ILLINOIS
Mid America Motorworks, an Effingham-based distributor of Corvette and Volkswagen air-cooled vintage parts and 
associated products, recently held its 10th annual Funfest for fans of air-cooled Volkswagens. More than 8,000 enthusiasts showed up in more than 1,300 V-Dubs. Among them were guest Bruce Meyers and his creation, the Meyers Manx Dune Buggy. Meyers is the man who started the dune-buggy craze. The two-day event featured a dune-buggy build by the crew from dunebuggyarchives.com. Next year's Funfest is scheduled for June 6-7.
Automotive Parts & Service Association of Illinois (APSA-IL) members can enter a drawing to win tickets to the Sept. 9-11 series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Member APSA-IL companies are entered when they make a voluntary contribution of at least $10 to the Ralph Silverman Memorial Foundation (RSMF) on their '08-'09 member renewal invoice. The grand prize includes two box-seat tickets to the game on Sept. 11 and one night's stay at the Airport Hilton with free shuttle service to the game, and $100 in free gas. The second prize includes two tickets to the game on Sept. 9. A drawing for the winners of the two-ticket packages will take place Aug. 15. For more information, contact APSA-IL Executive Vice President Matt Wells at 217-786-2850.
The Leadership Development Network (LDN) has announced the winners of the 2008 LDN scholarships. Those selected will each receive a $1,000 scholarship for the 2008-2009 academic year. Ryan Martin of Carbondale was one of the recipients. LDN, along with several other associations, collaborated with the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee to create an online scholarship resource for students planning to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket. "Automotivescholarships.com will begin accepting applications in September 2008 for the 2009 scholarships, and we look forward to a continued partnership with LDN." said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee.
INDIANA
The Kern family--Cale, Bridgett and Carlee--of Bedford won the '08 Goodguys Hot Rod of the Year Award presented by DuPont Hot Hues at the Goodguys 20th Hot Rod Nationals on June 8 in Indianapolis. The family won the award after spending a year rebuilding their 1932 Ford Sedan as a family. The '32 sedan features a polished-nailhead Buick engine and a subtle chop and channel. "The only thing we didn't do as a family on this car was the upholstery," Cale Kern said. "My wife Bridgett did a lot of the design and chose the colors and look of the car. She also handled all the final sanding and prep of every panel on the car." Each year, hot rods 1948 and earlier are eligible for the award. The basic criterion calls for street-driven hot rods that make noise with attitude.
KENTUCKY
David Cox, owner of Cox Auto Body & Restorations in Fulton, recently relocated his shop to 202 Earl St. The former site was located at 6049 U.S. 94 East. Cox said he does a mix of insurance work and classic restorations, such as a recent restoration of a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air.
MISSOURI
NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver David Ragan and his Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion show car made an appearance in St. Louis on July 1 in Washington Lobby of America's Center. Ragan was in town to announce his relationship with Shriners of North America and their official philanthropy, Shriners Hospitals for Children. Ragan will also appear at Gateway International Raceway on July 19, when he will drive Roush Fenway's Discount Tire Ford Fusion in Missouri -- Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the 1.25-mile Madison, Ill., track.
Norwin and Fern Heimos, co-owners of 1-800-Radiator, recently hosted a Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Missouri (AASP-MO) social at their warehouse at 1746 Chase Drive in Fenton. Norwin Heimos said hosting the AASP-MO event allows him build relationships and get to know customers on a more personal level. For information on events, contact AASP-MO Executive Director Ron Reiling at 636-949-5990.
Barry Rogers has been appointed director, marketing and business development, for Sunnen Products Co., a provider of automated technology for finish bore machining. In his new role, Rogers will set the direction for Sunnen's global marketing, product development and R&D priorities. He most recently was the U.S. National Sales & Marketing Manager for Renishaw, a manufacturer of inspection probe and machine-tool calibration technologies.
In Memoriam: Robert John "Bob" Bonetti of Lake St. Louis, Mo., died June 9 at age 52. A former AASP-MO member, Bonetti spent more than 35 years in the collision repair industry and was also employed with Client Services Inc. of St. Charles. Services were held at the BAUE Funeral and Memorial Center in St. Charles.
