ABOUT
Corvettes of MN
History
COM was formed in 1960 by a small group of Corvette owners and enthusiasts. From the beginning, the only requirement for member has been an enthusiastic interest in Corvettes. Early events included rallies and autocrosses. Most COM members are current or former Corvette owners.
The 1970’s and 1980’s saw the club grow to well over one hundred members. Many became active racing drivers and track staff at Brainerd International Raceway. Former COM member Jerry Hansen captured a record 27 national SCCA Championships, as well as being a top runner in the Trans Am, Can Am, and Continental Series. At one point four COM members were driving in the Trans-Am Series. COM began a long-time relationship with the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1973, putting on the largest autocross in the Twin Cities for many years until the 9/11 events and national security concerns ended access to the Twin Cities Airport location. During this period COM sponsored many autocross, rally, and concours events.
The 1990’s and 2000’s have seen COM membership stable at about fifty members, including some who have been with the club since the opening years. Current events include Met Council and NCCC autocross events, the all-GM car show held every June at the State Fairgrounds, an NCCC Rally late in the summer, and social events such as a holiday party, annual banquet, and participation with other Corvette clubs in a winter Chili Challenge. Many members also participate in a variety of autocross, rally, concours or car shows, and Corvette Cruise events throughout the Midwest, and attend races at Brainerd, Road America, and other tracks across the country. Corvettes currently owned by members range from the C1 to the latest C8, and all series in between.
Corvettes of Minnesota has been a member of the Metropolitan Council of Sports Car Clubs since the early days of the organization, and of the National Council of Corvette Clubs for over twenty years. NCCC offers well over a hundred events in the Minnesota-Wisconsin-Illinois Midwest Region. Two COM members have earned the annual top competition points award out of over 2000 Region members, and many have earned championships in Regional and National NCCC events.
COM contributes each year to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and NCCC raises funds nationally for the National Kidney Foundation.
Membership
Here are just some of the benefits to becoming a Corvettes of Minnesota Member:
Participate in Minnesota’s first Corvette Club at whatever level you desire. Depending on your interests, be an officer, a worker at events, plan events, or participate as an entrant. Our club puts on autocross events, a road rally, and participates with other GM clubs in an annual swap meet and car show at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds.
Be a part of a club for those with a passion for Corvettes, and Corvette activities. We don’t require Corvette ownership–just a strong interest in Corvettes, and Corvette activities.
Through our club membership in the Metropolitan Council of Sports Car Clubs, be made aware of autocross events put on by other sports car clubs in Minnesota.
For those with Corvette ownership, have access to membership in the National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC). This national organization has nearly 20,000 members. The Midwest Region (Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin) has thirty clubs, and 2,000 members. The clubs host over 100 events (autocross, road rally, and shows) each year. Corvettes of Minnesota will pay at least part of your membership fees in the National organization. There are Regional and National awards each year based on points achieved in competition in NCCC events, as well as a National Convention and a Regional Championship event for those interested.
Opportunities for charitable contributions. COM, in years past, was involved in the Minnesota Parkinson Foundation walk, and contributes financially to this organization. The National NCCC charity is the National Kidney Foundation, which receives significant donations from the organization.
Opportunities for social events with others sharing common interests. We have two winter social gatherings, participate in a “Chili Challenge” with several other Corvette clubs, some years have a summer picnic and/or cruise, and have groups of members who attend events together at Brainerd International Raceway, Road America, or other racing venues.
ACTIVITIES
These are a few of the activities we enjoy and would love to have you join us! Go to the Events page for dates, times and details or get ahold of a member and come along for the ride!
Autocross
One of the most exciting and easy ways for you to enjoy time behind the wheel of your car is at one of our autocross events. An autocross is a timed event; running against the clock you compete by going from start to the finish line in the shortest amount of time on a flat paved surface (such as a very large parking lot).
Doesn’t sound hard? Well, there are plenty of orange marker cones to guide you through the corners making navigation an exercise in strategy and skill. Believe it or not this is a national sport and “watching” it is not the same as experiencing it for yourself! Get in the seat, give it a try… We guarantee you’ll be hooked.
COM is currently conducting two autocross events, both at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC). For any of our future events, please look on the home page to SEE FLYERS FOR EVENTS and for more details.
Rallyes
Over the years, Corvettes of Minnesota has put on a variety of rallyes including “Hare and Hound”, Time-Speed-Distance (TSD), “Picture”, “Monte Carlo”, and other types of creative events. Currently the Rallyes that have proven most in line with our members interests are what are described as “Chance” or “Gimmick” rallyes.
The format typically includes registration and signing of insurance waivers, a brief technical inspection to assure the safety of the cars, distribution of “General Instructions” describing the event as well as “Route Instructions” indicating the roads to be followed (and generally the mileage at each change of road), and an enjoyable drive through the countryside. Along the way, entrants may have some “games” to play such as drawing a poker hand, rolling dice to get the highest total, filling out a crossword puzzle, or a skill contest such as tossing Hot Wheels cars into buckets to score points. There is no limit to the creativity of the games!
We always attempt to make the route very easy to follow, with the intent that no one should be frustrated trying to stay on course. Speeds should generally be normal driving speeds, with some extra time allowed for reading signs and completing tasks. A typical event might take two to three hours, and is likely to include a rest stop (sometimes a checkpoint to play a game; sometimes a stop for ice cream or at an orchard). At the end point, scores are determined and awards may be given out. The end point typically is at a restaurant or club with moderately priced food and beverages.
Our Rallye events are open to both members and non-members, driving Corvettes or other vehicles. A driver and navigator are required for the events. If the Rallye happens to be sanctioned by the National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) the entrant must be an NCCC member, in a Corvette, to receive points, but non-members and other vehicles are still welcome to participate.
For our club, the term “Rallye” indicates some level of competition, although most of the “Chance”and “Gimmick” events often take on more of a fun than competitive tone. We may also hold an occasional “Cruise”, which is simply an organized drive on a common route, without the competitive component. In either case, our routes are strictly limited to paved roads only.
Rallyes
Cruises
COM has sponsored a Fall Cruise for many years, and we try to do a spring or summer Cruise as well. A Cruise is similar to our Rallyes, but does not include any competitive events. We typically begin at a parking lot or McDonald’s, and usually our cruises do not include any entry fee, or at most a small donation to a charity. After signing the standard Waiver form, entrants receive a set of Route Instructions, again designed to keep everyone on course. Our Cruise events are open to any vehicles, but most of the cars will be Corvettes.
A typical Cruise will include a total drive of 50-100 miles through some scenic areas, and with a rest stop part way through the event, often including a snack, apple, or ice cream option. Some past cruises have included a stop at a Car Show or other event or location of interest to our club members. Duration Start to Finish Point is often about three to four hours, depending on the length of time spent at the rest stop, show, or other stop of interest, with the end point always including an eating establishment.
Our Cruises often draw from a dozen to twenty vehicles, but the possibility is there for even more to attend. Cruises are open to our club members, and often other Corvette drivers, family, and friends will join in. Cruises provide an opportunity for our club members and other members of the Corvette community to enjoy our cars, and the friendship of others with similar interests.
Car Shows
Corvettes of Minnesota is a co-sponsor and active participant in the annual General Motors Car Clubs Association (GMCCA) car show. This large show is held the first weekend of June each year at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. In addition, many COM members show their prize Corvettes at other car shows and concours events held throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Car Shows
To find our next event, see the Events Page and Join the Fun!
Social Events
During each year, COM has several Social Events. We generally start the year with our Annual Awards Party, where we recognize Board members from the previous year, and the upcoming year. We also often recognize out top NCCC Points member(s). For many years (25 years, through 2021) we participated in a winter “Chili Challenge” with other Corvette clubs. We’ve also on occasion held picnics, either as part of a summer rally, or in celebration of a club anniversary. Many of our Cruise or Rally events also include a Social aspect, with events starting at a venue with food and tables available, and ending at another food and beverage venue. As a club, we also have participated in Car Shows where we may gather after the event, and well as after many of our autocross events where some of the club will gather to celebrate the day. Our year generally ends with a Holiday Party hosted at a member’s home. Also we participate in an annual awards party in January for the two major autocross series held in the Metro area, including events hosted by COM. And, of course, each of our monthly meetings from February through December is an opportunity to gather for some social time and a meal prior to our business meeting.