Next Meeting: April, March 24th, 7 PM Go Chevrolet - 7320 North Broadway near I25 and the Boulder Turnpike.

Guest Presenters - Limit of 2 presentations per meeting, please make arrangements with the President at least a day in advance to be placed on the agenda and to see if the limit has been reached for this month.

For a while now, it’s been apparent to me that something is off within our club. That became readily apparent at the April Fool’s Rally when only half of the club came out to support the event. I guess in the past, declining participation in our events was masked by the size of the club and the enthusiasm level of those that did participate. Now that our membership is down, it becomes really apparent. By the time the trophies were awarded at the rally, there were only a handful of members left. This is not the club that I know and love.

One of the things that has always differentiated our club from others was our enthusiasm. Where did it go?

I know that we’re all busy, some of us more than others. But, there must be something else at work here. Is it burn out? Have we taken on too much? Are the same people doing the same things and just tired of doing them? We used to have mystery meals on a monthly basis and turn out a dozen or more cars for every one. The last mystery meal that I had time to go on had only half a dozen cars and we haven’t even had one since last year and none are scheduled for this year yet.

Even worse, at least in my eyes any way, and maybe a better indicator of something being amiss is the lack of new faces at club meetings. To me, this says that we have stopped promoting our club to people we meet. Or maybe the message that we send when we do encounter other Corvette owners is not one of "you’ve got to join us because we know how to have fun", but instead one of "it’s OK". This is even more apparent when I look at the massively increasing membership of other clubs in the immediate area.

I know that we all have different ideas of what "fun" is. For me, it’s the April Fool’s Rally. I love that because of the new friendships that are forged during the event. I know that Mike and Jackie love car shows. They drive their cars all over the country to attend them and I think that’s great! John H loves the NCM and fortunately has time to get back to the Museum events far more often that I ever will be able to. Others love the autocross. All of these events have a place and satisfy the needs for fun of our members. I’m very glad that our club has been the place where everyone has found their connection to their version of fun. That honors what I see as the purpose of the club.

What concerns me is that our members all seem to be getting their satisfaction from the events of other clubs and the ability of our club to host quality events is slipping badly. It seems unfair to me to expect people to work at registration for the rally, then work a checkpoint and finally finish scoring the rally sheets. I truly appreciate these efforts. This willingness to do what ever needs to be done is what built this club and why our club has a reputation of putting on outstanding events. However, we can not and must not expect that kind of effort as a matter of course. Doing something heroic like that once is one thing, but I’m afraid that we are now to the point where it is required and that must change.

So, at the April meeting, we’re going to take some time and evaluate the temperature of the club. Are we doing too many events? Are we doing the right events for us? How well is the club meeting your needs and what if anything should we being doing more or less of. Should we pack up the car show? Should we cancel the autocrosses and let some one else pick them up if the demand exists? Should we drop the April Fool’s Rally? I think that all events must be on the table for discussion and it seems to be time that we had the discussion.

I’ll look forward to your honest candid opinions. If you can’t make the club meeting, please email me your comments at grandsport5@comcast.net and I’ll be sure that your thoughts are presented at the meeting.

Let’s turn things around and put the fun back into our club. We can do it if we work together.

Planned to get to this on Sunday - but the weather was so nice went out and played with Bill, Cathy, Mike & Mary. Gorgeous day for a drive down to Manitou Springs to a restaurant with good pancakes - but they couldn't remember the name of it. Turns out if was the Manitou Pancake (and Steak) House. Go figure. Anyway - Mike led - so we made it there fine. Then since it was too nice to just turn around and come straight home - we headed west to Woodland Park (where we paid less for premium gas ~$3.34 - than we were paying for regular up here), up the windy roads to Deckers, over to Pine and in. Cathy loves those twisty roads.

NCCC events get in full swing this weekend, and go pretty strong for the next many, many months. Hope you all get a chance to go out and play whether it is at a NCCC event or any of the other many events in the area.

See you all Thursday,
Nancy B.

Minutes of Past Meeting

Down the Road Corvettes
Minutes of March 2008 Meeting

IINTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
No guests

QUORUM
Quorum was present.

PREVIOUS MINUTES
The previous minutes were approved.

TREASURER'S REPORT
The treasurer gave her report, the book balance. $1441.60 belongs to Tim's Challenge. A motion was made and approved to add $164 to the penny board, so it would total $600. Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer's report. Motion passed.

GOVERNOR'S REPORT
DtRC was 2nd in regional points. TORCA show is May 17th.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Thank You Mary D. for the treats.

NATIONAL CORVETTE MUSEUM
Raffle Tickets for C-6 are available,$10 each.

MEMBERSHIP COMITTEE
Directories are available.

AUTOCROSS DIRECTOR
Track event in Tulsa on Apr.18 & 19. DtRC will host a race the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend at the State Patrol track in Golden, and DCA will host a race in Blackhawk on that Sunday. . There is an DtRC/DCA autocross weekend Aug. 1st & 2nd in LaJunta.

DRAG RACE DIRECTOR
The first race is May 9th.

MERCHANDISE COMMITTEE
No report

OLD BUSINESS
The April Fool's Rally is on Apr. 6th.

NEW BUSINESS
Tim's Challenge now has a checking account. Justin Anderson Memorial Program repairing bikes is May 3rd at Western Hills Elem., 9a.m. to 12p.m.(please bring tools and any spare bike parts).
The annual audit of the clubs books will be done by Pat & Gail.

ADJOURN
Meeting was ajourned.

Submitted by
Joan Breher

Upcoming Events
Remember a current schedule of NCCC events, access to flyers, event results and regional points standings can be found at www.rmrnccc.org .

DtRC's first autocross of the season - May 24th - Colorado State Patrol track

We hope you can come out and race this day - but even for you non-racers - the autocross committee can use all the workers it can get this day. The flyer is up on the Regional Website. This is a great course, so even for those that haven't raced much - this is a good track to come on out and get some seat time on.

And the following day - DCA is hosting a couple of autocrosses in the parking lot up above Black Hawk. So a lot of fun to be had that weekend.

The clubs are looking for someplace to get together that evening, maybe in a BBQ type atmosphere. Preferably in the Golden area. If anyone has any suggestions please let John M. know.

April 26, 27: CSCC Drivers School and Autocross - this weekend. World Arena. CSCC appreciates it if you pre-register on their website so they can get some of the computer work done early.

May 10th - CCC - our friends and fellow Tim's Challenge co-conspirators are hosting the first sanctioned event in club history on May 10th. A dealer show at Stevinson Chevrolet. Entrant Fee is $20 before May 5th and $25 after - all proceeds to charity. Flyer on their website and on the Regional RMR website.

May 17th - TORCA - a perennial favorite - Show us your Vette & Poker Hand Car Show (2 sanctioned events) at Hajek Chevrolet in Longmont. This year it is a judged wash and shine show. The Torca governor wrote me saying they are looking for volunteer judges. If you are interested let me know and I'll pass his info on to you.

June 1st - CWCC will have a whole new look to their June autocross this year. While the rest of the year's autocrosses over there are still at the Fruita High School parking lot - not this one. This one is at the Go-Kart track in Grand Junction (so don't book that Fruita Super8 for this one - it won't be very convenient). There are 3 races that day. Here is the info Larry would like to pass on to all:

There will be lots of track time 20 to 24 laps for the day if you enter all 3 events. Please ask you club members that might be coming to pre register at the site link on the flyer (available on the region website - www.rmrnccc.org ). The pre registration is so that race groups and labels can be done ahead and save time on race morning. There is no need to send any entry fees as they can be paid at check-in the morning of the races. Timing will be done using the track's transponder system.

As always - check out the region website - www.rmrnccc.org for all the upcoming regional events. Flyers are posted for most events through the end of May and into June, with more coming in all the time. Going out of state - check out www.corvettesnccc.org , scroll down almost to the bottom, click on the region you will be visiting, and see what is happening.

It was a clear and sunny day - if a tad chilly in the morning. The tech/parking people braved the cold weather to greet and tech the 32 cars that came out to play. Those of us working the poker show, registration, etc. were able to hang out inside at Krispy Kreme - while the manager brought us hot out of the grease and icing station donuts. Yummy, Yummy.

The poker hand car show raised over $100. Thanks to all who attended. Ralph and Carol from Torca won first prize.

The drivers meeting went well, and Tim was starting cars 1 minute apart, giving the car the low down, and making sure no car was left out of a little good natured harassment before taking off. Wait - that was Tim starting them - and we know he can't talk to someone for only a minute. So we divvied up the duties, and appointed a time keeper for Tim, and we were back on track. With a good natured fun send-off to all. Tim's best piece of advice. Don't follow the car in front of you - unless you want to be lost also.

Everyone made it to the end - only one panic envelope opened that I know of - and they good-naturedly admitted it. Neither the driver or the navigator had run a rally before - but while they opened the envelope - they did come in laughing.

Dave & Wanda ran the "balls on a string" toss at checkpoint 1. Joe and Joan ran a - sit on the beans and wiggle them off the edge of the stool into a bowl with your butt game at checkpoint two. When people came to play the game at the end I heard them ask each other - how many beans did you get? So needless to say my curiosity was piqued by the time we got to chat with Joan and Joe after the event. Bruce & Gail did a great job with the tiddlywinks at the end. There is still a debate among all about which are the tiddlys and which are the winks. Whichever was which - you almost needed safety glasses what with the aim of some of the participants. And stay away from the Fords.

There was door prizes for all. The jacket raffle raised quite a bit of money for Tim's Challenge. Thanks to Pat for running both. Then Tim handed out a few dogs for prizes, and of course the much coveted "biggest fool of all" trophy - two sets of horses ass trophies this year for double the fun. Former member Kitty D. and her navigator were awarded one of the sets. Kitty thought it was funny. Her navigator - not so much so. I think she was trying to figure out where to display a horses rear end on a stick at. Maybe it didn't go with her decor.

The winners (Irene and Barry L from Torca - who also won one of the routes last year) still had around 10 wrong - so it was far from an easy route.

There were many complements on the route and the rest of the event also. I know Tim and the route committee worked very hard on the route. Many kudos to them and all who helped plan or work the event. Another successful DtRC event in the books.

Anyone that is willing to organize a social event please contact MaryKay K., Deana D. or Carol A. They can also help with suggestions and date coordination.

This year the AutoCross chairs have decided to tech/class our May race using the new National NCCC rulebook. In the past we have always teched/classed by regional guidelines. What does this mean to you - and why the change.

The change was due to the fact that we were pretty much the only club teching in that manner (Casper may have sometimes - I don't know for sure) -and it was confusing to go to different events and have your car classed differently. That and the fact that the 2008 rulebook has the modification in it that was the primary reason that we were teching by regional guidelines in the first place.

Rotors. Stock size commercially manufactured slotted, dimpled and/or slotted rotors will put you in group 2 (vs. previous rulebook it put you in exhibition). A larger steel rotor, slotted, dimpled, and or drilled will put you into group 3.

The new rulebook has it all laid out in a table, per category - brakes, engine, etc. Then the modification, and if it is allowed in a certain class. The tables start on page 2-16.

Fire Extinguishers:
Are required in all Group 2 or higher cars, and all cars at a high speed event. It is very easy to put a fire extinguisher in a C5, and I would image in the other years. There are some rules about being bolted in, etc. No bungy cords, etc. Our bracket hooks on to the passenger seat bolts. If you don't have one, either read the rulebook for the mounting rules (it came on CD in your NCCC packet this year), or contact me. I don't know all the rules off the top of my head - but I can look them up - plus I can let you know how ours is mounted. If anyone wants a hand putting a fire extinguisher in their car - let Dave & I know - I'm more than happy to volunteer Dave to help you.

For details on this you can access the convention website via www.corvettesnccc.org . The price increase date cut-offs are March 15, May 1, and After May 2nd. The earlier you register the more you save.

50th Annual National Convention - August 7 - 14, 2009 - RMR - Colorado Springs, CO.

And a permanent reminder for the next years worth of newsletters. Don't forget as you start making 2009 vacation plans - mark the following in your book. DtRC will be hosting the low-speed autocross at World Arena. I don't have the dates handy, but can get them if you need them this soon. Even if you can't join us for the whole week, we'll need lots of help the days of our events (it is over two days I believe).

50th Annual National Convention - August 7 - 14, 2009 - RMR - Colorado Springs, CO.

NCCC RMR Events
Flyers are appearing on the regional website - www.rmrnccc.org - a copy of that calendar as it stands today is at the end of this newsletter. For Flyer info and to get the latest and greatest calendar info - check back on the regional website often.

Race Nights are: May 9,30, June 20, July 18, August 15, Sep. 5,26. The gates open at 3p.m. Eliminations at 7p.m. Test & Tune nights are Wednesdays and start April 12.

Alex Nelson's Rocky Mountain Corvette has agreed to have a team we can race with this year. Thanks Alex. If anyone would like more info, or join Joan up at the track - please let her know and she'll get you all the details.

The merchandise committee had a lot of cool new samples for sale last month. Make sure to check it out. There are always several items ready to take home. Or you can order any of the merchandise in your size & color.

This year's merchandise committee is composed of Jackie M and Tanya R. If you need any merchandise or have any ideas - let them know.

NCM Ambassador’s Report
John H. has graciously agreed to be the club's NCM Ambassador. He didn't send in anything this month, except for forwarding the museum newsletter to me. You can see the newsletter on the museum website - listed below. I also believe John was headed back to Bowling Green to attend whatever event the museum is currently having. Maybe he will write up some highlights of that trip and give some insight as to what fun there is to be had at the museum events for the newsletter next month.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
2008 EVENTS CALENDAR

Please check the Regional Website - www.rmrnccc.org for the latest regional schedule. If events are added or dates changed - it will be current there. The regional website will also contain links to the event flyers as they become available.

Sanction Key:
(S) or Sanctioned - National Sanctioned - points awarded per NCCC rulebook
(R) or Region-sanctioned - Events that are listed as Region Sanctioned are the same as non sanctioned events for any out of region entrants and no national points will be awarded. Region members will receive region competition points.
(NS) or Non-Sanctioned - No points awarded to any entrants.

Date	Event	Club	Sanction Info	Flyer
04-26	AutoCross Drivers School	CSCC	(R) 7-CSCC	Flyer
04-27	2 Low Speed Autocrosses	CSCC	(S) RM-183-008,9	Flyer
05-02 to 05-03	National Governors Meeting St. Louis, MO
05-10	Dealer People's Choice Show	CCC	(R) 8-CCC	Flyer
05-10	Fun in the Sun Concours Show	CSCC	(S) RM-183-010	Flyer
05-17	Regional Governors Meeting 303-709-9388
05-17	Show Us Your Vette - Judged Wash & Shine Show	TORCA	(R)10-TORCA	Flyer
05-17	PC Poker Hand Car Show	TORCA	(R) 9-TORCA	Flyer
05-23 to 05-26	Big Sky Meet, Bozeman, MT	HCC	(NS) NS-387-2	Flyer
05-24	2 Low Speed Autocrosses - CSP Track	DTRC	Region-sanctioned
05-25	Low Speed Autocrosses in Blackhawk	DCA	Region-sanctioned
06-01	2 Low Speed Autocrosses - Grand Junction Motor Speedway	CWCC	(S) RM-294-004, (S) RM-294-005	Flyer
06-14	Vettes on Broadway PC Show	DCA	Region-sanctioned
06-21 to 06-29	NCCC National Convention Tulsa, OK
06-21	National Governors Meeting Tulsa, OK
07-04	PC Show Keystone Event	DCA	Sanctioned
07-05	2 Low Speed Autocrosses, Keystone Event	DCA	Sanctioned
07-20	Low Speed Autocross	CWC	Region-sanctioned
07-26	Buffalo Bills Parade	CCC	Non-sanctioned
07-27	2 Low Speed Autocrosses	CSCC	Region-sanctioned
08-02 to 08-03	Racing at LaJunta Track	DCA/DTRC	TBD
08-09	Peach Rally	TORCA	Sanctioned
08-10	1 Low Speed Autocross	CWCC	Sanctioned
08-10	2 Low Speed Autocrosses	CWCC	Region-sanctioned
08-16	Gimmick Rallye - Pagosa Springs	CSCC	(R) 11-CSCC
08-16	PC Show	DCA	Sanctioned
08-17	PC Show - Pagosa Springs	CSCC	(R) 12-CSCC
08-23	PC Show in Kremmling	CCC	Region-sanctioned
08-23	Dealer PC Show	CSCC	Region-sanctioned
08-30 to 09-01	Round-Up Event Casper, WY	CWC	Region-sanctioned
09-12 to 09-13	National Governors Meeting St. Louis, MO.
09-13	Dealer PC Show (Date Tentative)	DTRC	Region-sanctioned
09-21	Regional Governors Meeting (Conference call meeting) 303-709-9388
09-28	2 Low Speed Autocrosses - CSP Track	DTRC	Region-sanctioned
10-04	2 Low Speed Autocrosses	CSCC	Sanctioned
10-05	Open Track Practice (am), Pueblo	DCA	Non-sanctioned
10-05	High Speed Time Trial (pm), Pueblo	DCA	Sanctioned
10-12	3 Low Speed Autocrosses	CWCC	Region-sanctioned
10-18	Regional Governors Meeting (Denver) 303-709-9388
10-19	All Hallows Eve Rally	TORCA	Sanctioned
11-02	Sno-Flake Rally	CSCC	Region-sanctioned
11-07 to 11-08	National Governors Meeting St. Louis, MO.
11-08	9 Shares & Vets Parade	CCC	Non-sanctioned
11-17	CLUB NCCC RENEWALS DUE TO ELLOUISE
11-22	Sno Big Deal PC Shows	DTRC	Region-sanctioned
11-23	Fun Rallys	DCA	Sanctioned
12-07	Regional Governors Planning Meeting (Denver) 303-709-9388

Remember to check our website www.downtheroadcorvettes.org for even more events the club has been notified of and for events that may change (added/deleted) between newsletters.

DtRC Meetings are the 4^th Thursday of the month.
There are no club meetings in November or December, except the annual Holiday Party.

Want to Advertise?
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Disclaimer: All prices listed here are not guaranteed. You will need to confirm any and all prices with the selling party.

Advertising
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For Sale: ***** MAKE OFFER ******
Set of four wheels off a 1996 corvette, very good condition complete with lug nuts and covers. Sold as set only - Make Offer
Please call Bill or Cathy Schultz at 720-872-1259 or email CWING85B@AOL.com

FOR SALE
CONTACT: MIKE DAVIS
                    HOME: 720-981-9796
                    1 ea. C-5 "Wolf" Full Mask (Bra)                    $100.00

President	Tim Barnes 303-469-1521	Vice President	Joan Breher 303-651-7122
Treasurer	Nancy Keyser	Secretary	Pat Barnes
Governor	Nancy Burritt (303) 465-4664 vintageslots@hypermall.net	Board Members	Mike Kelley Roger Less Don Perez

Dealer Rep	Don P (3 yr term - begins 2008)
Membership & Directory	Cathy S
Social Committee	Carol A Deana D Mary Kay K
Merchandise Committee	Jackie M Tanya R
Rally Committee	Tim& Pat B, Phil O
Show Committee	Don P Dave C
Corvette Museum Ambassador	John H
Webmaster	Mike P
Newsletter	Nancy B
Drag Racing Competition Director	Joan B
Autocross Competition Director	Frank A Bill M John M Roger L
Tim’s Challenge Representative	Carol P
Sno' Big Deal Extravaganza	Bill S and/or Mike D and Don R
Roving Reporter/Photographer	Bill S.