Route 66 Corvette Show Offers Driving and Entertainment
26 May 1998
The New, Innovative Route 66 Corvette Show Offers A Driving and Entertainment Event Like No Other!JOLIET, Ill., May 26 -- Announced today is the inaugural Route 66 Corvette Show. This unique driving and entertainment show is scheduled for Thursday, June 11 through Sunday, June 14, 1998 at the all new state-of-the-art Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois. The Route 66 Corvette Show was created by a group of Corvette enthusiasts dedicated to providing Corvette and automobile fans of all kinds with an annual "hands-on" driving and entertainment event. This is the ultimate driving opportunity for participants to personally experience the excitement of actually driving the Corvette. The show includes nearly all of the events that showgoers have come to expect, plus it adds a new and interactive driving venue for both Corvette owners and non-owners to participate in. "Corvettes are meant to be driven as well as admired. The Route 66 Corvette Show adds a driving dimension to the existing Corvette show world, with the entire event, for the first time ever, at one facility," said J.D. Purvis, executive director of the Route 66 Corvette Show. "We will be most receptive to feedback from our showgoers so that we may tailor future shows to best meet their needs and desires. We want everyone who attends the show to know that they can now participate in an interactive show and drive their dream, whether they own a Corvette or not," added Purvis. The Route 66 Corvette Show is the only event of its kind which allows Corvette owners to participate in a number of different driving experiences including Corvette Drag Racing, Road Racing (for qualified drivers), Autocross, and for Corvette owners or non-owners the "Come Drive Your Dream" event. Located on historic Route 66, 23 miles from Chicago, the all new $25 million Route 66 Raceway provides the most modern motorsports and entertainment facility in the nation for this type of show. An NHRA professional dragstrip and grandstand that holds over 30,000 spectators creates an exciting "stadium" effect for viewers. Additional space for Road Racing and Autocross makes this unique raceway a perfect place for Corvette owners to drive their dream in a number of different performance environments. The Route 66 Corvette Show offers a totally new concept in Corvette entertainment to appeal to both Corvette enthusiasts and newcomers alike. * "Come Drive Your Dream" Corvette Event Licensed showgoers can drive the Corvette of their dreams for a nominal charge. This is a rare opportunity for non-Corvette owners to drive any of the on-site vintage or late model Corvettes including the '69 Roadster, '67 Big Block, ZR-1 or the all new C5. Half of the proceeds for this event will be donated to the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. * Drag Racing Event Corvette owners can roar down a quarter mile drag strip for elapsed times! This event allows novice, intermediate, and advanced drivers to experience the thrill of Corvette Drag Racing firsthand. Participants must drive their own Corvettes and will receive three passes down the strip for only $20. On Saturday, June 13 a "shoot out" is planned for the two fastest times in each of the 11 designated car classes. * Autocross Event Autocross provides another exciting performance event, once again, for novice, intermediate and advanced Corvette owners alike. This event consists of a preset pylon course set up by seasoned autocross veterans from the N.C.C.C. (National Council of Corvette Clubs). Participants must drive their own Corvettes and will receive two passes through the course for only $1O. * Corvette Swapmeet Hundreds of vendors from all over the country will feature everything and anything one can imagine that is Corvette related. This is a "one stop" Corvette parts and accessory mall that will be enjoyed by all showgoers. * "Corvette College" provides technical seminars on a variety of Corvette topics Technical seminars with subjects ranging from performance modifications for the C5, to driving schools, to general repair information will be available. A Corvette "Junior College" classroom program for youngsters will also be available. All seminars are presented by renowned Corvette instructors from around the country. * "Corporate Village" "Corporate Village" hosts the biggest and best known names in the business. Representatives will be available to share with showgoers their various Corvette related products and services. * Sanctioned participant Corvette Judging Show & Celebrity and V.I.P. Choice Judging The Route 66 Corvette Show features the first N.C.C.C. sanctioned participant judging event. This is a unique new concept in judging that welcomes all years and types of Corvettes, with all cars being judged by the entrants themselves! Trophies will be awarded in a number of car classes on show day (Sunday, June 14). Plus, a group of Celebrity and V.I.P. judges will select their show favorites from Registered Entrants on Saturday, June 13. Awards will be presented. * "Corvette Challenge Racers" to excite showgoers A group of 20 Corvette racers will revive the Corvette Challenge concept of racing. This 20 lap racing event has plenty of twists and turns and will use the entire dragstrip as its straightway at America's newest and most exciting racetrack, the Route 66 Raceway. Showgoers can meet these racers for one-on-one discussions during the show, starting Friday, June 12. * 104.3 WJMK live simulcast on Friday Appearing live on Friday of the show from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. will be Chicago's legendary radio personality, Dick Biondi! While broadcasting live, Dick will be available to sign autographs, and will be giving away gift certificates and other Oldies 104.3 memorabilia. * Live entertainment for everyone on Saturday night Saturday night will feature a live on-stage concert right in the center of all the action! Oldies 104.3 WJMK in Chicago will host the entertainment program, featuring two of Chicago's most popular and talented bands. The entertainment will start with "Landecker & The Legends," performing their exciting oldies show, led by their legendary disc jockey John "Records" Landecker. Also appearing is the nationally renowned group "Ides of March," performing their national hit song "Vehicle," along with all their other great music. * Road Tour of Route 66 On Sunday, June 14, Corvette owners can take part in a nostalgic Corvette road tour covering a portion of the historic Route 66. Corvette owners can pay tribute to Route 66 by participating in this final driving event of the show. * Kruse Corvette Auction A Corvette Auction presented by Kruse International will feature a wide variety of premium Corvettes from around the nation including a number of high-performance motor options and limited editions. Kruse International, based in Auburn, Indiana, is one of the most renowned Corvette auction companies in the nation. * Gallery of Corvette Milestones A selection of rare and special Corvettes, each one unique in its own right, will be on display at the show -- a representative piece of Corvette history for all to enjoy. The cost for attending this exciting four day show is $15 per day, per person, or $45 for the entire weekend. For more information about the show, to register, or for sponsorship opportunities, please call 815-722-VETT or visit the official Route 66 Corvette Show web site at http://www.corvetteshow.com.