MotoGP battle heats up at mid-season

July brings us the middle of summer, and for MotoGP fans, it also marks the mid-season point for the series schedule. And as the summer temperatures are heating up as fast as the points battle in MotoGP.

Early in the season Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi looked as if they …

New Paint Chips Revealed for 2009 Corvette

New 2009 Corvette Paint Chips

As we get closer to the unveiling of the 2009 Corvettes at the Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash later this month, we’re learning more about the changes – both deletions and additions – that will accompany next year’s Corvette model. CorvetteConti.com has posted an image showing the two new exterior colors: Cyber Grey Metallic which we all know from December’s unveiling of the Corvette ZR1, and Blade Silver which will replace the popular Machine Silver. The other colors shown are not Corvette colors, but check out that Summer Yellow and tell me it doesn’t remind you of War Bonnet Yellow.

Many might not realize but Machine Silver was the third most popular color on the 2007 Corvette, following only Black and Victory Red as the exterior color of choice. In fact, since its inception on the last of the C5 Corvettes in 2004, Machine Silver has consistently ranked as one of the top colors with each model year, besting fan favorites LeMans Blue and Velocity Yellow. Machine Silver has been listed as a production constraint over the last few weeks and is now officially discontinued.

The new color, Blade Silver (RPO Code 17U) appears to be slightly darker than Machine Silver based on the chip, but we all know that to judge a color correctly, it must be seen on the car and outdoors.

The two new colors are available on all four 2009 Corvette Models: Coupe, Convertible, Z06 and ZR1.

We’ll have more on what’s new with the 2009 Corvette in the coming days. In the meantime, you can download the 65 page

Official 2009 Corvette Pricing Announced

Official 2009 Corvette Pricing Announced

GM released the official 2009 Corvette Pricing schedules earlier this week and while most of the buzz centered around the $103,300 price tag for the Corvette ZR1, let’s not forget about the Coupe, Convertible and the Z06 models which will represent around 95% of the Corvettes sold next year.

There are now four distinct Corvette models with prices ranging from $47,895 for the base Coupe to $103,300 for the Corvette ZR1. The new 2009 schedule does show an increase in pricing over the 2008 model, but GM does give us some surprises with several enhancements to the 2009 models including a lower priced base convertible.

New for 2009:

* The Corvette Convertible will be offered in a 1LT-Equipment Group package, lowering the MSRP for Convertibles to $52,550. Additionally, a power top is now standard on 2LT Convertible models.
* Cyber Gray Metallic and Blade Silver Metallic are added, while Machine Silver Metallic is discontinued. This brings the Corvette’s exterior palette to nine colors.
* Revised crossed flags emblem – The iconic Corvette crossed flags emblem is distinguished with a new, bright surround.
* Two new custom leather-wrapped interiors – Dark Titanium and Ebony join Sienna and Linen as available selections.
* Bluetooth capability – This option enables the Corvette to offer the convenience and safety of Bluetooth hands-free phone service.
* Standard power hatch pull-down – This convenient feature is now standard on Corvette coupe and Z06 models.

New for the 2009 Corvette Z06:

* New, “spider”-design 10-spoke Z06 wheel available in four versions: Sparkle Silver, Competition Gray and chrome
* Color-keyed door and instrument panels with red and titanium interiors
* Power-operated pull-down hatch now standard
* Gray stitching on Ebony base seats (previously red)
* New door sill plates with the Z06 logo
* Acoustic package standard on all Z06 models
* The Z06 also receives a larger-capacity dry-sump oiling system. It upgrades to the 10.5-quart (9.9 liters) system of the new ZR1. The previous oil system held eight quarts (7.5 liters).

2009 Corvette Price Schedule:

MODELS
1YY07 Coupe $47,895.00
1YY67 Convertible $52,550.00
1YY87 Z06 $73,255.00
1YY87 ZR1 $103,300.00
Pricing Includes $850 Destination Charge

2009 CORVETTE COUPE PACKAGES
1LT Equipment Group $0.00
2LT Equipment Group $1,545.00
3LT Preferred Equipment Group $4,555.00
4LT Premium Equipment Group $8,055.00
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Pkg $2,095.00
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Pkg w/Wheels $5,475.00

2009 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE PACKAGES
1LT Equipment Group $0.00
2LT Equipment Group $3,540.00
3LT Preferred Equipment Group $6,550.00
4LT Premium Equipment Group $10,050.00
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Package $2,095.00
VPL GCA Ultimate Exterior Pkg w/Wheels $5,475.00

2009 CORVETTE Z06 PACKAGES
1LZ Equipment Group $0.00
2LZ Preferred Equipment Group $3,015.00
3LZ Premium Equipment Group $6,515.00

2009 CORVETTE ZR1 PACKAGES
1ZR Equipment Group $0.00
3ZR Premium Equipment Group $10,000

OPTIONS
CC3 Transparent Roof Package $750.00
C2L Dual Roof Package $1,400.00
D30 Custom Color and Trim Combination $590.00
F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control $1,995.00
GU2 2.73 Rear Axle Ratio $395.00
MX0 6 Speed Automatic with Paddle Shift $1,250.00
NPP Dual Mode Exhaust System $1,195.00
R8C Museum Delivery $490.00
R8E Gas Guzzler Tax (ZR1) $1,700.00
U3U AM/FM CD with Navigation $1,750.00
Z51 Performance Handling Package $1,695.00
**6 Two Tone Seats with Embroidery $695.00

WHEELS
Q9V Forged Chrome Aluminum Wheels $1,850.00
QX1 Competition Gray Wheels $395.00
QG7 Polished Aluminum Wheels $1,295.00
Q8A Spider Chrome Wheels – Z06 $1,995.00
Q44 Competition Gray Wheels – Z06 $395.00
Q76 Chrome 10 Spoke Wheels – Z06 $1,995.00
QL9 Polished Aluminum Wheels – Z06 $1,495.00
Q6B Chrome Aluminum Wheels – ZR1 $2,000.00

PREMIUM EXTERIOR COLORS
45U Velocity Yellow Paint $750.00
83U Atomic Orange Metallic Paint $300.00
85U Jetstream Blue Metallic Paint $750.00
89U Crystal Red Metallic Paint $750.00

There is also a new appearance package that is being offered on 2009 Corvettes that we haven’t seen before. RPO VPK and VPL are described as the Genuine Corvette Accessories (GCA) Ultimate Exterior Appearance Package. The difference between the two is that option VPL comes with wheels. I am assuming that this could be a dealer installed package but am unsure so we’ll look into this further.

Thanks goes out to Dave Salvatore of Kerbeck Corvette for sending us the 2009 Pricing Schedule. If you are interested in a new 2009 Corvette, call Dave at 1-877-537-2325.

Welcoming Randy Moss To NASCAR

Because when I think NASCAR; I think Randy Moss.  In what may be the strangest marriage since Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson; New England Patriots’ Wide Receiver Randy Moss, has decided to purchase himself part of a NASCAR truck series.

Open Testing Would Have its Drawbacks

NASCAR is evidently considering going “wide open” with its testing policy.  As it stands now, NASCAR mandates so many tests per year at their sanctioned tracks, and typically most teams show up for the tests.  Teams can test any time they want at tracks that are not NASCAR sanctioned.

While there …

Corvette replaces Goodyears with Michelins

The Chevrolet Corvette racing team knew its cars were good enough to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, yet “we basically got spanked by Ferrari F550s on Michelin tires,” driver Ron Fellows recalls of the outcome of …

Breaking News: NHRA Shortens Racing Distance To 1,000 Feet

As the investigation continues into the tragic accident that took the life of driver Scott Kalitta, NHRA announced today that beginning at the Mopar Mile High Nationals in Denver, Colorado, both the Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or …