Whatever happened to the “Paperless Society”?

My file cabinets are overflowing and it is time to clean them out and dispose of all the STUFF that I just had to save. The very worst place to start was my C5 Registry files — a whole filing cabinet drawer full of stuff. This didn’t end up as a cleaning session, but as a wonderful stroll down memory lane. Files dated back to 1998 when I first joined this wonderful group of internet friends who commiserated with me during the dramatic “buy back” of my 1998 C5 Coupe. I then ordered a 1999 F45 Coupe with the new JL4 Active Handling. Members supported me during my wait, but this wasn’t enough — I was suffering withdrawals and could not wait for this C5 to be built. My wonderful Hubby Mike found a 1998 Z51 Silver Coupe to help me keep my sanity (or maybe his). I loved the 1998 Z51 and then couldn’t decide which C5 I should keep. Registry Charter Member Terry Fong [C5R# W0110] wanted to replace his automatic 1998 Silver Corvette with a 6-Speed and would purchase the Corvette that I finally made up my mind to part with. To make a very long story short, when my 1999 Silver Coupe arrived, Terry flew down to Southern California and picked up my 1998 Z51 and we have been great friends ever since.

Next I came across paperwork for all kinds of American Le Mans Series (ALMS) events. There were two ALMS races held in Las Vegas and we had a great time at both. The second Las Vegas event turned into not just a racing event with a dinner, but ten days of FUN and exciting events. We had three special C5 Registry classes at the Spring Mountain Advanced Driving School (Bragg-Smith) in Pahrump, Nevada.

Those Way Out West can certainly enjoy a beautiful canyon run. Photo  by Fred White

There were road tours that showed the wonders of Southern Nevada including the desert waterfalls. We had an exclusive dinner at the Race Rock Café open only to C5 Registry members and their guests. There was also our traditional C5 Registry dinner with the C5-R Drivers and GM VIPs. The very first Spring Mountain Corvette Track Days was held during this event. It was a one-day Drive Your Own Corvette on the Spring Mountain track. This event is still being held two or three times a year and has now grown to over 100 participants.

The 2001 Birthday Bash West was held in Chandler, Arizona where we autocrossed and had a fabulous road tour of the scenic Red Rock country around Sedona, Arizona. Jim Contes, Project Design Engineer & GM Powertrain Support at the Mesa, Arizona Proving Grounds brought out a C5/C6 test mule for our viewing pleasure. This “mule” had all of the computers, cables and equipment necessary to test the next generation Corvette. Jim also brought a video that was shot of him on the high speed oval track. In this video Jim was running in excess of 150 miles per hour when there was a blowout on one of the runflats — it was a scary scene. We then understood why Jim was wearing a full fire suit and all the necessary protective gear.

We celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Corvette in Monterey, California during the Monterey Del Oro Show and the Monterey Historic car races where Corvette was the featured marquee. Corvettes cruised the 17 Mile Drive and rallied through the John Steinbeck country of the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas. C5 Registry friends David & Karen Hill (David was Chief Engineer of Corvette at the time) and John & Beth Cafaro (John designed the Fifth Generation of Corvette) joined us for this special event.

Mike and I have enjoyed these and so many other great events with all of our Registry friends. Now what am I going to do with all of these forms and lists that bring back so many fond memories?

This has been a fabulous year for wild flowers in the West. Mike and I have taken several trips in different directions just to enjoy nature’s bounty. There is nothing better than a beautiful Corvette, or two, or three, slowly cruising through the countryside enjoying this springtime spectacle. Every season holds something to admire, but springtime wildflowers have to be one of the premiere sights to behold. Sometimes you just have to stop, get out of your vette and slowly walk through the desert to closely examine these tiny floral beauties that will go unseen at anything faster than a tortoise pace.

Shows are in full swing and the vettes shine with the enthusiasm of their owners. Corvette events are held all over the West. Just choose your destination and weekend, and then join in the FUN. For show schedules go to www.corvettesnccc.org and then click on the region of your choice.

Corvette Track Days were held at Spring Mountain Advanced Driving School [Corporate Member # MC065] April 5-6 with over 100 registrants. Participants came from all across the country including the states of Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. The Spring Mountain/Pratt & Miller C6RS was presented during a Friday night reception at the Silverton Hotel in Las Vegas. On Sunday afternoon Ron Fellows [C6R# Z5201] spent time on the track checking out the new C6RS and time in the paddock chatting with the Track Days attendees. Raffle prizes to benefit the American Cancer Society were donated by Pfadt Race Engineering, The Silverton Hotel & Casino, Mothers Polish and Spring Mountain. For the second time, participants Art and Joyce Majors [C5R# Y5122] won a Corvette Driving School Certificate. They donated it back to the auction, raising even more money for the American Cancer Society.

In March there was another trip to Camp Pendleton to say Thank You to our Marines that will soon be deploying overseas. They really enjoyed our beautiful Corvettes as a backdrop to the FUN family activities prior to their deployment.

The 2008 Official C5/C6 Registry Bash at the National Corvette Museum was a BLAST!!! The Museum Staff and Volunteers worked really hard to put on an unforgettable event, and it showed. The weather was absolutely perfect! The only rain that I encountered was during the wee hours of the morning. Can we please reserve this perfect Kentucky weather for next year?

We were missing some of our regular Western Registry attendees and do hope that they will return next year. There were so few Western Registry members that we did NOT even take a picture. So please come next year and we’ll have a really large picture. A special note to Frank and Bettie Noerr [C5R# W1394] — everyone missed you and we will accept no excuses in 2009!

Join us for some C5/C6 FUN!

WAY OUT WEST UPCOMING EVENTS

July 11-13, 2008
Big Bear Bash
www.corvetteswest.com

July 20-26, 2008
Northern AZ & Southwest CO
www.BloomingtonGoldTours.com

July 31- August 3, 2008
Vettes On The Rockies
www.lgcacorvette.org

September 23-28, 2008
Northern AZ & Southern UT
www.BloomingtonGoldTours.com

October 9-12, 2008
Corvettes & Ghost Riders
Tombstone, AZ
www.corvettesandghostriders.com

October 18, 2008
ALMS Laguna Seca
Monterey, CA
www.laguna-seca.com

Nov. 22-23, 2008
Spring Mountain Corvette Track Days
Pahrump, NV
www.springmountainmotorsports.com

July 10-12, 2009
Southern Oregon Corvette Weekend
Rogue River, OR
www.sovette.com

August 29 – September 7, 2009 (approx)
NCM National Corvette Caravan to Bowling Green
www.corvettecaravan.com/ca-southern/

If there is an event that you believe others might care about, please let us know.