EFFINGHAM, Ill. – Mike Yager, founder and "chief cheerleader" of Mid America Motorworks, will be inducted into the Bloomington Gold Great Hall, the most prestigious recognition of people and cars in Corvette’s history. Yager will accept the honor during Bloomington Gold, June 28-30, 2013, in Champaign, Ill.
Bloomington Gold, the longest running national Corvette show, established the Great Hall in 2010 to honor 50 of the most influential people and Corvettes over a five-year period, as chosen by the Great Hall Selection Panel. At the conclusion of 2014, the exclusive list of 50 Pioneers and 50 of the world’s premier Corvettes will be complete. Yager’s CERV-I, considered one of the most notable Corvette platform vehicles ever developed by legendary Corvette Chief Engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, was inducted into the Great Hall at Bloomington Gold in 2012.
“The Great Hall is a shining example of what the Corvette hobby means to so many people, and it is truly an honor to be listed among the names of so many people who I admire and respect,” Yager said, “I feel blessed every day to be a part of the Corvette community, not just through Mid America Motorworks, but also as an enthusiast, owner and collector.”
In 1974 at age 24, Yager borrowed $500 and began selling jackets, embroidered T-shirts, drinking glasses, owner’s manuals, emblems and jewelry out of the trunk of a borrowed car at weekend swap meets, Corvette shows and other automotive functions. Word quickly spread among Corvette enthusiasts that Yager offered quality products and exceptional customer care. Yager’s part time hobby grew rapidly and in 1976, then-named Mid America Enterprises produced its first two-page black and white mail order flyer.
In 1998, Mid America Motorworks expanded from Corvette-only to air-cooled VW and now serves both Corvette and Volkswagen enthusiasts. In January 2002, the company purchased a 36,000-square-foot facility and began its PERFORMANCE CHOICE interior manufacturing division. PERFORMANCE CHOICE produces high-quality custom and reproduction interior products.
Today, Mid America Motorworks mails more than 4.5 million Corvette and Volkswagen catalogs every year to customers worldwide, and has become the world’s largest supplier and manufacturer of aftermarket parts and accessories for Corvettes and air-cooled VWs. Each year, thousands of enthusiasts come together at Mid America Motorworks’ corporate campus to share their passion at annual Funfest celebrations for Corvettes and air-cooled Volkswagens. 2013 Marks the 15th Annual Funfest for air-cooled VW and 20th Annual Corvette Funfest as well as celebrations leading up to Mid America Motorworks’ 40th year in business.
The 2013 Great Hall inductees include:
People/Events:
* Mike Antonick
* Zora Arkus-Dunton
* Bloomington Gold
* Reeves Callaway
* Carlisle Productions
* Chip Miller
* Bill Mitchell
* Jim Perkins
* Dr. Dick Thompson
* Mike Yager
Corvettes:
* 1957 Fuel Injection
* 1961 Gulf Racer
* 1962 327 CID
* 1963 Grand Sport
* 1965 First Big Block
* 1967 L88 Daytona Racer
* 1987 Escort Series Racer
* Callaway Corvette
* C5 Z06
* C6 ZR1
