In this article some feedback, discoveries from my visit to the unveiling in INDY of the 2008 Official Pace Car(s) and their Press releases.
HERE IS A NEWS VIDEO FROM THE DEBUT DAY;
CLICK TO VIEW
Thank-you for joining us.

That is why I love representing Corvette to you folks for EVS, “we get it”, the passion, the enthusiasm, it was a thrill for me to be on hand to see this unfold. I love Corvette Pace cars too and as I told Jim Danahy, “this black car is freakin’ hot, nice job!”

First, I felt so guilty about going because we have been so busy, I am sorry if I have missed your inquiry, we are catching up , slow but sure….I as arrived in Indy at almost 2 in the morning, I was like a little kid waiting for Christmas, oh yeah I get into this….good thing it was 2am, I found myself turning around on a one way street ( YIKES!)

MY GROWING HIGHLIGHT PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE & ENJOY

Also a big kid and a great spokesman for Chevrolet is Ed Peper, he simply shines with enthusiasm and always shares a smile. It was also great to see my friend Jim from Cleveland who also is a great pace car fan, as well as many other enthusiasts, some who even knew who the heck the bald guys was ( very cool) Sorry for the glare during the webcast…I put a hat on and you guys don’t even know me then. Just being there, a part of the history, seeing the 30 years of Pace cars side by side was awesome. THANKS ALSO to Greg from KY for taking a couple pictures for me, nice job sir!

Mr. Chitwood (Indy 500 president) talked about the fun he had with his dad and his 1978 Pace car, the Lt. governor talked about her 1st 64 Corvette ( red) , with all that, you can feel the sense of pride that only Chevrolet and Corvette can bring to the market and have for generations.

The bring sense of pride was the steps GM has taken with E85 fuel and having a Z06 Corvette as an E85 car to Pace the Race. Ed Pepers quote was perfect “Corvette is now the world’s fastest economy car”

Emerson Fittipaldi is driving the Green E85 Z06 as a the Pace Car driver for the race, the biggest thing they are worried about , is if Emerson just decides to race and pace…..(he’d have no problem in a Z06!) The green stripe you see on the BLACK convertible car , will not be in the metallic green we saw today, but rather for the sake of cost will be a consistant shade of ONE green and the INDY logo on the lower front fender will be an actual emblem on the cars you buy and not a decal as soon to us for the track car, but Europe must have a decal, because of their radius requirements.

Just so you know, Scott Settlemire from GM told me the whole 30 years Pace Car anniversary thing came about in an email he got a while ago…it bothered him he did not remember from whom had sent it, but was still lookiing for that email as he wanted to properly acknowledge a great idea and oh has it come together nicely! before I share the GM PRESS RELEASE, a coupel things you need to know about this car…the TOP on the convertible is GRAY, the car is available for sale as a replica ( 500 units total - 15 for overseas ) THE GREAT NEWS IS, we’ll be able to order and deliver them to you before the race and that will happen very fast so stay tuned if interested or email me below in this article.

NOTICE THE CHROME WHEELS, those are the new design for 2008 on the high polished wheel and YES, next month GM will begin ordering the NEW style wheel in chrome. I asked Jim Danahy why not the standard split spoke wheel. He said they looked into that, but so hard to get a real job on them, they looked at the aftermarket ones and already those are not holding up. So what about the carry over QX3 chrome wheel? Jim says that will remain for the 2008 model year as per the contract with the supplier so if you really enjoy that wheel too, it is still available for order. At the time of this article I do not have the new order code or the cost on that new 5 spoke chrome, but we will soon. Now don’t get to excited about the wide oval tires you see there via our photo gallery, that is the tire used on Corvette per the Indy track ocntract.

HERE’S EVEN BETTER NEWS REGARDING THE RETAIL REPLICAS FOR SALE….you may order a COUPE or CONVERTIBLE!

Mr. Fittipaldi will be traveling to the Corvette plant to autograph each and every Corvette inside armrest of the retail replicas, in addition, you get a manufactured autograph on the rear quarter of the car. There was great debate on whether to make the green stripe we mentioned earlier ..green. They thought because of the 30 year anniversary they could have went with red stripe as did the 78 car, or maybe the blue or orange from the Indy logo..but in the end, to send and tie the message together with the fantastic E85 car, they went with green. Every Corvette has a story, and so this one begins….glad I was there, glad you are here to share, in the lifestyle of Corvette, the ultimate reward vehicle!

Now nobody at GM would even address my questions regarding a Crystal Red Z06 Corvette and a signature edition for Wil Cooksey, but all I am going to say is…BE AT THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW FOLKS!

MY GROWING HIGHLIGHT PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE & ENJOY

Two-time Indy 500 Champion Emerson Fittipaldi to Drive Corvette Z06 E85 Concept Pace Car at 92nd Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS – Known for their charismatic designs and superior performance, the pack-leading pace cars share a special place in Indianapolis 500 lore. History will be made at the 2008 Indianapolis 500 when a pair of distinctive yet highly differentiated Corvette models will serve as the official pace cars – one highlighting Chevrolet’s commitment to fuel solutions and the other marking 30 years of Corvette’s pace car heritage.

Chevrolet and Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials gathered at the Indianapolis Auto Show to make the historic announcement.

One of the pace cars is a customized Corvette Z06 E85 concept that runs on E85 ethanol fuel, a domestically produced alternative fuel similar to the E100 fuel that powers all of the racecars in the IndyCar Series. It will be driven during the race’s pace lap by two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi.

The other official pace car is a black-and-silver commemorative edition that marks the 30th anniversary of the celebrated 1978 pace car – the first Corvette to pace the field at the Indianapolis 500. Chevrolet will produce a total of 500 pace car replicas in both coupe and convertible form, each signed personally by Fittipaldi at the Corvette’s Bowling Green, Ky., assembly plant.

“Although not a production FlexFuel vehicle, the Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car is a high-performance example of Chevrolet’s gas-friendly to gas-free initiative, demonstrating viable fuel solutions,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “As an ethanol refiner in his native Brazil, Emerson Fittipaldi is the fitting Chevrolet champion to help support GM’s efforts with E85 and celebrate 30 years of the Corvette pacing the Indianapolis 500.”

The 92nd Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, May 25, 2008. It will be the Corvette’s 10th appearance as the official pace car – a record unmatched by any other vehicle.

“It’s only fitting that Corvette will be the first car to earn the distinction of having two models pace the Indianapolis 500 in the same year,” said Joie Chitwood, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president and chief operating officer. “Chevrolet and Corvette are a vital part of the rich history of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,’ and we’re honored to have a great champion of the race and of alternative fuels, Emerson Fittipaldi, as this year’s pace car driver.”

Corvette Z06 E85 concept
The Corvette Z06 E85 concept pace car is based on the production Z06 – already one of the fastest and most powerful cars on the market – and blends its performance with the high-octane, renewable alternative fuel that is derived from a variety of crops grown across the United States.

E85 is blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Its benefits include reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and a reduced dependence on petroleum. GM is the leader in E85 production models, with more than 2.5 million E85-capable cars, trucks and SUVs on the road – with more on the way. Chevrolet offers seven E85-capable models in 2008.

Apart from the fuel system and powertrain controller revisions required to run E85, the Z06 concept pace car is mechanically stock. It is distinguished by a unique Gold Rush Green color-shifting paint scheme that changes between hues of green and gold when viewed from different angles and in different light. A subtle checkered flag pattern also is part of the paint scheme. Safety equipment and strobe lights are the only other equipment added to the car.

Emerson Fittipaldi: ambassador of racing and ethanol
After winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993 while driving for Chevrolet – and spending 30 years in his native Brazil as a refiner of ethanol – Emerson Fittipaldi is the perfect ambassador to lead the Indianapolis 500 in an E85-powered Corvette Z06.

“Most of the vehicles in Brazil are powered by ethanol produced from crops grown in the country, so I understand how a domestically produced renewable fuel can help the energy solutions of a nation,” Fittipaldi said. “And the E85-powered Z06 concept pace car proves economic and environmental consciousness can be fun and exhilarating. I can’t wait to get it on the racetrack.”

Fittipaldi, whose personal cars include a Corvette Z06 and a Camaro awarded after winning the 1993 Indianapolis 500, resides in both Florida and Brazil. He has interests in several Brazilian ethanol companies and is an ardent champion of ethanol as a viable alternative to gasoline.

Brazil – the fifth-largest country in the world – is a global leader in ethanol usage in automobiles. Approximately 70 percent of Brazilian new cars are equipped with FlexFuel systems that allow the use of a gasoline/ethanol mix or pure ethanol. Ethanol production has grown tremendously during the last three decades and has allowed the country to practically wean itself completely from imported oil.

30th Anniversary commemorative edition
Commemorating one of the most recognizable Indianapolis 500 pace cars, the Corvette 30th Anniversary Pace Car features a black exterior with silver graphics that honors the 1978 model – the production replicas of which became instant collectibles and continue to stand as an iconic symbol of Corvette’s heritage at the front of the Indy field.

In addition to the exterior color scheme, the anniversary models are equipped with a special, two-tone titanium-color interior, with the Indianapolis 500 logo embroidered on the seats. Coupe and convertible models are available. Each replica will be personally signed and numbered by Emerson Fittipaldi.

Both the coupe and convertible come equipped with Corvette’s 3LT option package, Z51 performance package and dual-mode exhaust. Additional features include:

Choice of six-speed manual or six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmissions
LS3 small block V8 with 436 hp
New-for-2008 forged chrome five-spoke aluminum wheels
Corvette Z06 rear spoiler
Silver checkered flag graphics
Indy 500 logo fender badges
More information on pricing and availability will be announced a later date.

Corvette at Indy
The 2008 edition of the Indianapolis 500 represents Corvette’s 10th time as the official pace car – and a record fifth-consecutive year – and Chevrolet’s 19th time as the manufacturer selected to lead the field. Corvette’s pace years and details include:

1978 – Driven by 1960 race winner Jim Rathmann; Chevrolet produced 6,502 production replicas
1986 – Driven by famed pilot Chuck Yeager; all 7,315 production convertibles were considered pace car convertibles and included official graphics (to be installed at the owner’s discretion)
1995 – Driven by then Chevrolet General Manager Jim Perkins; 527 production replicas produced
1998 – Driven by 1963 race winner Parnelli Jones when an injury prevented golfer Greg Norman from performing the duty; 1,158 production replicas produced
2002 – Driven by actor Jim Caviezel; no production replicas produced but graphics were available through SPO – approximately 300 sets sold
2004 – Driven by actor Morgan Freeman; no production replicas produced
2005 – Driven by General Colin Powell; no production replicas produced
2006 – Driven by cycling champion Lance Armstrong; first Corvette Z06 pace car; no production replicas produced
2007 – Driven by actor Patrick Dempsey; 500 production replicas – all convertibles
2008 – Driven by Emerson Fittipaldi; 500 production replicas – coupes and convertibles
The Indianapolis 500 is the largest single-day spectator sporting event and the most prestigious auto race in the world. “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” has been run every year since 1911 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, except for the periods during the United States’ participation in world wars in 1917-18 and 1942-45. The winner of the 92nd Indianapolis 500 will earn racing immortality, a spot on the famed Borg-Warner Trophy and a record winner’s purse of at least $2.5 million.

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Take a moment a view inventory here on CorvetteConti.com or via our
evscorvette.com site. (search Corvette and All trims ) I will be adding more and more to the CorvetteConti.com via THESE sections below,
AVAILABLE COUPES-HERE! ,

AVAILABLE CONVERTIBLES-HERE! AND

AVAILABLE Z06′S HERE!.

MUST READS, MANY RECENT ARTICLES OF INTEREST

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1st ZR1 TO BE SOLD @ BARRETT JACKSON
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GM RAISES PRICES- 3rd TIME FOR 2008 CORVETTE:
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REMEMBER CLOTH SEATS IN THE 99 CORVETTE?!
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EVS AT 2008 INDY PACE UNVEILING!
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IN CAR ZR1 TEST MULE VIDEO
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INDY 2008 & COOKSEY’S CORVETTE
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2008 DAYTONA PACE CAR SEEN-PRESS RELEASE & MORE
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DO A BURN OUT RIGHT!!
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A NEW Z06 CORVETTE BOAT;
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EVS AT VETTE FEST-CHICAGO
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ARIZONA STUDENTS DREAM CAR;
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For the EVS Corvette team;
Rick”Corvette“Conti
Your friend and fan……in Wisconsin!!!
National Corvette Director
EVS Chevrolet
W 4873 Hwy RR
Random Lake WI 53075
EMAIL RICK @ EVS CHEVROLET HERE

Phone: (800) 657-0749
Fax: (920) 994-9374

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