07/22/2006-07/23/2006 CHEVY'S REV IT UP
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Wed, Jul 12, 2006
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
REV IT UP
After receiving training from professional racers, Southern California
participants will experience firsthand Chevrolet performance vehicles such as
the 440-hp Corvette, 171-hp Cobalt SS, 205-hp Cobalt SS Supercharged and 303-hp
Impala SS.
There are a limited number of competition slots available, so pre-registration
is highly suggested. The cost is $50. Sign up online at
www.RevItUpRacing.com. Competitors must be at least 18
years old and have a valid driver's license. The event moves forward rain or
shine. General admission is free (and open to all ages) for those who just want
to check out the action, root on friends and family, or test drive the line of
Chevrolet SS cars on site.
The most exhilarating aspect of RIU is the competition where drivers show their
stuff in a Cobalt SS for two separate laps on the RIU Competition Course. Upon
registration, drivers fill out a questionnaire regarding their previous driving
experience. Their answers dictate which of four competition divisions they are
assigned, and a fifth group is set up just for female competitors. When racers
hit the track, their lap times are indexed to a benchmark "best", laid down by a
RIU pro driver. The competitor's time is then converted to a score. At each of
the 2006 RIU stops, racers with the best score in each of the five groups will
receive a new pair of Piloti driving shoes. The person with the highest score
will be named City Champion and receive a reward (TBA).
Southern California competitors will be able to check back at
www.RevItUpRacing.com to see how their score matches up with others throughout
the United States. When the tour ends its six-city sojourn in August, the driver
with the highest national score overall will be crowned RIU National Champion
and walk away with a new Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe - a car that, in a
slightly modified form, has been whipping all others in the Grand-Am Cup's
Street Tuner division.
A RIU visit begins with a brief overview of rules and regulations. Drivers then
have five Skills Clinics which they can attend to learn more about performance
driving. Two of the Skills Clinics are classroom sessions taught by
professionals who have worked at some of the most prestigious racing schools in
the world. Students learn about car control, tire dynamics, braking techniques
and racing line analysis ## talents that will make them better drivers on either
the track or daily commute.
RIU attendees also practice performance driving techniques on three twisty
Skills Clinic Courses outlined with orange cones. Pro instructors are on hand at
all tracks to provide feedback and tips, and laps are timed so participants can
chart their progress or put pressure on compatriots. Each track is uniquely
designed to emphasize specific driving techniques and utilizes a Corvette,
Impala SS or Cobalt SS Supercharged. Students have up to seven laps they can run
on the Skills Clinic Courses, but are allowed only one lap at the Racing
Line/Practice Course Skills Clinic. However, additional laps for this specific
track can be purchased on site.
RIU competition participants can partake of the Skills Clinics in any order they
wish. They can also take advantage of the classroom sessions and track time
before, between or after their two Competition Course laps.
A special addition this year to the RIU experience is the inclusion of
white-knuckle Hot Laps. For a small additional fee, RIU competitors or general
admission visitors can ride "shotgun" in a 505-hp Corvette Z06 with a
professional racer at the wheel. Passengers get to see and feel how a pro uses
masterful car control, pinpoint braking, perfect apex analysis and maximum
throttle to careen a lighting fast car around the track. Not only is this
experience an adrenaline rush, but it is also a tremendous learning tool as it
clearly demonstrates how to execute a fast, safe and accurate lap.
RIU has spiced up the competition even more this year with a Beat the Pro
Challenge. Any driver who manages to beat the RIU pro's time on the Competition
Course will be rewarded with a racing helmet signed by several of Chevy's
professional racing drivers. Only one such prize will be up for grabs in
Southern California. However, be forewarned ## the RIU pros are very good and
don't like to be beat ## but it has happened before.
For those not participating in the competition, there are plenty of other
activities at RIU during a weekend. The very popular racing kart track will be
back to provide wheel-to-wheel excitement for a minimal fee, and there is a
special Chevy SS Drive Course where people can test drive the entire SS line for
free without being hassled by salespeople. The event also includes food and
merchandise vendors, as well as exhibits featuring GM Accessories, OnStar, XM
Satellite Radio and Goodyear Tires.
Grassroots Motorsports Magazine listed RIU as one of the "20 Things That Rocked
Our World in 2003." David Stokols, president of Automotive Marketing Consultants
which operates the RIU program, believes that Chevrolet's backing of this unique
motorsports event ensures that RIU will again "rock some worlds."
"Chevrolet's performance vehicles have had tremendous success in all aspects of
automotive competition, and AMCI is very excited to have the automaker aboard
for our Rev It Up program" Stokols said. "AMCI designed the RIU program with
the intent of having everyone walk away from the experience with hearts racing,
but more importantly, with improved driving skills to be applied daily. With the
2006 RIU program, I think we've fully accomplished that goal."
For more information, go to
www.RevItUpRacing.com.
About Automotive Marketing Consultants, Inc.
AMCI, the world's premier automotive event marketing company since 1982, is a
member of the international Omnicom family of companies. AMCI is headquartered
in Marina del Rey, CA, with additional offices in California, New Jersey and
Detroit. In addition to event marketing design and production, AMCI offers
industry-leading testing, evaluation and consultation services. For more
information about AMCI, visit www.amcimarketing.com.
About Chevrolet
Chevrolet is one of America's most well-known and successful automotive brands.
With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in
full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above.
In addition, Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle
category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $52,000. Offering
dynamic yet timeless designs, Chevy owners demand great looks that don't go out
of style, high performance per dollar, and features expected in more expensive
vehicles. Chevrolet's global headquarters is at the GM Renaissance Center in
Detroit. For more information, go to www.chevy.com.