The Gathering and Motorsports Park INfo

[vandornjim]

Congrats to all of you who contributed so far to the proposed NCM Motorsports Park. As you might have imagined, as racers we have offered our support and efforts in any way we can. I noticed below that the actual check will be given to the NCM during our annual event. Certainly Wendell will be on hand to accept and acknowledge such a significant effort on all your behalfs. It will be good to see him after so many years at our event. Hopefully we can get some current updates and progress for the project.

Questions: Will the check be presented at the banquet?

Will Wendell attend?

Will there be time for questions and updates?

Is anyone directly involved going to attend? (Current Board Members, Project Manager Tom Blaine, City Officials?).

If I'm donating to a project, I'd sure like to know the specifics, i.e., projected costs, budgets, where are the funds going to come from, are donations such as the Registry's earmarked and protected for sole use on the project, how much has been set aside so far, etc., etc.

Anyway, sounds like common sense to ask in lieu of such a significant contribution and the perfect time to do so. Unless Minneker, Morrison and Heinricy do their thing again!

I'm thinking if this thing is going to get off the ground (if it isn't already) we are going to need to do some informed and significant fund raising and sponsor seeking.

See you there.

[JThomas]

Jim:

As you know, I'm a current board member and Yes, I will be in attendace at this year's event. The "REL1C" has been running fine since last year.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again!

[A1990]

Originally Posted by JThomas

Jim:

As you know, I'm a current board member and Yes, I will be in attendace at this year's event. The "REL1C" has been running fine since last year.

Looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Joe, do have any insight on the questions the JVD raises above?

[FU]

Very good question's Jim. I'd like to ask one more question. Is the Motorsports Park going to happen ?

[JThomas]

Originally Posted by A1990

Joe, do have any insight on the questions the JVD raises above?

I have some insight, however I am not the voice that should be speaking on this issue. To eliminate any confusion, these questions should be answered by Mr. Tom Blair or the Executive Director, Wendell Strode.

As a board member, we are briefed quarterly about these issues and there are a select few board members that have more insight, due to their involvement with the project. I am not one of the select few.

What I can do is try to make sure the concerns of the registry are heard and make sure someone will be available to address them at the Gathering.

Joe

[FU]

Let me ask this question again .

Originally Posted by FU2

I'd like to ask one more question. Is the Motorsports Park going to happen ?

Or is this money going to go into the future of Kentucky ?

[JThomas]

Returned from the C5/C6 Birthday Bash. Very nice event, and GM has some pretty nice things planned for the 2012 model year.

Regarding the Motorsports Park, it is still a go, albeit on a much smaller scale. The plan now, is to attack this project in phases. Phase One would be to build the west portion of the road course, which would be about a two mile course, to include the control tower.

Phase two, would be the dragstrip. Followed by phase three to include the east portion of the road course. And phase four would be the autocross pad.

Funding and naming rights sponsor still has to be secured along with approvals and planning for such an endeavor.

During a banquest held Friday night for major donors to the museum, Doug Fehan gave a very moving/motivational speech regarding passion and the need for the park. After his speech, past chair, Larry Martin invited anyone willing to commit to the park to come forward and announce their intentions.

Several patrons "stepped up" and commited to puchasing an acre. One such member was the Executive Director, Wendell Strode.

So, I would say yes the park will still be built. It may not look like the plan we have seen over the past year or two, and I would also say it will not be ready for the Gathering in May.

[zr1mom]

Thanks Joe! Great update!

[QB93Z]

Thank you very much for keeping us informed Joe.

Jim

[FU]

More uplifting new's :

DETROIT?General Motors Co. plans to spend around $100 million to upgrade its Corvette factory in Bowling Green, Ky., people familiar with the situation said, the latest sign that auto maker's penny-pinching days are behind it.

GM North America chief Mark Reuss is expected to announce the investment on Wednesday at the factory. The improvements would be done in time for the next line of Corvettes, not expected until around 2013.

The Corvette's future was never in question. But GM, as it headed into bankruptcy couple of years ago, halted spending on several vehicles programs. In the last year, the company has announced plans to invest several billion dollars into North American Factories and rehire thousands of workers.

The auto maker has been regaining sales steam this year; Corvette sales, meanwhile, are up 15% through April from a year ago.

In addition to the factory improvement, the car itself is getting some upgrades. Changes to the 2012 models, which go on sale later this year, include a racing-style spoiler, an upgraded stereo system?nine speakers up from seven?and new options that include new racing tires and a carbon-fiber hood. Many of the enhancements are for the high-performance models, but some apply to base-model Corvettes.

Link :
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...381991972.html