Welcome to "NCM Central", the electronic news report from the National Corvette Museum. Here you will find news on NCM events and happenings, Corvette Store specials, GM Corvette Assembly Plant updates, Corvette Racing reports and more.


2003 NCM CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT AVAILABLE

Our 2003 Christmas ornaments have arrived and now you can add this beautiful 2003 piece to your collection! This year’s ornament spotlights the Le Mans Blue Commemorative Edition Convertible encased in a C5 speedometer. Order this and other newly stocked apparel and collectibles online here: http://www.corvettemuseum.com/store or call (800) 53-VETTE.


GM CORVETTE PLANT GETS READY FOR THE C6

Starting this month, the GM Corvette Assembly Plant will begin installing the tools needed to build the next generation C6 Corvette. More than 87 different tools or sub-assembly stations will be installed in General Assembly alone. In December, they will actually build a C6 using the tools along side the line. No plant tours will be offered from December 1, 2003 to April 22, 2004 due to build plans for the C6. Training on the next generation Corvette continues in the Workplace Development Center. The Corvette Engineering Team including Dave Hill was in the plant on Wednesday to review progress with the C6. Stay tuned for more information.


1st, 2nd & 3rd TAKEN AT KENTUCKY TOURISM CONFERENCE TRAVERSE AWARDS

The Kentucky Tourism Council presents the Traverse Awards each year to honor the best work in advertising and marketing among Kentucky tourism businesses and organizations. This year, a panel of out-of-state experts in tourism marketing judged a record 154 entries. The NCM submitted materials in 3 categories and in our division we received a 1st place award for our National Corvette Caravan website, 2nd place for our marketing campaign of the National Corvette Caravan/50th Anniversary events and a 3rd place/honorary mention for our 2003 Corvette Celebration 4-color ad. This is the first year the Museum has submitted materials to the Traverse Awards and we are thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts in 2003!


GET READY FOR PETIT LEMANS

This weekend, Corvette enthusiasts and owners worldwide will have all eyes on Georgia for what has, in only six years, become one of the most important sports car races in the world: Petit Le Mans. The Road Atlanta course is the site of the team’s second ever victory - September 2000 Petit Le Mans. After racing nearly 1,000 miles and a little over 9 hours, it took a daring pass of the #92 Dodge Viper by Andy Pilgrim in the #4 Corvette C5-R to claim the win. The “Pilgrim Pass” remains one of the most significant moments in the history of Corvette racing. The Petit Le Mans race will get the green flag at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 18 and will air on Speed Channel. For more information, visit the Speed Channel site at: http://alms.americanlemans.com/schedule/petitlemans.asp

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Submitted by Bobbie Jo Lee, National Corvette Museum Communications, who can be reached at bobbiejo@corvettemuseum.com, or visited on the web at http://www.corvettemuseum.com