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pring IS around the corner, meaning the best weekend of the year…the LAST weekend in June is also right around the corner. In fact, it is approximately 93 days away! Thank you to everyone that joined us at our new venue last year. While renovation to U of I facilities has caused us to change the show layout, we are quite excited that the Show field looks even better for 2014! Upon entering the show from the Corvette parking area, you will be greeted by Chevrolet and the many Chevy dealers on hand to support the Show. From there you will be able to take a direct path to either the GoldMarket, the Certification Field or the GoldAuction. And of course, our GoldMembers will be able to drive onto the show grounds and park right by the GoldMember Tent.
THURSDAY
EVENTS
Join us Saturday evening for one of two Gold Events! The GoldTour will once again flow through the countryside and beautiful parks of Champaign County. Simultaneously, the GoldAuction will take place back on the Show grounds with the sale of a special collection of Corvettes!. NEW THIS YEAR: the auction will host a cocktail reception where a cash bar and food will be made available.
For now, enjoy the Spring and we will see you the last weekend in June!
Guy Larsen, President
FRIDAY
8:00am-6:00pm
Preview Only
SEMINARS
Many favorites will be a part of the show again, GoldMine, GoldPart Mart, GoldSchool, GoldTour and the Chevy Ride & Drive a as well as the final year of the Great Hall. Be sure to stop by the iHotel to witness first hand the final 10 people and 10 Corvettes to be inducted into the Great Hall.
GoldSchool
SATURDAY 8:00am-6:00pm
SUNDAY
8:00am-3:00pm
8:30am-3:45pm
The GOLDSTANDARD® Gold Certification
Check-In 1:00pm-3:00pm
Check-In 8:00am-9:30am
SURVIVOR®
Check-In 1:00pm-3:00pm
Check-In 8:00am-9:30am
Judging 8:00am-6:00pm Judging 8:00am-1:00pm
Benchmark/Gold/Survivor
Awards 2:00pm-3:00pm
SALES Corvette Auction
Preview 8:00am-6:00pm
Start 5:00pm
8:00am-6:00pm
8:00am-6:00pm
8:00am-3:00pm
8:00am-6:00pm
8:00am-6:00pm
8:00am-3:00pm
Corvette Parking/Displays
8:00am-6:00pm
8:00am-6:00pm
8:00am-3:00pm
The Great Hall: Year Five
8:00am-6:00pm / Induction: 4pm
8:00am-6:00pm
8:00am-3:00pm
Corvettes (owner/dealer) Exhibitors
Preview Only 10:00am-5:00pm
DISPLAYS
ON THE ROAD GoldTour
Staging: 5:00pm
GoldAutocross
8:00am-5:00pm
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BLOOMINGTON GOLD
8:00am-3:00pm
NOTE: Map is tentative and subject to change. Check www.bloomingtongold.com for updates.
BLOOMINGTON GOLD
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The
GOLD
R
Certification is for the purpose of sport. Cars are judged by the National Corvette Certification Board (NCCB) to determine how closely they represent authentic appearance compared to the “day they left the factory”.
NO BETTER. NO WORSE. NO DIFFERENT. A Gold Certified® car appears as it would have just after completion of ‘Typical Factory Production’. This does not mean that a Bloomington Gold car is cosmetically perfect. Factory cars weren’t. Instead, historic accuracy is the goal. In short, every car left the factory qualified to receive a Gold Certificate. However, age, use, repair, and/or inaccurate restorations all take their toll. Therefore, unrestored original cars may do as well (or better) than inaccurately restored cars. Over 200 components (each worth about 35 credits) total about 7,500 credits per car. Credit totals vary by car year. Cars judged to be within the following standards are certified:
GOLD: SILVER: BRONZE:
100-95% 94-90% 89-85%
The components of the Gold Certified® car scoring 100% will have no ‘Easily Detectable’ deviations from ‘Typical Factory Production’ in terms of five key criteria: 1. Originality (F.D.I.C.C.) Finish, Date Codes, Installation, Completeness, and Configuration 2. Damage, deterioration, or missing pieces 3. Technical operation 4. Cleanliness 5. Numbers
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BLOOMINGTON GOLD
As the name implies, Corvettes that have never been restored have ‘survived’ intentional or unintentional loss of original markings, paint or components. Corvettes remaining over 50% unrestored or unmodified may qualify for a SURVIVOR® award if they remain in a condition that would serve well as a historic guide for others who want to restore a Corvette of that vintage and type. This award is designed to recognize those Corvettes that are “Worn in, but not worn out.” A Survivor® Corvette is significantly unrestored, unrepaired, and unmodified so as to be useful as a historic reference. It is a Corvette that in the best interest of research should not be restored or improved. Again as with Certification, the cars are judged against a factory standard and not against one another. The Corvette must complete a 10 mile road test under their own power. Since the advent of this award, there is now a reason for further preservation of Corvettes whose histories and character may have otherwise been lost. Survivor® judging is fun and the Survivor® Corvettes become a member of an elite group of historically significant cars. Survivor® Corvettes are the Corvettes that judges and restorers seek out to study.
Reg
Info
TH
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This is America’s most prestigious Corvette award. The Benchmark award is for those very rare, select Corvettes that represent the ultimate in factory originality and condition. Benchmark Corvettes are not only unrestored, but also in show room new condition. In other words, it is as if it were put in a time capsule at the time of factory delivery and preserved that way until the day it was judged. These cars would obviously make the perfect research pieces for anyone doing a restoration or trying to learn about cars of that vintage and type. ... hence the name, Benchmark. Entrants must be judged in both Survivor and Certification during the same weekend. Only Corvettes qualifying in ALL four of the four categories of Survivor, as well as the 10 mile road test and receiving Gold Certification at the same Bloomington Gold event will be awarded the highly coveted and prestigious Benchmark award. These Corvettes are truly the Benchmarks of the marque.
10:0
1:0 1
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*24/7
STANDARD of Judging ®
REGISTRATION OPEN!
gister Online: BloomingtonGold.com by June 10
o: Gail Manahan at 309.888.2588 • gail@bloomingtongold.com
HURSDAY, June 26
00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MAIN REGISTRATION CERTIFICATION®/SURVIVOR® CHECK-IN
This is a walk-up registration for Saturday’s Gold Certification and Sunday’s Survivor Judging. Your car is not needed during registration.
You will receive your WELCOME PACKET which contains your assigned parking time and invitation to the Park This Way Reception!
30 a.m.to 0:00 a.m.
SATURDAY, June 28 6:00 a.m.to 6:30 a.m.
REGISTRATION/PARKING/PARTY
7:45 a.m.
Location: I-Hotel/Conference Center (#8) WAIT LIST REGISTRAINTS
You will be notified by phone if you are on the wait list and have been accepted for judging.
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CERTIFICATION PARKING*
00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
SURVIVOR MEETING
Location: Judging Field - Corner of First St. & Kirby (#2) For all SURVIVOR® Registrants.
Location: I-Hotel/Conference Center (#8)
30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
SURVIVOR ROADTEST/PARKING*
00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
PARK THIS WAY RECEPTION
6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Location: Owners Tent - On the Judging Field (#2)
7 Floodlights/Security will be available in the Corvette parking area.
OWNERS MEETING
Join us for a quick meeting to explain how the day will progress. JUDGING - GOLD CERTIFICATION®
The ending time is approximate. If cars are attending the awards ceremony on Sunday, we are requesting that they stay on the field overnight. Please speak to Field Operations staff if you would like to remove your car. Location: Judging Field (#2)
SURVIVOR®/BENCHMARK® & AWARDS CEREMONY
RE-PARK CARS*
If you remove your car Saturday night, please be at the field by 6:00 a.m. for re -parking. Location: Judging Field (#2)
7:45 a.m.
OWNERS MEETING
Join us for a quick meeting to explain how the day will progress. Location: Owners Tent - Judging Field (#2)
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location: I-Hotel/Conference Center (#8) Join us for music, snacks and drinks. This is only open to those who park their cars on the Certification Field on Friday.
If you remove your car Friday night, please be at the field by 6:00 a.m. for re-parking.
SUNDAY, June 29
Location: I-Hotel/Conference Center (#8)
00 a.m. to Noon.
RE-PARK CARS*
Location: Owners Tent - Judging Field (#2)
LATE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATION/SURVIVOR®
This registration is for those who can’t make the main one on Thursday. You will receive your WELCOME PACKET which contains your assigned parking time and invitation to the Park This Way Reception!
GOLD CERTIFICATION®
Location: Judging Field (#2)
Location: I-Hotel/Conference Center (#8 on Event Map)
RIDAY, June 27
00 a.m to 9:30 a.m.
MAIN REGISTRATION
2:00 p.m.
JUDGING - SURVIVOR®
The ending time is approximate. If you are staying for the awards ceremony, please stay on the field. Otherwise, please speak to one of our Field Operations staff to be escorted off the field. Location: Judging Field (#2) THE AWARDS CEREMONY
You don’t want to miss this! Location: Mecum Auction Tent (#5)
BLOOMINGTON GOLD
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GOLDSCHOOL Cost: $100/Education Pass
FRIDAY, JUNE 27 • 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Bloomington Gold is proud to present this year’s GoldSchool. We have a day packed with education that includes topics on the design of famous Corvettes to Corvette Racing and includes speakers from GM Engineers to Peter Brock! An education pass for GoldSchool is $100 per person and allows entrance into all the seminars. NEW THIS YEAR: Half of all education pass revenue will be donated to charities selected by speakers! For an overview of seminars and their times, check the Bloomington Gold Web site.
SEMINARS: (AS OF 3/25/14 - MORE SEMINARS TO COME!) TIME 8:30 am - 10:00 am
10:15 am - 11:45 am
1:00 pm - 2:15 pm
2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
SEMINAR TOPICS
SPEAKERS
How we REALLY Built Corvettes at Bowling Green and Why!
Tom Hill: GM Engineer, Retired
Racing Panel: 1962-1970 Corvettes vs the World: A look behind the scenes of current day racing When the General Got it Wrong
Race Car Drivers: Jim Gessner & Tony DeLorenzo
Reeves Callaway: Founder Callaway Companies
Al Grenning: Author, Historian, Judge, Presenter
Duntov’s 57 Sebring Racer...The SS Corvette
Peter Brock, Legendary Chevrolet Designer
The Evolution: No Time To Cry
Wilmer Cooksey, Jr.: Corvette Plant Manager, GM, Retired
Corvettes of the Silver Screen
Bill Stephens, NBC Sports
Racing Panel: 1962-1970
Race Car Drivers: Jim Gessner & Tony DeLorenzo
Origins of Mitchell’s 59 Racer & 63 Split Window
Peter Brock, Legendary Chevrolet Designer
Surviving the Sinkhole
Adam Boca, NCM
GoldSchool Proudly Sponsored by
For Complete Descriptions of Seminars visit
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BLOOMINGTON GOLD
www.BloomingtonGold.com.
We’ve got a sinking feeling... An inside look the National Corvette Museum It’s been three weeks since a 40’ wide, 60’ deep sinkhole opened up within the Skydome of the National Corvette Museum, taking eight prized Corvettes with it. Construction and engineering teams have been hard at work since day one, putting a plan in place for the recovery and restoration of the building. The project has been named Operation Corvette + (plus) because for something to rise from a base level ‘up’ equals moving in a ‘+’ direction. Our ultimate goal is to keep the existing building ‘up’ in its original position, raise the Corvettes in the hole ‘up’, then bring the fill in the hole ‘up’ and lastly, bring the concrete floor back ‘up’ to its original level. The recovery of the three most accessible Corvettes: the 2009 “Blue Devil” ZR1, a 1993 40th Anniversary Ruby Red Corvette and a 1962 Black Corvette commenced on Tuesday with all three cars being successfully saved. Beginning on Saturday, crews rigged up the ZR1 and did a few test lifts. John Spencer, Manufacturing Integration Manager at the GM Corvette Assembly Plant, helped consult the team on the best points to strap up the car. Monday officially began Operation Corvette + and resulted in the recovery of first, the 2009 “Blue Devil” ZR1. Staff and team were elated to see the ZR1 out of the sinkhole and hear it start. The successful recovery of the 1993 40th Anniversary Ruby Red Corvette began shortly after that. The team started work early Tuesday, extracting the 1962 Corvette. “I see body damage. The chassis looks intact, the frame’s not bent, the interior (other than being a little dirty) is pristine. So, I think it’s some fiberglass work, some ornamentation work, and paint,” said Spencer. “This car is in amazing shape considering what it’s been through. I don’t see anything irreparable.” Murphy indicated that the next steps include stabilizing the red spire, the walls of the sinkhole and the area immediately around the walls. This will take approximately 3 weeks. Extraction of the five remaining cars is expected to start after that process. The Museum plans on displaying the cars as they are recovered now through August 3. In addition, this spring, they plan to create a special display with information on the sinkhole incident, sinkholes and karst background details, videos, photos and more. The National Corvette Museum is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky just off I-65, exit 28. To learn more about the National Corvette Museum visit their website at www.corvettemuseum.org and for updates on what’s happening at the Museum, ‘like’ them on Facebook.
BLOOMINGTON GOLD
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The
Final
2014 Inductees
YEAR FIVE 速
The People Cypress Gardens Bob Gold Auctions Al Grenning Ronnie Kaplan Irwin Kroiz Karl Ludvigsen Terry Michaelis National Corvette Museum Vince Piggins Lawrence K. Shinoda
The Cars 1955 Pioneer of Speed 1963 NASCAR Mk II 1966 Certification Proto 1967 Certification Proto 1967 DX L88 Racer 1968 Owens Corning Racer 1969 The Rebel L88 C6.R LeMans Winner C4 Technology Shift C7 Technology Future
Updates will be available on our website at www.BloomingtonGold.com
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BLOOMINGTON GOLD
Since 2010, The Great Hall will have inducted the 50 most significant Corvettes and 50 most significant People that pioneered, influenced, or significantly contributed to the Corvette Phenomenon. The Cars include the engineering/design pioneers, racing icons, performance milestones, and those that influenced the direction of the Corvette community. The People include a few of the GM pioneers who built the Corvette, but mostly the grass roots individuals who built the Corvette Phenomenon—the owners, organizations, writers, researchers, promoters, judges, vendors, dealers, racers and restorers. Their Stories piece together the previously jumbled jigsaw puzzle of facts, tales, misconceptions, and never before known insights.
Induction Ceremony: Friday, June 27 • 4:00 PM Inductee Q&A / Book Signing: Saturday, June 28 • 10:00 AM The Great Hall Proudly Sponsored By BLOOMINGTON GOLD
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Greetings to our GoldMembers… New, Charter and Soon-to-be! To all of you that are still living in the what seems like the never melting frozen tundra, I have some good news….the 2014 Show is less than four months away! The grass will be green, the sun will shine bright and you will be among friends again. With that in mind….. You have probably heard, due to the construction of the building formerly known as Assembly Hall, we have had to change up the layout of the show for this year. While the new layout offers promising aspects to all components of the Show, I am very excited about our location this year. The GoldMember tent and parking will be located in the SE corner of the judging field, right in the center of activity! This will allow members easy access to the GoldMember tent any time they need to come in for a beverage or snack. And don’t forget our wonderful Friday night reception in the ihotel, compliments of CHUBB. This year’s member gift is a NIKE dri-fit navy polo with the GoldMember Logo.If you are not yet a member, or haven’t yet renewed, be sure to do so soon! I suggest you try to renew /join by April 1 to ensure that you receive your GoldMember Polo prior to the Show. Looking forward to seeing you the last weekend of June!
Cheers!
Jocelyn Young
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T
he GoldTour will be the evening of Saturday, June 28. The tour will stage at 5:00 and launch from the GoldField. From there, the Corvettes will caravan through beautiful Illinois countryside, until they reach historic Monticello. Winding through downtown Monticello, paraders will first experience “Corvettes meeting Corvettes” as they pass the courthouse and begin the return trip. The switchback creates the opportunity to pass hundreds of other Corvettes - every imaginable color, make and model. Be sure to wave as you return to Champaign!
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NOTE: GoldTour map is tentative and subject to change Check www.bloomingtongold.com for updates.
Proud Sponsor of the GoldTour
BLOOMINGTON GOLD
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ON A ROLL WITH THE STING RAY Such a roll, it was only necessary for Chevrolet to make evolutionary changes to the 1964 Corvette. Included were the coupe’s backbone window, eliminated were the two simulated air intakes from the hood, though their indentations remained. Rockerpanel trim lost some ribs; wheel covers were simplified; and the fuel filler/deck emblem gained concentric circles around its crossed-flags insignia. Bloomington Gold is proud to welcome the 1964 Corvette as the GoldYear display. With record breaking sales for Chevrolet, the 1964 Corvette is a must see in the evolution of the ever growing popularity of the Sting Ray. On display Friday, June 27 thru Sunday, June 29. Contact the Bloomington Gold office at 309.888.4477 for information
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Bloomington Gold’s Parts Resale! Tired of moving that box of old Vette parts from one corner of the garage to another? Well, we have an idea... bring it to Bloomington Gold this year and turn it into cash! Returning this year is the GoldPartMart resale area. Drop off your clean and complete parts and our Bloomington Gold staff will monitor your pieces and help you turn your discarded stuff into easy to store dollars...or you can turn around and find new goodies available at any of the dealers in our immense GoldMarket.
Here’s how it works:
• Bring your clean and complete parts to our GoldPartMart • Fill out a simple description (it’s best if you have it ready ahead of time) • Give your name, cell phone number and what $$$ you want for the item (realistically, of course) • We will collect a payment or have buyers call you to haggle or ask questions • If it sells, we will text you a message and you can pick up your cash!
Your Parts! Our Event!...The Perfect Deal!
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In Memoriun... RONNIE KAPLAN • 1927-2014
2014 Great Hall Inductee
One of the last surviving members of 1960 Indianapolis 500 winning crew, Ronnie’s innovative work on Indy Cars, Trans Ams, Corvettes, and other cars has been restored and preserved at the Indianapolis Hall of Fame Museum and private collections throughout the United States. A dear friend and mentor to many, Ronnie’s thirst for knowledge and adventure took him, his family and friends through exciting projects and quests. A mischievous sense of humor and warmth kept him always young.
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A THOUGHTFUL AND DETERMINED MARKET Appeared in the Chubb Collector Car Insider Newsletter. Reprinted with permission. There are bargains, but not every Dino is a steal — and every Maserati will not double its price in the next six months by Keith Martin Rational exuberance. That’s how I would describe the collector-car market as we move into 2014. I’ve just attended the RM Auction in Paris — the first they’ve held there — and can add my thoughts on their sale to my reflections on the Arizona mega-event. There’s no question that there are still plenty of buyers, with plenty of money, who are eager to spend it on collectible cars. But in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paris, I’ve seen thoughtful buys — not stupid ones.
Look for interesting new merchandise to be coaxed from garages in 2014
Yes, the market is up. Just look at the overall totals from Arizona, with 2,822 cars sold for $253m, a 12% increase over last year. That’s a tidy increase, one that you’d be glad to have in your investment portfolio. In fact, the steady increase in Arizona sales totals for the past few years ($225m in 2013, $184m in 2012) shows confidence rather than silliness.
And at RM’s Paris auction, good cars, such as the 1955 Jaguar D-type s/n XKD520, sold at respectable — but not crazy — prices, in this case, $4.9m. I’ve been watching the auction world for 26 years, and after awhile, you can discern the differences between a fluffy, a thoughtful, a determined and a desperate audience. The fluffy occurs when every buyer thinks he can flip every car for a profit in 30 days, so everyone just spends with abandon. The thoughtful happens when buyers think there are still some cars that are underpriced, but the cars must be thoughtfully bought. Determined buyers are looking for special cars to complete their collections — and they disregard the market implications. And the desperate ones, which we haven’t seen in some time, are faced with a falling market (not the case today), are overleveraged, and have to get out regardless of profit or loss. We’ve got a combination of thoughtful and determined buyers right now. There are still some bargains to be had, but not every Dino is a steal regardless of condition, nor is every Maserati guaranteed to double its price in the next six months. So a thoughtful buyer can still help pay the rent by something purchased at auction. There are fewer and fewer “fresh cars” coming to market. Why? In buoyant times, sellers are more likely to hang onto their cars, believing that the promised land is just around the next corner, and that someone is likely to come into their garage with buckets of cash to throw at their special car. So determined buyers have fewer cars to choose from at auction than in the past two years. The challenge for the auction companies is to find “good kit” that no one has seen before, and bring it before their audience with a reasonable reserve. I’m looking forward to the Gooding and RM sales at Amelia Island, and I think that as the market slows slightly, some new merchandise will be coaxed out of garages and onto the auction block. It is these newly offered collector cars that will help us understand where the market is headed.
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Calling All Clubs!!! Are you ready for the GRANDDADDY of Corvette Events? I know I sure am! I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with the many Corvette Clubs attending Bloomington Gold this year. I look forward to reconnecting with the many club members I’ve met over the years as well as meeting many new members. GoldClub offers Corvette club members to have a meeting place and gathering area throughout the Bloomington Gold weekend. Additionally, each Corvette will receive an exclusive GoldClub pin to commemorate the weekend. We challenge all clubs to show their strength in numbers and will recognize the club with the largest number of Corvettes in attendance. Along with recognizing the largest club, we will also recognize the club who travels the farthest. Register your club today to become an officially recognized GoldClub. GoldClub parking is free, and a minimum of only five Corvettes are required to reserve your area. Your club must be registered by June 1st and all club members parking in the Gold Club field are encouraged to purchase admission tickets on-line by June 7th at a discounted rate of $15 per person per day, or $40 per person for a 3-day pass. Tickets purchased at the gate are $20 per person per day and $45 for the weekend pass. New for 2014 is a special preview day admission on Thursday which is included with all 3-day weekend passes. If you have any questions, please contact me at lori@ bloomingtongold.com and I will be happy to assist you with planning your trip to Bloomington Gold 2014. Safe Travels and look forward to seeing you all there! Lori Worman
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Proud Sponsor of GoldCLUBS
BLOOMINGTON GOLD
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f f a St
t h g i l t o p
f f a t S
GUY LARSEN President
S
CHRIS CHES
“Talk about a Company Car….” by Jocelyn Young
M
JOCELYN YOUNG VP Business Development
CATHY WINTERS VP of Operations
GAIL MANAHAN Operations Manager Judging
CORBYN S. KERN Director: GoldAdvertising
Lori Worman Exhibitor Sales/Sponsorships GoldClub Director
BEV LARSEN Director
LORI SWANGO Director
JOE REMES Field Operations Director
DAVID BURROUGHS Founder
WILLIAM LOCKE Director: The Great Hall
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BLOOMINGTON GOLD
any of you already know Chris Chessnoe because of the outstanding Callaway Corvette that he drives as the Program Manager for Callaway Cars, Inc. But what you may not know is that Chris has driven over 300,000 miles in only 6 years. Breaking it down, that is 1,000 hours of drive time a year! Along the way he has picked up some great and some not so great memories of all the places he has been. In fact, Chris is in the process of writing a book about his travels! Thankfully the good stories by far out number the not so good and include great, fellow Corvette lovers he has met along the way! Two of his most memorable drives have been to South Dakota across the Badlands and also south into Colorado. Chris made each of these trips with friends he met through Bloomington Gold, Leonard and Joan Wiggins. Like so many people that are an important part of the success of Bloomington Gold, Chris is a Bloomington Gold Lifetimer. He got his start with Bloomington Gold in 2003 when Bill Locke asked him to help put together the 2004 Special Collection. He became a late model judge in 2006 and a Division Director in 2010. In 2013, new wardrobe guideline for judges, outlawing flip flops on the judging field, was put in place in honor
of Chris. (Ok. Maybe in honor is not the right way to describe it…)
Chris’s first Corvette was a 1989 coupe that he bought when he was 16, which he still owns. And one of his was when he brought his 198 Corvette as part of the 2009 Sp Grand Finale that his oldest d (15) was able to attend with him “father/daughter” time. His yo Cait(10) would very much like show, but when dad drives a car she has to patiently wait her tur spending time with Megan and enjoys his time on the Virginia his wife Natasha.
Be sure to look for Chris at the 20 Gold Show. You will recognize present sheepish grin and if he past Guy (Larsen), his flip flops
Thank you and Cheers to Chris
SSNOE
s best memories 89 Callaway B2K pecial Collection daughter, Megan m. It was a special oungest daughter, e to come to the r with only 2 seats rn. In addition to d Cait, Chris also home front with
014 Bloomington e him by his ever e can sneak them s!
s!
t h g i l t o p
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NANCY KATRAKIS
How Far Would You Drive to Go Work? by Gail Manahan
L
et me introduce you to one of Bloomington Gold’s most loyal team members, Nancy Katrakis. She has been with us for almost 30 years. Of course she says she started when she was 12 years old! But Nancy has been driving over 3200 miles roundtrip for 25 years to help with Bloomington Gold! The reason for that? She has lived in Arizona for the last 25 years! She now lives in Gilbert, Arizona with her husband, Mike, and twin boys, Zander and Michael.
The annual trip to Bloomington Gold has become a family tradition. In fact, one of Nancy’s best memories is that her boys celebrated their first birthday at the 2003 Bloomington Gold Show in St. Charles, Illinois. The family doesn’t mind the long trip because they make it an adventure. They plan stops along the way to visit family, friends, or just an interesting place! A favorite stop is the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo Texas. They were there for the 4th of July last year and Michael and Zander said it was the best 4th ever! When Nancy first started working for Bloomington Gold, she worked in the back office counting gate receipts, but now she is in charge of the Goldmine, Corvettes for sale by owner. Nancy, who is also known as “Phoenix”, has established such a welcoming environment in the Goldmine over the years that she is sought out for a quick hello by many previous visitors, buyers, and sellers. She comes back every year because of them. “They are the best. I am so glad I’ve made such great Bloomington Gold friends!” And can you believe she has never owned a corvette? Well, she knows just the place to look for one. Or, maybe she is waiting for the twins to turn 16? Of Course, we are just waiting for those boys to become old enough to work at the show. In her “real-life”, Nancy is a stay-at-home mom. She says it is the best job she has ever had. She considers herself the “cruise director” of the family. Between volunteering at the boys’ school, hiking, and supporting the boys in basketball, Nancy is incredibly busy! She gets a break when Zander and Michael go snowboarding ̶ Nancy doesn’t do snow! But when summer rolls around her family finds time to head to California for sun, sand and boogie boarding. We’re just glad that she finds the time to keep Bloomington Gold as one of her priorities. We are also thankful to have her as a part of the Bloomington Gold family and appreciate her thoughtful, get -it -done attitude. We look forward to many more years working with her. Thank you, Nancy!
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BOOK YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS FOR OUR 2014 BLOOMINGTON GOLD EVENT!
Holiday Inn & Conf. Center
Rooms are filling up fast. The following is a list of official host/ partner hotels for Bloomington Gold. Please remember to mention you are attending Bloomington Gold when making reservations to obtain special event pricing. Visit our website at www.bloomingtongold. com for a complete list of available local Champaign, Illinois hotels Or contact the Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1.800.369.6151 for lodging information.
Hotels
Res. Phone #
Miles from Event
Holiday Inn & Conf. Center
217.328.7900
4.7
Holiday Inn Express
217.328.0328
4.7
Hyatt Place
217.531.2800
1.4
Baymont Inn & Suites
217.356.8900
3.7
Candlewood Suites
217.398.1000
3.3
Country Inn & Suites
217.355.6666
3.8
Courtyard by Marriott
217.355.0411
3.7
Eastland Suites & Conf. Center
217.367.8331
4.3
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham
217.398.3400
5
La Quinta
217.356.4000
3.4
U of I Lodging - Dormitories
Guests can reserve rooms online at https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/5725123. If you have any questions contact University Housing - Conferences and Special Events office atconference@illinois.eduor by phone217.333.1766. Sleeping Room Rate:(all rates below include tax)
All Inclusive
Includes room with breakfast, lunch and dinner at our new Dining Hall which is attached to Nugent Hall. All meals include beverages, main course and dessert in an all you care to eat style. $74.95 per day for a single room $55.95 per day per person for a double room
Room Only
Holiday Inn Express
$41.82 for a single • $27.19 per person for a double room Nugent Hall and SDRP (adjoining buildings) Amenities: Spacious lobby and Conversational Groupings, fitness room, convenience store with sundries items, ATM, and Concierge desk. Guest Rooms include: desk, chair, bed, closet, side table, sheets, pillow, pillow case, blanket, towels, and washcloths.
Individual Meal Door prices
All meals are all you care to eat and include beverages, main course and desserts. Sales tax is included in these prices: Breakfast ($8.43), Lunch ($10.66), Dinner ($13.98). Tables can be reserved at the dining hall for small groups. Meetings rooms are also available.
Shuttle: A shuttle will be provided from the SDRP building to the Corvette Show.
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BLOOMINGTON GOLD
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