Former Corvette Racing Driver and all-around Mr. Nice Guy Ron Fellows was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame for his contributions to the hobby. Ron and his family were at the National Corvette Museum’s 17th Annual Labor Day celebration last weekend for the induction ceremony and little did he know that a special Corvette was waiting for him as well.
Corvette Team members Harlan Charles and Kirk Bennion presented Ron with this stunning 2012 Corvette Z06. The Corvette is called the SEMA/Spring Mountain Special Edition and we can assume that it will be one of the featured vehicles at the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School at Spring Mountain Raceway outside of Las Vegas.
The Z06 features many of the new 2012 options including the B92 carbon fiber hood and the new full body racing stripes. Borrowed from the Centennial Edition are the black wheels with the red stripe and the seats with the special “100 Years” embroidery.
We particulary liked the custom Grand Sport hash marks that are reminiscient of the 2007 Ron Fellows Z06 which had the Canadian Maple Leaf. The Carbon graphic was reworked to show the Number 3 (Ron drove the #3 Corvette for Corvette Racing) along with “Hall of Fame” and on the rear, you’ll find graphics from Mosport Raceway (Ron is now co-owner of the famous Canadian track) and the Ron Fellows Performance driving school.
CorvetteBlogger gives a special thanks for Corvette Forum member Talon90 and NCM Insurance Ageny’s Adam Boca for the video and photos of the unveiling.
One of the benefits of the American Le Mans Series new television deal with ESPN is the ability to watch previous races and qualifying sessions from the ALMS video archive. Having missed Friday’s live ESPN3 feed, I pulled up a replay of the practice/qualifying session for the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix and came across a couple of segments worth sharing.
Fifteen minutes prior to the start of qualifying, Milner and Magnussen took to the new street course for only the second time. ESPN’s cameras spend a good deal of time on the Corvettes during these warm-up laps and former driver Johnny O’Connell provides the narrative.
Following the race, I visited GM Racing’s media site to look at some of the photos taken by team photographer Richard Prince. This image of the number 4 Corvette going over the chicane on the front straight caught my eye in particular and is now my new desktop wallpaper.
The monthly sales figures were released by General Motors last week and Corvette sales dipped to its lowest number in seven months. In August, there were 936 Corvettes sold, a decline of -17.5% over the 1,135 Corvettes sold during the same month in 2010. For the year, Corvette sales continue to run 5% ahead of 2010 with a total of 9,123 Corvettes sold during the 2011 calendar year.
The largest single contributing factor to the decline in sales during August was Hurricane Irene. With much of the Eastern United States under threat from the storm for nearly a week, Chevy dealers from the Carolina’s to New England took a hit as potential buyers hunkered down or evacuated from the coastal areas. Many dealers in the path of the storm like Atlantic City’s Kerbeck Corvette moved their inventory to a secure facility on higher ground.
Corvette
Delivery Statistics for August 2011
Month
Calendar Year-to-Date
Month
2011
2010
% Change
Months
2011
2010
% Change
August
936
1,135
-17.5%
Jan-Aug
9,123
8,689
+5.0%
Archived
Monthly Corvette Delivery Statistics
Year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total
2011
721
955
1,163
1,454
1,304
1,299
1,291
936
2010
854
624
955
1,089
1,428
1,405
1,199
1,135
1,109
1,011
836
979
12,624
2009
842
1,027
1,183
1,407
1,643
1,396
966
746
1,585
1,154
952
1,033
13,934
2008
2,015
2,071
2,692
3,190
2,904
2,082
1,870
4,242
2,318
1,170
1,093
1,324
26,971
2007
2,234
2,784
3,158
3,227
3,300
2,377
2,377
2,877
2,837
2,484
2,438
2,914
33,685
2006
2,579
3,058
3,655
3,516
3,317
2,938
2,794
2,990
3,056
2,761
2,773
3,081
36,518
Corvette Stock Report:
We are able to estimate the 2012 Corvette inventory by keeping track of the monthly production and sales numbers. We are estimating a total 1,427 2012 Corvettes currently on the ground as of September 1st. A check of Jeff Hardy’s website shows 1,803 2011 and 2010 Corvettes so the total inventory is estimated to be 3,257 Corvettes. Last month’s total was 2,346 for a net change of +911 Corvettes. Here is the breakdown by year and models:
2012 Corvettes – 1,427
2011 Corvettes – 1,705
2010 Corvettes – 125
2011 Corvette Inventory Breakdown:
Corvette Coupes – 478
Corvette Convertibles – 155
Corvette GS Coupes – 548
Corvette GS Convertibles – 285
Corvette Z06 – 112
Corvette ZR1 – 127
2010 Corvette Inventory Breakdown:
Corvette Coupes – 39
Corvette Convertibles – 35
Corvette GS Coupes – 9
Corvette GS Convertibles – 12
Corvette Z06 – 3
Corvette ZR1 – 27
Bowling Green Production:
2012 Model Year Production in August 2011: 1,493
2012 Model Year To Date Through August 2011: 2,810
2011 Calendar Year to Date through August 2011: 9,034
The Corvette Racing Team is making preparations for their American Le Mans Series’ (ALMS) first ever race in Baltimore, MD. The team is challenged to gauge the impact of racing on a street course that contains bumps, low grips, jumps, and more.
With little time to test before the race, the team’s Corvette engineers are faced with creating a simulation of the course from provided data (i.e. length of track’s straightaway and radius of corners). Really, a true guessing game.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I love these situations where everyone has to start at zero,” says Oliver Gavin.
The first run is critical, and the entire team must be flexible and prepared to react quickly. Follow the jump to hear more from:
The Bowling Green Assembly Plant celebrated its 30th anniversary of producing America’s favorite sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette. Workers wearing red shirts gathered outside the facility and formed a giant bowtie for a commemorative photo. Here’s a news report from Bowling Green’s WBKO-TV about the anniversary and we hear from Plant Manager Dave Tatman who voiced his appreciation for the support the plant receives from the surrounding communities.
Labor Day Weekend 2011 – The Bowling Green Assembly Plant celebrated its 30th anniversary of producing America\’s favorite sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette.
I was finally able to make it to Carlisle’s downtown parade for the first time last weekend. I’m little bit embarrassed to admit that in my 5 previous trips to Carlisle that it wasn’t really on my radar screen of must-attend events. Now I’m trying to find a functional flux capacitor and a DeLorean so I can go back in time and catch up on the parades I’ve missed.
The downtown parade gathers on the Fun Field near the end of Saturday’s activities. From there hundreds of Corvettes roll a few miles down the road to historic downtown Carlisle, park in the streets, and basically have a street party of sorts.
I arrived in town about 15 minutes before the rumbling exhausts filled the streets. Just as I exited my car rain started to fall harder than it had all day. I was convinced that very few Corvettes were going to attend this event. After all, Corvettes melt when they get wet, don’t they? As I proceeded up the sidewalk I was surprised to see people in chairs eagerly waiting for America’s sports car with cameras in one hand and umbrellas in the other. The outer bands of hurricane Irene couldn’t keep the people away. Just then the low rumble of thumping V8 exhausts peeked my attention and the rain lightened slightly.
Two-by-two the cars filed into town led by a fleet of Carlisle Blue and 2012 Corvettes. As I watched the cars head to their respective parking locations, I noticed the excitement level of the spectators increasing as each Corvette sauntered by. Almost like Christmas shoppers on Black Friday. Young and old, locals and tourists alike were just waiting for the cars to stop so they could jump into the streets and check out all the cool rides. Corvettes from all 6 generations were present including 2012 Corvette VIN #1 as well as the winner of the prestigious Keith’s Choice award. Probably one of my favorite moments of the evening was watching a couple of different Corvette owners invite some small children (probably 5 or 6 years old) to sit in their Corvettes. The kids’ smiles were overpowering. You just know that they’ll have cars in the downtown parade about 20 years from now.
I’m pleased to announce that no Corvettes melted or shrunk due to the light persistent rain that night and that the downtown parade will be on my agenda for next year’s Corvettes at Carlisle. It should be on yours as well.
Below are some of my soggy photos from the parade.
The inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix lived up to expectations as tight corners and limited passing opportunities turned the streets into a gunfight. Things were real interesting from the start as Corvettes battled BMW, Porsche and Ferrari in the shadows of Camden Yard and the USS Constitution moored in Baltimore’s Harbor. Would Saturday’s result help Corvette Racing close the gap as they fight for the manufacturers and drivers championships? See the official release from Corvette Racing after the jump.
Corvette Finishes Third and Seventh in Baltimore Street Fight
Gavin and Magnussen Recover from First-Turn Melee to Score Podium Finish
BALTIMORE, Sept. 3, 2011 – Spins, accidents, penalties and punctures all figured in Corvette Racing’s results in the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. Played out before an enthusiastic crowd in the packed grandstands, the two-hour race had everything expected in a street race – and more.
When it was over, Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen stood on the GT podium in third place. That was a remarkable comeback after an incident in the first corner that pinned the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R against the wall and allowed the entire field to pass. Magnussen was on a mission, going from 12th to fourth in 22 laps. The first-turn contact had damaged a tire, however, and he pitted at 36 minutes. On four fresh Michelins, the Dane turned the fastest lap of the race, and then handed off to Gavin at the one-hour mark. Gavin was third after the restart for the race’s second full-course caution, and held that position to the end in a battered and bruised race car. Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers won the GT class in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, completing 71 laps on the 2.04-mile temporary circuit.
Magnussen started second in the GT class, and found himself in the middle of a holiday traffic jam in the first turn. “Turn 1 is a very tight and slippery corner, and there was a bit of confusion,” said Magnussen. “No one was to blame, it was just a racing incident. I had a good start and a good run on the BMW, and then a prototype ahead of us slowed right down. When he braked, I had to follow the BMW around the outside, but then someone came up the inside and it was a mess. I was able to catch back up, pass most of the guys, and then got a puncture. I went back out on fresh tires, and the car was fantastic.”
Olivier Beretta started fourth in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R, came out of the first turn in second, survived a spin that dropped him to sixth, and was running third when he pitted at 47 minutes to give the car to Tommy Milner.
“On the start, the No. 17 Porsche was coming up the inside and I was trying to fight with him,” Beretta said. “When Jan slowed for the corner, there was no room between us. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t do anything.
“Then in the Turn 5 chicane, as I was braking, the car hit a bump and my foot slipped between the brake and throttle pedals,” Beretta reported. “For a moment it was caught between the pedals, so instead of going straight, I spun the car. I didn’t hit anything, but it was a big moment.”
Milner was second in No. 3 Corvette C6.R behind Bill Auberlen’s class-leading No. 55 BMW when the race restarted with 40 minutes remaining after a full-course caution to replace a manhole cover that had gone astray. Turn 1 was again Corvette Racing’s Achilles heel as Milner had contact with the BMW, damaging the front bodywork and incurring a stop-and-hold 60-second penalty.
“The team is giving us great cars and making the right pit calls, but lately I’ve not been holding up my end of the bargain,” Milner said. “It was a tough race. On the restart I was protecting the inside from an LMP car, and as we went into the braking zone, Bill braked earlier than I anticipated. I put myself in a situation where I braked hard and locked the fronts, and made unfortunately made contact with him. That effectively ended our race right there.”
Gavin had to cope with the aftereffects of the first-lap incident during his one-hour stint as the damaged exhaust allowed fumes into the cockpit. He pulled to within three seconds of the second-place No. 56 BMW, but after an excursion up the escape road in Turn 1, he brought the No. 4 Corvette C6.R home in third place.
“Unfortunately our race was decided by the contact in the first turn,” Gavin said. “After that we were playing catch-up, and Jan did a brilliant of getting the car into a decent position. Jan had to pit out of sequence because we had a tire going down, but then after the restart we were back in position to fight. With the damage to the car, as soon as we lost the mechanical grip on the front tires, the car started to push and slide the tires. My eyes were stinging because of the damaged exhaust system, and I just tried to keep fresh air blowing toward my helmet.”
“As so often happens on street circuits, the race track rules,” said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. “Today’s race saw a stellar performance by the engineering team and the pit crew, and at times we had the fastest cars on the track – but it just wasn’t to be today. That’s what makes street racing so interesting. It was great to be part of a wildly successful Baltimore Grand Prix. We look forward to this event continuing, and we’ll come back with a vengeance.”
ABC will televise the Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday, September 4, at 4 p.m. ET. Corvette Racing’s next event is the six-hour ModSpace American Le Mans Series Monterey at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, September 17, at 1:30 p.m. PT. Live video coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in the U.S. and americanlemans.com for international users. ESPN2 will televise the ModSpace American Le Mans Series Monterey on Sunday, September 4, at 4 p.m. ET.
Baltimore Grand Prix GT Results (Top 10):
Pos./Car No./Drivers/Car/Laps
![[VIDEO] Unveiling the 2012 Ron Fellows SEMA/Spring Mountain Corvette Z06](http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/090711_5b.jpg)
![[VIDEO] Corvette Racing's C6.Rs on the Streets of Baltimore](http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/090611_2.jpg)
![[VIDEO] Corvette Racing's C6.Rs on the Streets of Baltimore](http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/090611_2b.jpg)
![[VIDEO] Corvette Assembly Plant Celebrates 30th Anniversary](http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/090511_1.jpg)
![[SPOILER] Corvette Racing at ALMS Baltimore](http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/090311_58.jpg)