Corvette Funfest 2011 Celebrates the Hobby

18th Annual Corvette Party at Mid America Motorworks

By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

EFFINGHAM, IL - Corvette enthusiasts from across the United States and around the world converged on Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus in Effingham, IL for the 18th Annual Corvette Funfest. Themed “America’s Star Spangled Corvette Party,” this four-day celebration welcomed more than 15,000 Corvettes and 45,000 enthusiasts with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile™, the unveiling of two research Corvettes and a Saturday concert by legendary Eagles performer, Don Felder.

Thursday’s Funfest Preview Day welcomed guests and kicked off the festivities with a Fun Run Road Tour sponsored by Corvette Market magazine and headed up by the Wienermobile™. The iconic hot dog on a bun led some 350 Corvettes through the scenic countryside to the historic Courthouse Square in downtown Effingham for the Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau’s street party. Corvette Funfest brought together two examples of American culture, as the Wienermobile™ was on display throughout the weekend.

Mid-America's 2011 Corvette Fest

Mike Yager and his family have an impressive Corvette collection with the Alpha and Beta Build C5 Corvettes being the two newest additions. The Alpha and Beta cars still wear the camouflage they donned during testing and are the only Alpha and Beta Corvettes still in existence. They join research vehicle CERV-4b in the Yagers’ stable to round out the vehicles involved in the planning stages of the C5 Corvette.

Mid-America's 2011 Corvette Fest

Each of the four day’s schedule of events included expert seminars, Vintage Motorsports’ celebrity autographs and Celebrity Choice judging. This was my second year attending the Funfest and I was honored to be one of the Celebrity Judges. I’m always smitten with black cars and Joe Bard of Orland Park, IL with his beautiful black ’66 Coupe won my vote. Its big block engine boasts 454 cubic inches and is mated to a Tremec 5-speed that makes for comfortable cruising.

Saturday evening had attendees rocking out with “Don Felder: An Evening at the Hotel California” presented by Neal Tire and Auto Service. Former lead guitarist with the Eagles for 27 years, Felder and his band opened the show with “Hotel California” and followed with hits such as “One of These Nights,” “Already Gone,” “Victim of Love” and “Heartache Tonight.”

Mid-America's 2011 Corvette Fest

The new Install Dome was a hit with enthusiasts looking for better performance in the form of new exhaust systems, brakes and tires. A second Fun Dome houses product sales with a huge array of accessories and merchandise for purchase. Saturday brought the addition of the Two Rivers District of Boy Scouts of America, who volunteered at Funfest and organized a Camporee on the south grounds of Mid America Motorworks' corporate campus.

Other highlights from the weekend include the Friday Night Charity Event at the Yager’s home, Teammates for Kids Foundation Corvette Auction and the Army National Guard Patriot Chopper display. Despite a little Sunday rain, Family Fun Day was a success with the first annual Funfest 5K Walk/Run sponsored by Hodgson Mills, a Pinewood Derby and a free afternoon concert by Travis Birch.

Mid-America's 2011 Corvette Fest

Pre-registration for Corvette Funfest 2012 is already underway with twice as many registrants than in previous years. Corvette Funfest 2012 will celebrate the golden anniversary of the 1963 Split Window Corvette Sting Ray Coupe and convertible, as they are considered one of the most venerated sports car designs. Dates are Sept. 13 through 16, 2012.

© Larry Nutson