2019 Corvettes at Carlisle Racer Reunion gets a new life and crowds drawn by the new 2020 mid-engine C8
The late Chip Miller, co-founder of Carlisle Events and a “natural born leader” started a Racer Reunion as a tribute to distinguished drivers and a fun way to swap stories.
20 years later most of these heroes are gone and a lot has changed.
On Saturday Aug 17, Lance Miller unveiled the Purple People Eater Corvette at the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation fundraiser. Memories of Jim Jeffords and his 1959 SCCA B Production Nickey Chevrolet national champ live on!
Invitees at this year’s 5th edition featured Corvette HOF legends Johnny O’Connell and Andy Pilgrim from the contemporary era; Jerry Thompson from the popular “Shark” era of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s; plus Ray Zisa and Mark Horner, active VINTAGE racers.
Significant cars on display included # 1-1963 ZO6 FIA ex Grady Davis Gulf Oil fielded for Dr. Dick Thompson, # 12-1968 L88 FIA fielded by Doug Bergen for Marietta Bob Johnson, # 57-1957 ex Bob Mouat SCCA BP air-box fuelie and # 94-1968 L88 IMSA fielded by Lledon Blackwell for Dr. Wilbur Pickett.
Jerry Thompson re-united with an exact FIA replica of a sister car driven by his team-mate Tony DeLorenzo in the 1970 Daytona 24-hour race.
Standouts among nearly 2 dozen Corvette Challenge cars were # 3-ex Bill Cooper (1989 champ), # 18-ex Andy Pilgrim 1988, # 1-ex Stu Hayner 1989 (champ in 1988) and # 92-ex Tommy Kendall 1989.
Watch video en route to CMAF gala fundraiser at Expo Center, courtesy Jim Rij.
https://www.facebook.com/racelance/videos/10219551055550706/?t=3
Fans from far and wide visited Carlisle to see the new mid-engine C8.
Watch about how it came about https://youtu.be/oxtmHs_sZuU
While internal combustion is not going away, the C8 platform is designed and engineered for hybrid and electric versions which are coming at a faster clip.
It was an honor to assist Carlisle Events and Vette Views magazine on this memorable occasion.
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