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Recent studies have shown that driving a convertible car with the top down may cause hearing damage.

Experiments revealed that drivers going 75mph and even 55mph were prone to hearing noise levels higher than the recommended work safety level of 85db. This noise is equivalent to the sounds heard on the dance floor of a nightclub.

“In light of the results, we are recommending that drivers be advised to drive with the top closed when traveling for extended periods at speeds exceeding 52mph,” says Dr. Anthony Mikulec of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. “Long duration driving at high speeds with the top open will increase the risk of hearing damage.”

What’s even worse? Turning up the radio with the convertible top down…

Now, this isn’t a scare – just a note of precaution. Take care of yourself (and your ears) even if it means riding “uncool” with the convertible top up!

[ DailyMail ]

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Tommy Milner.
Richard Westbrook.

These two gentlemen mark the 21st and 22nd drivers to join the Corvette Racing team since its first debut in 1999.

Both men have had extensive experience in world-class GT competition and will be joining the Corvette Racing team during the 2011 American Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"We look at our competition continuously and intensely, and it became very clear that Tommy Milner and Richard Westbrook have the qualities we value at Corvette Racing," said Doug Fehan, Corvette Racing program manager.

"They are quick, intelligent, team-oriented, and disciplined in their approach. They will connect with Corvette fans and represent Chevrolet as a global brand. We are very excited to have these two talented young drivers join America’s most successful production sports car team, and we look forward to long and rewarding relationships with both of them."

"… to be a part of the Corvette program at this point in my career is very exciting,” said Milner.

"I’ve raced against the Corvette enough times to know it’s better to be driving one than racing against one," Westbrook said.

[TheRaceSite.com]

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Stellar performance – one of the qualities a Corvette is known for!

Just this past month, IntelliChoice, the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car value analysis, re-instilled this Corvette fact at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) 2011 Best Overall Value of the Year (BOVY) awards in San Francisco.

The Chevrolet Corvette was honored as Performance Car of the Year for 2011!

The BOVY awards identify which vehicles on the market offer consumers outstanding value and lower than expected costs over time, giving customers a way to best define vehicles that will provide them with a "best bang for your buck" deal.

"The most important thing about choosing a car wisely is knowing that it’s not just about the lowest sticker price," said IntelliChoice Executive Editor, Charlie Vogelheim. "In fact, the purchase price is just the first cost; there are many other factors to consider when gauging overall cost."

Only 21 of nearly 1,800 vehicles fit into a winning category, representing the best values and results of a careful analysis of ownership costs (depreciation, maintenance, repairs, fuel, fees, financing, insurance, etc.).

Vehicle Class Winners included:

Performance Car – Chevrolet Corvette

Compact Passenger Car – Honda Fit
Premium Compact Passenger Car – Lexus IS 250
Passenger Car – Toyota Prius
Premium Passenger Car – Toyota Avalon
Luxury Passenger Car – Infiniti M37
Convertible – Mini Cooper Convertible
Premium Convertible – Lexus IS 250C
Sporty/Coupe – Mini Cooper Hatchback
Premium Sporty/Coupe – Volvo C30
Compact Crossover/Wagon – Toyota RAV4
Premium Compact Crossover/Wago – Audi A3
Crossover/Wagon – Subaru Outback
Premium Crossover/Wagon – Lexus RX350
Luxury Crossover/Wagon – Volvo XC90
Minivan – Toyota Sienna
SUV – Toyota 4Runner
Full-Size SUV – GMC Yukon
Premium Full-Size SUV – Lexu GX460
Compact Pickup – Toyota Tacoma
Full-Size Pickup – Toyota Tundra

[ Intellichoice ]

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Corvettes are virtually omnipresent at the Ron Fellows Driving School, west of Las Vegas, Nevada.  The Driving School itself owns many, but many of the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch members, or those who come for company business, drive Vettes, too!

While we at this venue last week for the Callaway (Corvette – Camaro – Sports Truck) Dealer Summit, Corvettes were extremely common, and delightfully available for driving!  Callaway Corvette SC606 Coupes and conventional Grand Sport Coupes were in abundance.

More photos follow the jump.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ron Fellows Driving School Corvettes lined up, awaiting their next drivers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Callaway Dealer Summit participant Rich Curran from George Matick Chevrolet in Redford, Michigan, prepares for a training run in a Velocity Yellow Grand Sport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A trio of Corvettes follows their trainer along the front straight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pete Callaway of Callaway Cars speaks to the dealer group, in front of the layout of the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A screaming 2011 Callaway Corvette Grand Sport Coupe speeds west beneath the towering Nevada mountains.

 

 

 

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CorvetteBlog was honored to drive the famed 2011 Callaway Corvette SC606 this week!  Callaway Corvette dealers gathered for their annual Dealer Summit in Pahrump, Nevada, and we were there.  The site of the Ron Fellows Driving School is a fabulous venue for an event like this.

Besides the thrill of driving the Callaway Corvette, we also received sportscar race training and saw upcoming Callaway product.  Perhaps the biggest excitement came with the reveal of the 2011 Callaway Silverado 1500 SC540 and SC450 Sport Trucks (see photos below).

If you enjoy driving "Seriously Fast," consider a "Powerfully Engineered" Callaway Corvette, Camaro, or Tahoe-Suburban-Silverado Sport Truck.  Serious inquiries are invited at 1-888-875-0728.  More photos follow the jump.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The exquisite Callaway C16.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three views of the newly released Callaway Sport Truck, here shown as a Silverado 1500 Crew Cab.  Some equipment is subject to change, but the overall look and feel is excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Corvette‘s stablemate, Camaro, showed off a hot new ride at the Chicago Auto Show this week.  While Camaro enthusiasts have been hoping to see a production Z28 announced (for some time now), the new product revelation this week was the 2012 Camaro ZL1.

Not available until January 2012, the ZL1 will arrive with the supercharged 6.2L V8, already being used in the Cadillac CTS-V.  Horsepower and torque are both expected to be about 550.  Chevy‘s head of U.S. Marketing, Rick Scheidt, remarked that more powerful engines like these can be made available at this time, because of their remarkable fuel efficiency.  Of course, Corvette drivers have been pleased for years with their cars’ amazing fuel economy, even as they blow the doors off so much of the competition in performance.  Additional photos follow.

The good news is that those who want this kind of performance in a Camaro can acquire the hotter-than-hot 2011 Callaway Camaro.  The factory-supported, factory-warranted, and supercharged Callaway Camaro comes with 572 Horsepower and 541 Foot-Pounds of Torque.  And, you don’t have to wait until next year!  Two of these sweet rides are available in the showroom of George Matick Chevrolet in Redford, Michigan, right now.  Or, custom order your own.  Give us a call at 888-875-0728!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Set to debut in late 2012, many are anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the all-new Chevrolet Corvette C7.

Design student, James Robbins, has his very own ideas for how this American iconic vehicle should evolve its appearance. Take a look at the photo to see his very own rendition. Not too shabby if you ask us.

Some bloggers online are happy to see the classic look of the Corvette’s rear signature round tail lamps coming back into fashion, while others are not so impressed with all the edgy detailing found on the vehicle’s hood. In general, the vehicle promises a certain futuristic look – are you a fan?

Blog with us here. We want to hear your opinions.

[ AutoBlog ]

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Technology is amongst us no matter where we travel nowadays. OnStar knows this all to well and has partnered with Verizon to further advance this idea of connectivity.

If you really think about it, driving forces individuals to be captive within their own vehicles for a period of time. And with technology everywhere, radio entertainment is just not cutting it anymore!

OnStar’s partnership with Verizon has allowed both leaders to continue to explore all potential applications that can be instilled into a vehicle, utilizing 4G LTE technology on a faster broadband network.

When applied, these applications have the power to instill safer operations, proper vehicle maintenance, connectivity, navigation controls and entertainment.

Imagine the possibilities:

• Receiving instant alters via smartphone about bumps/damages made to your vehicle
• Connecting to top websites (Google, Twitter, Facebook Wikipedia) using hands-free voice activated commands
• Activating home-based monitoring cameras and/or other functions (temperature control, lights, more)
• Video conferencing from inside the car using Skype
• Navigating through traffic utilizing voice commands and maps

The possibilities are endless! It’s amazing to think of where this technology will take us. But hands down, the future manufactured Corvettes (a.k.a. C7) should come equipped with this technology.

Don’t you think?  See a demonstration video after the jump!

[ AutoBlog ]

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Kissing cousin to the Callaway Corvette is the Callaway Camaro.  And while there are certainly differences between Callaway Corvette enthusiasts and Callaway Camaro enthusiasts, both vehicles are strong and important members of the Chevrolet family, and both have a dedicated following.

All of this to say that George Matick Chevrolet, well known as a volume provider of Corvettes, has just now received two beautiful Callaway Camaro‘s from Callaway Cars, and these cars are looking sweet!  For example, this one, pictured at the right, is a stunner!

Details and more photos follow below.

We started with a stock 2011 Camaro 2SS Coupe in Summit White, and added the RS Package.  Then, Callaway added their amazing SC572 Package, ChromeCoat Supercharger Housing, Short-Throw Shifter Package, Nine Spoke HyperSilver Alloy Wheels, and the PowerWindow Hood.

The end result is a Powerfully Engineered automobile.  This supercharged engine, together with its intercooler, increased flow fuel injectors, and low restriction exhaust, provide 572 horsepower and 541 lb-ft of torque!  Truly, much power for a Camaro!

If you are in the area, please stop by to see this beautiful vehicle in our 100 car indoor showroom, largest in Michigan!  Questions?  Call the CorvetteBlog hotline at 1-888-875-0728.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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