Event: Camaro 30th Anniversary Celebration and Vintage Sports Car Race

Location: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Lexington, OH

Date: June 27 – 29, 1997

Participants from Ohio Valley Camaros:

Dan Edwards - 1979 Z-28, Yellow

Paul Baron - Passenger

Mark Lowrey - 1969 SS, Blue

Joe Macaluso and son - 1969 Conv., Yellow

Dave Hartshorne - Observer

Doug Kotter and daughter - 1993 IROC, Blue

Keith and Marsha Calhoun - 1997 SS Conv.,Teal

How do you know summer has arrived? When the first road trip of the new OVCC begins. We met at 6:15 A.M. to travel 180 miles to the Mid Ohio racetrack in Lexington, OH. There were 3 Camaros driven, one trailered, and Dave Hartshorne following in the Bronco.

This was the first "official" event of the new club. I cannot stress how enjoyable it is to attend these functions as a group. It’s not about cars ...... it’s about new friends, adventure, and time to tell old stories. In short, if you don’t make an effort to attend, you will miss out. Here are a few highlights of the trip:

Mark, Keith, and Marsha arrive on Friday for the Camaro "ghost" ride and drive.

Dan re-springs the ‘79 Z.

Mark monograms the 1-71 entrance ramp at Kings Island in his ‘69.

Truck drivers LOVE Camaro’s ......... 5.0 Liter Mustangs (complete w. racing decals) do not.

Dan attempts to "air mail" a member newsletter to Joe.

The Amish prefer our version of horsepower.

Horse droppings are not good for quarter panels. Slippery too.

General Motors Film Crew take a personal interest in our arrival ....... 5 minutes of fame.

The Chaparral Camaro throws a rod in the "S" turns and spins 4 vintage racers.

Touring the Chevy display, complete w. factory prototypes and restored Camaro’s.

Marsha provides a cooling mist to all on a hot day.

Dave Hartshorne discusses a prior argument at Indy in ‘91 w. Ken Moorehead, Ken blames his "evil twin" brother.

Dan scares Paul on the "S" curves during the pace lap.

Mark finds the limitations of 4 wheel drum brakes at 90 MPH. Almost finds the rear taillights of a 1968 Camaro.

Tour the Vintage Racing display.

Chevrolet throws a dinner party w. hamburgers, hot dogs, and apple pie. (sorry, no baseballs)

Members of the OVCC win most of the door prizes ..... Honest, we did!

Those who camped at the track crash a few "pit parties" on Saturday night.

Mark provides snoring louder than unmuffled exhaust through a 13:1 ZL-1.

Haven’t been in gang showers since college.

Sunday morning cruise through Lexington to find a car wash, fuel, and food.

Tour the track Concourse D’elegance

Mark and Joe nearly miss the pace lap - were watching the Vintage Camaro race. Doug Kotter not as fortunate.

Joe leads the pace car on the second lap.

Joe tries his braking ability on the "S" turns and smokes the rear tires. Looked good in Mark’s rear mirror.

Mark stops in front of a hired Ohio Police Officer on the track and fulfills a childhood dream.

We successfully dodge raindrops on our return until Kings Island, then the sky fell. Like drivin’ on ice.

All in all, a great trip with no casualties and minor depletion of our nations’ petroleum reserves. Ask any of us who attended to elaborate on the above items, or better yet, join us in our next outing and create stories of your own.

The Ohio Valley Camaros is an organization dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the Chevrolet Camaro, If you live in the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area and are interested in joining this organization, please drop me an e-mail, and I will forward it to the club secretary.