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Tom Wallace Joins Motorsports Park Team
 Tom Wallace knows Corvettes. As a former Vehicle Line Executive for General Motors and Corvette Chief Engineer, he was at the wheel when the ZR1 Corvette was born, giving the world a 638 horsepower, 200+ mph, American-made super-car. Today, he's working on a new chapter of motorsports history and teaming up with the National Corvette Museum to promote and develop a 400-acre Motorsports Park.
Tom is enthusiastic about the project and looking forward to being involved. His first focus will be on fundraising, corporate sponsorships and planning for track operation.
“Since before my retirement in 2009, I have thought that a Motorsports Park at the Museum would raise the whole Corvette community to another level,” Tom said. “Initially, I’ll be working with Tom Blair in pursuing sponsors for the project. Tom (Blair) is an outstanding businessman and researcher and a good strategist of visionary business models.”
Read more about Tom's involvement on our blog! Learn more about our Motorsports Park Project at www.motorsportspark.org. Photo by Richard Prince
Corvette Racing Takes Lead on NCM Motorsports Park Track Development
 The NCM Motorsports Park project just got a little bit cooler. Corvette Racing / Pratt & Miller Engineering have joined the team effort by donating their time and talents in helping design our track. Many aspects of the track are pulled from other well known tracks across the globe.
Drivers will enjoy a carousel modeled after the Karussell corner at the Nurburgring, a chicane at the base of two track loops modeled off the Bus Stop from Watkins Glen, as well as an overall layout modeled after the world-famous Le Mans road course in France.
Members of the One Acre Club
 East Ohio Region of NCCC
Wednesday, December 2, 2009 Regional Executive of the East Ohio Region of NCCC Chuck Heretta and fellow member Ted Vannelli made the trek to Bowling Green, KY to present the National Corvette Museum with a $3,000 initial check and pledge of $15,000 to purchase an acre at the Motorsports Park. The East Ohio Region voted on October 17 to make the pledge, and made an official announcement just over two weeks ago at the Governor's Meeting of NCCC, challenging other regions to make the same commitment.
"We decided that it's time. The Motorsports Park benefits not only racers, but all Corvettes," said Heretta. "We're excited about the opportunity to contribute to the project. We're excited to help get the project started for the future. We want to be a part of the experience."
Heretta added that the benefit of being able to apply the donation towards future track time was also a big selling point for their region. "It is an opportunity for us... a win-win situation," he said. "We've been looking at this project for almost a year, and when we came down to visit in September and saw the new layout we knew we had to do something to get involved."
The East Ohio Region is composed of 16 Corvette clubs, totalling over 900 members. Learn more about their organization at http://www.eornccc.org.
Pictured below, Chuck Heretta, Regional Executive of the East Ohio Region of NCCC, present Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the National Corvette Museum, with a check for the 'One Acre Club.'
Western States Corvette Council
 Friday, December 4, 2009 Buzz Marston, Public Relations and NCM Ambassador for the Council, presented Executive Director Wendell Strode of the National Corvette Museum with a $3,000 initial check and pledge of $15,000 to purchase an acre at the Motorsports Park.
"WSCC is proud to be a supporter of the NCM Motorsports Park "One Acre Club Program" and we encourage other clubs and organizations to get involved in support of this very worthwhile program," said Rob Weaver, president of WSCC
"Because of the dedication of the 40 clubs that make up the Western States Corvette Council, they voted to be a part of the one-acre program in support of the NCM Motorsports Park. I know that the members are excited about the future of the Motorsports Park and want to be in on the ground floor of it becoming a reality," said Marston.
The Western States Corvette Council is composed of 40 Corvette clubs, totalling over 1,800 members. Learn more about their organization at http://www.wscc.ws.
Pictured, Buzz Marston, Public Relations and NCM Ambassador for the Council, presents Wendell Strode, Executive Director of the National Corvette Museum, with a check for the 'One Acre Club.'
 Grand Sport Registry
Monday, November 30th, 2009, John “Hutch” Hutchinson, the “Skunkmaster” of the Corvette Grand Sport Registry, presented the National Corvette Museum with initial checks totaling over $4,000 and a pledge of $15,000 to purchase an acre of land at the Motorsports Park.
It was only early October when the GSR chose to enter into this campaign and make the pledge to raise the necessary funds for the One Acre Club. “As a Lifetime Club Member of the NCM, the GSR has long been an active supporter of the Museum and the ideals it represents,” said Hutch. “It’s quite a task for a relatively small organization as ours, but we ‘Stinkers’ are excited to take on this new challenge. Our members recognize the importance and future benefit of the Motorsports Park to all Corvette owners, and are proud to take part in making this dream become a reality. We challenge other clubs and registries to follow our lead.”
 Hutch made a deal with the club and told them that if they could get all $15,000 in six months, he would paint his hair blue and white and present the check at the Gathering. May 15, 2010, the remainder of their pledge was paid, with Hutch sporting his skunk stripe!
The Grand Sport Registry is comprised of nearly 400 members, with membership open to all Corvette enthusiasts. Grand Sport ownership is not required. Learn more about their organization at http://www.grandsportregistry.com.
 Individuals Join 'One Acre Club' and Deadline to Join Extended
NCM Board Member Jack Matukas and wife Donna of Bowling Green, KY recently committed to joining the Museum's 'One Acre Club.'
"We feel this project is very forward thinking and will be a terrific asset, to not only the NCM's future, but the entire Southeastern region as well. It will expose a huge number of auto enthusiasts to what we feel will become an exciting driving experience at a unique, signature-style facility," Matukas said.
The 'One Acre Club' has been so popular that the Museum has decided to extend the deadline. "Becoming a "One Acre" member really can be affordable for everyone. By pledging over a few years, each new member will be helping to make this dream facility a reality," Matukas added.
 Al and Nancy Jones Join One Acre Club
Al and Nancy Jones of Tyler, Texas have just committed to joining the NCM Motorsports Park's 'One Acre Club.'
"We participate in as much as we can at museum. We love it and the people there so if we are able to participate we do so," said Al. "Nancy and I find the Motorsports Park concept exciting and hope to see the day when it is complete and running."
Al and Nancy are members of the Lone Star Corvette Club and are lifetime members of museum. They also sponsored one of the new NCM delivery rooms which was unveiled at the 15th Anniversary Celebration.
Al adds that "we support the project and would encourage everyone that belongs to the NCM to make a donation, no matter how small or large, to this important project."
 First Non-Corvette Owner Joins One Acre Club
Chris Cornett had never been to the National Corvette Museum before September 2009. He was visiting for a Harley event at Beech Bend and noticed the recently expanded Museum across from his hotel. Chris was in his 1978 white Ranchero towing a Harley when he met Executive Director Wendell Strode. Chris said a major selling point to join the 'Club' was the fact that he can receive track time in exchange for his contribution towards the project.
"You're building an amazing motorsports park. Even though I'm not a Corvette owner, I just had to be a part of it," said Chris. Chris is from Bagdad, Kentucky - about an hour east of Louisville.
George Dupont Joins One Acre Club
 Acre by acre the National Corvette Museum is working towards our dream of owning and operating a first class Motorsports Park - but we need your help! By joining the 'One Acre Club' like our friend George Dupont you can earn track time once the park is completed.
"As a Founding Member of the National Corvette Museum I have been an ardent supporter since its inception. The Motorsports Park offers one more way for us to insure that we retain the history and greatness of this product for current and future generations," Dupont said.
Dupont is from Prosper, Texas and is a member of Corvette Legends of Texas Club and the Texas Chapter of NCRS. In addition to being a founding Lifetime member of the Museum, he's also a member of the Duntov Society and Winner's Circle.
Circle City Corvette Club Joins One Acre Club
 Bruce Carter, President of the Club, took a few moments to tell us why they decided to join the 'One Acre Club.'
"The Circle City Corvette Club has been a proud sponsor of the National Corvette Museum (NCM) for many years. As a wannabe race car driver, I got very excited when I first heard of the plans for the NCM to develop and build a racetrack. Then last year when they announced the opportunity for individuals and clubs to help build the track thru the ‘One Acre Club’ membership, I knew this was something our club needed to jump on.
We were already contributing several thousand dollars to the NCM each year thru the auction held during our annual Beach Caravan event. By joining the One Acre Club we are targeting our contribution and if all goes according to plan, our club will get to enjoy track time when the NCM Motorsports Park is completed. Our contribution of $9,400, so far this year, puts us well over half way to satisfy our pledge of $15,000 to pay for an acre of ground for the NCM Motorsports Park. Thanks to all those who attended our Corvette Beach Caravan, which enabled us to make this donation."
Motorsports Park Still On Track As One Acre Club Commitments Continue
 While sponsorship proposals and networking continues in an effort to raise funding for the planned NCM Motorsports Park, clubs and individuals such as you continue to show your enthusiasm through our "One Acre Club" campaign.
For several years the Coastal Carolina Corvette Club has been a business member of the NCM, and many club members are also museum Lifetime Members.
"When our membership got wind of the proposed Motorsports Park and the opportunity to invest in this initiative, it seemed like a natural fit for our proceeds from our annual 'Vettes Doin' Charleston' Corvette Show to be earmarked as a yearly contribution," said Club President Kim Sheldon.
Kim said 2010 was their second year of contributions towards the Park, and they hope to purchase an acre within five years. To date their shows have netted $5,300 towards their acre.
Mark your calendar now because next year's event is April 16, 2011. Visit their website, www.4CCCC.org for more information. If you are interested in becoming involved with our Motorsports Park project, visit www.motorsportspark.org.
NCM 2010 High Performance Driving Events
June 28 - 29, 2010: NCM HPDE Virginia International Raceway
Other NCM Events
April 29 - May 1, 2010: C5/C6 Bash
May 13 - 15, 2010: The Gathering
May 27 - 29, 2010: Forum Cruise-In
September 2 - 4, 2010: NCM 16th Anniversary
September 16 - 18, 2010: Z06 Fest
September 23 - 25, 2010: Pace Car Reunion
November 4 - 6, 2010: Vets 'n Vettes
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