Carlisle 09

Carlisle PA Fairgrounds

August 28-30, 2009

Corvettes @ Carlisle has always been one of my favorite events, from our very first appearance there in 1998.
Sandy and our 97 were honored to be featured in Chip's Choice in 1999.

This was my first major event since my move last May from Wiscasset, Maine, to Decatur, Alabama.

Thanks to Lance Miller and Carlisle Events for hosting us again this year.
Despite the sagging economy, we were able to raise $1137.00 for the American Cancer Society!

Thursday August 27

Leaving Decatur AL, 4:23am!

Arrival @ Fairgrounds 3:28pm.
Check the average mileage - that was at an average speed of 73 mph, on Regular gas!

Stan Kessel, fresh from Texas, ignores me.

Friday, August 28
Scattered showers & thunderstorms all day didn't seem to dampen anybody's enthusiasm.

Display fully set up, with co-pilot & bodyguard Gary Readio, from Maine, on duty.

Secured for the evening.

Friday evening C5/C6 Registry dinner @ Carlisle Comfort Suites.

Corvette engineer Tom Hill explains the Launch Control feature on the 2010 Vette, to the
amusement of Registry Director Dan Adovasio and Plant Manager Paul Graham.

As usual, Gary & I sold 50/50 tickets. In a real nail biter, the winning ticket belonged to Herb Schmoock,
who donated his $420 share back so that the entire $840 pot went to the American Cancer Society.
Thanks Herb!

Saturday August 29
Same weather as Friday, scattered showers & t-storms.

6:30am we're back in business, in the fog. That's Gary's Pewter C5 "FLYNLO".
He even managed to get me into a photo.

Time for my annual "Celebrity Pick", this year going to Denni & Cindy Manire
who have logged over 450,000 miles on this gorgeous '67!

"Chip's Choice" this year featured Corvettes that raced in the 24 Hours at LeMans.

A visit to sponsor "Yogi" Bair's booth found this:
The Corvettes Conquer Cancer C6 will be featured on the cover of their catalog for next year!
That's Yogi pointing to his decal on our car.

Scenes from the Celebrity Lunch: Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter, special guest Mario Andretti,
and proud Dad Lance Miller describing the joys of fatherhood with wife Michelle and daughter Ella, held by
Bill Miller, Chip's partner in founding Carlisle Events, but no relation.

A short time later, Mario happened by our display and I got him to autograph my fuel rail cover!

Sunday, August 30

Finally, absolutely perfect weather for a car show!

Gary does his pre-flight before departing for FAA business in MA.
Thanks, G-Monster, for your unwavering support all these years!

I then packed up and left about 1:00 for the 125 mile trip farther East to Philadelphia for a quick visit with my parents.
The timing was good: my Dad had been put in the hospital on Friday. Nothing serious, but at 100, nothing is simple!
This was wearing heavily on my Mom, who is 92, so I was glad I could be there for her, even if only briefly.

Leaving Philly about 8:00, I got to Chambersburg PA for a short night!

Monday, August 31

Leaving Chambersburg @ 4:00am, I arrived back in Decatur about 3:30pm.

Adding the $297 collection at our table to the $840 from the C5/C6 Registry 50/50,
we were able to send $1137.00 to the American Cancer Society's office in Harrisburg PA.
We always send whatever we collect to the office that serves the area where the event is located.

Thanks to all who helped make this possible!

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