Before ’Vette owners put their babies away for the winter, Larry Shaffer hopes they’ll consider bringing them out for one last ride.
Shaffer is organizing a judged all-Corvette car show in October at AK Valley Park in New Kensington, proceeds from which will go to the Officer Brian Shaw Foundation. Shaw, a New Kensington officer, was killed during a traffic stop in November 2017.
Shaffer, 67, of Allegheny Township owns a Corvette himself: a 2001 C-5, the fifth generation of the sports car. He’s entered his magnetic red ’Vette in 51 shows, taking 36 first places since getting it in September 2014.
Shaffer said he’ll be disappointed if fewer than 70 Corvettes are entered.
“It’s kind of like the last car show within 100 miles of here, probably,” he said. “It’s about time most people put them away if they store them for the winter. I’m hoping they’ll say, ‘One last time.’ ”
The show is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 16, with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 17.
Registration and car preparation will be from 9 a.m. to noon; the show and judging will be from noon to 3 p.m.; and awards will be announced around 4 p.m.
It’s open to all generations, from C-1 to C-8, and modified Corvettes.
There is a $15 fee to enter a car but no admission fee. There also will be food vendors, a 50/50 raffle, music, prizes and more.
Shaffer said the idea for an all-Corvette show came up after he attended a car cruise at AK Valley Park in June, where he talked with park owner Steve Kubrick and realized he likes Corvettes.
Shaffer then got his financial advisor, Rich Nulph, owner of Safety First Retirement in Lower Burrell, to sponsor it.
“Larry and I have been talking about sponsoring some type of car show, and I have been wanting to do more when it comes to helping some of the local organizations,” Nulph said. “The timing was perfect for me.”
Nulph does not own a Corvette.
“After the show, I might be looking,” he said.
It was Kubrick’s idea for the show to benefit the Shaw Foundation.
“I said, ‘Let’s do it for a reason,’ ” Kubrick said. “It will be something special. We’re hoping to raise some decent money.
“Everybody likes Corvettes. Who doesn’t like Corvettes?”
There are hopes for the show to become an annual event. For 2022, Shaffer said he’ll move it up to a date in September, so it’s not so late in the year.
“I think it’s exciting that we have this opportunity. It will probably be the first of more to come for us,” Nulph said. “We’re hoping for great weather.”