ARTICLES
Cruise
to Natchez, MS
saturday, June 26th, 12 couples hooked up to drive up
to Natchez, MS for the
day. This event, put together by Miz Jane, was
a fun event of eating and touring.
First stop: Mammy’s Cupboard where
we enjoyed lunch in the quaint ladies
pink dress. Busy as usual, the
waitresses were scurrying around trying to take orders
and deliver
them. After lunch, we did our usual photo opportunity in front of the
pink
dress and headed into Natchez.
We were suppose to tour
Dunleith but, due to a wedding there in the afternoon,
this was not
going to happen. So, I chose Melrose, which turned out to be a splendid
choice. The grounds, the home and the inside tour of the home was well
received by all
of who chose to participate. There were many
outbuildings and we were encouraged to
check out and as we gathered
under one of the beautiful oak trees, we relaxed a bit for
what I
thought was going to be the final stop of our day…………..Dairy Queen.
As usual, the Dairy Queen was crowded, some customers grumbled about the
service, but I was anxious for my dip cone and refused to be
disappointed and patiently
waited my turn.
Members had everything
from dip cones to banana splits and afterwards, one
couple headed out
to try their luck on the gambling boat, a couple of us headed on
home, but some of us decided to stop at an antique place we spied on the
way up to
Natchez to see what we might find there. We spend a short
while looking over ‘stuff’
and then, one by one, the rest of us
headed on home.
Everyone seemed to have an enjoyable day except for
some in the group because
the leader of the pack, who was me,
received a few comments about the slow driving
pace but all in all it
was a successful day.
………….Submitted by Miz Jane
Trip to Memphis
Six Vettes and one chuck wagon departed Baton
Rouge on Sunday morning,
June
6th
enroute to deliver a gift to St. Jude Children’s
Hospital in Memphis.
Our
first stop was at, where else, but a place to eat, chosen by Mark and
Mary
Jurey, who would
meet us there for lunch. Five Guys had to be the busiest spot in
town, serving hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries
and other fast food at such a rapid
pace one would check out the burger to make sure
it was well done. Awesome burgers
were gobbled down by a bunch of hungry folks.
Departing Five Guys, Jeff Travasos took us on the
remainder of our journey
down the back roads of beautiful country hills and
calm, everyday living, which was a
great choice, away from the hurried interstate.
Upon arrival at our $35.00 per night Bally’s
Hotel, there were people everywhere.
Even though it was not the fancy Taj Mahal, our
room was ice cold and immaculately
clean and all that Earl and I needed for a good
night’s rest.
We hopped
aboard the shuttle for a dinner buffet at the Casino and while it was
not terribly fancy, I think everyone came away
with a full stomach.
Anxious for our Monday trip into Memphis and our day on a tour bus, Mud
Island and Beale Street, everyone strolled to
their rooms where the morning came much
too soon as some of us boarded the trolley back to
the casino for a breakfast buffet or an
order from the menu breakfast.
Our drive into Memphis was uneventful and around
10:00 a.m. this antique, and
at some point in its life either a greyhound or
trailways bus, pulled up. It had been
renovated, still had what looked to be the
original seats, but I have to admit Backbeat
Tours was undeniably the BEST time I have had in a
long while. Allowed to bring our
snacks and liquid drinks of our choice aboard, we
were quickly seated and the
entertainment began. We had our own band aboard, a
one-man band, who entertained
us from start to finish, and we were his
accompaniment. Some of us with tambourines,
some with bongo drums, some with egg shaped noise
makers but all of us, with drinks
in hand, began the tour. The music from our leader
was beyond belief as between his
songs he blurted our more history of Memphis than
I had ever known. And, his songs
of choice were from our day and we were encouraged
to sing along as well as be his
accompaniment. As our tour came, much too quickly,
to an end, we were left to our
own vices as we sought out “food” and decided upon
Beale Street Café, where we were
seated in a private area and were treated to quick
service, great food and a 50’s
atmosphere.
Our next venture was to Mud Island where we talked
to a Trolley’s driver who
offered to take us very close to the location.
Upon arrival, we quickly learned Mud
Island was not opened on Monday, we Trollied back
to Beale Street to visit some of the
shops or do whatever our hearts desired. Most of
us were tired and opted to head back
to the hotel where our leader, Eileen, offered to
get us there.
Not to be
outdone with previous leaders, she very expertly took some of us out
of TN, into AR, and back into MS. A couple of us
opted not to follow her and were
safely back in our hotel long before they
returned. Upon arrival at the hotel, we learned
that Jay and Jerelyn had arrived to join us.
Dinner on Monday night was discussed and we
decided on a steak restaurant at
one of the other casinos. Everyone was hungry, we
headed out and they were waiting
for us as we had called ahead for reservations.
Excitedly, we opened the menu and
were greeted by prices not unheard of, but for me,
prices I would not normally pay for
items on a menu. What the hay…….this would not
break me and everyone had their
own plan. Most of us ordered steak and shared with
their spouses; some of us had a
couple of entrees as their meal and then some of
us even had dessert. After dinner most
of us went back to our hotel while some decided to
try their luck in the casino.
The big day arrived, we stopped and had breakfast
at Sonic which everyone
seemed to enjoy, and we headed to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Not long
after our
departure from
Sonic, Pat and Jeff received a call that Pat’s mom was at the hospital
with a possible heart attack. They immediately
left the group and headed home. We
continued on our journey into Memphis and although
there were only about one-half of
members this time than we have had in previous
years, our number made the same,
enormous impact on the individuals from St. Jude.
All of them were excited to have us,
our presentation of the $36,000.00 check was
greatly received and then we had our
photo shots. This year, the photographer had two
of us with convertibles, namely
Eileen and Miz Jane, place our cars in the picture
to make an even more awesome
picture opportunity for us and for them. All of us
went on to tour the hospital, left
there to have lunch at Marlowe’s, a barbecue
restaurant suggested by Elaine and once
again had a splendid meal. As we headed to our
cars and the journey home, we were
sad to have to put an end to one wonderful,
fulfilling trip. But, sooner or later, we have
to get back to reality and begin our new chapter
for next year’s show.
………………………Submitted by Miz Jane
PLEAE READ ALL
Completely
CARAVAN ETIQUETTE
THE PURPOSE OF CARAVAN ETIQUETTE IS FOR THE SAFETY AND FUN FOR ALL!!!
SPEED
The maximum speed of the caravan will not exceed the published speed limit at any time.
The maximum speed of the caravan will be determined by the maximum safe speed of the slowest Corvette.
STOPPING
IF ANYONE STOPS UNANNOUCED THE ENTIRE CARAVAN STOPS UNTIL THE REASON FOR THE STOP CAN BE DETERMINED AND THE APPROPRIATE ACTION TAKEN!
NO ONE WILL BE LEFT STRANDED PLEASE CALL ONE OF THE CAPTAINSIf the Corvette in front of you stops, YOU STOP TOO!
Emergency stops
must be communicated to the lead Corvette as soon as possible.PASSING
Passing each other in the caravan should not be necessary. If someone would like to break out
To take photos or video Please let the Captain know
If the caravan leader decides to pass a slower moving vehicle, he/she will wait for the last Corvette in the caravan before resuming normal speed.
When the caravan is passing a slower moving vehicle, remain in the right lane until it’s your turn to pass.
SPACING
Although we would like the caravan to run together as a group and not be divided by non-caravan vehicles, always keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
BUT
Please Do Not droop too far back from the car in front of you as this will make the Caravan
Much longer and more difficult for others to follow
If you notice a
non-caravan vehicle moving through the caravan, assist them by slowing down a little and leaving additional space between you and the vehicle in front of you.LEAVING THE CARAVAN
Those wishing to exceed the established speed of the caravan should notify one of the Captains upon leaving from and returning to the caravan.
If someone needs to leave the caravan temporarily, (extra pit stop, etc.), make sure the Corvette behind you knows that you are departing the caravan so the rest of the caravan does not follow by mistake. Also let one of the Captains know, that you are leaving the caravan and when you will return.
LINE UP OF VEHICLES IN THE CARAVAN
While it is cumbersome and not necessary to line up by year or even by generation, the recommended line up of the caravan is as follows:
Older Corvettes right behind the lead Corvette.
Other Corvettes at random
Vehicles other than Corvettes
COMMUNICATIONS
The primary means of communications for the safety of the caravan is cellular phones
The lead Corvette and the trailing vehicle in the caravan must have cell phone communications.
As a secondary means of communications, the Family Radio Service (FRS) / {GMRS} system is useful, but because of the limited range, should not be relied upon for the safety of the caravan. The operating channel will be Channel # 4.0 unless otherwise noted.
FUEL The Caravan will make regular and listed Fuel stops
****************
PLEASE PLEASE **************ALL CORVETTES MUST FILL THEIR TANKS at the last stop of each day
EVEN IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO FULL.
This will prevent most all emergency fuel stops and help keep us on time
FILL UP YOU PRIDE AND JOY BEFORE YOU SLEEP
QUESTIONS Call YOUR CAPTAINS
GM: Next-Generation Corvette C7 Expected in 2013
Corvette Racing: #3 Corvette C6.R Earns 2nd Place
GT2 Finish at Mid Ohio SEE
2010 Corvette ZR-1 and Corvette Racing C6.R
Specifications Corvette Racing will take on its most formidable
challenge to date when it competes in the GT2 class
at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France, on
June 12-13. The twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race
cars are among the 17 entries in the GT2 class
invited by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO),
organizers of the classic endurance race. Corvette Racing has scored six wins in the
GTS/GT1 class at Le Mans since 2001, including a
victory in last year's race. The GT2 version of the
Corvette C6.R, which is based on the production
Corvette ZR1, made its competition debut in August
2009, competing in five American Le Mans Series
events and scoring the team's first GT2 win at
Mosport International Raceway. The list of invitees
in the GT2 class for Le Mans includes two Corvettes
C6.Rs, five Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs, two BMW M3s, a
Jaguar XKRS, five Ferrari 430 GTs, an Aston Martin
Vantage, and a Spyker C8.
Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan has
seen it all in motorsports, and he had to rely on
every element of that hard-earned experience to
navigate through a tumultuous 2009 season. In the
midst of a global economic storm, Fehan steered
Corvette Racing to the team's sixth win in the 24
Hours of Le Mans and the successful mid-year
introduction of the GT2 version of the Corvette C6.R
in the American Le Mans Series. Corvette Racing's 10th anniversary season was a
year of transition. The championship-winning GT1
Compuware Corvettes secured a seventh win in the
season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on
March 21, and made their farewell appearance in the
ALMS in Long Beach, Calif., on April 18. The curtain
fell on the GT1 era on June 13-14 with a GT1 victory
in Le Mans, France, as Johnny O'Connell, Jan
Magnussen and Antonio Garcia stood on the top step
of the podium. Seven weeks later, two new-generation
Corvette C6.Rs made their competition debut in the
GT2 class at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. March 20 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of
Sebring April 17 Tequila Patrón American Le
Mans Series at Long Beach May 22 Monterey Sports Car
Championships June 12-13 24 Heures du Mans July 10 Larry H. Miller Dealerships
Utah Grand Prix July 24 American Le Mans Northeast
Grand Prix August 7 Acura Sports Car Challenge August 22 Time Warner Cable Road Race
Showcase August 29 Grand Prix of Mosport October 2 Petit Le Mans The following is an overview of the differences
and similarities between the GT1 and GT2 versions of
the Corvette C6.R. GT1 Corvette C6.R GT2 Corvette C6.R Homologation Model Corvette Z06 Corvette ZR1 Frame Hydroformed steel Hydroformed aluminum Wheelbase (in) 105.7 Same Length (in) 178.7 176.2 (-2.5) Width (in) 78.7 78.6 (-0.1) Weight (lb) 2580 2745 (+165) Engine 7.0-liter LS7.R 2009: 6.0-liter LS7.R 2010: 5.5-liter GM V8 Horsepower 590 2009: 470 (-120) 2010: TBD Torque (lb-ft) 640 2009: 535 (-105) 2010: TBD Intake Air Restrictor (mm) 30.6 28.6 (-2.0) Bore diameter (in) 4.180 Same Crankshaft stroke (in) 3.875 3.32 (-0.555) Transaxle Xtrac 6-speed sequential Same Wheels BBS magnesium, 18 x 12.5 (front); 18 x 13
(rear) BBS aluminum, dimensions same Tires Michelin racing tires Same Brakes Carbon rotors and pads Steel rotors, ceramic composite pads Fuel capacity @ ALMS E85 spec (gal) 29 Same Wing Chord (mm /in) 400 / 15.74 300 / 11.81 (-100 / -3.93) Diffuser Leading edge at rear axle centerline,
with side plates and longitudinal fences Leading edge at rearmost point of wheel
opening, no side plates or fences Splitter (mm) 80 25 (-55) Telemetry Yes No Windshield Polycarbonate Production laminated glass
Watch and listen as the ZR1 tackles the twists and
turns of "the Ring" Copyright © 2010
Corvette Racing. All rights reserved.
Photo Credit: Autoblog
2010 Corvette ZR1
2010 GT2 Corvette C6.R
Displacement (L / ci):
6.2 / 376
5.5 / 336
Horsepower:
638 @ 6500 rpm
485 @5800
Torque (lb-ft):
604 @ 3800 rpm
na
Bore diameter (mm / in):
103.25 / 4.06
103.89 / 4.090
Crankshaft stroke (mm / in):
92 / 3.62
80.90 / 3.185
"V" angle (deg):
90
90
Cylinder bore spacing
(mm
/ ci):111.7 / 4.40
111.7 / 4.40
Valvetrain:
pushrod with overhead
valves, titanium inlet
pushrod with overhead
valves, titanium inlet and exhaust
Valves per cylinder:
2
2
Camshaft drive:
chain
chain
Cylinder case material:
aluminum
aluminum
Cylinder liners:
dry iron
aluminum
Cylinder head material:
aluminum
aluminum, CNC ported
Lubrication system:
dry sump
dry sump
Fuel system:
sequential EFI
sequential EFI
Throttle system:
supercharged w/intercooler,
throttle body
individual runner
Fuel:
premium unleaded gasoline
required
E85R ethanol (ALMS)
E10
(Le Mans)
Body style:
two-door hatchback coupe
two-door hatchback coupe
Drivetrain:
longitudinal front engine,
rear-wheel drive
longitudinal front engine,
rear-wheel drive
Chassis:
hydroformed aluminum
chassis, composite body
hydroformed aluminum
chassis, composite body
Wheelbase (in):
105.7
105.7
Length (in):
176.2
176.2
Width (in):
75.9
78.6
Height (in):
49
45.9
Weight (lb):
3324
2745
Front suspension:
independent, short/long arm
double wishbone, cast aluminum controls,
transverse-mounted composite leaf spring,
monotube shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
independent, short/long
double wishbone, fabricated steel upper &
lower, machined aluminum knuckle, coil-over
multi-adjustable shock absorbers, anti-roll
bar
Rear suspension:
independent, short/long arm
double wishbone, cast aluminum control arms,
transverse-mounted composite leaf spring,
monotube shock absorbers; anti-roll bar
independent, short/long arm
double wishbone, steel fabricated upper &
lower control arms, machined aluminum
knuckle, coil-over multi-adjustable shock
absorbers, anti-roll bar
Brakes:
front and rear
power-assisted carbon-ceramic disc with
6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers,
cross-drilled rotors, ABS
4-wheel disc with monoblock
calipers, steel rotors and ceramic composite
pads
Wheels (in):
19 x 10 (front); 20 x 12
(rear)
18 x 12.5 (front); 18 x 13
(rear)
Tires:
Michelin Pilot Sport 2
P285/30ZR19 (front),
P335/25ZR20 (rear)Michelin racing tires,
300/32-18 (front),
310/41-18 (rear)
Fuel capacity (gal):
18
26.4
(29 @ ALMS E85R
spec)Corvette Racing to Return to Le Mans in 2010
more »Corvette Racing 2009 Review: Doug Fehan Q&A
more »
2010 Corvette Racing Schedule
DATE
VENUE
TV
Sebring, FL
Long Beach, CA
Salinas, CA
Le
Mans, France
Tooele, UT
Lakeville, CT
Lexington, OH
Elkhart Lake, WI
Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
Braselton, GA
Charting the Changes: GT1 vs. GT2 Corvette C6.R
300/32-18
(front)
310/41-18 (rear)
The Ultimate Hot Lap
and sets one of the fastest
times ever clocked for a production car.
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maintained by the
National Corvette Museum.
