevard.

- Flag raising ceremonies available by reservation. Guests can reserve a day to bring a loved one’s American Flag and the Museum and National Guard will perform a ceremony, raising and flying their flag at the Corvette Museum. Reserve your spot by calling Pam at 270-467-8800 or email pam@corvettemuseum.org.

- Holiday greeting cards are available for people to write messages for the troops. The cards will be sent overseas in late November. In addition, for only $5 you can purchase a family admission pass to the Museum to send to the troops overseas so that they can visit with their family upon their return.

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM!

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, the Museum is located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY. For more information on the Museum visit us at:
http://www.corvettemuseum.org/ or call 800-538-3883.

National Corvette Museum Offers Free Admission on Smithsonian Magazine's 6th Annual Museum Day

12 Museums in Kentucky Signed Up to Participate

On Saturday, September 25, 2010, the National Corvette Museum will participate in the sixth annual Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. The Corvette Museum will join participating museums and cultural institutions nationwide to open their doors free of charge to all visitors who download the Museum Day Ticket from Smithsonian.com. A journey to celebrate our world’s dynamic heritage and cultural life, participating Museum Day venues emulate the free admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, D.C.-based facilities.

Museum Day 2010 is poised to be the largest to date, outdoing last year’s record-breaking event. Over 300,000 museum-goers and 1,300 venues in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participated in Museum Day 2009. Last year, two million visitors logged on to www.smithsonian.com/museumday to learn more about the program.

“This year’s Museum day we are also the host facility for the final BiG Cruise of the year, so visitors will get to see not only over 80 unique Corvettes – but also some hot rods,” said Katie Frassinelli, Museum Marketing Manager.

Visitors will also enjoy new hands-on, interactive exhibits, the Corvette Café, Corvette Store, Conference Center, plus the chance to sit in a Corvette and even register to drive one home.

Other participating Kentucky museums include: Frazier International History Museum (Louisville), Headley-Whitney Museum (Lexington), Kentucky Gateway Museum Center (Maysville), Kentucky Historical Society (Frankfort), Liberty Hall Historic Site (Frankfort), Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (Louisville), McCreary County Museum (Stearns), McDowell House Museum and Apothecary (Danville), Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site Museum (Perryville), The Speed Art Museum (Louisville) and Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site (Wickliffe).

The Museum Day Ticket is available to download at www.smithsonian.com/museumday. Visitors who present the official pass will gain free admission for two people to participating museums and cultural venues. One ticket is permitted per household, per email address. Listings and links to participating museums’ and sponsors’ sites can be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.

Camaro Exhibit Coming to Corvette Museum this Fall

Transformers 'star' Bumblebee scheduled to make an appearance

While you can see over 80 unique and rare Corvettes on display at the National Corvette Museum anytime, the Museum will also welcome some cool Camaros for your viewing pleasure this fall. October 1 through December 31 the Museum’s exhibit hall will include a dozen unique, fast and even rare examples of Corvette’s younger sibling.

Those who remember John Schnatter’s search for his long lost Camaro, (founder of Papa John’s Pizza) will enjoy seeing it on display as part of the exhibit. Schnatter had sold his beloved 1971 ½ Camaro Z28 in 1983 when his father’s tavern was on the verge of closing because of a bankruptcy. With the $2,800 he received for the car he was able to save their business and later launched the Papa John’s pizza empire. Schnatter says that for 26 years he wanted the car back, and in 2009 by offering a finder’s fee of $25,000 and $250,000 to purchase the car John was re-united with the Camaro.

Joining Papa John’s car is PGA golfer Kenny Perry’s 1969 Camaro, a 2001 Dale Earnhardt Camaro (1 of only 81 made), a 1987 1LE Prototype, a 2010 Indy 500 Pace Car, a 1968 Big Block plus several more head-turners.

Of course, the icing on the Camaro cake will come October 18-28 when the Museum welcomes “Bumblebee,” star of the Transformers films. The Camaro is one of the actual “autobots” used in the first and second Transformers movies (2007 and 2009), driven by actors Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox. The third film is currently in production and is set to release July 1, 2011 in 3-D.

Camaro lovers will have the opportunity to not only sit behind the wheel of a new Camaro, but also register to take one home! The Museum will be holding a fundraising raffle for a 2011 Black Camaro SS/RS and chances are only $10 each. The car features black leather interior, LS3 – 6.2L V8 engine with 426 horsepower, 6-speed manual transmission, silver stripe package, Hurst short-throw shifter, 20” aluminum polished wheels and more. The prize also includes a voucher to participate in a Bondurant 3-Day Driving School, valued at over $4,000! The drawing will be held in February of 2011 at the National Corvette Museum.

For the full Camaro-experience, a one-day Camaro/Firebird Classic event is planned during the exhibit. Saturday, October 23 will be packed with autocross, drag racing, a car show, poker run, BBQ lunch and more. Participant registration is all-inclusive at just $50 per person. Spectators/guests can pay just $20 for the lunch and museum admission. Event credential pick-up begins at 8am.

For more information on the exhibit and event, visit our website at http://www.corvettemuseum.org or call (800) 538-3883. The National Corvette Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Corvette’s past, present and future. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, the Museum is located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

Calling All Cars! Kentucky State Police Team Up With National Corvette Museum to Offer Scenic Road Tour

Kentucky is known for horses, bourbon and history… but October 12-16, 2010 participants of a first-ever scenic Kentucky road tour will get to experience more than just that. The National Corvette Museum has teamed up with the Kentucky State Police to lead a fundraising event like no other – taking participants to some of the most popular attractions and best dining the Bluegrass State has to offer. The proceeds from the event will benefit both the National Corvette Museum, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, and the Kentucky State Police’s Trooper Island Camp, a free of charge, weeklong experience designed to help underprivileged kids age 10-12 develop their self image, build healthy eating and exercise habits, provide spiritual growth and further mental capabilities.

“The ‘One Lap of Kentucky’ Event is a great way to spend some time seeing the many wonderful sites our state has to offer,” said Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer. “The Kentucky State Police are excited to be a part of the event and are honored that a portion of the registration will benefit Trooper Island. Since 1965, the island has been run entirely on donations. It is from the generous contributions of people across this great state and beyond that we are able to continue to operate this magical place,” he added.

The road tour begins on Wednesday, October 13, departing from the National Corvette Museum down US-68/KY-80 to the Shaker Museum at South Union, the Jefferson Davis Monument, Metalsa Factory (formerly Dana) in Hopkinsville to see how Corvette frames are made and on to lunch at the Pennyrile State Park. The day continues with a visit to the “Land Between the Lakes” with dinner at Patti’s 1880’s Settlement in Grand Rivers and overnight at Kentucky Dam State Park Lodge.

Thursday takes the group to Paducah with visits to the Dippin’ Dots factory and Quilt Museum, time to browse Lowertown ending with dinner at the famous Moonlite BBQ in Owensboro. Friday includes a tour of the International Bluegrass Museum, taking the Kentucky backroads to Rough River State Park for lunch and wrapping up with visits to Churchill Downs and the Derby Museum in Louisville.

The trip comes to a close on Saturday with visits to the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, including a souvenir of your own custom bat, shopping and lunch at the Whistlestop Café in Glendale and finishing back at the National Corvette Museum. While caravanning is a signature Corvette activity, this road tour welcomes all makes and models of cars.

“Corvettes share a common passion for road tours, and we feel by hosting this tour with the Kentucky State Police this passion will rub off on others,” said Roc Linkov, Events Manager at the National Corvette Museum. “What better time to explore Kentucky than the fall!”

The tour fee is $625 for the driver, and $225 for their guest. The fee includes lodging for three nights, lunch on three days, admission to all attractions and dinner the first two nights. Registration closes October 4. For more information on the ‘One Lap of Kentucky’ Road Tour, visit our website at http://www.corvettemuseum.org/ or call (800) 538-3883. The National Corvette Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Corvette’s past, present and future. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, the Museum is located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

National Corvette Museum to Raffle Special Edition Corvette at 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY

While the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will bring a lot of horses to Kentucky, the National Corvette Museum in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Travel will bring a lot of horsepower to the games as well.

One lucky fan will get a high powered ‘souvenir’ to bring home from the games. On Sunday, October 10 a raffle drawing will be held at 12pm ET at the Kentucky Experience of the World Equestrian Games for a special edition 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport Corvette Convertible. The car, VIN 14, has a strong Corvette show history and was used by Chevrolet to promote the new Grand Sport all over the country. In addition, Chevrolet's design team has made a few special, custom modifications to make it truly a collectible car, including special ‘one off’ centerstack and steering wheel finish, unique center console leather wrap, special detail on the steering wheel center and special rear badge and windshield decal.

“This is definitely a collectible Corvette with a rich history,” said Harlan Charles, Chevrolet Corvette Product Marketing Manager. “We’ve selected a special low VIN Corvette which has traveled the country with us at Chevrolet to promote the new Grand Sport model. Our designers have also made a few special modifications to the car, making it truly one-of-a-kind,” he added.

The Corvette will be on display by the Welcome Center of the Kentucky Experience during the 16 days of the event. In addition, a Corvette that visitors can try on for size will be located within the ‘Caves, Lakes, Corvettes’ section of the Kentucky Experience, making a perfect photo op for visitors.

“Bowling Green, Kentucky is the only place in the world Corvettes are manufactured,” said Mike Cooper, Commissioner of the Department of Travel. “It is only fitting that we offer one up for raffle so that an event attendee has the opportunity to bring a little piece of Kentucky back home with them.”

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear just this summer signed into law a bill designating Corvette as the official state sports car. "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. We proudly honor this fine example of American ingenuity by designating the Corvette as Kentucky's official state sports car."

Both the General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant and National Corvette Museum are located in Bowling Green, Kentucky at I-65, exit 28. “I can’t think of a better piece of Kentucky craftsmanship and engineering to showcase at the games,” said Wendell Strode, Executive Director at the National Corvette Museum. “Who doesn’t get revved up and ready for action when they see a Corvette?”

Tickets for this one-of-a-kind raffle are only $20 each, and an unlimited number of tickets are available. They can be purchased at the Welcome Center of the Kentucky Experience, the National Corvette Museum and online at corvettemuseum.org/raffle. Additional information about this exciting car is also available online at corvettemuseum.org/ky.

The National Corvette Museum is a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization which celebrates, educates and preserves the past, present and future of Corvette. The Museum is open daily from 8am to 5pm CT.

National Corvette Museum to Host Corvette Pace Car Reunion September 22-25, 2010

Without a doubt, this year’s Pace Car Reunion offers some of the most exciting activities in the history of the event. The National Corvette Museum’s Pace Car Reunion celebrates Corvette’s legendary showing as a ten-time pace car for the Indy 500. Owners of the highly valued 1978, 1986, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 Indy Pace Corvettes will be in attendance, as well as Parade Corvettes, Brickyard 400 Pace Cars, Daytona 500 Pace Cars and a multitude of others.

Event participants will begin gathering on Wednesday, September 22, kicking off with a private group tour of the Corvette Assembly Plant and a visit with new BGAP Manager Dave Tatman, an update on the Motorsports Park and a guided tour of the Museum. Shortly afterward a lunch and a gathering of the cars will be staged along the front drive in preparation for the caravan to Indianapolis, the spiritual home of Corvette Pace Cars.

Thursday morning brings a full day of activities in Indianapolis starting with a tour of the Chip Ganassi /Target Racing team garage, a garage which normally does not provide tours. This is followed by a trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Speedway Hall of Fame Museum, and the Ray Skillman Car Collection - a large private collection of all kinds of cars and automobile memorabilia. The day closes out with a visit and dinner at Andy Wolf’s Car Collection.

Saturday morning the tour participants will depart for Troy, Michigan with a special stop in Auburn, Indiana at the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum. The highlight of the trip is a caravan out to Milford, Michigan for a special access visit to General Motors’ top secret Milford Proving Ground to check out the famous high speed oval. Of course, a few laps and group photos will wrap up the visit.

Pratt & Miller welcomes the group for lunch and a tour of the engineering firm’s race facilities including the C6.R cars and the transporters. This is the heart and soul of Corvette Racing and participants will be able to meet some of the people critical to the team’s success. After Pratt & Miller is a trip to Sterling Heights and the opportunity to view a portion of GM’s Heritage Collection. The event draws to a close with a dinner in Troy joined by a number of VIP guests. The Tour bears the hallmark of NCM events… go where the public can’t go, do what the public can’t do and have fun doing it! The price for the entire package is $690 for the primary registrant and $290 for their guest.

“The Chevrolet Pace Car Registry is thrilled to have never-before features included in the Pace Care Reunion Tour,” said Pace Car Registry Public Relations Director Jim Egan. “The Registry members are excited that the Target/Chip Ganassi Racing Team shop and the very restricted GM Milford Proving Grounds are part of this year’s long awaited Tour which is held every other year.”

For more information on the Pace Car Reunion, visit our website at http://www.corvettemuseum.org or call (800) 538-3883. The National Corvette Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Corvette’s past, present and future. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT, the Museum is located at Exit 28 on I-65 in Bowling Green, KY.

National Corvette Museum Displays Rare Pace Car

The National Corvette Museum’s Skydome is home to not only rare Corvettes, but also a mini “Gasoline Alley” with a representation of every Corvette that ever paced the Indy 500. 1986 marked the return of the convertible to the Corvette line-up, and the return of the Corvette to Indianapolis. As with the first Corvette Pace Car in 1978, the 1986 Corvette needed no mechanical modifications to pace the race. In fact it was the first street-legal car to pace Indy since the previous Corvette. Test pilot and retired Air Force General Chuck Yeager was selected to drive the Indy Pace Car.

As with all Indy 500 Pace Cars, one is kept by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, one is presented to the winner of the Indy 500 Race, and one is given to the driver of the Pace Car. Displayed in the National Corvette Museum Skydome is the very car driven by General Chuck Yeager.

Current owner Bart Riebe of Grass Valley, CA acquired this Corvette from General Yeager himself. Yeager’s daughter, Susie, worked for Bart, and at the time Yeager was presented the Corvette at the Indy race, he already had a Corvette. He told Bart if he would buy him two Chevy pickup trucks, they could trade. After some negotiation with GM, Bart was able to get the Pace Car. Due to some modifications the track made to the car, it is not street legal and has only been driven in parades. According to Bart, very few, if any, real Pace Cars are ever released for private individuals to own.

See Chuck Yeager’s Pace Car now through April 2011. The National Corvette Museum is located at I-65 exit 28 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is open daily, 8am until 5pm central time. Regular admission prices are $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors, $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.