President's Message May 2018 Winter … Is It Really Over? Hopefully by now members have had a chance to get their cars out once or twice. Weather has not been great. It has run the gambit, sun, snow, sleet, rain. I’m going out on a limb to say that snow/winter is behind us and it is time for members to get their Corvettes out. Time to rediscover the fine lines of the fiberglass, contours of the seat as you settle in, hands caressing the steering wheel and shift, turn the key, and she comes to life, ready to respond to your every command! The month of May should be full of Corvette fun for members and I ask that you join us when you can. I Look forward to meeting new and old friends! Steve “GDTOGO” Wilson, EMCC President Executive Board & Chairpersons President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Steve Wilson Mal Smith Steve Sylvia Bill Schroeder 508-384-9688 781-706-5762 508-660-2680 781-769-2389 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Social Chair Membership Chair Publications Chair Joe O'Connor, Jr. Bruce Kolovson Keith E. Jacobson 617-780-7448 508-789-7780 617-527-2100 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Sunshine Club Store Webmaster Judy Pitasi Jack Kirkham Kevin Miller 508-966-9026 508-359-7899 508-328-0358 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] A FEW WORDS FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT By "SMOKEN" Mal Smith I am pleased to see sunshine and I am passing it along to everyone. Let's get out and enjoy our "TOYS". I hope to see you soon at a Tuesday night static cruise. Last month I mentioned to you that the Classy Corvette Cougars are getting together again and we invite all of the women of the club and their friends to join in on any of the CCC events. Nine Cougars went to Molly's Apothecary on April 12th and made soaps, body lotion and body scrub. We brought wine and snacks and had a delightful night of laughs. Jean Kirkham sponsored the event about 4 years back and sponsored it again this year. Thanks so much Jean. Great night!!! Cathy Wesalowski is working on our next event which will be a night at the Reflexology Spa in Waltham. There are already Cougars waiting for this event. More info to come. I had the pleasure of communicating with Jim McMackin this past week. He is loving his Tesla and Mary is waiting for hers. They keep busy babysitting their grandchildren five days a week. Jim is planning to meet up with us at a Bass Pro night to catch up on news. We will be seeing him soon. SMOKEN is out of it's stall....... see you all soon. Mal THOUGHTS TIME TO START CRUSING Story by Arne Johnson Finally we are entering a time of warmer weather which will enable the start of some serious cruising. Usually we see Pinch’s Wash & Shine as the initiating event to kick the season off. This year will be no different as the Wash & Shine returns to Pinch’s Business site on Rt.109 in Millis. I know we are all glad to be returning to this site following our good friend Pinch’s period of illness last season. The very next day, May 6, will be at the Car Show at Mass Bay Community College Automotive Tech training site in Ashland. This is a great show of about 200 cars and one that has been a winner for EMCC members Jack Kirkham and Bob Grenier. Not only have their cars won awards at this show but photographs of their cars have appeared on the annual flier announcing the show. Jack’s is on this year. My car has not won or appeared on any flyers but I have won many friends who have shown a variety of cars and trucks each year. My Vette is still in the garage and on the battery tender but cleaning supplies have been ordered on line from Girot’s Garage and by next week we will be back on the road and planning for a season of shows once again. See you on the road soon. HERE WE GO ... IT'S BASS PRO Story & Photos by Keith E. Jacobson On Thursday, April 12th, the car season finally kicked off with the first Mass Cruisers/Bass Pro event of 2018. It was a little chilly with a threat of possible showers and that probably kept the crowd down. EMCC was well represented by a happy if cold crew. At times the wind was so brisk that the flags on a military truck were blowing straight out. The season is here and if you have never been to the show at Patriot Place in Foxboro ... make this the year. It'svery other Thursday (check the schedule) and they request a can of food donation for local food banks . NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM Iconic supercar is 15th Corvette to lead ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ 2019 Corvette ZR1 to Pace 102nd Indianapolis 500 The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the official Pace Car for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil and will lead drivers to the green flag on Sunday, May 27, for the 102nd running of the legendary race. It marks the 15th time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29th time a Chevrolet has led the field dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race. No other vehicle has served as the Pace Car more than the Corvette. To celebrate the iconic supercar’s connection to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the 2019 Corvette ZR1 and the other 14 Corvettes that have paced the 500 were on display on the front straightaway today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Chevrolet is proud to once again pace the Indianapolis 500,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director for Cars and Crossovers. “The ZR1 is the most powerful and fastest Corvette ever made. It’s the perfect choice to pace ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’” The 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car features: • LT5 Small Block 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine with 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque • 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic transmission • ZTK Performance Package featuring a stanchion-mounted adjustable carbon-fiber high rear wing, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and performance suspension • Magnetic Selective Ride Control™ • Brembo® Carbon Ceramic brake system • ZR1 chrome-aluminum wheels, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear • Standard Performance Traction Management and Electronic Limited-Slip Differential • Unique Indy 500 graphics package • GM Design fully integrated safety strobe system • Performance Data and Video Recorder The Corvette ZR1 Pace Car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.85 seconds and reach a top track speed of 212 mph, the fastest Corvette in history. Chevrolet has a storied history with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Chevrolet was founded in 1911, the year of the inaugural 500-mile race, and company cofounder Louis Chevrolet, along with brothers Arthur and Gaston, competed in early Indy 500 races. Arthur Chevrolet competed in the 1911 race, and Gaston Chevrolet won it in 1920. “Chevrolet and IMS enjoy one of the longest-running and strongest bonds in motorsports,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Seeing all of the incredible Corvettes that have paced the Indianapolis 500 on the track today is an exciting reminder of the rich history of this great relationship. This year’s Pace Car, the 2019 Corvette ZR1, is an incredible fast machine that is a perfect fit to lead the 500 field to the green flag.” Chevrolet is pursuing its seventh consecutive IndyCar manufacturer championship this year, building on a successful 2017 season that saw 10 wins out of 17 races. Visit IMS.com to purchase tickets for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 27, and for more information on the complete month of May IMS schedule. The race also will be televised live on ABC, with the pre-race show starting at 11 a.m. EDT. Advance Auto Parts IndyCar Radio will provide live coverage of the race to its affiliates and on Sirius 214, XM 209, www.indycar.com, www.indycarradio.com and the INDYCAR Mobile app. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 is the official Pace Car for the 2018 Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil and will lead drivers to the green flag on Sunday, May 27, for the 102nd running of the legendary race. It marks the 15th time a Corvette has served as the official Pace Car since 1978, and the 29th time a Chevrolet has led the field dating back to 1948, when a 1948 Fleetmaster Six convertible paced the race. No other vehicle has served as the Pace Car more than the Corvette. To celebrate the iconic supercar’s connection to “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the 2019 Corvette ZR1 and the other 14 Corvettes that have paced the 500 were on display on the front straightaway today at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. “Chevrolet is proud to once again pace the Indianapolis 500,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director for Cars and Crossovers. “The ZR1 is the most powerful and fastest Corvette ever made. It’s the perfect choice to pace ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’” The 2019 Corvette ZR1 Pace Car features: • LT5 Small Block 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine with 755 hp and 715 lb-ft of torque • 8-speed 8L90 paddle-shift automatic transmission • ZTK Performance Package featuring a stanchion-mounted adjustable carbon-fiber high rear wing, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and performance suspension • Magnetic Selective Ride Control™ • Brembo® Carbon Ceramic brake system • ZR1 chrome-aluminum wheels, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear • Standard Performance Traction Management and Electronic Limited-Slip Differential • Unique Indy 500 graphics package • GM Design fully integrated safety strobe system • Performance Data and Video Recorder The Corvette ZR1 Pace Car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.85 seconds and reach a top track speed of 212 mph, the fastest Corvette in history.