The Convention Schedule

When CORSA members receive their March, 2012, issue of the CORSA Communique, they will see for the first time the complete schedule of events for the convention.

(Well, actually they’ll see it for the second time if they have already checked the convention web site, where the schedule appears.)

Any schedule remains subject to change, but if any changes are necessary we will revise the schedule on the convention web site and post updates right here on the blog. So check each site from time to time.

Here is a day-by-day look at the schedule:

Tuesday, July 24, Registration and Check-In Begins

There are no organized events or activities scheduled for this day, although the CORSA Board of Directors’ annual meeting will take place. But convention registration and check-in will open in the afternoon for the convenience of those arriving early. Registration and check-in will continue through the convention, so no matter on which day you arrive you will be able to pick up your convention materials.

This day does offer the opportunity to visit the headquarters of Clark’s Corvair Parts in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, just under an hour and a half northwest of the convention site. Clark’s will be host to an Open House between the hours of 10:00 and 4:00 on this day. If you are not able to visit on Tuesday, Clark’s will welcome you during those hours any day that week.

Wednesday, July 25, Autocross Day

The convention will get underway with the autocross, taking place this year at the Stafford Motor Speedway. Located just 20 miles from the Sturbridge Host Hotel, this historic facility first opened for horse racing in 1870, and today is home to NASCAR Modified racing and more. This will be largely a cone-free autocross utilizing the oval and the infield roads, just stay on the pavement and off the grass.

This evening the Mohegan Sun Casino Tour will be not as much a tour as an experience. Mohegan Sun is a world-class entertainment, dining, shopping, and casino destination. This is a bus tour so leave the driving to us. Each participant will receive a $15 food coupon and a $15 betting coupon also.

Thursday, July 26, Corvair Driving Day

This day presents a tough choice between the rally and the Historic Boston Tour. The road rally is an opportunity to enjoy your Corvair on the beautiful New England roads while competing for the most accurate adherence to the prescribed route.

The Historic Boston Tour is a bus and walking tour that will take you to many of the historic places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts. The exact itinerary is subject to change but will include a mix of the Old North Church, Bunker Hill, the golden-domed State House, Boston Common, Paul Revere’s house, fashionable Newbury Street, The Prudential Center Tower, Copley Square, Quincy Market Place, Faneuil Hall, and a replica of the pub and restaurant made famous by the television series "Cheers."

On this evening, get set for the Lakeside Picnic under the tent alongside Cedar Pond. Once all the great food has been enjoyed we will present the awards for the autocross.

For those participating in the Concours d’Elegance scheduled for Friday, concours classification and the operations check will be available following the road rally, and there will be ample time for any final cleanup.  Many of the speciality group meetings familiar to convention-goers are scheduled for this day also.

Friday, July 27, Corvair Fun Day

Another tough choice on this day: stay at the hotel for the concours and Corvair-related activities, or board a bus to one of the most beautiful seaside towns in America.

The Concours d’Elegance is the centerpiece of CORSA’s conventions, the judged Corvair show that identifies the best of the best. This year’s concours will take place on the hotel’s lawn alongside Cedar Pond, which offers not only a beautiful setting but also no need to move the cars afterward. The concours cars can remain in place through the following day’s big car show.

At the same time as the concours we will be conducting Corvair Fun Day, a full slate of activities at the hotel. In addition to tech sessions and other meetings, this year we are adding Corvair games such as "slow drag races" (you have to see it to believe it) and a Corvair teeter-totter!

The bus tour to Newport will give everyone a taste of first class seaside living with some historic information thrown in for good measure. We will see breathtaking scenery and some of the largest mansions in the country, built during the gilded age by some of the wealthiest industrial families where excess was the rule. The highlight of the tour will be a visit to The Breakers, an architectural masterpiece that was home to one of America’s wealthiest families, the Vanderbilts. Once inside you will be amazed at what you see.

On this evening we will hold CORSA’s annual general membership meeting, and we have combined this meeting with an Ice Cream Social. There is no reason that a meeting has to be dull! Once the business of CORSA has been conducted, make your own dessert from a selection of ice creams and toppings while enjoying live music by Cobblestone Crossing. This meeting will also include the presentation of awards for the road rally.

Saturday, July 28, Corvair Show Day

On this day we want to see everyone’s Corvair on display. Whether your Corvair is a showpiece or a work-in-progress, enter it in the People’s Choice Corvair Show for all to see. This show will be open to the public and we’re hoping for the largest gathering of Corvairs ever in one place since they left the factory.

Additional seminars and meetings will take place on this day so there will be plenty to see and do.

We wrap up our convention this evening with the awards banquet, which will be different from recent banquets in two key ways. First, since many awards will have been presented earlier, only the awards for the show cars will be presented on this night. Second, with the awards completed quickly we have time for our special guest speaker, Editor-In-Chief of Hemmings Motors News, Richard Lentinello. Mr. Lentinello is an enthusiastic "car guy" with a distinct fondness for Corvairs.


This overview is by no means complete. The convention will include such staples as vendors of Corvair parts and accessories indoors, a Corvair swap meet outdoors, a model car concours, valve cover racing, ladies’ activities, and much, much more. Check the convention web site and this blog for updates and watch future issues of the Communique.

Corvair Campin'

If your preference is to camp during the convention, be it in a modest tent or an opulent RV , there are several choices of campgrounds in the area. Here are some of the ones closest to the host hotel:

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Sturbridge
(about 2.5 miles from the host hotel)
508-347-9570

Wells State Park, Sturbridge
(about 5 miles from the host hotel)
508-347-9257

Oak Haven Family Campground, Wales
(about 11 miles from the host hotel)
413-245-7148

In addition, about 4.2 miles from the host hotel is the Village Green Campground, in Brimfield. However, this campground suffered a direct hit from the 2011 tornado, causing extensive damage, and, tragically, one fatality. The campground was closed for the balance of 2011 but plans to open for 2012. The number is 413-245-3504

There are still more campgrounds in the region and one of the best resources for finding one is Woodall’s, online at http://www.woodalls.com

Full House! But There is Room for You!

As we write, on Thursday, February 16, the Sturbridge Host Hotel is all but sold out for the 2012 convention! The manager indicates that only one or two rooms remain available, and only for one or two nights.
　
Wow! We knew that this convention, situated in New England for the first time in CORSA’s history, would be a big draw, but we never anticipated filling the hotel five months before the convention is to begin.
　
But does this mean that if you do not yet have a room reservation, you are out of luck? No! There are plenty of alternate hotels nearby, several of which are listed below. Call now to book your accommodations in the hotel of your choice.
　
You are always welcome to contact the Sturbridge Host Hotel to check for availability due to cancellations or whatever reason.
　
Note, the alternate hotels listed below are not offering the same group rate as the Sturbridge Host Hotel, so rates may vary. Some offer special online rates, and if calling, don’t forget to mention any discounts for which you may be eligible such as AAA, AARP, Military and the like.

The following hotels are listed in increasing order of their distance from the Sturbridge Host Hotel. The convention committee has not inspected these properties and so is not making any specific recommendations.
　

Super 8
Adjacent to the Sturbridge Host Hotel. Very few rooms remain available here, so do not hesitate if this is your choice.
1-508-347-9000.


　

Hampton Inn
3/10 of a mile from the Sturbridge Host Hotel.
1-508-347-6466.

　

Motel 6
4/10 of a mile from the Sturbridge Host Hotel.
1-508-347-7327.


　

Publick House
6/10 of a mile from the Sturbridge Host Hotel.
1-508-347-3313 or 1-800-PUBLICK.

　

Quality Inn
9/10 of a mile from the Sturbridge Host Hotel.
1-508-347-5141







Travelodge
2.8 miles from the Sturbridge Host Hotel
1-508-347-1978.

Days Inn
This hotel was listed among our original alternates but it suffered damage from the 2011 tornado that hit the area, such that it is not open as of this writing.

Supplemental Information

Across the country this week, Corvair owners are finding in their mailbox the 2012 catalog supplement from Clark’s Corvair Parts, the annual update featuring new products, changes, and special sales.

Also in this supplement is information about the Sturbridge convention (along with other Corvair events that Clark’s will be attending in 2012).

And on the page just prior to the page featuring the convention there are two photos of Cal’s Rampside, one an older photo of the truck at work and one photo of the truck fully stripped for restoration, as seen earlier on this blog.

Well, the restoration is proceeding nicely and has reached the point where re-assembly of the truck has begun. Check out this recent photo:

(As always, you can click on the photo for an enlarged view).

Cal’s intent is to have the fully-restored truck at Sturbridge, just as we hope it is your intent to have your Corvair at Sturbridge. But you don’t have to restore your Corvair to attend. Whether your Corvair is restored, original, modified, or a work-in-progress, it is welcome at the convention and w e encourage you to bring it.

On the Saturday of the convention, when the big car show takes place, we hope to have perhaps the largest gathering of Corvairs in one place since they left the factory. Plan on being part of it!