In keeping with the American ideal of instant gratification, there is a muffler installation facility on site, and hundreds Corvettes end up leaving Effingham with a much more authoritative sound than when they arrived.
Further, Mike, his wife Lori and her sons Michael and Blake really know how to throw a party. Saturday night they presented Don Felder, former lead guitar for the Eagles to a crowd of over 20,000 – admission included in a modestly-priced Funfest ticket.
My only moment of sheer terror came when Mike brought me backstage before the concert, and said, “Keith, you’re a professional, just go out and warm up the crowd.”
I didn’t think telling stories about driving three MGBs to Reno would exactly get the job done.
After my “deer-in-the-headlights” moment, I realized that my job was simple. All I had to ask was “Are you having a good time,” “Do you love your Corvette,” and “Let’s hear it for Mike, Lori, Michael and Blake!”
The concert was a huge success, as was the entire weekend. The SCM / CM garage is strangely lacking in Corvettes right now, but I didn’t find what I was looking for in Effingham. Alex wants a chrome-bumper C3, Wendie would prefer a 1958 like the one her dad drag races, and Bradley just wants a pre-airbag model so he can ride in the front seat.
