Funfest in Effingham....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 51
From: On a Tropical Island in the South Pacific Roscoes Incredible BBQ Sensations
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9 Veteran Chef
St. Jude Donor '09
Funfest in Effingham....
Just an update on the festivities here in Effingham...
The weather 'SUCKS.. cool and foggy.. with light rain...
The hotel situation here is very interesting...
I called 5 hotels here in town to see if there were rooms for Fri and Sat..
All 5 had plenty of rooms but their prices were the same as last year..
I wonder why there are so many rooms available this year..
The weather 'SUCKS.. cool and foggy.. with light rain...
The hotel situation here is very interesting...
I called 5 hotels here in town to see if there were rooms for Fri and Sat..
All 5 had plenty of rooms but their prices were the same as last year..
I wonder why there are so many rooms available this year..
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Awesome day, a little misty driving over from INDY @ 9:30, but the sun came out @ 11:00 and it got hot quick, no humidity, plenty of sunshine and a beautiful ride back home to INDY,, all in all an awesome day!
BTW, they gave us 2 T-shirts and all of the typical poster stuff lapel pin etc...
Crowd was certainly down, I would say by 25% maybe 35%, hard to say
BTW, they gave us 2 T-shirts and all of the typical poster stuff lapel pin etc...
Crowd was certainly down, I would say by 25% maybe 35%, hard to say
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington IL
Just got back from Funfest- weather held out all day- foggy earlier, but sunny later- this was a great day for a Corvette show- I've been to every single Funfest since 1994, and let me say this, I have enjoyed them all.
However, in my opinion, there were only about 1/3 the number of Corvettes and people roaming around. It's a shame it has really come to this. Funfest has always been a highlight of the year, but the Corvette crowd is speaking loudly here- it is not worth $25 to attend somebody's customer appreciation party. There are arguments on both sides, but the bottom line is... nobody likes it.
I love the T-shirts and book, along with just being there- but not everyone (obviously) sees it this way. Sorry to see this happen to a great event. Oh well, I don't set the rules- I won't be back if there is a registration fee again, and neither will any of the people I came with. Sorry....
However, in my opinion, there were only about 1/3 the number of Corvettes and people roaming around. It's a shame it has really come to this. Funfest has always been a highlight of the year, but the Corvette crowd is speaking loudly here- it is not worth $25 to attend somebody's customer appreciation party. There are arguments on both sides, but the bottom line is... nobody likes it.
I love the T-shirts and book, along with just being there- but not everyone (obviously) sees it this way. Sorry to see this happen to a great event. Oh well, I don't set the rules- I won't be back if there is a registration fee again, and neither will any of the people I came with. Sorry....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Quincy IL
You folks left at the right time. We got hammered here by a huge storm cell. Lots of water standing and mud, mud and more mud. Z06 got stuck trying to leave gate 5 sad end to a potential great day............
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
That sucks, we left at 2pm and it was a great, I know a big storm cell was coming in behind us
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 35
From: Godfrey IL
It was a lot of rain!!!! 
Spent my time in the beer garden.
Took my time getting out of the lot so that the wheels would not spin, but walked though a lot of water just getting back to the Vette.
I would have loved to go back to see Jan and Dean but was no longer sure on where to park as many Vettes were sitting on islands (if they were not in the water).
Didn't look like any one was in danger of losing a Vette to flooding however.
It looked like there were a LOT fewer Vettes in the lot this year. Maybe 50% fewer.
Spent my time in the beer garden.
Took my time getting out of the lot so that the wheels would not spin, but walked though a lot of water just getting back to the Vette.
I would have loved to go back to see Jan and Dean but was no longer sure on where to park as many Vettes were sitting on islands (if they were not in the water).
Didn't look like any one was in danger of losing a Vette to flooding however.
It looked like there were a LOT fewer Vettes in the lot this year. Maybe 50% fewer.
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
From: Carbon Indiana
This was my eleventh year at Funfest and the crowd was way down compared to the last few. It kind of looked like '99 early. Once the sky started to clear the crowd grew a lot but still nothing like recent years.
I'm guessing, like the rest of you, that the entry fee pretty much killed any chance of a record crowd. Too bad.
I'm guessing, like the rest of you, that the entry fee pretty much killed any chance of a record crowd. Too bad.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 35
From: Godfrey IL
This was my eleventh year at Funfest and the crowd was way down compared to the last few. It kind of looked like '99 early. Once the sky started to clear the crowd grew a lot but still nothing like recent years.
I'm guessing, like the rest of you, that the entry fee pretty much killed any chance of a record crowd. Too bad.
I'm guessing, like the rest of you, that the entry fee pretty much killed any chance of a record crowd. Too bad.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 35
From: Godfrey IL
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Bloomington IL
Forgot to add -- during the exhaust sounds competition, we saw someone over-revving their big-block '75 to the point where she blew it up- totally red-lining the engine and then booooom-- smoke coming from the exhaust and from the engine itself- they opened the hood and it was covered in oil and smoking like a chimney- 
Revving the engine with no load is not the thing to be doing.
Also saw Lance Miller, who just purchased the first Z06, serial 0001, do a burnout literally leaving behind 2 streaks of rubber about 6 feet long and 1/2" tall- what in the world?? I would not do that to #0001- oh well, it was cool nonetheless
Revving the engine with no load is not the thing to be doing.
Also saw Lance Miller, who just purchased the first Z06, serial 0001, do a burnout literally leaving behind 2 streaks of rubber about 6 feet long and 1/2" tall- what in the world?? I would not do that to #0001- oh well, it was cool nonetheless
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
Until the rains came Saturday was a good day. I didn't see anyone use the burnout box but the "exhaust wars" were pretty popular. No way thought that I'd sit there and rev my engine w/o a load. At about 2:30 the rain came in force and pretty much shut the place down w/ many people leaving.
Anyone sit through the seminar on C5/C6 maintenance and troubleshooting? This guy knew his stuff and was a excellent presenter.
Anyone sit through the seminar on C5/C6 maintenance and troubleshooting? This guy knew his stuff and was a excellent presenter.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 120
From: Carlisle PA
St. Jude Donor '09
Forgot to add -- during the exhaust sounds competition, we saw someone over-revving their big-block '75 to the point where she blew it up- totally red-lining the engine and then booooom-- smoke coming from the exhaust and from the engine itself- they opened the hood and it was covered in oil and smoking like a chimney-
Revving the engine with no load is not the thing to be doing.
Also saw Lance Miller, who just purchased the first Z06, serial 0001, do a burnout literally leaving behind 2 streaks of rubber about 6 feet long and 1/2" tall- what in the world?? I would not do that to #0001- oh well, it was cool nonetheless
Revving the engine with no load is not the thing to be doing.
Also saw Lance Miller, who just purchased the first Z06, serial 0001, do a burnout literally leaving behind 2 streaks of rubber about 6 feet long and 1/2" tall- what in the world?? I would not do that to #0001- oh well, it was cool nonetheless
Life is good,
Lance
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 35
From: Godfrey IL
Fun Fest was a blast once again! Mike and the entire Mid America family did a wonderful job once again. I'm headed home right now, yet I'm still smiling from ear to ear because of the great time this weekend. To clear up your post... I did not purchase the ex #000001 car, it's owned by Michael & Blake Yager. They simply asked me to do the burnout so needless to say I jumped in and had some fun! ;-)
Life is good,
Lance
Life is good,
Lance
Had a good time there as well.