It’s not easy to stand out among the other Corvette clubs in Atlanta. One area club, Corvette Elite of Atlanta, has managed to step up and do just that.
This club is Atlanta’s only seventh and eighth-generation exclusive club. Sometimes to stand out, to indeed be elite, you have to be more narrow in your approach.
Recently we had a chance to talk with Dexter White, current president of the club, about his close-knit group. What follows is our conversation about Corvettes, charities, and what it means to be elite.
How It All Started
ROD WORLEY – Editor – Before we dive into the details of Corvette Elite Car Club, can you share the backstory of the club? More importantly, how did the club initially form, and what were its primary goals?
DEXTER WHITE – President of Corvette Elite of Atlanta – Corvette Elite was put together by four of the members who all were a part of another corvette club, but that club did not have the same interest and goals. These four left the club and began riding with each other.
After meeting a few other like-minded Corvette owners, the four decided to create their own club. The first step was choosing the right name to represent the characteristics of who we are and the direction we would go with this club.
Knowing that we did not want to be a large club and wanting to stand out from the rest, the word ELITE came up. Our interpretation of the acronym for ELITE being, (Excellence, Loyalty, Integrity, Thankful and Exceptional), creating CORVETTE ELITE.
The goal of the Club is to develop friendships with other Corvette owners, car enthusiasts and to be a part of the car culture in Atlanta. We are a relatively small club with a total of 20 members, but we are BIG at Heart.
Only C7 & C8 Club In Atlanta
ROD WORLEY – Editor – Dexter, honestly, I have been waiting to ask this question the minute I read your club’s tag line, “Atlanta’s Only All C7 & C8 Club”.
What are the real-world advantages and disadvantages of limiting members to just the seventh and eighth-generation of Corvettes?
DEXTER WHITE – President of Corvette Elite of Atlanta – Rod, we did not start out with the intention of being an all C7 Corvette Club. We actually were comprised of C6 and C7 Corvettes; however, shortly after starting the club, the C6 owners bought C7’s and people noticed we were all C7’s.
The hashtag was kind of dropped in our lap and caused a buzz in the Corvette community. The advantage of having the hashtag, “The Only All C7 Corvette Club in Atlanta,” sets us apart from any other Corvette Club, which makes us unique, memorable, and admired by the Vette community.
Other Clubs have various generations of Corvettes; we, on the other hand, have nothing but 2014 and newer. The disadvantage is that a new generation of Corvettes (the C8) has come out, and we will have to modify our hashtag to “The Only C7/C8 Corvette Club in Atlanta”.
Giving Back To The Community
ROD WORLEY – Editor – We looked over your website and noticed the club is involved in charitable work. What role do charitable endeavors play in the overall mission of the club?
And what charities are you currently involved in currently?
DEXTER WHITE – President of Corvette Elite of Atlanta – The role of supporting charitable organizations or, better yet, participating in fundraisers for charitable organizations is all our civic duties as productive and active members in society.
No, we did not form this club to be a charitable organization; however, we all realized seeing these cars make people happy.
All of us dreamed about the day we could grow up and buy a Corvette. That day is here, so why not share this joy of owning Corvettes with other people.
We attend car shows not to win trophies but to be around other car enthusiasts. We participate in charitable rides, not just to ride but for people to see the cars.
When there is a reason or a family in need, we do pull resources together to help. These are just some of the ways we like to show appreciation for the blessing of owning such inspiring and exciting cars.
Just to name a few of the charities or events we participate in:
*Hosting a cookout and car showing for the Boys Club of America.
*We participate in an annual Cancer Ride.
*During COVID-19 we have done several drive by and food distribution to senior citizen communities.
*During the Christmas and Thanksgiving season we participate in clothes drives and one year adopted a family.
*Just recently, a family from Haiti who sends back supplies to their county raised enough money to buy an ambulance and send it to Haiti.
The club found out as funds were being raised for the shipping and were able to be a part of sending that ambulance to Haiti.
These are just some of the ways we try to give back.
All Types Of Activities
ROD WORLEY – Editor – What are some of Corvette Elite of Atlanta’s favorite activities.
DEXTER WHITE – President of Corvette Elite of Atlanta – We love to drive our Corvettes, simply put! We often take short breakfast or lunch runs just to ride and fellowship with each other.
We try to support small restaurants throughout the state and support other car clubs by attending their events and shows. In many instances, we will take overnight trips with just the guys.
Sometimes we will take our spouses or significant others with us for just a run or cabin stay for a weekend.
One trip, in particular, we often talk about was the ride to the Tail of the Dragon with the spouses. We really enjoyed the drive and fellowship, and so did the ladies.
The spouses really connected with each other on this trip and were able to see and feel the hype and excitement of the ride and cars.
Tight-Knit Group
ROD WORLEY – Editor – It seems every car club ebbs and flows when it comes to membership. How does Corvette Elite find new members and keep the ones they have?
DEXTER WHITE – President of Corvette Elite of Atlanta – We are Elite, and we do not seek out or recruit members; they find us. We are a very tight-knit and supportive group of professionals.
We take time to get to know our members and make sure they are a good fit. Membership is evaluated by attending activities, events, rides, etc.
This group is fun, active, supportive, professional just to give an idea. We will meet up, tells some jokes, handle some business, enjoy a good-spirited ride, and make sure everyone makes it back home safely at the end of a day.
This is who we are.
Jury Still Out On The C8
ROD WORLEY – EDITOR – So Dexter, what are your impressions of the new C8? Any thoughts of expanding your club to include C8 owners?
DEXTER WHITE – President of Corvette Elite of Atlanta – I love the new C8 Corvette! About half the group love it and half still on the fence.
We have a member who is expecting to take delivery of his 2020 C8 any day now, so Yes, we will be expanding to include C8’s. Most of the members that are on the fence are waiting for the Z06 and Grand Sport to come out before deciding to go C8.
Friendship Is Important
ROD WORLEY – Editor – Dexter, I appreciate you taking time with us today to talk about Corvette Elite of Atlanta. We have covered a lot of ground today, but is there one question that I should have asked you but didn’t?
DEXTER WHITE – President of Corvette Elite of Atlanta – Yes. What is it about this club that is so fulfilling?
We really like and value each other as friends. We are all mature guys (if you catch my drift), professional men who love Corvettes as well as other cars.
The club formed because we realized we enjoyed riding together, spending time together, and all had similar interests and values when it comes to family and just life in general. Our goal is to be a club of true friends with like hearts and minds about life, family, friendship, and driving awesome cars.
We keep the number of members small to insure to the closeness of the group. Although we are all Type A personalities and have our own way of doing things, the core is the same.
Camaraderie, Respect, & Fun
If you spend a few minutes talking to any of their group members, you walk away with a healthy respect for what they’ve accomplished. Unlike most clubs, it’s not about power grabs or inner club politics.
The obstacles and roadblocks that hamper larger clubs are nowhere to be found here. What you will find is camaraderie, respect, and passionate love of the Corvette. Maybe bigger isn’t always better. Maybe Corvette Elite of Atlanta has hit on what it truly means to stand out and be elite.
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