William Jinkins
Fort Worth Auto Examiner
May 23, 2012
View slideshow: LSCC 2012 Classic Corvette meet
It’s a well known fact that Texas is state that does things big. In Fort Worth that goes double. That’s where the DFW-based Lone Star Corvette Club (LSCC) held their 23rd annual ‘Classic’ Corvette meet, May 18–20, at Texas Motor Speedway. With over 600 registrants, open to members and non-members, the event turned out to be a whopping success.
From the very first ‘Classic’ held at a North Dallas Hilton Hotel parking lot to its current venue at TMS, the event has grown expeditiously. Most of that growth has occurred within the past two years; thanks in part to the event’s primary sponsorship, Classic Chevrolet of Grapevine, the largest Chevrolet dealership in the country by volume.
Forty percent of the funds raised from the Classic goes towards Speedway Children’s Charities. Another 40 percent is designated for the National Corvette Museum which depends on donations to remain open. A common misconception is that the Museum gets monetary support from GM since the Corvette plant is in close proximity. In addition, the Museum conducts several charity events, supporting children’s causes throughout the year. The remaining 20 percent goes to the club’s annual rotating charity which is picked each year. This year it went to Honor Flight, the group that flies WWII veterens to DC for a visit to the national memorials. Last year it was the Wounded Warrior Project.
Friday, the first day of the activities, featured an all-day Autocross in addition to a Treasure Run. There was also a free road course driving seminar conducted by Total Driving Experience. Sundown brought out Corvettes in the Stockyards, a special evening created by Texas Motor Speedway and the Fort Worth Stockyards (sponsored by NCM Insurance). Vettes were police-escorted from the speedway to Stockyards Plaza where they were proudly displayed. Texas Bar-B-Que in a western setting was the theme of the evening preceded by a C-Magic Raffle. After the meal, participants had the chance to shop, socialize, attend a rodeo or see a special performance at the World’s Largest Honky Tonk, Billy Bobs Texas.
Saturday was the main event, featuring two separate car shows – a Show ‘n Shine and a judged show – which included class winners and class awards for every category. C-Magic president Kermit Dye presented a car-show detailing presentation featuring the previous night’s raffle winner. Former plant manager Wil Cooksey and American LeMans Series race car driver Andy Pilgrim were on hand for a Q&A/autograph session.
Cooksey’s table was stationed next to one of his signature Crystal Red ‘Wil Cooksey 427 Limited Edition Z0-6’s, which proudly displayed its signed and numbered armrest by the man himself. Only 427 of these models were offered in 2008 for the American and Canadian market. Cooksey personally owns #001.
GM and Classic Chevrolet had the latest Chevrolet models on display and available for test drives. Besides a bevy of trucks and ‘utes, there was both a Corvette coupe and convertible, in addition to a Camaro, Cruise, Sonic and Volt. GM even had their all-new 2013 Malibu Eco on hand.
During our perusal through the car show we came across Tuna Dobbins of Oklahoma City. Dobbins, a lifetime member of the National Corvette Museum, is also a member of the NCM Fighter Squadron. Despite what its name implies, the squadron was initially formed to protect the museum back when it was in financial peril. Though the unit has no home base its membership, which is by invitation only, is located coast to coast.
Saturday wrapped up with a dinner (sponsored by Classic Chevrolet) along with a live auction. Awards (sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts) were given for car show winners. Casino Night, sponsored by 21st Century Muscle Cars,and a silent auction were also a part of the festivities.
Sunday, the final day, was Track Day on the infield at TMS, where spectators were welcomed to watch Corvettes take laps around the oval and the road course. There were also a couple of professional Corvette racers involved in a Champion Challenge Race on the road track. The infield road course competition was sponsored by LG Motorsports. Track photography was sponsored by Expressions Photography.
The Golf Cart Derby, sponsored by Hi-Tech Auto Care, was a brand new event this year where the driver was blindfolded and the companion was limited to voice commands only to get the pair around the parking lot course.
Though several visiting clubs participated, the top five in attendance numbers were (in no particular order) Central Arkansas, Mississippi Gulf Coast Corvette Club, Non Club Club of Oklahoma, Texas Corvette Association and Touch of Class Corvette Club.
Click here to see the complete winners list