2018 CORVETTE FUNFEST, MID-AMERICA MOTORWORKS CAMPUS
SEPTEMBER 20-23, 2018

 

Well, I thanked my lucky stars that I had another opportunity to enjoy Corvette Funfest
right there at the Mid-America campus just north of Effingham, Illinois.  I love this event!

Things kicked off with the welcome ceremony.  That is "Chief Cheerleader" Mike Yager
at the microphone offering welcome good wishes and also making important announcements.

(L to R)  Mike Yager, Laurie Yager, Michael Yager, Tabbi Yager, Blake Yager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then what can be better than to volunteer to drive at an automotive festival?


I know...nothing can be better.  And most of the time President Emeritus Max Brockhouse
rode shotgun to help me out.  He also drove part of the time.

So it was first thing in the morning and there were no passengers.  That all changed by right after lunch,
when all the seats would be filled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here you can see what are possibly the greatest volunteers in the world!  Ok,
a little hyperbole there.  But we did a good job and safety was first and foremost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


And you know what... I saw this "53" and I liked it.  The license plate is "53 MY WAY"

Maureen and Rich Waller own this car, and I spoke with Rich.  (Of course I noted that he should
be joining the Solid Axle Corvette Club!)  He related that this Commemorative Edition car was made in 2003 by Automotive Technology in Michigan.  There were 200 examples produced.

The car has been featured in many shows and even was displayed in Mike Yager's museum that is 
right there on the campus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am behind the wheel of the tram tractor and it is time for the celebrity award cars to
show their stuff in parade fashion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Friday night there was a charity event that was attended by President Emeritus
Max Brockhouse and myself.  And who did we run into... Mr. Lingenfelter.

I related to Mr. Lingenfelter that the SACC convention next year will be held at Detroit, Michigan
and that we would be touring his by invitation-only collection.  Mr Lingenfelter was very nice
and showed me a video of his collection and it is SUPER.  Also he said that he is very happy
that we are coming to his collection.

(L to R)  Jack Hollada, DC, Central Regional Representative, Mr Lingenfelter, and President
Emeritus Max Brockhouse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now the next day, on Saturday, I caught up with the Lingenfelter crew at their display.

(L to R) Shawn Foy, outside sales, Dustin Edmunson, collection manager, and of course
Mr. Lingenfelter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is their display area.

Do I need to tell you that these cars are nice?  They are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I popped on over to Mike's museum, which is properly called the MY Garage.

Besides great cars there are tons of collectable items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This picture may give you an idea of how the cars are displayed.  This is a really cool museum.

 

It is open Monday through Saturday all year long.  If you are driving by, stop in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just one of the many, many collectable items to check out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this was a special year for Mike!  He was inducted into the Corvette Museum Hall of Fame!

Congratulations, Mike!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus seminars galore!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I hopped out to the bargain area. 

These seats for a '62 were actually in very good condition as described.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was row after row..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for a model?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I wanted to give you an idea of what the Install Dome is all about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And it's get under there and check it out for the owner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then on stage it was a recap of recollections of the Corvette Hall of Fame.

(L to R) Fred Gallasch, Dave McClellan, Wil Cooksey, and Mike Yager.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Updated, modified, and beautiful.  This car won a celebrity choice award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And as I previously mentioned, the seats filled up on the tram, especially after lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also at Funfest, the Central Great Rivers Chapter holds their annual meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And your humble correspondent got to be a Celebrity Judge.   This is the car I chose for the award.

It is a stunning yellow '58.  And you are right...it is not a stock color, but it is Jerry's car and he can do
what he wants with it.  Add the Cragar wheels and it was really appealing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here he is at the beginning of the Celebrity Choice Winner's Parade!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here's the moment!  It was stage center for Jerry Bent and his
sweet baby 1958 Corvette.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then the evening was capped off with a concert by Decades Rewind.  They
covered hit songs from the 60's, 70's, and 80's with talent and flair.  It
was high energy with over 100 costume changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


So that is my pictorial review of my experience at 2018 Corvette Funfest.  There was lots more going on, including lots and lots of educational seminars.  If you missed it
well, sorry 'bout that, but maybe add it to your list for next year.

 

-Jack Hollada (Holiday), DC, Central Regional Representative, Solid Axle Corvette Club