Vettes-4-Vets want to wish you a most enjoyable turkey day! 

Vettes-4-Vets needs your feedback to put all the pieces together again, so watch for an e-mail with your link to the survey. We are using Survey Monkey this year to create an easier survey tool and format.

Mark Davis / President

Vettes-4-Vets is proud to announce that thanks to all that came to run, the Memorial Day at Talladega was a great success. The event raised just over $35,500.00 in gross revenue. Because of increased expenses, especially facility rental and insurance, and our need to hold funds in reserve for next year, the overall amount available for distribution was less than expected. However, thanks to you four Veteran organizations will receive funds totally $13,100.00. The distribution is as follows:

1. Three Hots and a Cot, $2,700.00
2. Survivors Outreach Services of Huntsville: $2,700.00
3. Lakeshore Foundation / Wounded Warriors: $2,700.00
4. Alabama War Dogs Memorial Foundation $5,000.00*

Again, thank you for your generous support; you made the fundraiser a great success. Next year, with your continued support, we hope to raise more money to help our Veterans and make the whole experience even better.

* Vettes-4-Vets committed to John O’Malley, president of Alabama War Dogs Memorial Foundation for this amount in 2010. John was very involved in turning Vettes-4-Vets into its own 501 (c) 3 entity, planning the Talladega event, as well as providing numerous volunteers and direct support.

Mark Davis, President

See you next year, so keep those Vettes revved...

Mike Lett got some great shots of the cars both on the track and in victory lane.  If you want to order any pictures, go to www.lettsfocus.com.

We had 385 people at the Friday night party.  The parking lot looked like a cruise-in at a local speed shop.  There were more ZR-1’s in the parking lot than C3’s!  I want to thank the band, Quadratic.  They sounded great (a little loud for dinner, though).  The marines really dressed the place up with their dress uniforms, and the Miss Vettes-4-Vets court added a little flash.  The BBQ from Country’s was superb, as usual.  If you didn’t get all you wanted, it was your own fault.  The museum was great, and all that racing history would take days to absorb.  It appeared everyone had a good time.  Next year, we will hold off the band until 8:00 PM so people can socialize over dinner.

Saturday, the weather was great.  It felt like summer.  The sky was clear and there was a little breeze (maybe that was from the fans).  We had 240 pre-registered participants with a dozen alternates.  A few had to cancel, but there were people waiting to take their spots.  Everyone who came out had the opportunity to run.  We finished up about an hour early, even with the extra runs people wanted.  All the volunteers got to ride, some multiple times.  The marines looked like they were having a blast riding (and driving!) in your cars.  I want to thank you for giving a ride to a volunteer or marine.  Even some of the spectators got to hitch a ride on the big track.

We had a couple of issues on the track. One session, a couple of guys passed a car running slower than them. The car has slowed, due to steering issues. The guys following were not paying attention and passed the car rather than slowing down. They broke the rules, but owned up to it, and I let them run again, the second issue just about shut down the whole deal. understand two cars stopped on the track, and decided to drag race down the back stretch. know who the people were that pulled this stunt, but they just about killed the fun for the rest of the group.

The safety crew leader said “If that happens again, we are all going home.”

I kind of got upset over the PA and I want to apologize to you all for my outburst. I lost my cool when the guys who felt they were big men and needed to drag race on the track did not have the courage or maturity to own up to their actions once they got to the pits. There is no place for this kind of immaturity and cowardice on the track. I was told later that they left the track, and did not hear me call them out. If you were one of the people that did this and want to explain yourself, please send me a note or call me. That all I have to say on the matter.

As always, I look forward to your comments and suggestions to make this event even better next year.  Thanks and be safe.

Jeff Williams, Executive Director

348 more days until Vettes-4-Vets 2012!  /  Can you wait?

Below is a list of those that signed up to help.  Some of you jumped in and helped where help was needed.  Sorry, if we missed your name, but you know who you are, and we want to thank each one of you for your service.  You made the Memorial Day at Talladega really pur-r-r like a fine tuned engine. Vettes-4-Vets salutes you!

Among the other Veterans in attendance, Vettes-4-Vets and the drivers honored Marines from the 4^th Anti-Terrorist Battalion, 4^th Marine Division. The Marine detachment lead by GySgt Butler included SSgt Glover, Sgt Perkins, Sgt Strickland, Sgt Fisher, Sgt Meyer, Sgt Slitcher, Sgt Mahand, Sgt Bailey, Cpl Vlam, PFC Perez and PFC Jones. The Leathernecks enjoyed riding shotgun in a Corvette around the track. A few lucky one’s actually got to drive around the track as the Corvette owner rode shotgun. Members of the decorated detachment served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mark Davis, Vettes-4-Vets President said, “It was an honor to treat our Marines to fun, food, and the festivities. America can be proud of these young men.”

Larry (Sarge) Dickenson & John O'Malley of the Birmingham Marine Corps League (www.birminghammarines.org) arranged for the Marines to attend the Talladega Event.

Everyone should be on their way or getting ready to attend the reception tonight. The Hall of Fame is free. Ms. Vettes-4-Vets with her U.S. Marine escort from the 4^th Anti-Terrorist Battalion are waiting to meet you. Members of Quadratic have set their stage, tuned their instruments, and are all fired up and ready to go. Country BBQ is slow roasting the pigs and chickens for your Southern feast. Door prizes are unique, and you could win one or two. And the more raffle tickets you buy the greater your chances to win some super prizes. What more is there to say but, “Ladies and Gentlemen rev your engines and buckle up for a great night out.”

With two days only to go, Mark Davis, Vettes-4-Vets president was seen camping out in his Corvette to get an early start.