REVVING IT UP!

Revving it up at the El Toro Marine Base

REVVING IT UP! By Jeff Mathews On a balmy Friday evening, I take a drive out to the old El Toro Marine Base in Irvine, California, to experience Chevy's Rev It Up event. The sun had set, so I followed the illuminated signs to the event area. I knew I was getting close even before I saw the pavilions and parking lot - the roaring sounds of Corvette engines filled the night. Once there, I met some of the staff - all very friendly people, and learned a little bit more about the event. It just took me a couple minutes to walk from the entrance to the farthest pavilion. Several of the pavilions contained rows of chairs and a large flat screen monitor - where the event staff had been holding various racing technique courses earlier in the day. These courses were mandatory prior to entry into one of the various auto events.

And speaking of auto events, this is the best part: There are several going on at the same time. There's a Corvette Performance Course, where drivers get to push some Corvettes to their limits (and the source of the engine rumbling I had heard earlier). There's a Reaction and Traction event, where the drivers test acceleration and braking skills in either an Impala SS or a Trail Blazer SS. There's a Performance Course, where I see a flock of Cobalt SS models, with the drivers negotiating a windy and challenging track. There's also a go-kart course, called the Enduro Kart Challenge - a nice fit for the "kids" that want a chance to drive a fast vehicle.

2009 Camaro On a large screen there are names and performance ratings - for those drivers that had been entering the Rev It Up Competition, competing (across the country) for the grand prize of a 2008 Corvette. In the middle of the event area are several more pavilions, one with NASCAR displays, another with Chevy's newest performance models - which included the upcoming 2009 Camaro. Having driven Camaros for many years, I very much enjoy an up close look at this sports car. There is so much to see and do, you can literally spend more than one day here (and do it at the same ticket price). I certainly plan on doing more the next time this event comes to town! - Jeff Mathews To view a video of Rev It Up, click here

El Toro Champion Steve O'Blenes with Juliette and Stephen THE FINAL STRETCH The Chevy-powered Rev It Up 2007 national performance driving school and racing competition continues its tour across the country this summer. The automotive festival has lived up to its tagline as "Where Drivers Come To Play" as enthusiasts compete in specially-prepared Chevrolet Cobalts, trying to qualify for the exciting new-for-2007 nighttime Corvette Shootout. The "under the lights" Shootout in 400-horsepower Corvettes determines the winner of each local event, as well as the ultimate Rev It UpTM 2007 National Champion and the 2008 Corvette grand prize. After three popular events, with more than 4,500 drivers honing their driving skills and competing in San Francisco, Orange County (California), Houston, and Orlando, Rev It Up 2007 continues on to New York/New Jersey (Aug. 3 - 4) and Washington D.C. (Aug. 10 - 11).

A number of serious competitors from all over the country are scheduled to attend both remaining events, gunning for two more shots at the national title. Christopher Ramey, Rev It Up 2007 Houston event champion, currently leads the national competition. Steve O'Blenes, of Garden Grove, California, stands second in national points, winning the second Rev It Up 2007 stop at El Toro (Orange County, California). Ryan Buetzer, of Long Beach, California emerged as the San Francisco champion under blustery conditions in the Bay Area competition. Dan Shields of Valrico, Florida was deemed the Orlando event champion with an astounding run of 35.602 seconds, which translates to a high score of 652 using the Rev It UpTM 2007 scoring system. The entry fee for competitors is $25 and driving enthusiasts of all ages (over 18 years old) and skill levels are encouraged to attend. There is no admission charge for friends and spectators at the traveling celebration of car culture, which also includes Enduro Kart racing, test drives in Chevrolet performance vehicles, race and specialty car displays, music, models, food and much more.

Producer Jessy Terrero and TV star Frankie Needles in El Toro Rev It UpTM 2007 City Champions and Scores: · July 6 and 7: San Francisco, Calif. - WINNER - Ryan Buetzer (678) · July 13, 14 and 15: El Toro (Orange County, Calif.) - WINNER - Steve O'Blenes (734) · July 21: Houston, Tex. - WINNER AND CURRENT NATIONAL LEADER, Christopher Ramey (826) · July 28: Orlando, Fla. - WINNER - Dan Shields (652) Upcoming Rev It UpTM 2007 Dates and Locations: · August 3 and 4: New York/New Jersey - Old Bridge Township Raceway Park (Englishtown, NJ) · August 10 and 11: Washington, D.C. - FedEx Field (Landover, MD)

ABOUT REV IT UP 2007 Rev It Up 2007 is a full day of competition and fun geared towards the true automotive enthusiast. The event gives car enthusiasts - spectators and competitors - a chance to immerse themselves in all things automotive, including taking rides in a 505-horsepower Corvette Z06 for a "Time Attack" run, testing reaction time and car control in an acceleration and braking contest, racing friends in an Enduro Kart competition, test-driving the 2007 Corvette and the rest of Chevrolet's performance lineup on custom-designed courses and experiencing the latest automotive technology at the Chevy Pavilion - including an up-close look at the dramatic Camaro Concept.

Updated information, event locations and registration forms are available at www.revitup.com.