NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

A26B · 07-05-2011

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, ON THE ZR-1 NET REGISTRY FORUM!

Jointly sponsored by the ZR-1 Net Registry & Jerrys Gaskets

No registration fees, in fact no registration required. No banquet, tee shirts, badges, no waxing or racing or anything else, just bring yourself & pay your own way as you choose.
Well then..... what are we showing up for??

The Mercury Plant in Stillwater, OK is closing forever the end of this year. The last vestige of the LT5 birthplace will cease to exist. Even now, there are only a few souls from the LT5 era still work there, as most have moved away since Mercury announced the plant closing. The glue that bonds the remaining few will no longer hold them together.

Now is the last moment in time to reunite all the LT5 team members, Lotus, General Motors/Corvette, Mercury and RK Machine. "Wait a second" you say, "What is RK Machine? I never read about RK in the HOTB book!" Some would say he is the missing link, but that has other, not-so-nice connotations, so lets use the "missing chapter."

Seriously, this will be a reunion of the Lotus, GM, Mercury & RK Machine employees who were directly employed on the development and manufacture of the LT5 engine. This "event" is for them. We just get to mingle in their reunion and help to celebrate their accomplishment. If there is anything I have learned from inviting these folks to attend the reunion, it is this; The LT5 Program was the highlight of their entire professional career.

So, please come to Stillwater, OK, August 5th, 6th & 7th for their Reunion.

The schedule is subject to some adjustment, but is essentially correct.

Aug 5th:

6PM ~ ?? Willie's Saloon, Stillwater. Social hour(s)

Aug 6th:

10AM ~11:30AM, MerCruiser Plant, Stillwater. Informal gathering of ZR-1 Corvettes.

1PM ~ 5:30PM, RK Machine & Museum, Ripley, OK. Tours guided by the man hisself, Rick Kirk. You won't want to miss this!

5:45PM ~ 6:30PM, Photo Shoot at the MerCruiser Plant. For everyone. Plan is to have Mercury group, Lotus Group, GM Group and RK Machine, then the entire Team. Then, we will take photos of the ZR-1 folks.

6:45PM ~ 8:30PM, Cherokee Strip BBQ, Stillwater. :thumbs:

8:30PM ~10:30PM , Outlaw's in Stillwater for the Willie's Cup Final Match. Willie's Saloon no longer has a shuffleboard, so we've moved down the street for the big match.:rock:

Aug 7th:

7AM ~ 9AM, Boom A Rang Diner, Stillwater. Farewell coffee & breakfast. The diner is closed to the public, so this is our own private deal!

Lodging Accomodations: The reserved block rate is over and the last word I received from a late comer is the hotel is now full and rooms are hard to find in Stillwater.

Who of the LT5 Gang will be there? Here's the list as it exists today.

Gary Cline, Mercury Senior Manufacturing Engineer************ Unable to attend
Graham Behan, Lotus LT5 Chief Engineer********************YES
Geoff Jeal, Lotus Calibration Engineer********************** YES
Dave McLellan, GM Corvette Chief Engineer******************Declined
Jim Minneker, GM Corvette Vehicle Integration Engineer*********Declined due to job requirements
Roy Midgley, GM Small Block Chief Engineer******************YES
Gib Hufstader, GM Engine Systems Design Engineer************ No, conflicting schedule
Jack Underwood, GM Chevrolet Media********************** Invited, pending
Tim Holland, Lotus Calibration Engineer/Record Run************ Invited, pending
Bud Agner, Mercury Plant Manager************************ YES
Steve Campbell, Mercury LT5 Project Manager*************** Cancelled due to job
Chris Allen, Mercury LT5 Assembly Supervisor****************YES
Greg VanDeventer, Mercury******************************YES
Scott Skinner, Mercury**********************************YES
Ed Barton, Mercury Machining Supervisor******************* YES
Debbie Thurman, Mercury*******************************YES
Brian White, Lotus & Mercury**************************** YES
Rick Kirk, RK Machine********************************** YES
Larry Banning, GM LT5 Project Engineer******************** No Contact
Pam Eacker, Mercury LT5 Engine Assembly****************** YES
Mary Brake, Mercury LT5 Engine Assembly****************** YES
Terry Deere, Mercury LT5 Parts Procurement**************** YES
Jerry Schmidt, Mercury Assemby/Machining Facilities Engineer* YES
Darla Bradley, Mercury LT5 Project Bill of Materials Admin******* YES
Bill Kepple, Mercury LT5 Engine Internal Block Assembler******* YES
Dewayne Sharpton, Mercury LT5 Engine Tester***************** YES
Kim Trunk, Mercury LT5 Administrative Assistant************** YES
Marguerite Munoz, Mercury LT5 Engine Cam Timing Assembly**** YES
Ken Brake, Mercury LT5 Project Maintenance***************** YES
Keith Schmidt, Mercury LT5 Process Documentation************ YES
Dennis Schultz, Mercury LT5 Manufacturing Engineer*********** YES
Bob Larson, Mercury LT5 Manufacturing Engineer************** YES
Larry Miller, Mercury LT5 Project Admin********************* YES
Billy Furrh, Mercury LT5 Assembly & Shipping Prep ************ YES
Dale Tanner, Mercury LT5 Assembly*********************** YES
Jose Gonzales, Mercury LT5 Machining ********************* YES

There are so many stories when you get a couple of these people started talking. Just imagine this group...

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING SO I CAN TRY TO MAKE SPACE RESERVATIONS . EMAIL ME jerry@jerrysgaskets.com

Kevin · 07-05-2011

I would love to know more about R.K's involvement with the LT5. first time i heard about them was on "rides"

A26B · 07-05-2011

Come on out Kevin. Rick will tell you more than you can imagine, plus some!

Kevin · 07-05-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by A26B

COme on out Kevin. Rick will tell you more than you can imagine, plus some!

there is no way i can make it, i'm going to be right in the middle of a move then

Daniel_Mc · 07-06-2011

Jerry,
This sounds great and I'm planning on attending that isn't a bad haul for me at all. Hopefully work won't get in the way....

Daniel

gbrtng · 07-06-2011

Count me in - Mary too ...

DaveK · 07-07-2011

Wish I could but that's right when my family is coming over.

rgfllamas · 07-07-2011

Wow,
Should be a GREAT event. Surely wish there was some way I could make it but it's not going to happen for me.

C4Fanatic · 07-07-2011

Looks like that weekend is open for me as well...and a very short drive from up here in KS.

A1990 · 07-07-2011

Email sent

07-05-2011	#1
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,372	NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST, ON THE ZR-1 NET REGISTRY FORUM! Jointly sponsored by the ZR-1 Net Registry & Jerrys Gaskets No registration fees, in fact no registration required. No banquet, tee shirts, badges, no waxing or racing or anything else, just bring yourself & pay your own way as you choose. Well then..... what are we showing up for?? The Mercury Plant in Stillwater, OK is closing forever the end of this year. The last vestige of the LT5 birthplace will cease to exist. Even now, there are only a few souls from the LT5 era still work there, as most have moved away since Mercury announced the plant closing. The glue that bonds the remaining few will no longer hold them together. Now is the last moment in time to reunite all the LT5 team members, Lotus, General Motors/Corvette, Mercury and RK Machine. "Wait a second" you say, "What is RK Machine? I never read about RK in the HOTB book!" Some would say he is the missing link, but that has other, not-so-nice connotations, so lets use the "missing chapter." Seriously, this will be a reunion of the Lotus, GM, Mercury & RK Machine employees who were directly employed on the development and manufacture of the LT5 engine. This "event" is for them. We just get to mingle in their reunion and help to celebrate their accomplishment. If there is anything I have learned from inviting these folks to attend the reunion, it is this; The LT5 Program was the highlight of their entire professional career. So, please come to Stillwater, OK, August 5th, 6th & 7th for their Reunion. The schedule is subject to some adjustment, but is essentially correct. Aug 5th: 6PM ~ ?? Willie's Saloon, Stillwater. Social hour(s) Aug 6th: 10AM ~11:30AM, MerCruiser Plant, Stillwater. Informal gathering of ZR-1 Corvettes. 1PM ~ 5:30PM, RK Machine & Museum, Ripley, OK. Tours guided by the man hisself, Rick Kirk. You won't want to miss this! 5:45PM ~ 6:30PM, Photo Shoot at the MerCruiser Plant. For everyone. Plan is to have Mercury group, Lotus Group, GM Group and RK Machine, then the entire Team. Then, we will take photos of the ZR-1 folks. 6:45PM ~ 8:30PM, Cherokee Strip BBQ, Stillwater. :thumbs: 8:30PM ~10:30PM , Outlaw's in Stillwater for the Willie's Cup Final Match. Willie's Saloon no longer has a shuffleboard, so we've moved down the street for the big match.:rock: Aug 7th: 7AM ~ 9AM, Boom A Rang Diner, Stillwater. Farewell coffee & breakfast. The diner is closed to the public, so this is our own private deal! Lodging Accomodations: The reserved block rate is over and the last word I received from a late comer is the hotel is now full and rooms are hard to find in Stillwater. Who of the LT5 Gang will be there? Here's the list as it exists today. Gary Cline, Mercury Senior Manufacturing Engineer********** Unable to attend Graham Behan, Lotus LT5 Chief Engineer******************YES Geoff Jeal, Lotus Calibration Engineer****************** YES Dave McLellan, GM Corvette Chief Engineer****************Declined Jim Minneker, GM Corvette Vehicle Integration Engineer*****Declined due to job requirements Roy Midgley, GM Small Block Chief Engineer****************YES Gib Hufstader, GM Engine Systems Design Engineer********** No, conflicting schedule Jack Underwood, GM Chevrolet Media****************** Invited, pending Tim Holland, Lotus Calibration Engineer/Record Run******** Invited, pending Bud Agner, Mercury Plant Manager********************** YES Steve Campbell, Mercury LT5 Project Manager************* Cancelled due to job Chris Allen, Mercury LT5 Assembly Supervisor**************YES Greg VanDeventer, Mercury**************************YES Scott Skinner, Mercury******************************YES Ed Barton, Mercury Machining Supervisor*************** YES Debbie Thurman, Mercury***************************YES Brian White, Lotus & Mercury************************ YES Rick Kirk, RK Machine****************************** YES Larry Banning, GM LT5 Project Engineer****************** No Contact Pam Eacker, Mercury LT5 Engine Assembly**************** YES Mary Brake, Mercury LT5 Engine Assembly************** YES Terry Deere, Mercury LT5 Parts Procurement************ YES *Jerry Schmidt, Mercury Assemby/Machining Facilities Engineer YES Darla Bradley, Mercury LT5 Project Bill of Materials Admin***** YES Bill Kepple, Mercury LT5 Engine Internal Block Assembler*** YES Dewayne Sharpton, Mercury LT5 Engine Tester************* YES Kim Trunk, Mercury LT5 Administrative Assistant********** YES Marguerite Munoz, Mercury LT5 Engine Cam Timing Assembly YES Ken Brake, Mercury LT5 Project Maintenance************* YES Keith Schmidt, Mercury LT5 Process Documentation******** YES Dennis Schultz, Mercury LT5 Manufacturing Engineer******* YES Bob Larson, Mercury LT5 Manufacturing Engineer********** YES Larry Miller, Mercury LT5 Project Admin***************** YES Billy Furrh, Mercury LT5 Assembly & Shipping Prep ******** YES Dale Tanner, Mercury LT5 Assembly******************* YES Jose Gonzales, Mercury LT5 Machining ***************** YES There are so many stories when you get a couple of these people started talking. Just imagine this group... PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON ATTENDING SO I CAN TRY TO MAKE SPACE RESERVATIONS . EMAIL ME jerry@jerrysgaskets.com __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed. Last edited by A26B; 08-04-2011 at 12:03 AM.*

07-05-2011	#2
Kevin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 4,633	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater I would love to know more about R.K's involvement with the LT5. first time i heard about them was on "rides" __________________ It's not the car, it's the people - Doug Johnson 90 r/r "KEYS ON" nick named "T.L.B"

07-05-2011	#3
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,372	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater Come on out Kevin. Rick will tell you more than you can imagine, plus some! __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed. Last edited by A26B; 07-06-2011 at 12:16 AM.*

07-06-2011	#5
Daniel_Mc Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 586	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater Jerry, This sounds great and I'm planning on attending that isn't a bad haul for me at all. Hopefully work won't get in the way.... Daniel __________________ [COLOR=black]Daniel McGuffee [/COLOR] [B]1989[/B] Red Coupe #10166 [COLOR=black][B]1989 [/B]Black[/COLOR][COLOR=black] Coupe #23990[/COLOR] [COLOR=black][B]1991[/B] ZR-1 White #1639[/COLOR] [COLOR=red]FRANK APPROVED ZR-1[/COLOR] [B][COLOR=red][COLOR=black]1996[/COLOR] G[/COLOR][COLOR=blue]rand[/COLOR] [COLOR=red]S[/COLOR][COLOR=blue]port[/COLOR][/B] [COLOR=black]Coupe #564[/COLOR] ======================================== "It's not about the car, it's about the people..." DJ Don't forget to support your [URL="http://corvettemuseum.com/"]National Corvette Museum[/URL]!!!

07-06-2011	#6
gbrtng Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Antonio area Posts: 1,179	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater Count me in - Mary too ... __________________ “Buy the best example of what you want, and pay whatever it takes. That way, you cry only once.” ~ Bruce Meyer

07-07-2011	#7
DaveK Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sudbury, Ontario. Canada Posts: 1,534	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater Wish I could but that's right when my family is coming over. __________________ 1991 #1516 Black/Black davidmkelly.com "Speed is often confused with insight." - Johan Cruijff

07-07-2011	#8
rgfllamas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Palm City, Fl Posts: 32	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater Wow, Should be a GREAT event. Surely wish there was some way I could make it but it's not going to happen for me.

07-07-2011	#9
C4Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Sin City Posts: 149	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater Looks like that weekend is open for me as well...and a very short drive from up here in KS. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]1991 ZR-1 #128

07-07-2011	#10
A1990 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Grand Island NE Posts: 1,508	Re: NEW EVENT: LT5 Gang Reunion @ Stillwater Email sent __________________ Dennis Fierstein 90 ZR-1 #2562 Atomic-Z ZR-1 Net Registry Chairman of the Board ZR-1 Net Registry Treasurer