Area Corvette club seeks to recreate strong tradition [St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.]

Oct. 27--Chevrolet Corvette enthusiasts around St. Joseph hope to grow interest in the classic sports car even as they plan next year's schedule.

The Glass Express Corvette Club, based in St. Joseph, is in the midst of annual membership renewals. The club is also fresh off celebrating its 40th anniversary and met Sunday afternoon at the Pizza Shoppe to begin preparing for 2014.

"It actually started in 1973," said club president Jack Bidding. It is a member of the National Council of Corvette Clubs, Inc. and is part of the West region.

Mr. Bidding, who is an NCCC governor, was among the club's early members and helped create events that included rallies and drag races. A bonding with those of a like appreciation for such an historic vehicle is what brings life to the organization.

"I would equate it to how college fraternities are," Mr. Bidding said. "It's a very solid mechanism and structure."

Liability insurance at the national level provides protection for club events. The 40th anniversary car show, held the weekend of Sept. 27-29 at East Hills Shopping Center, was nationally sanctioned. Spectators voted on a people's choice ballot for the most popular vehicles entered in the show. A total of 11 members participated.

"That's a cool deal for people to get involved without complexity," he said.

The club's membership heyday came in the 1970s, during a period that included one event which drew a car clocking in the quarter mile at eight seconds.

Steve Frakes, who serves as the club's vice president for competition, won countless races in the past with a 1962 Corvette.

"The more events you're going to have, the more people you're going to draw in," he said of the club's upcoming strategy. "We usually try to have one major event a year."

Ken Pierson Sr. was among Glass Express's founders, with his son Kenny -- and wife Sheri -- helping keep interest alive through the 1980s and 1990s. Mike and Gina Eaton also ran the club for a number of years and participated in many events.

Points are totaled individually and for the club through the various competitive events. Members strive for regional and national points championships, as well as prizes.

The club is searching for a site in the area to hold competitions and driver schools, Mr. Bidding said. The driver schools may help draw younger members.

"We're looking for a place with paved space, but preferably with no light standards and curbing," he said. "You get together with other Corvette people."

At one time, the club possessed a list of 125 area Corvette owners. Social media is now being considered to spread the message of the club's existence.

"I see a lot of them every day," Mr. Frakes said of the car's fans.

A Corvette show will definitely be held sometime in the spring at Missouri Western State University. Regional clubs are available to promote and assist with each other's events. Past rallies have featured the Parkway, the lots around the St. Jo Frontier Casino, and the Shoppes at North Village.

Members of the Corvette Club of Kansas City toured St. Joseph on Saturday.

"They just made a little day trip," Mr. Bidding said.

Links to activities such as community festivals may hold the key for growing the club, he added. There are 15 active members.

Contact Mr. Bidding at 294-0255 or [email protected] for more information on the club.

Ray Scherer can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @SJNPScherer.

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