2014 Michigan, Indiana, Western Kentucky update
08-20-2014, 12:43 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
2014 Michigan, Indiana, Western Kentucky update
Our journey is about to begin. My wife Verna and I thank you for joining us on our trip to Bowling Green to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the National Corvette Museum.
We have been members of the Museum for 14 years and this is our third caravan. This is the first time I have been Captain and it is quite a learning experience. God willing maybe in five years you will join us for the 25th Anniversary.
The Caravan begins in Michigan on Tuesday August 26 and will end in Bowling Green on Wednesday August 27.
The Caravan is open to all that have pre-registered with the Museum. Those that have not pre-registered can still join but will need to register when they get to the Museum.
We are starting this caravan from five different locations: Matick Chevrolet in Redford Michigan; Graff Chevrolet in Davison, Michigan; Caron Chevrolet in Marshall, Michigan; Indianapolis Speedway, Indianapolis and Churchill Downs, Louisville Kentucky.
The Indianapolis Speedway track fee of 15.00 will be collected at all locations except Churchill Downs. A wrist band will be given and must be worn to be admitted on the track. You will also receive a t-shirt and dash plaque provided you sent in your shirt sizes. The caravan participant cling will be given at this time. I received a contest offer from Corvettes America and you will get that information.
Matick Chevrolet
14001 Telegraph
Redford, Michigan
Our host and Sponsor Karl Zimmerman welcome all beginning at 8 AM. A buffet breakfast will be served. Caravan Banners will be on display and all participants are encouraged to sign them. Volunteers will be handing out t-shirts, dash plaques, participant clings and contest information. They will also be collecting the track fee.
There is massive road construction on I 96 west of Matick. I use Telegraph Road to get there. I hope that the bridge work by Matick will be completed in time for us. We will leave at 10 AM for Marshall, Michigan our next stop. Updated travel information will be given.
Hank Graff Chevrolet
800 North State Street
Davison, Michigan
Our host is Tom Kelly along with Leader Jim Schoenfield. You will be part of Graff Chevrolet’s 100th Anniversary. They are very excited to be part of our caravan. They even had a special trailer constructed to bring their fully frame off restored 1954 Corvette. The trailer is made to look like a die cast box. Local clubs have been encouraged to be there for the send off. The party begins at 8 AM and will leave for Marshall at 10 AM. The group will travel south on I 69 to Marshall. Jim will have complete details. You will also receive t-shirts, dash plaques, participant clings and contest information. Track fees will also be collected.
Caron Chevrolet
1201 West Michigan Avenue
Marshall, Michigan
Tim Caron will be our host for lunch as all Michigan Caravans and participants will meet here. I would like everyone to be here at noon. When entering the parking lot you will be directed how to park for easy exit after lunch. The banners will be here for anyone to sign. This will be our last stop in Michigan. We will leave at 2 PM to go to the Wyndham Hotel in Indianapolis. If you are joining the caravan here you will receive you t-shirt, dash plaques, participant cling, contest information here. The 15.00 track fee will also be collected and wrist bands issued.
The police will arrive at 2 PM to help us exit Caron Chevrolet and proceed to I-69 South to our next destination, The Wyndham West in Indianapolis
Wyndham West
2544 Executive Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana
The goal is to arrive at the Wyndham at 6 PM on Tuesday August 26. There is a large parking area at the back of the hotel for us to park together. The hotel will begin serving food at 6:30. This will give us some time to check in. You can either eat by your car or come into the hotel where I have a room reserved. I will NOT be handing out any t-shirts etc at this stop. I sincerely hope this will give everyone an opportunity to relax and get to know each other before we continue our trip to the Corvette Museum on Wednesday. If you booked your room under the Michigan Caravan Group you will be given breakfast in the morning. You should be ready to leave early and plan to be at the Speedway beginning at 8 AM. We will NOT be caravanning to the Speedway. It takes 10-15 minutes to get to the Speedway from the hotel. There are no expressways to the Speedway. When you enter the Speedway you will be directed where to park. We will begin driving at 10-10:30 on the track.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana
Everyone will enter the Speedway through Gate 2. This is the gate that will lead you to the Speedway Museum. The gate will open around 8 AM. Track personnel will assist you when you enter and stage you for the lap. Everyone needs to sign a waiver before going on the track. You will be asked to stay in your car until the waiver is signed. You will be issued a wrist band after the waiver is signed. Everyone must also have a wrist band showing the track fee of 15.00 is paid. No one will be allowed on the track without two wrist bands.
Drivers coming from Michigan will have their fees collected at the three starting points in Michigan.
Everyone joining the caravan in Indianapolis will go to the sign in table to receive their t-shirts, dash plaques and pay their fee.
You can circle back to visit the Museum after the laps. The Museum charges 5.00 entry.
If you do not want to visit the Museum you can start to head south to our next stop, Churchill Downs Kentucky.
I talked to the traffic control in Indianapolis about the caravan and they recommended that because of road construction it would be better if I did not try to go through in a large group. The same is true going through Louisville. I checked today and there is construction near and around the Speedway.
To get on the expressway 465 South Take 16th Street to Crawfordsville Road. Head west to
465 South. It is a short distance
Churchill Downs
700 Central Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky
This was our final rally point until this weekend. The Kentucky State Police are working to give us a police escort to the Museum. It will either depart Churchill Downs or a rest area a short distance down the road. The final determination will not be made until Tuesday August 26. I also am getting up to date traffic information and that again will be updated at the drivers meeting at the Speedway. The following is the suggested route to take when approaching Louisville from the north.
Churchill Downs continued.
As you come I 65 you will exit at 6B ( I-265) and go about 5 miles to I64. Be the left hand lanes for this exit. As come onto I64 you will be in the left lanes, move over in to the far right lanes because you will cross Ohio River and then bear right onto the Watterson Xway(I-264). The distance from getting onto I64 to crossing the river and getting onto the Watterson is about 1 1/2- 2 miles.
Continue on the Watterson to exit # 9, Taylor Blvd, and that is an exit on the right hand side. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Taylor Blvd and come thru 3 traffic lights and at the third light turn right onto Longfield Ave. Come down Longfield to Gate 10 on the left and turn into Churchill Downs.
You can see that just like in Indianapolis there will be some city driving making a large caravan impossible.
There will be people to direct you when you enter Churchill Downs. There will also be the Ohio Caravan there. Anyone joining our Caravan at Churchill Downs will pick up their t-shirts etc. Lunch will be served. There is no charge. You are encouraged to take lots of pictures.
Our final stop will be the Museum. Our actual arrival time is being controlled by the Museum and the State Police.
Some tips
This is a journey not a race. I will try to stay within posted speeds. A little under when starting out to help prevent rubber banding. Watch out in construction areas. You will get a ticket.
Don’t worry if you need to stop for gas, bathroom or? You know what our next stop is.
If your group wants to break away from the caravan I hope you will rejoin at Churchill Downs.
Be safe. Make sure you bring your GPS and your phones are charged. I suggest getting gas when you stop to keep the tank full in case you get stuck in traffic.
Some clubs or groups like two way radios, I have used them in the past and it seems they fill with chatter.
You may get wet. I have never taken a trip to the Museum without getting some rain. I started going there in 2002 and make at least two trips a year.
Any questions please call me. 586-218-8616 home 586-876-6923 cell. I most likely will only use my cell starting this Friday August 22. If you have time I can use some volunteers at the various stops to pass out shirts etc. See you soon, Larry Courtney
We have been members of the Museum for 14 years and this is our third caravan. This is the first time I have been Captain and it is quite a learning experience. God willing maybe in five years you will join us for the 25th Anniversary.
The Caravan begins in Michigan on Tuesday August 26 and will end in Bowling Green on Wednesday August 27.
The Caravan is open to all that have pre-registered with the Museum. Those that have not pre-registered can still join but will need to register when they get to the Museum.
We are starting this caravan from five different locations: Matick Chevrolet in Redford Michigan; Graff Chevrolet in Davison, Michigan; Caron Chevrolet in Marshall, Michigan; Indianapolis Speedway, Indianapolis and Churchill Downs, Louisville Kentucky.
The Indianapolis Speedway track fee of 15.00 will be collected at all locations except Churchill Downs. A wrist band will be given and must be worn to be admitted on the track. You will also receive a t-shirt and dash plaque provided you sent in your shirt sizes. The caravan participant cling will be given at this time. I received a contest offer from Corvettes America and you will get that information.
Matick Chevrolet
14001 Telegraph
Redford, Michigan
Our host and Sponsor Karl Zimmerman welcome all beginning at 8 AM. A buffet breakfast will be served. Caravan Banners will be on display and all participants are encouraged to sign them. Volunteers will be handing out t-shirts, dash plaques, participant clings and contest information. They will also be collecting the track fee.
There is massive road construction on I 96 west of Matick. I use Telegraph Road to get there. I hope that the bridge work by Matick will be completed in time for us. We will leave at 10 AM for Marshall, Michigan our next stop. Updated travel information will be given.
Hank Graff Chevrolet
800 North State Street
Davison, Michigan
Our host is Tom Kelly along with Leader Jim Schoenfield. You will be part of Graff Chevrolet’s 100th Anniversary. They are very excited to be part of our caravan. They even had a special trailer constructed to bring their fully frame off restored 1954 Corvette. The trailer is made to look like a die cast box. Local clubs have been encouraged to be there for the send off. The party begins at 8 AM and will leave for Marshall at 10 AM. The group will travel south on I 69 to Marshall. Jim will have complete details. You will also receive t-shirts, dash plaques, participant clings and contest information. Track fees will also be collected.
Caron Chevrolet
1201 West Michigan Avenue
Marshall, Michigan
Tim Caron will be our host for lunch as all Michigan Caravans and participants will meet here. I would like everyone to be here at noon. When entering the parking lot you will be directed how to park for easy exit after lunch. The banners will be here for anyone to sign. This will be our last stop in Michigan. We will leave at 2 PM to go to the Wyndham Hotel in Indianapolis. If you are joining the caravan here you will receive you t-shirt, dash plaques, participant cling, contest information here. The 15.00 track fee will also be collected and wrist bands issued.
The police will arrive at 2 PM to help us exit Caron Chevrolet and proceed to I-69 South to our next destination, The Wyndham West in Indianapolis
Wyndham West
2544 Executive Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana
The goal is to arrive at the Wyndham at 6 PM on Tuesday August 26. There is a large parking area at the back of the hotel for us to park together. The hotel will begin serving food at 6:30. This will give us some time to check in. You can either eat by your car or come into the hotel where I have a room reserved. I will NOT be handing out any t-shirts etc at this stop. I sincerely hope this will give everyone an opportunity to relax and get to know each other before we continue our trip to the Corvette Museum on Wednesday. If you booked your room under the Michigan Caravan Group you will be given breakfast in the morning. You should be ready to leave early and plan to be at the Speedway beginning at 8 AM. We will NOT be caravanning to the Speedway. It takes 10-15 minutes to get to the Speedway from the hotel. There are no expressways to the Speedway. When you enter the Speedway you will be directed where to park. We will begin driving at 10-10:30 on the track.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
4790 West 16th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana
Everyone will enter the Speedway through Gate 2. This is the gate that will lead you to the Speedway Museum. The gate will open around 8 AM. Track personnel will assist you when you enter and stage you for the lap. Everyone needs to sign a waiver before going on the track. You will be asked to stay in your car until the waiver is signed. You will be issued a wrist band after the waiver is signed. Everyone must also have a wrist band showing the track fee of 15.00 is paid. No one will be allowed on the track without two wrist bands.
Drivers coming from Michigan will have their fees collected at the three starting points in Michigan.
Everyone joining the caravan in Indianapolis will go to the sign in table to receive their t-shirts, dash plaques and pay their fee.
You can circle back to visit the Museum after the laps. The Museum charges 5.00 entry.
If you do not want to visit the Museum you can start to head south to our next stop, Churchill Downs Kentucky.
I talked to the traffic control in Indianapolis about the caravan and they recommended that because of road construction it would be better if I did not try to go through in a large group. The same is true going through Louisville. I checked today and there is construction near and around the Speedway.
To get on the expressway 465 South Take 16th Street to Crawfordsville Road. Head west to
465 South. It is a short distance
Churchill Downs
700 Central Avenue
Louisville, Kentucky
This was our final rally point until this weekend. The Kentucky State Police are working to give us a police escort to the Museum. It will either depart Churchill Downs or a rest area a short distance down the road. The final determination will not be made until Tuesday August 26. I also am getting up to date traffic information and that again will be updated at the drivers meeting at the Speedway. The following is the suggested route to take when approaching Louisville from the north.
Churchill Downs continued.
As you come I 65 you will exit at 6B ( I-265) and go about 5 miles to I64. Be the left hand lanes for this exit. As come onto I64 you will be in the left lanes, move over in to the far right lanes because you will cross Ohio River and then bear right onto the Watterson Xway(I-264). The distance from getting onto I64 to crossing the river and getting onto the Watterson is about 1 1/2- 2 miles.
Continue on the Watterson to exit # 9, Taylor Blvd, and that is an exit on the right hand side. Turn right at the end of the ramp onto Taylor Blvd and come thru 3 traffic lights and at the third light turn right onto Longfield Ave. Come down Longfield to Gate 10 on the left and turn into Churchill Downs.
You can see that just like in Indianapolis there will be some city driving making a large caravan impossible.
There will be people to direct you when you enter Churchill Downs. There will also be the Ohio Caravan there. Anyone joining our Caravan at Churchill Downs will pick up their t-shirts etc. Lunch will be served. There is no charge. You are encouraged to take lots of pictures.
Our final stop will be the Museum. Our actual arrival time is being controlled by the Museum and the State Police.
Some tips
This is a journey not a race. I will try to stay within posted speeds. A little under when starting out to help prevent rubber banding. Watch out in construction areas. You will get a ticket.
Don’t worry if you need to stop for gas, bathroom or? You know what our next stop is.
If your group wants to break away from the caravan I hope you will rejoin at Churchill Downs.
Be safe. Make sure you bring your GPS and your phones are charged. I suggest getting gas when you stop to keep the tank full in case you get stuck in traffic.
Some clubs or groups like two way radios, I have used them in the past and it seems they fill with chatter.
You may get wet. I have never taken a trip to the Museum without getting some rain. I started going there in 2002 and make at least two trips a year.
Any questions please call me. 586-218-8616 home 586-876-6923 cell. I most likely will only use my cell starting this Friday August 22. If you have time I can use some volunteers at the various stops to pass out shirts etc. See you soon, Larry Courtney
08-20-2014, 08:12 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
Larry:
I won't be a part of the caravan, but I will see you in Bowling Green. Safe travels and thanks for stepping up as the Caravan Captain for this event.
I won't be a part of the caravan, but I will see you in Bowling Green. Safe travels and thanks for stepping up as the Caravan Captain for this event.
08-21-2014, 10:27 AM
#3
Le Mans Master
Wow. That's a ton of info. Do you have the cliff notes version. 
See you Tuesday at matick
See you Tuesday at matick
08-21-2014, 06:01 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Have fun everyone, we tried too late to get a room near BG and no luck, so do a lap at Indy for me 
08-22-2014, 08:25 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
08-22-2014, 12:31 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Interesting. I was searching via the hotel websites, I wonder if they still had the rooms blocked; therefore, they weren't showing. Horse Cave was as close as we could get. Should have signed up long ago, live and learn. As it turns out, other family issues next week have me needing to stay close to home.
09-14-2014, 09:39 PM
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
how to order Indy Speedway pics
Hello everyone,
This is the link to get your photos from the Indianapolis Speedway. I asked them to add the Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo to the pictures. This is the reason the information was not sent out sooner.
http://imsphoto.smugmug.com/Special-...diana-Western/
Please note that the IMS Wing and Wheel watermark on the photo will not show once the photo is printed. The IMS Wing and Wheel logo will appear on the bottom right corner once printed. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
This was my first time as leader of the caravan and it was quite a learning experience. I have taken note of the suggestions posted. One important lesson I learned is to start a team early in the planning stages. This project is too big for just my wife and me to do it alone. I am very grateful for the help of my local leaders Jim Schoenfield, Jeff McQuade and Wylie Etscheid.
I have volunteered to be the Captain again in 2019. I am not sure if I will do just Michigan or add Indiana and Western Kentucky again. I believe I could do the region with the help of local leaders and local clubs to help in planning.
Please let me know if you are interested. vjnlcsvette@aol.com
My wife Verna and I will continue to host our annual Corvettes on Woodward in August and the annual Corvettes in the “D” in June.
I have Facebook pages for both of those events as well as my own page.
My wife and I thank you for participating in this caravan and hope you had a good time.
I would like to thank again our sponsors Matick Chevrolet of Redford Michigan and Corvette Central from Sawyer Michigan.
Larry and Verna Courtney
This is the link to get your photos from the Indianapolis Speedway. I asked them to add the Indianapolis Motor Speedway logo to the pictures. This is the reason the information was not sent out sooner.
http://imsphoto.smugmug.com/Special-...diana-Western/
Please note that the IMS Wing and Wheel watermark on the photo will not show once the photo is printed. The IMS Wing and Wheel logo will appear on the bottom right corner once printed. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
This was my first time as leader of the caravan and it was quite a learning experience. I have taken note of the suggestions posted. One important lesson I learned is to start a team early in the planning stages. This project is too big for just my wife and me to do it alone. I am very grateful for the help of my local leaders Jim Schoenfield, Jeff McQuade and Wylie Etscheid.
I have volunteered to be the Captain again in 2019. I am not sure if I will do just Michigan or add Indiana and Western Kentucky again. I believe I could do the region with the help of local leaders and local clubs to help in planning.
Please let me know if you are interested. vjnlcsvette@aol.com
My wife Verna and I will continue to host our annual Corvettes on Woodward in August and the annual Corvettes in the “D” in June.
I have Facebook pages for both of those events as well as my own page.
My wife and I thank you for participating in this caravan and hope you had a good time.
I would like to thank again our sponsors Matick Chevrolet of Redford Michigan and Corvette Central from Sawyer Michigan.
Larry and Verna Courtney