2010 Corvette Funfest - World's Largest Corvette Party

by Larry Nutson
Senior Editor
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

EFFINGHAM, IL - September, 26 2010: There were more Corvettes per square mile than anywhere else in the world over the 4 days of this last summer weekend celebration at the 17th annual Corvette Funfest at Mike Yager’s Mid America Motorworks.

The magnitude of Corvette Funfest is beyond belief with thousands and thousands and more thousands of Corvettes to see along with multitudes of enthusiasts. With a 21% increase over 2009, attendees represented 40 states and Canada as well as from as far away as Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium and Austria. Sixty Corvette Clubs participated in Club Parking.

Mike’s first Corvette was a ’67 which prompted him to start a local Corvette club and then to begin selling accessories while he worked as a journeyman tool & die maker.

Now 40 years and 300 (yes, 300!) Corvette’s later, he employs 140 people and has even begun employing some of their sons and daughters. Mike Yager has taken his passion for the “American Sports Car” Corvette and grown his Mid America Motorworks into one of the most renowned providers of parts and accessories for Corvettes and Air-cooled Volkswagens. Started in 1974 with $500, today this multi-million dollar enterprise is dedicated to the automotive enthusiasts.

The entire Mid America team rolled out the red carpet for a “Cars and Stars Weekend” with the legendary King of the Kustomizers, George Barris and the First Lady of Motorsports, Linda Vaughn as guests. Throughout the weekend they hosted seminars, participated in autograph sessions and were featured guests at the “Cars and Stars” Charity Cocktail Party which supported Catholic Charities local 7-county Foster Child Program.

Former Corvette Chief Engineer Dave McLellan was on hand to provide first-hand personal insight into Corvette development and retired Corvette Bowling Green Plant Manager and Chairman of the Corvette Museum Will Cooksey joined in. Sponsor support for the 2010 Corvette Funfest was provided by Pepsi MidAmerica, Yokahama tires, Corvette Enthusiast, Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Indy driver Billy Boat and B&B Performance Exhaust, American Car Craft, Borla Exhaust and Goodyear.

Corvette Funfest provided an unbelievable weekend of activities that kept enthusiasts busy from morning to night, including a Fun Rallye hosted by NCCC and the Little Egypt Corvette Club, a NASCAR simulator, as well as a great line-up of seminars on Corvettes and the Corvette hobby.

A Ladies Zone offered pampering at the Funfest Day spa as well as classes and seminars on food, exercise, wine tasting and “Corvette Detailing for Women”. This weekend was filled with something for everyone including the kids who could take a ride in a new 2011 Corvette ZR1, Z07 or Grand Sport with a GM Engineer. The “Guess Who” took the Field of Dreams Main Stage Saturday night and filled the air with some of the greatest hits of the 60’s and 70’s. An autographed Fender Stratocaster Guiter was won by David Gushwa of St. Joseph, Michigan.

The MY Garage Retail Store & Museum is home to chief cheerleader Mike Yager’s extensive Corvette collection. Among them is the 1960 CERV I, 1964 CERV II and 1990 CERV III Chevrolet Engineering Research Vehicles.

The Mid America Motorworks family proudly continues their long time support of our veterans and the men and women currently serving our country. In a visual expression of recognition, a “Yellow Corvette Ribbon” display consisting of 35 yellow Corvettes was formed to honor our veterans and troops. Special dignitaries joining in include Congressman John Shimkus (R-Illinois-19) and other state and local representatives.

Mid America Motorworks hosted a number of events throughout this year starting with Weekend Workshops that ran from February through May. The Spring Swapfest on May 1, followed by VW Funfest in early June and then more than 3,000 hot rods rolled in for a lunch stop on the Hot Rod Power Tour the next weekend. The Corvette Action Center held their annual Cruise Fest gathering on June 10 & 11.

This next weekend after Corvette Funfest, the Effingham Vintage Cruise Bike, Car & Truck Show takes place followed by Fall Swapfest. What an exhausting season! 2011 will be even more exciting as Mid America Motorworks celebrates their 37th Anniversary in February. Pay a personal visit to Mid America Motorworks or at www.mamotorworks.com.

� Larry Nutson