Chevy Corvette Stingray Concept Car - Currents

Midamerica To Celebrate 35th B-Day At Funfest
Mid America Motorworks is already hard at work preparing for the '09 Funfest, scheduled for September 25-27 in Effingham, Illinois. Mike Yager, the company's founder and "chief cheerleader," promises that this year's event will be the best Funfest ever. In addition to the 35th anniversary of the company, Yager will be celebrating his 60th birthday. For more information or to register, go to www.corvettefunfest.com.

Stingray Concept Bows In Chicago
The long-rumored Corvette Stingray concept car made its public debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February. The unveiling was meant to promote the car's starring role in the upcoming Paramount Pictures release, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

The car will play the character "Sideswipe" in the film. "Sideswipe represents an exercise in exploration for the Corvette," says Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design. "By giving my creative team the freedom to design no-holds-barred vision concepts, it helps them push boundaries and look at projects from different perspectives."

Blending exterior elements of the '59 Sting Ray race car and the '63 split-window in a thoroughly modern package, the concept represents a styling direction described by GM as "equal parts race car and spaceship."

Z06 Racer Brings Seven Figures
With the crowd on its feet and attendees cheering with excitement, the hammer was dropped on the historically significant '63 Gulf Oil Z06 race car as it crossed the block at Mecum's Osceola Heritage Park (Florida) auction in January. As the event's highest-profile offering, the car-known in Corvette circles as "Gulf One"-brought the auction's highest sale price at $1,050,000.

Excitement surrounding the million-dollar Corvette was enhanced by the presence of legendary driver Dr. Dick Thompson, who was on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures next to the car he originally raced in 1963. Known as the "Flying Dentist," Thompson contended for national championships during the '50s and '60s and was a mainstay in SCCA racing. Check out www.mecumauctions.com for more details. (Photo courtesy of RCS Photos)

KWN Makes Adult's Corvette Wish Come True
Kids Wish Network (KWN) presented two Corvettes valued at $250,000 to David Rutherford Jr. of Monticello, Georgia, as part of its '08 Dream Giveaway sweepstakes. The grand prize consisted of a pair of matching red convertibles: a rare and collectible '67 427 and a new, 570hp Lingenfelter supercar. Proceeds will fund the KWN Hero of the Month in 100 pediatric hospitals nationwide and provide the funds to launch the '09 Corvette Dream Giveaway. For more information, visit www.kidswishnetwork.com.

The Fast Lane
Gary Jordan of Elizabeth Township, Pennsylvania, is the winner of this month's Fast Lane contest. This Corvette speed evangelist owns an '85 coupe that makes 700 hp and features a 406ci SBC engine, a Vortech R-Trim supercharger, a Precision Industries 2,600-stall torque converter, a Rossler-built 700-R4 trans, and a stock Dana 44 rear with 3.45 gears. His best pass of 10.32 seconds at 134.44 mph was recorded at Keystone Raceway Park (now Pittsburgh Raceway Park) in New Alexandria, Pennsylvania.

In recognition of his contributions to the speed hobby, Jordan will receive a $200 gift certificate from speed- and restoration-parts specialist Zip Products. For more information on Zip's comprehensive product line for '53-'09 Corvettes, visit www.zip-products.com.

If you'd like to enter for your chance to win, send a photo of your Corvette (preferably in a racing environment), along with your best e.t., autocross lap time, or road-race lap time to:VETTE Magazine
The Fast Lane
9036 Brittany Way
Tampa, FL 33619
Or via the Web to:
vette@sourceinterlink.com