Established 36 years ago, the Southern Oregon Corvette Association (SOCA) has grown from eight cars in 1974 to a high of 120 cars in the late 1980s, to its current membership of about 70.

Sponsored by Jim Sigel Automotive of Grants Pass, Or., SOCA business meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month and guests are welcome. Monthly Socials are generally held on the third Saturday of each month at various eating establishments in the Rogue Valley. During the summer dinner is usually preceede by a cruise or other activity.

"The SOCA started off as a social club", says charter member Don Hubbard. "We’d see a Corvette downtown and we’d follow them home to tell them we were starting up a Corvette club," he says.

Hubbard, who attended that first meeting on June 12, 1974, has three times been elected SOCA President. "I’ve met some great people over the years and have had a lot of fun times," Hubbard says with a smile.

The SOCA began attending the annual "V and T Tour" in Reno in the mid-70’s. "There’d be 400-500 cars there and we’d have a blast," remembers Hubbard. Dale Morgan, who joined SOCA in 1987, agrees with his friend of 60 years. "We always had fun in Reno," says Morgan. "In fact, one year the fun really got started before we got there -- 13 of us running together got pulled over by the CHP!," he says as he laughs.

In typical SOCA fashion, the 13 members were able to quickly make friends with one of California’s finest -- no one was issued a ticket that day some 16 years ago.

By 1979, SOCA members decided they, too, could put on a weekend car event. "Corvette Weekend," the SOCA’s signature event, was born and has brought thousands of Corvette enthusiasts to the Rogue Valley ever since. In 1993 "Corvette Weekend" became a shared event with our sister club, High Desert Corvette Club of Bend, Or. The two clubs rotate hosting the summer event. The 24th SOCA Corvette Weekend is scheduled for July 8 - 10, 2011 in Grants Pass, Or. 

"Corvette Weekend is the greatest example of what this club is really all about," says SOCA Past President Sandee Anderson. "It’s a wonderful social event and a unique Corvette-happening. We work very hard at making sure people from all over the country have a great time when they come to the Rogue Valley for Corvette Weekend," Anderson adds.

Corvette Weekend is just one of the ways that the SOCA gives back. At the conclusion of Corvette Weekend 2009, President Pat Wartena presented a check for $3,000 to our charity Candlelighters For Children With Cancer. www.4kidswithcancer.org   

In addition to Corvette Weekend, SOCA members enjoy many activities -- monthly socials, show n’ shines, parade participation, day cruises, high school homecoming events, overnight trips, other weekend events, each other and just about anything that has to do with America’s sports car -- the Corvette.

For more information on joining our club,  click here  and select Membership in the drop down list.
For a membership application,  click here.