In 2025, it’s hard to believe there are still “firsts” happening for women—especially in motorsports—but that’s exactly what’s taking place on June 22 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the 103rd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. While Tracy Gaudu isn’t the first woman to race to the 15,000+ foot summit, she will be the first to do it in a Corvette—specifically, her 2008 Z06. Even better? Two months after she reaches the summit, she and her Corvette will be on display at Corvettes at Carlisle (August 21–23) within the Racer’s Reunion tent.

Tracy Gaudu is more than just a Corvette owner or enthusiast—she’s a competitor. A true one-woman team, she’s the owner, driver, and financial backer behind her racing efforts. Since she began racing in 2008, Tracy has earned numerous accolades, including:

• 2008 NCCC National Champion
• Three-time NASA Southeast Champion: TT1 (2019/2020), TTU (2021)
• 2nd in class and 2nd overall at the 2021 Grand Prix of Chattanooga
• 2023 Car Chix Woman in Motorsport
• 2023 SCAA Appalachian Hillclimb Series Modified Unlimited Champion
• 2024 NASA Southeast Super Unlimited Champion
• 2024 Hoosier Hero

Now, in 2025, she’ll add “first woman to drive a Corvette at Pikes Peak” to her already impressive résumé.

But that’s not all—Tracy is also a United States Air Force veteran and currently serves as a vascular surgery and trauma physician assistant near her hometown of Johnson City, Tennessee. After all, not all superheroes wear capes!

“I’ve always loved the Corvette,” said Tracy.  “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted one, but never thought I could afford one.  Finally, I got my first; a 2005 C6.  It was amazing,” added Tracy.  “I joined the Longhorn Corvette Club in Austin, Texas and attended their events, took part in autocross, and had such a great time participating and competing with that club and the rest of the Southwest Region of the National Council of Corvette Clubs.  At one point, I made the best mistake ever, I looked around in the showroom of a local dealership and that’s where I found my current love; a 2008 Z06,” added Tracy.  “I do this all myself typically, but I’ll be competing at Pikes Peak with the help of some amazing friends.  To be the first woman ever to drive Pikes Peak in a Corvette is historic and I’m honored.  I can’t believe I’m the one making this kind of history,” concluded Tracy.     

Follow her journey in Colorado at the official Pikes Peak Hill Climb website, then meet her in Carlisle, snap a photo, and see her Atomic Orange Z06 up close—complete with a Lingenfelter LS7 427 Eliminator Spec R motor (650 max HP / 560 max torque). This is a moment of Corvette history you won’t want to miss!  Best of all, this is her first-ever Corvettes at Carlisle.  Given all that she’s accomplished, it should be a pretty cool experience to not just be at the show, but to be a part of the Racer’s Reunion tent.

Gates for Corvettes at Carlisle 2025 open at 7 AM daily. Kids 12 and under are free, and students and military personnel (with valid ID) receive discounted admission. Learn more about Corvettes at Carlisle and purchase discounted spectator admissions at CarlisleEvents.com.

Friends celebrating similar interests and spending time together — that was one of the many things the late Elliot “Chip” Miller loved about the car community. The notion that it didn’t matter what automaker you supported — when car lovers and like-minded people come together, good things happen. After all, even in the days before his untimely passing in 2004, he firmly believed life was indeed good!

His legacy is honored annually by way of his namesake Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation (CMAF) and the events it hosts. For 2025, the event will once again benefit the foundation as well as bring Ford lovers together on the Friday of the largest all-Ford-themed car show in the world.

Beginning with the doors opening at 5 PM on Friday, June 6, and continuing with a 6 PM dinner at the Carlisle Expo Center (100 K Street in Carlisle, PA), the CMAF will roll out the red carpet for fans and dignitaries alike with a focus on the Ford GT and Shelby GT350. This one-of-a-kind camaraderie can’t be duplicated outside of this dinner — and really, outside of the Carlisle Ford Nationals too.

The event not only offers participants a one-on-one chance to mix and mingle with some all-time names associated with the Ford GT and Shelby GT350 but also offers a great mix of food and drinks. Best of all, there are multiple ways to support the CMAF — both by attending the dinner and via planned raffles and a live charity auction. Prizes will vary but include some otherwise unattainable items, experiences, autographs, and more.

As if the chance to mingle with legends and their creations isn’t enough, consider this: Carlisle and its surrounding towns have many great dining options, but there aren’t many opportunities for large groups, car clubs, etc., to all come together in a mixer of this size. With that in mind, supporters of the CMAF and Carlisle Ford Nationals attendees should consider making this event part of their Friday evening plans. Dollars support a great cause too. The cost per person is $85 and includes a full-course meal, dessert, and host bar. Tickets will also include a special commemorative gift for each participant.  A limited supply remains and are available to purchase via the Ford Nationals portion of CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

The dinner is only one amazing portion of the Carlisle Ford Nationals. Ford weekend in 2025 includes special guests and displays from Ford, the 60th Anniversary of the Shelby GT350, TWO Ford GT Displays (including a 20-Year Celebration), 70 Years of the Ford Thunderbird, 25th Anniversary of the North American MK1 Focus, a Reunion Display of the Mercury Motorsport Capris, Galaxie Nationals (over 100 Galaxies anticipated), the Ford Nationals Select Display (including the 2008 Bullitt Verification Prototype), the Downtown Carlisle Ford Parade, Park, and Party, Autocross, a variety of “Wheels in Motion” activities, seminars, plus an automotive flea market, car corral, and Manufacturers Midway.

Call 717-243-7855 to register as a vendor or National Parts Depot Showfield participant. Discounted spectator admission tickets are also available online, while kids 12 and under are FREE! Don’t delay — space is limited all around, so be sure to visit the Carlisle Ford Nationals portion of CarlisleEvents.com to sign up and get involved.

The first true car show of the 2025 Carlisle Events season has come and gone—and what a fun few days it was at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds! Spanning May 16–17, the grounds came to life with more than just show cars. While 2,176 cars graced the Showfield, the event offered entertainment on multiple levels.

Sure, the show cars provided plenty of rare and unique sights, but the competitions truly wowed guests. From drift limbo and low car limbo to rolling exhaust, burnouts, and donuts, the wheels-in-motion activities kept the energy high. These high-octane crowd-pleasers were perfectly complemented by drifting and autocross, presented by NICOClub.

The Featured Displays drew big crowds too, showcasing 50 Years of Triumph’s “Wedge,” an Old School Tuner Display, the Race Car Paddock, and a Vehicles From Around the World exhibit.  With cars parked by country of origin, guests were able to take a visual trip around the globe—all without leaving Carlisle.  The vendor footprint was also up from 2024, with an even larger turnout of parts and those selling them.   

Education and flavor were also part of the mix. ASE Certified Master Technician Paul Koerner hosted multiple seminars on car maintenance and performance.  And back for its third year, the Carlisle Brew Mixer welcomed eight Central PA breweries and three musical acts, adding a flavorful and festive element to Saturday’s fun.

For the next generation of enthusiasts, there was no shortage of activities. Oxford Power Wheels Racing made its IPN debut, giving kids a taste of the track. Young guests also enjoyed a cash grab, RC car giveaways, and the chance to vote for their favorite display car in Building T. The passport program encouraged both kids and adults alike to explore the event and earn prizes—creating a fun and educational experience they won’t forget.

The car club scene was next level once again, supported by Hemmings.com. Saabs at Carlisle earned the Largest Club award, while the Rolls Royce Foundation took home Coolest Club. Recognition didn’t stop there—judges from eJudged.com awarded standout cars, and surprise “Carlisle Elite” winners were selected on Friday to recognize exceptional vehicles on the spot.

While the 2025 event is in the books, planning is already underway for 2026. Mark your calendars for May 15–16, 2026, as the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals return with even more of what you love—Race Car Paddock, passport fun, and all the high-energy action that gives this event its international flair.  Call 717-243-7855 to register for 2026 or visit CarlisleEvents.com for details, spectator admission, and more.

There have been some historic Corvettes and Corvette dignitaries who have found their way to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds as part of Corvettes at Carlisle.  The father of the Corvette, Zora Duntov has graced the grounds, thousands of his Corvette creations have done the same over the years, but for 2025, his first-born, a 1953 C1 (Engineering Car #3950), has been confirmed for the show (August 21-23).

Each year, some 5,000 Corvettes attend Corvettes at Carlisle.  These Corvettes span all eras and generations of production and come from across the country.  Cars and car owners come from far and wide, but never before has one literally served as the springboard for an entire lineage of vehicles thereafter.  This Corvette is considered to be the very first one to ever roll off the Corvette assembly line, but how did it find its way to Carlisle? 

For decades, automotive historians believed the first two production 1953 Corvettes had been destroyed shortly after their manufacture, a narrative long accepted as fact. However, following a dedicated 20-year search by Corvette enthusiasts Corey Peterson and John Amgwert, this long-standing myth has been definitively shattered.

Peterson and Amgwert began their investigation after identifying inconsistencies in the official historical record. Convinced that these early Corvettes may still exist, their research spanned over two decades and multiple states. In 2023, their perseverance culminated in a landmark discovery: a vehicle stored in an Oklahoma restoration shop, initially suspected to be the second Corvette ever built.

Subsequent meticulous research and documentation confirmed something even more extraordinary — the car in question was not the second, but in fact the very first production 1953 Corvette ever assembled. The find instantly rewrote Corvette history, offering new insights into the genesis of America’s iconic sports car.

“We always believed the cars were out there somewhere,” said Corey Peterson. “Confirming that we had located Corvette #3950, the very first production model, is beyond what we could have imagined. We are thrilled to share this incredible discovery with the Corvette community at Carlisle.”

Throughout Corvettes at Carlisle weekend, attendees will have the rare opportunity to view the car up close. In addition, Peterson and Amgwert will be on hand to discuss the details of their discovery, offering presentations and Q&A sessions that chronicle their two-decade search and the research that led to this historic moment.

Don’t miss this unparalleled celebration of America’s Sports Car at Corvettes at Carlisle 2025! It’ll be centrally located for all to review; parked on the stage, adjacent to the Midway and grandstand.  Gates open at 7 AM daily, kids 12 and under are free, plus students and military (with valid in person ID) are eligible for discounted admission too.  Learn more about Corvettes at Carlisle and purchase discounted spectator admissions at CarlisleEvents.com.

In advance of the 2025 Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction, there was a noticeable level of excitement both in person and on social media due to the quality of consignments confirmed for the event. The thought process going in was that not only would the auction yield some life-altering results for two great organizations, but that there might also be a consignment that could challenge for the top all-time seller spot at Carlisle Auctions.

By the time the final gavel dropped on Friday, April 25, one hope became reality, while another came very close. In the end, Carlisle Auctions sold 50% of all available lots, tallying over $5 million in sales (including fees). Along the way, over $31,000 was raised for charity, and a 1963 Corvette became one of the top-three all-time sales for Carlisle Auctions.

For two days (April 24–25, 2025), plus multiple preview opportunities leading up to it, the Carlisle Expo Center became a mecca for those searching for their first or next classic car. 400+ lots were confirmed, including enough trucks to fill not one, but two themed hours (one each day). In addition, over 100 years of automotive history was on full display — starting with a pair of cars from 1916 and ending with a minibike from 2025. In between, there was literally something for everyone, and just about everyone at the event was able to find what they needed.

Beyond all the action on the block, the auction benefitted charity too. 2025 saw the debut of Fund the Firehouse, along with the Pedal Car Project. Each served two distinct purposes. For Fund the Firehouse, half a dozen donations came in from the Carlisle community, with 100% of the money raised going directly back to Carlisle Fire & Rescue to support their operational costs, including training and equipment. Following their consignments, and combined with donations from auction attendees, $17,500 was raised.

For the Pedal Car Project, SUN Area Technical Institute from New Berlin, PA saw their students’ hard work pay off, netting $13,900 for their automotive technology curriculum. The dollars came by way of pedal cars built, customized, and designed by student groups at the school. Not only did their builds fetch top dollar, but the students also experienced a VIP journey that spanned nearly seven months — from having their builds featured on YouTube, to being displayed at the AACA Museum, Inc. in Hershey, PA, and finally showcased and sold at the auction in Carlisle.

Carlisle Auctions hopes to continue its partnership with SUN Tech, while also working to grow, enhance, and expand the Fund the Firehouse program to include more donations, more first responder organizations, and more auction time dedicated to generating dollars for those who answer the call during times of need.

The top five (5) selling cars totaled nearly $600,180 with Thursday’s top seller being the ’65 Corvette and Friday’s highlight being the ’63 Corvette — now one of the top three all-time sellers for Carlisle Auctions. The top five (5) are as follows:

Top Five Sales:

1. 1963 Corvette – $257,500 (F532.1)
2. 1969 Dodge Charger – $89,960 (F491.1)
3. 1969 Camaro – $88,560 (F489.1)
4. 1965 Corvette – $87,480 (T212.1)
5. 1968 Ford Mustang GT – $76,680 (F506.1)

[Click here for full results] – all totals include buyer’s premium

“The 2025 Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction was a great way to start our PA-based auction schedule,” said Tony Cline, Director of Auction Operations. “The new start time of 10 AM was a real winner for all involved and it’s something we plan to continue moving forward,” added Cline. “Our team looks forward to our upcoming Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction, Thursday and Friday, October 2–3 at the Carlisle PA Expo Center. Call us at 717-960-6400 or visit CarlisleAuctions.com to learn more.”