Corvettes at Carlisle to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the 1996 Grand Sport

The Carlisle Events team is beginning to reveal details about the 2021 Corvettes at Carlisle show. Recently they announced that they’ll be celebrating the silver anniversary of the 1996 Grand Sport Corvette. The C4’s final production year was the first time that that famous moniker had been used since 1963.

The 25th anniversary Grand Sport display will pay homage to “skunks” with their bold Admiral Blue and white paint schemes. In addition, they’ll show off some of the best Grand Sports from 2010 and 2017 – the first year of the C6 and C7 variants, respectively.

Together with the Grand Sport Registry, the Carlisle Grand Sport display will host retired GM Engineer and NCM Hall of Famer, John Heinricy. Affectionately referred to as “Heinrocket”, he’s best known as the “Father of the Grand Sport” and being one of Corvette’s most accomplished racers. Behind the wheel, he’s claimed 11 SCCA national championships in a Corvette. He was also integral in the creation of the Corvette showroom stock racing program as well as Corvette Racing’s C5-R program. Additionally, he was a member of the ZR-1 team that set 12 international world records including the famous 175.885mph 24-hour average.

Off the track he was Corvette’s Assistant Chief Engineer through the late C4-era and spent time as the Director of GM’s Performance Division. As such, he was able to procure 1996 Grand Sport #001, a coupe with red interior. John’s significant GS will be on display as part of the 25th anniversary celebration. Heinricy will be available throughout the weekend on the show field, in the Grand Sport Registry tent, at the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation dinner, and he’ll be in downtown Carlisle for the annual Saturday night Corvette parade.

The Grand Sport Registry is a community of roughly 800 members who share a fondness for Corvette Grand Sports. Their mission is to promote the enjoyment of the cars through participation in various events around the country. You see the Grand Sport Registry each year at Carlisle parked right at the end of a long row of Grand Sports. For 2021 they’ll again be part of the GS corral, hosting a welcome party for members, helping sponsor the Friday night Chip Miller Benefit dinner, and they’ll also be participating in the downtown parade on Saturday. Click here to register for the Grand Sport 25th Anniversary at Corvettes at Carlisle.

Be sure to check out all the shiny Grand Sports this August 26th – 28th at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. Until then keep it tuned here for more updates on the 2021 Corvettes at Carlisle event.

Source:
Corvettes at Carlisle

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