Corvettes at Carlisle to honor Reeves Callaway August 24-26 with display cars/remembrances
With the sudden passing of Reeves Callaway on July 11. At this year’s Corvettes at Carlisle, August 24-26, Mr. Callaway will be remembered in multiple ways, including by way of the annual Chip’s Choice display.
CARLISLE, PA – Corvettes at Carlisle has not only showcased some of the top 'Vettes ever built each August since 1982, but it’s also welcomed some of the greatest minds in the industry to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds too. These guests included the likes of Zora Duntov, Wil Cooksey, Ken Lingenfelter, Tadge Juechter, and Reeves Callaway just to name a few. These names, and others like them, have left an undeniable mark on the hobby and have had, or will have their moment in the spotlight at Carlisle. Unfortunately for Corvette fans, one name unexpectedly jumped to the top of the honors list with the sudden passing of Reeves Callaway on July 11. At this year’s event, August 24-26 in Carlisle, Mr. Callaway will be remembered in multiple ways, including by way of the annual Chip’s Choice display.
While Callaway Cars have designed, developed, and manufactured high-performance product packages for cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs, they made possibly their biggest splash with Corvettes. Along with enthusiast-built rides, they also added their touch to a trio of Corvettes with a history tied to the famed 24 Hours of LeMans; the theme of this year’s Chip’s Choice. As part of the Callaway honors, Corvettes at Carlisle is honored to announce that ALL THREE Callaway Corvettes (two Corvettes, one “Callaway C7R”) that raced (two raced, the C7R did not race but ran during 1996 LeMans pre-qualifying. The C7 was built specifically to run GT1 at LeMans ) at the famed track will come together for the first-time EVER to be displayed as a tribute to the man and mind who designed them. These cars include a silver 1997 Callaway C7R, a red, white, and blue 2001 Callaway C12R, and a silver 1994 Callaway LM #001.
The first-time-ever showcase of the three cars is made even more special by their lineage and history. The ’96 Callaway C7R was a completely new, purpose-built car that carried on the visual tradition of design by Paul Deutschman and was offered in a limited production series of two. This one was LeMans prepared but failed to qualify for the race. The ’01 C12R competed at LeMans in 2001, sat on the GT2 pole, and led its class for a period of time. Unfortunately, it logged a DNF due to an engine issue. Its visit to Carlisle marks the FIRST TIME it’s ever been showcased in the United States. Finally, the ’94 LM #001 car earned pole position in GT2 with Boris Said as the driver. #011 led its class but was snake bitten with a DNF. In ’95 the car, known as Frieda, entered again and earned 2nd in the GT2 class and 9th overall, making it the highest-finishing Corvette at LeMans since 1960 when a Briggs Cunningham Corvette finished 8th overall.
These three cars are just a small part of the Reeves Callaway honors for 2023. Plans are underway for some extra signage and banners at Corvettes at Carlisle, an extra moment of revving in his honor, a feature segment in the event guide, and more, including some special moments planned by the Callaway Owners Group car club.
With an entire display gallery populated with historic and prominent LeMans racers, a Fun Field hosting every generation of Corvette ever produced, the NCCC, NCRS Gallery, 50 years of 1973 Corvettes, and more, this event can’t be missed. Gates open at 7 a.m. each day and kids 12 and under are admitted FREE. Complete details about the 2023 Corvettes at Carlisle car show, including information on how to become a vendor within the automotive flea market, register for the Fun Field, or simply purchase discounted spectator admission tickets can be found at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.
Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of over a dozen annual collector car/truck events. Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA), Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA), and the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus (Lakeland, FL). The season schedule includes automotive flea markets of varying sizes, multiple auctions, as well as individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, imports, tuners, and performance sport compacts. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, events hosted at Carlisle attract enthusiasts annually from all corners of the globe. More information is available at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.
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