Emerson Fittipaldi Makes a First Time Visit to Bowling Green

Two-time Indy 500 Champion Emerson Fittipaldi made a visit to the Corvette Plant to personally sign the new Pace Cars being offered for sale to the public, and made a special visit to the Museum as part of his visit. Fittipaldi, along with GM Team members and his family, was given a guided tour and enjoyed lunch at the Museum. “This is my first time to the plant and Museum and I can feel the passion for this sports car,” said Fittipaldi. “The new Pace Cars are beautiful and so much fun to drive. What a muscle car the Corvette is.”

Many guests visiting the Museum had a chance to get a quick autograph and enjoyed watching from a distance as the legendary racer took in the sites and sounds of Corvette.  Fittipaldi will be driving the Corvette Pace Car at the upcoming Indianapolis 500 scheduled for May 25, 2008.

High Performance Driving Event Alert

The NCM will hold its third High Performance Driving Event October 4-5 at Putnam Park Road Course in Mt. Meridian, Indiana - just outside of Indianapolis.  Putnam Park is a 1.8 mile road course offering a variety of technical turns to test the skills of all run groups.

NCM driving schools provide instruction with safe handling of high performance vehicles in a controlled high speed environment.  Students have 2-3 hours of classroom education along with up to 4 hours of track time with a ride along instructor when on track.  Registration for the Putnam event should open in May and interested students are encouraged to stay tuned to NCM eNews for advance notice. Our HPDE schools sell out in a matter of minutes – so be prepared to register quickly. 

Car Show News Continues

NCM Executive Director, Wendell Strode will be attending the Lower Alabama Corvette Show this weekend in Orange Beach, Alabama. If you are planning to attend this show, be sure to stop by and say hello.

We appreciate the support of Corvette clubs and show coordinators for offering complimentary show space and donations to benefit the NCM. Contact Membership Services Manager, Stephanie Morrill at: stephanie@corvettemuseum.com or (800) 53-VETTE for more information on involving the NCM as part of your show. Continue sending in your show information and we will gladly post it in NCM eNews. You can also post your show information via our website under the “Club Event” section at: www.corvettemuseum.com   
* March 15 – Lower Alabama Corvette Club’s Annual “Fun in the Sun” Corvette Show  - The Warf, Orange Beach, Alabama   
* May 4 – Metro Long Island NCRS Chapter Meet – Mack Pontiac Buick GMC – Hicksville, NY 516-944-9237
* May 10 – Skyline Drive Charity Corvette Cruise – Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
www.svcorvetteclub.org  
* May 17 – Liberty Region Corvette Club’s 12th Annual Corvette Show – Langhorne, PA – http://clubs.hemmings.com/liberty
* June 6 – COCC/Riverwind All Corvette Show – Riverwind Casino – Norman, OK
http://home.flash.net/~hohne1/coccriverwind.htm
* October 2-5 – Art and Automobile – Ogden, Quebec
www.artandautomobile.com   

1963-2008 All Weather Car Cover Now Available

You can now order the custom fit “All Weather” Corvette car cover through the Corvette Store!

This cover provides outstanding protection in any type of weather for both indoor and outdoor use. Made of super dense fine weave construction, this cover protects your Corvette's finish, and rolls up for compact storage.  Find out more and place your order online at: http://store.corvettemuseum.com/detail.aspx?ID=1962 or call (800) 53-VETTE.

Weekly eBay Item Up for Bid

This week’s eBay item is a commemorative license plate from the 2003 Corvette Caravan display in Nashville as part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration event.

Find out more and make your bid online for this and other collectibles and Corvette parts at: http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnationalcorvette

Corvette Racing Takes on New Challenge in 2008

From the early days of the marque when mechanical fuel injection and disc brakes were novelties to the advanced carbon fiber construction and sophisticated CFD aerodynamics of the 21st century, Corvette has long been a leader in developing and refining new technology. That process is continuing in 2008 as Chevrolet's factory road racing team develops new components and materials for its transition to E85 ethanol racing fuel.

"We're willing to take on the challenge," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "We know this is the future of racing. Someone has to be the first, and when you're the first, you're inevitably going to encounter new challenges." Corvette Racing first track-tested the renewable alternative fuel in late February. A post-test inspection revealed that the initial formulation of the E85R fuel specified by IMSA, the ALMS sanctioning body, was adversely affecting the adhesive used to construct the race cars' twin fuel cells. Consequently the team will compete in the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring with the E10 ethanol/gasoline blend that was used in 2007 while new fuel cell adhesives and assembly techniques are developed. Read the complete release at: www.corvetteracing.com

Corvette Racing will make its season debut in the opening round of the 12-race ALMS series, the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, on Saturday, March 15, 2008. The race will start at 10 a.m. ET and will be broadcast live by SPEED, which will begin its coverage at 9:30 a.m.