Random Photo of the Month: The C6 Callaway Corvette

Callaway Corvettes at Bloomington Gold in June, 2011

The C6 Callaway Corvette package includes a list of delightful upgrades including a 652 hp supercharged engine, increased flow rate fuel injectors, an upgraded cold air intake, an upgraded stainless steel exhaust, a "Powerbulge" hood, exclusive Callaway "Supercharged" badging, and more.  In 2012 Chevrolet is re-releasing the RPO B2K Callaway package to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Callaway option by offering the Callaway as a 2012 Limited Edition Corvette. 

We actually saw Reeves Callaway, founder of the Callaway Corvette, on-site at the Bloomington Gold event in 2011 in a promotional appearance with the Callaway Corvettes above.  Nice cars. 

Reeves Callaway started his career as a driving instructor at Bob Bondurant's High Performance Driving School in 1973.  He later became well-known for his aftermarket turbocharger kits that eventually led to his Callaway Corvette fame.

Speed Post by D: The Rolex 24 at Daytona

I'm announcing "Speed Post by D" as a new feature in My Corvette Blog.  "D" is my Better Half.  He's a Corvette Racing fan and a big time TV watcher.  These posts will feature updates and notices of various Corvette appearances in races, TV shows, and other media events.

This first post is a heads up that the Corvettes are racing in the Rolex 24 at Daytona today and tomorrow (a 24-hour event).  This race is in the Grand-Am series and is being televised on the Speed channel.  Live audio is also available on line on the Grand-AM Road Racing website at http://www.grand-am.com/
Continuous updates of the standings are also posted on this site (click LIVE NOW).

Not My Favorite Car

Here's a link to the top ten strangest looking cars (including a Corvette) at the Barrett Jackson car auctions this month.  That's one ugly Corvette.  What a shame.  It was a perfectly good car when it left the factory...

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/ten-strangest-cars-barrett-jackson-auctions-211740816.html

Random Photo of the Month: Solid Axle Corvette Club

 

The Solid Axle Corvette Club (SACC) is a devoted the "solid axle" C1 Corvette, produced from 1953 to 1962.  The solid axle refers to the rear axle housing of the early Corvette which was a single "straight" shell that included the rear differential and the rear axle parts.  The solid axle was replaced by an independent rear suspension starting with the 1963 model year. 

Many beautifully restored C1 Corvettes are owned by SACC members.  I took this photo at the Bloomington Gold show in 2007.

Random Corvette Fact of the Month: Competitive Driving Mode

Did you know that your C5 Corvette has a Competitive Driving mode?  The Competitive Driving mode allows more wheel spin than standard driving mode, while leaving the Active Handling intact.  This makes the car more responsive and more nimble without completely removing the stabilizing protections of the fully automatic Active Handling system.

To activate the Competitive Driving mode, hold down the Traction Control button for 5 seconds.  It's that easy.  The words "Competitive Driving Mode" will appear on the Driver's Information Center on the dash.  Push the button again to return to standard driving.  Standard driving also resets when the car is turned off.  

 

Random Photo of the Month: Crazy Woman Creek

This "big sky" picture was taken in northern Wyoming near Crazy Woman Creek close to the Big Horn Mountains (mountains seen in the distance).  There are numerous local legends and myths explaining how the Crazy Woman Creek got its name. The most plausible of these tells the story of a trader's widow who survives a hit in the head with a tomahawk and is secretly nursed back to health by women of the Crow tribe.     

Corvette Racing Greats: Meeting Four Legendary Racecar Drivers

I had the rare opportunity to meet four Corvette Racing celebrities this past summer at the Road America ALMS race at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.  Friends and I met Johnny O'Connell, Tommy Milner, Ron Fellows, and Bob Bondurant.  What a treat!

Johnny O'Connell signing autographs at a Corvette Racing seminar

Johnny O'Connell
Johnny O'Connell was Corvette Racing's most prolific driver winning more races for Corvette than any other driver during his 10-year career.  He has a record number of Sebring 12-hr class victories (8) and  38 career ALMS wins.  Johnny recently moved from Corvette Racing to the newly-formed Cadillac Racing Team in 2011 as the leading full-time driver for the new team.

Race car driver Tommy Milner meeting fans during the pre-race festivities.

Tommy Milner
Tommy Milner is the newest driver on the Corvette Racing Team starting his first full year on the ALMS circuit in 2011.  Tommy is taking the place of Johnny O'Connell in the #3 car.

Ron Fellows answering fan questions at the Corvette tent before the ALMS race.

Ron Fellows
Legendary driver Ron Fellows has retired from a full racing schedule with Corvette, although he still races in selected events.  Ron has the distnction of winning the fan-favorite ALMS Popular Driver Award for 4 consecutive years from 2004 to 2007 in addition to winning numerous ALMS races and championships.  Currently, Ron is an Ambassador and Technical Advisor to the Corvette Racing Team.

Bob Bondurant and his wife Patricia meeting fans and signing autographs.

Bob Bondurant
Bob Bondurant was a racecar driver of Corvettes and Shelby Cobras in the 1960s.  However, Bob is best known as the founder and owner of the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in Arizona that utilizes Grand Sport and ZR1 Corvettes as training vehicles.  Bob has trained several famous actors for racing movie roles over the years including James Garner, Clint Eastwood, Robert Wagner, Tim Allen, Tom Cruise, and Nicholas Cage.  That's cool.

A Johnny O'Connell autograph on a promotional C6.R Racing brochure.