From August 5 to 6, 2016, the Swiss Corvette Club International (SCCI) is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the club with a special event. On the first day of the event, the sporting part will take place at the airfield in St. Stephan (CH), where around 40 Corvettes will compete in drag races, slalom and skill driving. Spectators are very welcome!
On August 6, the club will start in Thun with around 50 Corvettes for a beautiful drive through the Bernese Oberland. In the evening, the event will be brought to a festive close with a gala evening.
The founding of the SCCI in 1976
It was in Zurich, Airport Hilton Hotel on March 7, 1976. Sixty Corvette drivers enthusiastically attended the first meeting despite the bitter cold, clogged up the parking lot of the luxury hotel with their vehicles built between 1959 and 1975 and founded their club, the Swiss Corvette Club.
Eugen Nyffenegger, who is very well known in the scene, was also present and showed his recently completed self-built Corvette based on a C3 called "Greenmonster". At the time, Nyffenegger was known for his individual conversions and as a Corvette bodywork specialist. After the club was founded, he drove to the Geneva Motor Show on snow-covered roads to present his latest design.
The slogan for the club was quickly found: "Corvette drivers, they are very special people". The fans applauded with amusement. Club President A.T. Rudin spoke from their hearts, the Swiss, who had one thing in common: they all owned a Chevrolet Corvette!
Rides and race days
However, the enthusiasm of many Corvette drivers was primarily for motorsport and so the first outing to a race track was organized shortly after the club was founded. In 1977, everyone met up in Zolder!
Over the years, most of Europe's racetracks have been visited. Zolder was followed by Zandvoort, Salzburgring, Monza, Zeltweg, Dijon and others.
Due to the international activities and numerous members from all over Europe, the name Swiss Corvette Club International fits perfectly.
However, the meetings and excursions did not only take place abroad. In 1983, for example, they also met in Zurich at Letzipark.
The membership of the SCCI has stabilized over the years at around 90 active members and around 50 patron members. In addition, there are several hundred Corvette fans who subscribe to the club magazine "Vetting".
The club also has long-standing loyal members, such as a couple from Braunschweig, who have been members since the beginning and have never missed one of the 37 Corvette Euro Meets held to date - unique! The trips to the Euro Meets were not always without problems, as one of their trips at the beginning of the 80s: on the highway, a BMW driver driving up blinded the rear of the Corvette. The Corvette's accelerator pedal was pressed down reflexively - a Corvette is certainly not going to give way to a BMW! Seconds later, however, the couple realized why the lights were flashing: flames were escaping from the Corvette! The couple will also be at the next event in the Bernese Oberland.
The SCCI today
In addition to its sporting activities, the club still organizes leisurely club outings in Switzerland and abroad. In particular, contacts are maintained with international Corvette clubs and regular meetings are organized.
One of the club's most important events is the Corvette Euro Meet, which was first held in 1977.
But Super Corvette Sunday, which is organized together with the Corvette Unlimited Switzerland Club, also has a considerable history. The first meeting was held on the Schwägalp in 1986.
