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Spring - 2004
by
Dan Adovasio
A Great Generation
Passes... A New One Begins!
I have to admit I was a little misty eyed knowing the C5 is winding down
that final road of production into Corvette history. It seems like only
moments ago that Dan Douglas (our first member V0003 nicknamed "DataDan")
asked me on Cafaro's Hill...What type of Corvette club is this? Truth be
known, I really wasn't sure...but I was sure EXCITED about my new '97
Torch Red 6-Speed Z51 Coupe and I wanted to tell the world about it!
And, yes, "DataDan" has told me many times that this has been one of the
greatest organizations he has ever been involved with.
I want to thank David Hill for his very complimentary comments regarding
the C5 Registry and what we had accomplished as an organization for the
5th generation of Corvette during his introduction speech for the 6th
generation of Corvette at the National Corvette Museum. The Registry has
been very fortunate to have wonderful friends like David Hill. The
reason is not because of anything Jake and I have done, but it is
because of the joyous enthusiasm you, our members, have for the C5
Corvette. Members have heard me say many times when we started the
Registry that I thought 300 members would be big enough! I want you to
know that had I stopped there, I would have missed the opportunity to
have NOT known 7,200+more C5 Corvette owners and that would have been a
tragedy! Registry members are the ULTIMATE and they love to have FUN!
Some of you may recall when the Registry first began that the important
part "I thought" was the C5 Corvette. But the vision became clear that
the Registry isn't about America's Sports Car, it's ONLY about the
members. Because of you we have access to all kinds of C5 information
and GM folks to talk and visit with. Our member's positive attitudes and
enthusiasm carries over throughout the NCM and to the Halls of General
Motors. I am proud to say that today the friendships I have made are
without a doubt the most important part of the Corvette lifestyle.
Members, you have made this a wonderful experience with memories to fill
a lifetime. Yes, it may have taken me a while to understand the C5 way,
but it didn't take you any time to realize the important part of
Corvetting is the friendships.
Best Birthday Bash ever!
The Birthday Bash was the first event we decided on as an organization
eight years ago. This event has grown into the second largest party held
at the National Corvette Museum. It is said that the NCM Birthday Bash
is synonymous with the C5 Registry and we couldn't agree more. Members
who attended are saying this 7th Annual Birthday Bash was the Best Bash
Ever! The kindness shown by General Motors (with the introduction of the
6th generation of Corvette) and the NCM in nurturing this event has
never bee better. For those of you present, you know how much FUN it was
and for those of you who could not attend, I would mark April 21-23,
2005 as the date for next year. Of course we have launched our new C6
Corvette web site for our member's enjoyment.
My eyes are dry and clear and I see the Registry embarking on a new
super highway driven by
Registry members who are both C5 and C6 owners. Shifting through the
gears we may have a few operational problems in the beginning as we
combine these two generations of members. This challenging task to put
two generations of members under one roof will have its pot holes in the
road and some tight curves, but our efforts will be focused on keeping
our members together. But with your support and understanding we are
confident that the shifting of gears will be smooth and synchronized.
The C6 Corvette promises, and I know David Hill and Wil Cooksey will
deliver, "THE GREATEST CORVETTE EVER!"
Already the racing season has heated up with a victory at 12 Hours of
Sebring. News just in that Dale Jr. and Boris Said will be joining
forces to race the C5R at Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, California July
16-18. Their presence alone will make this race a must attend event.
See the Upcoming Events page for more information.
Speaking of upcoming Registry events, this 2004 show season is going to
be a blast! Although we are all saddened by the loss of a great friend,
Chip Miller of Carlisle Productions, we will continue to dominate "The
Hill" at Carlisle that Chip said "no one else ever wanted" with C5s and
maybe a C6 or two. In the beginning of the Registry Chip had faith in us
when very few others did. He was a source of positive influence and
always showed us his kindest regards.
Chip Miller was an example that nice people do finish first! And those
of you who knew him can attest that the Corvette hobby has lost one of
its finest. Join us as we continue to pray for Judy Miller and the
family during this time.
TAKE ME TO PARIS!
"YES"...I've received all your emails and "YES" we will once again take
(in June 2005) twenty C5s and/or C6s to the shores of France, the
countryside of Italy, the Nuremburg Ring in Germany and to the 24 Hours
of Le Mans. For all of you who have told me you are interested in
joining us for the first Le Mans running of the C6 styled C6R Corvette,
please email me at c5dan@c5registry.com (subject line: TAKE ME RACING IN
FRANCE) and we'll keep you on the "Hot List" with updates regarding our
plans and trip itinerary. Currently our plan is to post the details of
this once in a lifetime trip by mid September 2004 and accept deposits
starting November 1, 2004. Please remember we are limited to only twenty
Corvettes.
Fire up your Corvette. This summer is starting to sizzle! I'll "C Ya"
at one of our events.
C5Ya! Dan
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