The 43rd “The Mitty” Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) event grabbed another gear to deliver next-level excitement and competitive racing to the famed Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta course.
Not even Saturday’s threatening skies and intermittent downpours could begin to dampen the experience.
For the fiberglass faithful, this Mitty was, oh so special, because “America’s Sports Car,” the Corvette, was the featured marque.
Add parade laps and having Corvette race legend Johnny O’Connell, as the grand marshall certainly pegged the needle on the fun scale for all in attendance.
It could have rained for 40 days and 40 nights but we all know it wouldn’t have stopped devoted Corvette fans from showing up and bringing the good times with them.
East Tennessee Caravans
There is just something about caravaning to an event that resonates with Corvette club members. For the East Tennessee Corvette Club based in Knoxville, Tennessee, the excursion down to Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta was a chance to show their support for the Corvette brand.
Here is a bit of the back story on this energetic East Tennessee Corvette Club. The club was founded in 1958 by Archie Clark (President), Bill Johnson, Jerry Thornton, and John Wagner in Maryville, Tennessee.
It met there for several years before moving to its current location at Beaty Chevrolet in Knoxville in 1961. The club has grown over the years and now has over 400 active members.
For The Love Of Racing
Every sportscar racer is keen on winning when they pull their finely tuned machine onto the track. The difference at Historic Sportscar Racing events is that instead of prize money, you’re racing for a trophy and the exhilaration of winning.
The competition is no less intense, the rivalries are no less ingrained, yet there is a brotherhood among racers in the end. Walking the paddock area, talking to drivers as Saturday’s rains fell, you heard the same familiar refrain regardless of manufacturer brand.
“We’re here for the love of competitive racing and the comraderie.”
Clearly the comraderie extended to Vettes of Atlanta magazine editors and interested fans, because these drivers were quick to invite fans to sit down and talk Corvette racing.
The priceless stories alone from these seasoned competitors were worth the price admission.
Excitement Coming To Chattanooga
An upcoming event that should be on your radar, the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, will be happening from October 15th through the 17th, 2021. Much more than a static vintage car show, the Motorcar Festival is a feast of vintage in motion.
The three-day event features several events that will immerse you in a celebration of a bygone era of automotive craftsmanship and style.
One event, the West Village Road Rallye, can broadly be best described as a street-legal road rally where drivers and navigators will run the open road on a pre-determined route. The event will start and finish in West Village on October 15th and 16th, 2021.
The Time Trials – “Between the Bridges” is a competitive event for authentic vintage and historic cars. It is a “Hillclimb” or “Time Trial” style event, where cars will run one at a time against the clock.
There is a Mecum Auction scheduled and a Concours d’Elegance planned as well.
Proceeds from the Chattanooga Motorcar Festival support neuroscience research through Fifty Plus Racing Foundation, Inc.
Lanier Corvettes Unlimited
Neither rain nor the early morning chill could sway the Lanier Corvettes Unlimited (LCU) club from attending “The Mitty.” The heavens opened up on Saturday, yet this die-hard group of enthusiasts faithfully represented our beloved Corvette brand.
Since March of 1992, this club has grown from five original members to well over 70. Lanier Corvettes Unlimited traveled to the Grand Opening of the National Corvette Museum (NCM) and has been a member and supporter of the NCM since that time.
As is true to the club’s DNA, they enthusiastically made Corvette’s presence felt this racing weekend at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Cruisin Corvettes of Tallahassee
Undaunted by the forecast for showers, Mark & Evan headed north to represent Cruisin Corvettes of Tallahassee at “The Mitty.” The five-hour trek from Florida had its fair share of downpours, but the duo was unfazed.
Cruisin’ Corvettes of Tallahassee has been active in the Corvette lifestyle since 1997. Back then, they started with a membership of 10 Corvettes.
Today, the membership has grown to over 80, mainly from Tallahassee and some from the South Georgia area.
Johnny O’Connell Always Entertains
Early on Sunday, the All-Corvette race drew spectators and Vette faithful to the lush green grass slopes overlooking the track. They weren’t disappointed, as Corvettes of all generations showed what America’s Sports Car could do on a road course.
The big draw for many was getting a chance to talk with the always engaging Johnny O’Connell. Stories, insights, and laughter are always a part of the experience when you’re around this world-famous Corvette racing legend.
The weekend of racing ended with a packed schedule of five feature races and the final HSR Weather Tech Sprint rounds.
Next up for HSR is the HSR Barber Historics at Barber Motorsports Park, 6040 Barber Motorsports Pkwy, Leeds, AL. The event will be held on May 20th through the 23rd.
All too quickly, the weekend of thrilling vintage racing was over, though not before etching a broad, long-lasting smile on the faces of the Corvette faithful who attended.
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