A new car!  Sure, the announcer guy on a TV game show says it best, but it’s true…you really could win a NEW 2019 Corvette Stingray.  Once again, the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation with the help of their friends at Lancaster County Corvette Club are raffling off a 2019 Corvette!  The always popular giveaway is up and running and would-be winners are invited to purchase tickets early so as not to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tickets available have 3 digits – 000 through 999, meaning 1,000 opportunities exist for this 2019 Stingray.  The winning number, well that will be determined by the evening Pick 3 drawing via the Pennsylvania Lottery.  Those 1,000 tickets are available now!  The price for a shot at a “free” car?  Just $100!

The Pick 3 drawing takes place twice daily, so hopeful winners will want to keep an eye on the evening drawing on Saturday, August 24.  This is the date and time frame when the winning numbers will be pulled at random.  At that point, the winner will be notified and subsequently recognized at the event.

The prize itself is indeed a Corvette.  Coming direct from Kerbeck Corvette in New Jersey is a 2019 Corvette Stingray.  The car retails for over $50,000 and is brand new.  Each ticket sold is another $100 towards the Chip Miller Amyloidosis foundation, though the value of the car does come out of money raised.  Once all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed, the CMAF tallies about $50,000 which is earmarked for donation and research purposes.  Monies also benefit Clare House, a Lancaster, Pennsylvania based organization serving homeless women and children in a caring environment.  This is done through life skills training and support, leading to self-sufficiency.

“The Lancaster County Corvette Club has been an amazing group to work with,” said CMAF President Lance Miller.  “Their passion to help two wonderful charitable organizations by promoting ticket sales and the raffle and being so energetic about their efforts is great to see,” continued Miller.  “The CMAF can’t thank them enough for all of their efforts.  I also want to thank the many supporters that purchase raffle tickets to help the CMAF.  We really enjoy being one of the lucky charities behind the effort, plus who wouldn’t want to win a BRAND NEW CORVETTE?”

Tickets for this cool car and great cause are available now!  They can be obtained a few different ways.  Tickets can be ordered by downloading the raffle form at https://tinyurl.com/y2drr2mc, by calling the CMAF at 717-243-7855 x113 or in person at the Chevrolet Nationals in June or Corvettes at Carlisle in August.

Complete details about the CMAF and all of its events are available at www.ChipMiller.org.  There, not only can you download the form to buy a ticket to win the car, you can also register for other summer fun events, donate or simply learn about all that the CMAF offers.  Good luck and thanks for the support! 

There has been Hurst representation at Carlisle in some form or the other since the inception of the Carlisle Events brand. The Hurst spotlight in 2019 shines directly on the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals.  Spanning two days, June 21 and 22, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds comes to life with not only all things Chevrolet, it also plays host to a Hurst Showcase!  The showcase will feature a few dozen Hurst branded GM cars and welcomes some amazing guests.

New for 2019, guests at the Chevrolet Nationals can expect a visit from Linda Vaughn.  This is Vaughn’s first trip to Chevrolet weekend in over 10 years and by coming to Carlisle in June, offers event guests a chance to meet THE first lady of Motorsports.  In addition, Hurst enthusiasts have a chance to connect with Jim Kerr, also known as “The Hurst Shifty Doctor,” former Hurst engineer Don Glover, former Hurst sales manager Steve Weiner, former PR and sales guy Howard Maseles, former O.E.M. salesman Don Morton, former production engineer Marty Danko, former engineer & designer Don Lane and former manager of manufacturing & quality control, Joe Barone.

Jim Kerr was the ORIGINAL Hurst Shifty Doctor (the guy who installed and repaired Hurst shifters at the races)!  Jim was involved almost since the beginning and is one of the key people who developed the Carlisle Hurst Nationals.

Don Glover was an engineer with Hurst starting in 1967. In his time at Hurst he worked on the team that developed many of the products and specialty cars. Don is basically an encyclopedia for all things Hurst. Don will be available all weekend with many of his blueprints, products and more. 

Steve Weiner is probably one of the oldest Hurst employees, having started with the company in 1960 at the age of 18. Steve was at Hurst almost from the beginning and he was deeply involved in the business, so he knows it well.  

Joe Barone will join his former Hurst co-workers for the 2019 Hurst Showcase.  Joe worked for Hurst Performance in Warminster, Pennsylvania from 1971 to 1986.  During his time, Joe served as the Manager of Manufacturing & Quality Control for various hallmark products.

Marty Danko started with Hurst at the age of 19 and spent 18 years with the company. During his time with Hurst, Marty was involved in both production and engineering as the R&D Engineer. Marty’s primary duty was to make prototypes and then fit them into the vehicle applications.

Don Lane began his career with Hurst in 1955 which makes him one of the earliest employees of the company. Don designed the Hydrogate, Lenco shifter and the Quarter Stick as well as many other shifters that never made it into production. He was also involved in the early stages of the Jaws of Life.

Joe Barone worked for Hurst Performance from 1971 to 1986 as the Manager of Manufacturing & Quality Control. Some of the key products during Joe’s watch were Roll/Control, Jaws of Life as well as the Competition/Plus, Dual Gate, Super Shifter, Lightning Rod and Quarter Stick shifters.

Howard Maseles was part of a team of Detroit racers who were contracted by Hurst to help build the ‘69 Hemi Super Stock cars. Howard went full-time with Hurst in 1969 to help build many prototype vehicles, race cars and more. In 1970, he moved to Pennsylvania to become the Hurst Shifty Doctor until 1981.

Don Morton was in charge of OE sales and experimental vehicles at Hurst. Essentially, Don was the guy who worked with each OEM when they wanted to outsource a special project. This included cars like the Hurst/Olds that made more sense to send to Hurst for the transformation rather than build a limited run on Oldsmobile’s assembly line.

Each guest will be part of seminars, pose for photos and sign autographs too.  Complete details about the Hurst aspect of Chevrolet Nationals weekend as well as on the Chevrolet event itself can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855 .

Launched in 2001 as a “Baby Explorer” to address the growing demand for compact sports-utility vehicles, the Ford Escape quickly developed its own following, personality, look and feel.
 
Firmly entrenched as the No.2-selling vehicle in the Blue Oval line-up, and seven years into its third generation, Ford has an all-new, completely redesigned Escape on the launch pad for 2020 with four new propulsion choices, including a return to a hybrid system with a standard hybrid and a plug-in variant, as well as a sportier new architecture, sliding second-row seats, more legroom and new driver-assist technology. 

With that in mind, the 2019 Escape closes out Gen-3 with more features added as standard equipment, including SYNC® 3 and FordPass™ Connect, and 4G Wi-Fi, are now standard on Escape SE, while a unique seating material is standard on SEL. Intelligent Access with push-button start and remote start are standard on SE, as is one-touch up or down front and rear power windows. SE and SEL customers can choose from an assortment of updated packages, including a Roof Package and a Sport Appearance or Sport Appearance Plus Package. A Safe and Smart Plus Package is optional for SE, SEL and Titanium customers, and the engine block heater is now an available option in any region.

Perhaps the most visible change to the exterior design of the 2019 Ford Escape is the deletion of the LED taillamps. New colors for 2019 are Agate Black, Baltic Sea Green and Sedona Orange.

Inside, the 2019 Ford Escape removes its paddle shifters while the ActiveX seating material is now standard on SEL. The CD player has been eiminated and the voice-activated touchscreen navigation system is no longer available on SE and SEL trims.

Packed with standard amenities, all Escapes come with infotainment, power systems and tech. Among the standard installed items are an Easy Fuel® capless fuel filler, power sideview mirrors with integrated blind spot mirrors, MyKey®, power windows and door locks, steering wheel-mounted cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering column, six-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission and intermittent front and  two-speed rear wipers.

The 2019 Escape continues in its compact crossover footprint at 178.1 inches in length, 66.3 inches in height and 72.4 inches in width on a 105.9-inch wheelbase. Minimum running ground clearance is 7.9 inches and Escape has a curb weight of 3755 lbs. for its 2.0-liter powerplant and 4WD. When properly equipped, Escape can tow 3500 lbs.

Available in either FW or Intelligent 4WD, Escape’s engine choices include the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter iVCT inline-4 engine that delivers 168hp and 170 lbs-ft of torque with sequential multiport electronic fuel injection. For the economy minded, a direct-injection 1.5-liter EcoBoost® I-4 with Auto Start-Stop is available, rated at 179hp, with 177-lbs-ft of torque. My test Escape Titanium was powered by a turbocharged direct injection 2.0-liter Twin-Scroll EcoBoost® inline-4 with Auto Start-Stop that supplied 245hp and 275 lbs.-ft. of torque on premium fuel. All three engine choices are mated to a 6-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission. EPA ratings are 21mpg in city driving and 29mpg on the highway for the 2.5 in FWD configuration; the 1.5-liter EcoBoost® is estimated at 23/30 in FWD and 22/28 in AWD; and my test 2.0 liter EcoBoost® was rated at 20/27 in AWD. My weeklong test included some interstate trips, in-town maneuvers and one soft-road test, and I averaged 25.0 mpg.  

Escape is a small SUV with carlike steering, balance and acceleration and a mellow driving and passenger experience. While not luxury smooth or uplevel quiet in the cabin, but leveling and hushed the niche, Escape’s ride is family mild.

My 2.0-liter engine delivered in all ranges. I found acceleration quick after a beat, and I turned a zero-to-60mph sprint in 7.5 seconds, during a 15.7 quarter. 

Inside, the cabin is a step below luxury, but well-appointed with seating for five. It could be a bit roomier, as tall drivers may feel cramped. Headroom measures 39.9 inches in front and 39.0 in row two. Legroom can be stretched to a maximum of 43.1 inches in row one, while second-row passengers have 37.3 inches. Shoulder room is 55.9 in row one and 55.2 for row two.

Escape addresses safety well, starting with dual-stage front, driver’s knee, front-seat side, and Safety Canopy® System with side-curtain airbags and rollover sensor; battery save, head restraints and three-point safety belts on all five seating positions.

The 2019 Ford Escape is available on four trims. The S trim starts at $24,105 with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine; the SE starts at $26,500 with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost®; the SEL trim starts at $28,445 with the 1.5, reverse sensing and a power liftgate; and my Agate Black test Escape Titanium started at $32,620 in FWD with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine, Intelligent Access with push-button start, Leather-Trimmed 10-Way Heated, Power Driver and Front Passenger Seats, Remote Start System, Voice-Activated Touchscreen Navigation System and a 10-Speaker Audio System from Sony®. 

The Intelligent 4WD System added $1500 and The Ford Safe and Smart™ Package added $1895 for Driver-activated front rain-sensing windshield wipers, Adaptive Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning with Brake Support, Auto high-beam headlamps, BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane-Keeping System, Rain-Sensing Wipers (Front Only) and Auto-dimming Rearview Mirror. Splash Guards added $210, and Destination charges of $1095, minus $1250 in incentives, put the sticker-as-tested at $36,070. 


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

What can you add to a truck that has been America’s best-selling pick-up for 41 consecutive years, and the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. for the past 36 years? While remaining in its 15th generation, Ford has power upgraded the F-150 with a diesel engine option on Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trim models, and the top trim, the F-150 Limited gets a serious power upgrade with the high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine previously only available on F-150 Raptor. Limited also gets a new high-flow dual-exhaust system and redesigned interior. Cosmetically, F-150’s Navy Pier interior color scheme changes to Camel Back two-tone, and the XLT Sport Appearance Package gets new five-inch angular step bars. Also, FordPass™ Connect is now standard for F-150 XLT, while the CD player has been deleted.

Other tweaks for 2019 include interior freshening on XLT Sport, XLT Special Edition, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited trims that include color and material changes for seats, instrument panel and console trim. An all-new B&O PLAY™ Premium Audio System by HARMAN is available; and SYNC® Connect is optional on XLT and Lariat, and standard on King Ranch, Platinum and Limited. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection are available, and a Technology Package is now available with 2.7-liter EcoBoost. New exterior colors for the lineup include Agate Black, Abyss Gray, and Silver Spruce.

Manufactured at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, the 2019 Ford F-150 is constructed with a high strength steel frame, aluminum cabin and bed. The body on frame truck comes in three cab schemes: Regular Cab, SuperCab, or SuperCrew®.

With sculpted creases and angles that modify the truck’s boxiness, F-150’s exterior is enhanced by configurable daytime running lamps, power sideview mirrors on XL and above trims, a quick-release tailgate with lock, new grilles available, as well as new, bumpers, lighting, tailgate, appliqués and wheels. My 4x4 test Ford F-150 XLT with a SuperCrew® cab and a bed of 6.5 feet and measured 243.7 inches long, 77.3 inches high for the 4x4, and 79.9 inches wide on a 156.8-inch wheelbase. Ground clearance is 9.3 inches.

For muscle, the F-150 provides plenty of power through six engine choices: a 2.7-liter twin turbo EcoBoost V-6 that delivers 325 hp and 400 lbs-ft of torque; the 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbo that presents 250hp and 440 lbs-ft; the 3.3-liter Ti-VCT FFV engine that is good for 290 horses and 265 lbs-ft; the 3.5-liter V-6 turbo EcoBoost engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing that produces 375hp/470 lbs-ft; the High Output twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that increases power numbers to 450 hp and 510 lbs-ft of torque, and the 5.0-liter Ti-VCT VB FFV engine that growls out 395 hp and 400 lbs-ft. That’s the engine I wanted, but my test drive was outfitted with the 3.5… next time.

My test XLT was powered by the 375-hp 3.5-liter turbo engine, which was both powerful and responsive. On the track, a zero-to-60mpg dash was completed in 6.8 seconds, during a 15.3-second quarter-mile (hand-timed). On the highway, Ford F-150 is a stable long-distance cruiser that can control heavy payloads while leveling uneven roads. F-150’s rack-and-pinion, electric power-assisted steering is assertive and predictable, and the coil-on-shock, long-spindle double-wishbone independent front suspension with a stamped-steel lower control arm, works in concert with a leaf spring/solid axle rear with heavy-duty pressurized shock absorbers to impart a solid truck ride. Four-wheel vented power anti-lock ABS disc brakes deliver alert stopping ability. 

Mixing in some cruises, in-town errands and some soft off-road pot-holing, I averaged 16.6mpg.

With six interior configurations, my test ride’s SuperCrew cabin was packed with amenities and was comfortable, with 40.8 inches of front headroom and 40.4 inches for those in the cab. Front legroom was a generous 43.9 inches with second-row passengers getting 43.6 inches. Shoulder room was a spacious 66.7 inches in row one and 65.9 in the rear seats.

The 2019 Ford F-150 comes with a truckload of standard safety items including first-row side-impact airbags, front/side/canopy airbags, electronic stability control, roll stability control, trailer sway control, an SOS post-crash alert system and a passive anti-theft system and antilock brakes. And the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2019 Ford F-150 as the only truck to earn the top-tier good rating in every category, and the best performing truck among 11 pickups evaluated in passenger-side small overlap front crash testing

For 2019, Ford F-150 is offered in seven basic trims with modfications for engines, three bed lengths and three cab sizes. The base XL starts at $28,155; the XLT which I tested, started at $34,160 (gaining cosmetics and the Power Equipment Group) ; the upscale Lariat bases at $41,700; the lavish King Ranch® model starts at $52,390; the aggressively powerful and stylish Raptor starts at $52,855; the uptweaked Platinum trim starts at $54,920 and the top-tier Limited starts at $67,135.

My test XLT, which adds SYNC®, the Power Equipment Group and Chrome Front and Rear Bumper to the XL, based with a Regular Cab and 6.5-foot box; the 3.3-liter engine, 6-speed automatic transmission and 4x2 drive, but my test drive upscaled a bit. A SuperCrew Cab added $6565 and the 6.5-foot box; and as I am a 4x4 truck guy, that option was added for $4445; and the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine added $600.

Agate Black paint was a standard color, and the interior was augmented with the 301A option which added an 8-way Power Driver's Seat, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel, Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror and Power-Adjustable Pedals for an additional $2150 (then discounted by $1000).. 

Black platform running boards added $250; a spray-in bedliner added $595; box side steps added $325; a twin-panel power moonroof and power sliding privacy glass rear window with defroster added $1845; the remote start system added $195; reverse sensing system added $275 and required a $95 Class IV trailer hitch; the voice-activated navigation system was $795 and Destination charges were $1595. That put the sticker-as-tested at $52,890, but regional incentives of $750 knocked the price down to $52.140, so check with your local dealer.

You can see the 2019 Ford F-150 and more than 3200 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Euro Ford vehicles – some vehicles more than 100 years old, some brand new and thousands in between – by visiting the largest all-Ford-themed weekend in the world, this year’s Carlisle Ford Nationals at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds, May 31 through June 2.  From trucks to muscle cars, you can see them all. And there will be special 50-year-anniversary displays of the 1969s from Mustangs, to the 1969 Shelby GT350 and GT500 to the Mach 1 to the Cougar Eliminator to the Maverick. And there will even be a walk-around of the all-new 2019 Roush Stage 3 Mustang and Classic Mustang ride-alongs with Gateway Classic Mustang's professional drivers behind the wheel. And you can join in or watch the Ford Parade and Street Party in downtown Carlisle with some 400 vehicles on parade Saturday night, June 1.

 
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.

A little sun and a lot of passionate car fans helped make the 2019 Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals an event which topped those from recent memory and will leave guests talking for weeks to come.  Since this version of the event commenced in 2016, the weekend has brought together some of the most elegant imports from around the world, while mixing with performance muscle, tuners and sport compacts.  The automotive world reunited once more May 17-19 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds!  

Though the gates opened at 7 a.m. Friday with cars rolling in, the core of the show started the day before.  That’s when the vendor base and invitational cars loaded in for a weekend of international automotive excitement.  Building R once again hosted a special French vehicle display including 80 years of motorized bikes, trikes and scooters, while Building Y hosted French Cars.  Adjacent to Building Y is Building T and that’s where the best of the best were positioned, including Supercars, the Subaru WRX STI and Jetta.  Additional featured invitationals, the Citroën and more anchored that area, while across the road within the pavilions, the popular racecar paddock and neighboring Dune Buggy display took center stage.  

With amazing displays indoors, there was plenty of room outdoors for the remainder of the show cars.  With cars and trucks parked by country of origin, guests could literally walk around the world, all within the 82-acre facility.  Once more the SAAB lovers showed strength in numbers and with the Citroën celebrating 100 years, their group offered a great showcase, including a parade of Citroën history around the grounds.  

Seminars were a popular attraction too.  With topics covering engine and timing belt repair as well as a handful centered on the Citroën, its history and more.

New in 2019 was the first chance for burnout participants to win money.  Via a special Summer of ’69 promotion, any participant who popped a tire within 69 seconds or less won $69 in cash.  Additional automotive competitions left guests standing rows deep with appreciation.  Contests included drift limbo and the rolling exhaust contest, plus low car limbo, the aforementioned burnout contest and of course drifting and autocross hosted by NICOClub/NICOFest.

It all wrapped Sunday with the winner’s list being posted, spotlighting dozens of winners, judged and honored by the team from eJudged.com.  There were even some special awards given on Friday as 10 car owners received Carlisle Elite honors. 

The fun returns in 2020 as we celebrate the 35th edition of this special weekend.  Registration is now open and show weekend runs May 15-17.  For complete details on the 2019 show, including winners lists and photos, plus registration links for 2020, visit www.CarlisleEvents.com.