The unsettling black void of the evening still holds dominion over the land as the lone Corvette eases into the parking slot. The hand-built, dyno-crushing engine suddenly becomes ominously silent.
Overhead the parking lot lamps cast foreboding shadows across the shimmering body lines of his seldom tame Z06. The track-tested driver slowly emerges from the toasty confines of his American-built all-black Corvette.
Methodically, he sets out to the assigned task at hand, often in bone-chilling temperatures. First, he sets out a dozen or so orange safety cones to save parking spots.
Only then does he glance at his timepiece. It’s 5:00 am, and “Chief” has his top-secret area #74 ready to welcome the Corvette faithful.
The “Chief” Of Area #74
Those who are monthly fixtures at Caffeine & Octane will tell you that primo parking is something best staked out early. How early, you innocently might ask?
Well, 5:00 am at the absolute latest is the answer we hear most bandied about by veterans of North America’s largest monthly gathering. During the prime season (March through October), the dies-hards consider sleeping overnight in the parking lot to ensure the best spots.
That’s how coveted parking can be in the choicest areas.
If you’re strolling in at 6 am, or later, it’s just a roll of the dice unless you’re driving America’s Sports Car, the Corvette. But, for those in search of a parking spot near fellow fiberglass enthusiasts, the Perimeter Mall area #74 could be your safe harbor in the sea of vehicles.
As far as “Chief” goes, he’s been a constant fixture of the C&O car scene for some time now. His modest corner of the C&O experience is often home to warm smiles and hearty discussions about what’s happening in the area’s Corvette lifestyle.
If you find yourself getting a later start than expected to C&O, you will do well to slide by the parking lot #74 marker. Hopefully, “Chief” still has an orange cone he can move aside so you can join the fun.
How Cold Was It?
Well, for starters, the air temp on my car’s dash was reading 26 degrees when we rolled into Perimeter Mall.
The humidity was 64% with a strong breeze that settled the dampness deep into your joints & bones. Of course, there are always those hearty souls running around in shorts but by and large, heavy coats and hats were the order of the day.
So much for the mistaken belief that Corvette enthusiasts don’t show up in freezing weather. Nonsense, I tell you. They were here in droves, as they always are, regardless of rain or northern-style frigid temperatures.
Just Add Sunshine
What makes one Caffeine & Octane event more successful than another? What draws out the large attendance? In a word, sunshine.
Make no mistake. The C&O brand is so ingrained in the tri-state car culture that even on the worse, most miserable days, the place is packed.
Holiday weekends? No problem because the car enthusiasts will show up.
In fact, if the air is warm and the sunshine abundant, the crowds are often the largest of the year. On the days they advertise the filming of their syndicated TV series, the turnout is always robust.
If you find yourself searching for parking near other Vettes, remember the “Chief” and his top-secret area #74 for Corvettes.
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