Chief

By Trish Bargman

Happy 2008! Are we ready to start a new year, with new officers, higher dues, electronic newsletters, and new ideas for keeping our Families and Seniors Christmas program alive? Of course we are.

We had a very good turnout for the Christmas party. We had several good ideas that were talked about for money making, and new social events. Money making thoughts included garage sale, poker runs, and a box social dinner. Social events include potluck dinner, more day drives, ice cream social, and date nights. That’s a good start to build on for 2008.

I want to thank everyone that has helped this last year. It has been a pleasure working with everyone on the different projects -- DARE, license plate distribution of money, bingo night, calling tree, Wild West Vette Fest, day drives, Black Hills trip, and just coming to the meetings and sharing your thoughts and ideas. If you contributed to any of these thank you.

Remember the dues go up to $35 for a couple and $25 for a single member, so bring your checkbook or cash to the next meeting Thursday January 10, 7:00 pm, at Puerto Vallarta on Anderson Street (old Remo’s). Also bring your willing spirit to get involved and run for an office, be the spontaneous events person, or even take one month, plan one event.

I really have to get this to Jim so he can get the newsletter out. See you at the meeting.

Happy Birthday

December

Debbie Morris, 5

Bob Krah 5

Richard Moore 10

Wayne Valentine 12

Claudia Sanchez 16

Did You Know

By Egon

There are some radicals in this world and when it comes to tires I am one of them.

 So here we go.

Did you know that maintaining correct tire pressure can boost fuel economy by as much as 6%.

Now here are some other facts.

Percentage of Under-inflation	Percentage of Wear Increase	Percentage of Fuel Use Increase
10	5	2
20	16	4
30	33	6
40	57	8
50	78	10

Now you can see why it is necessary to watch your tire pressures on your daily driver and Vette.

Have you priced new tires for your Vette?

Another fact: at any given time, 54% of all vehicles driving down the road have under-inflated tires. Under-inflated tires are the biggest cause of tire failure, and this can be corrected. You cannot just look at a tire and judge if it is properly inflated.

Cold weather is a major factor in tire pressure loss.

One cold day when I was doing my radio show, I took a tire gauge out into the parking lot and checked 10 tires 8 had less than 30 PSI. Does that tell something?

So my advice is get a good tire gauge and use it.

Return of the ZR1

The “most powerful production Corvette ever” was recently showcased in Car and Driver – 625 HP, 200+ MPH, 11-flat quarter mile! Code-named “Blue Devil” it’s powered by a 376 cubic inch, pushrod, 16-valve, aluminum-block motor force-fed by an Eaton R1900 blower and Behr intercooler. At 620-plus horsepower, it’s the most potent Vette engine ever.

It’s distinguished from the Z06 by a “peek-a-boo” carbon-fiber hood, front splitter, front fenders, rocker-panel extensions, and roof. There’s no carbon fiber at the rear, part of an effort to keep fore-and-aft weight balance close to 50/50.