National Council of Corvette Clubs: Corvette E-Ray NOT Banned from Competition!

After facing some backlash, the NCCC has clarified their new rule and says the E-Ray can compete, but EVs are still not welcomed.

Some days I simply write articles for the folks at Corvette Forum to enjoy. Other days I am changing all the rules. You may remember that about two weeks ago I wrote an article that highlighted a new rule that the NCCC included in their competition rulebook. This rule, as it was written, would effectively ban the new E-Ray Corvette from all track competitions. Shortly after my article was published it was picked up everywhere. Just about every major automotive publication picked up the story and reported on it. Well, when things get that much attention sometimes a change must be made. And that appears to be the case here.

Now it is being reported that the NCCC has reversed their decision to ban the E-Ray. Actually, to be more specific they are saying that the rule was never meant to ban the hybrid Corvette in the first place. The rule was simply misunderstood they claim. Road and Track reports that NCCC president Deb Murphy made the clarification. “I would like to clarify the discussion at the November meeting compared to what has appeared across the media: Discussion concerned the electric cars (plug-in kind) that have caught fire,” Murphy said in a statement. “We did not include hybrid cars in that discussion. Hybrids are allowed at our competitions and E-Rays will be welcomed at our events.”

The Rule

It is good to hear that the newest and one of the highest-performing Corvettes ever made will be allowed to compete on track at NCCC events. Although as a reminder the original rule was quite clear. Section 1.8.1 item 14 reads:

Electric Vehicles/Hybrids using lithium type battery packs are prohibited in competitive events. If driven to NCCC events, they should be parked 30 feet minimum from structures or other vehicles.

I assume that rule will be updated in the rulebook shortly to reflect that this applies to only EVs. Of course, it is probably just a matter of time before we get an EV Corvette. Then what? Hopefully, it is many years before we have to worry about that.

EV Ban Stands

The E-Ray is now allowed to compete. Whew! But the EV ban stays, at least for now. More and more EVs are being produced each year, and in the not-too-distant future that is all that will be produced. So, there will need to be accommodation made for those vehicles. The concern is about safety, and that is understandable. But battery technology and safety will improve. And in the unlikely event of a fire in an EV, the proper equipment and training will need to be in place to handle the situation.

E-Ray Buyers

The ban has been lifted. So now all we need is for GM to actually build the E-Ray and get them into the hands of the buyers. Then we need the buyers to get these things out on the track and see what they can do. After fighting for the right to be included it is up to the E-Ray buyers to take advantage. Afterall the new E-Ray so quick that you can’t even begin to tap into its potential on the street anyway. Get out there and enjoy it. In the meantime, I will keep my eye peeled for any other rules that I think might need to be changed.

Images: Chevrolet

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