our chapter

Chairman's notes

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

This has been quite the year for NCRS weather. First there was Debbie who had a significant influence on this year’s National Convention in Hampton and then there was Helene who had a major influence on the chapter’s fall judging event in Asheville. On Wednesday Helene was still in the Gulf of Mexico, projected to come inland, and head west. The weather forecast on Thursday predicted rain Friday and clear skies on Saturday. As such we decided to proceed with the event. That all changed Thursday night. Early Friday morning, I got a call from the hotel that advised we should cancel the event as the hotel was without power and they were evacuating. Attempts to verify what was going on was impossible as most all commutations were down. I had no power but the cell phone still worked. Paula Culberson’s generator was working and Fred Jenkins, nearer the coast, still had email service. We got the word out and luckily everyone stayed safe. However, some of our houses and property did not fare as well. Helene was a disaster for the Southeast and particularly Asheville, with a much of the city underwater after the torrential rain and high wind causing significant flooding and damage. After some discussion, the BOD decided to hold the annual meeting on November 23 at the already-scheduled chassis judging school at Chip Drennan’s garage, Clover, SC. The combined annual meeting and BOD meeting, officer election, and bylaws update vote will occur in the morning, starting at 10:00 AM. Key items for discussion are activities for 2025, especially where to hold the 2025 fall judging event (Should it continue to be an outside, mountain area event?) and planning for the 2025 Clemson Regional. The judging school will start at 1:00 PM. Kirk’s 1967 rebuilt big-block motor startup will occur after the judging school. A mass email has gone out alerting members about the change in venue and date. If you are planning on attending, register for the judging school, but attendance at that is optional. The preferred method is via the national website link on the form on page 21. The sent email also included a proxy to vote in both the officer election and proposed bylaw change if you cannot attend. Proxies are to be sent to Ray Culbertson. Some of our members starting to campaign their cars were disappointed by the September event’s being cancelled, as this meant they were not able to have their cars judged prior to next year’s regional. To help these owners out, the chapter will hold a makeup judging at the Monte Carlo Garages, Indian Land, SC. The location was selected based on the availability of judges. The BOD has been having some discussion about holding a regional in April 2026, using the same Clemson venue as the April 2025 event. As of this writing, nothing has been confirmed; the hotel is dragging its feet; and a proposal has not been submitted to the National BOD for approval. It should be noted that the Pittsburgh Tri-State Chapter, which is planning a Reginal in Altoona June 4-6, 2026, is not thrilled about CCNCRS’s hosting an event, although the National BOD thinks our event shouldn’t impact theirs. In light of the effects of hurricane Helene, the BOD decided to donate $3,000 each to the American Red Cross Disaster Fund and Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief. Next year we can return to our normal charities: Gary Sinise, St Jude and Tunnel to Towers. Don’t forget the Christmas party that will be at the Kennedy home, December 7. See page 21. If you have an article for this publication, send it to Reba. If you have a suggestion for a school or tech session, let one of the BOD members know. Remember, safety is key. Drive your Corvette, but always keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down. (A Corvette with a dirty side?)

And -- SAVE THE WAVE.

redline times newsletter

The award-winning newsletter of the Carolinas Chapter, The Redline Times has received the Golden Quill Award from Old Cars Weekly ELEVEN times.  Edited & produced by Reba Whittington.