JMPR Public Relations

Sara Unrue/Kim Milman

(818) 992-4353

sunrue@jmprpublicrelations.com

EFFINGHAM, IL (May 2003) – Mid America Designs, the world’s leading supplier of Corvette parts and accessories, announced plans for its 2003 Corvette Funfest, an appreciation celebration for customers, owners, spectators and enthusiasts, on the grounds of its corporate headquarters in Effingham, Illinois. A decade in the making, the 10^th annual Corvette Funfest will celebrate this milestone with a number of fresh attractions and the return of popular favorites, all crammed into a two-day Corvette enthusiast’s dream weekend, September 20-21, 2003.

"We’ve pulled out all the stops in this landmark year to re-invent the Funfest and make it the most memorable event we’ve ever hosted," says Mike Yager, Mid America president. "From helicopter rides to get a bird’s eye view of the show field to remote control NASCAR races, to a live Saturday evening concert, we think we’ve maximized the fun factor for all ages and hit the hot buttons of every enthusiast."

Once again all of the participants are invited to take part in the two-day Fun Display Car Show, a non-classed, celebrity-judged event, with beautiful awards presented each day. Attendees can support Mid America’s "Caring and Sharing" program that benefits local foster children by participating in the People’s Choice Awards. Spectators simply cast their votes in the form of dollar contributions for their favorite Corvettes on Winner’s Row.

General Motors’ engineers, stylists and dignitaries, the people who over the years have designed, engineered and molded the Corvette into a world-class sports car, will be on hand for special clinics, tech seminars, discussions and autographs.

New for 2003, to specially honor the Corvette’s first half-century, a special premium asphalt parking facility for 50^th Anniversary Edition Corvettes will be reserved for a limited number of participants. The special spaces are slated for a $75 weekend pass and must be reserved by September 5 in order to receive the parking pass by mail. All proceeds from the Premium Parking area will benefit the National Corvette Museum.

Mid America’s Corvette Funfest

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Also new for 2003, are tours of Mid America’s off-site manufacturing facilities (from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday only), and remote-control NASCAR races where participants can experience the fender-banging excitement of real stock car races. In addition, for photographers who want that ultimate shot, or Funfest patrons looking for the best seat in the house, helicopters will fly participants above the show field at the cost of $20 for adults, and $10 for children 12 and under.

One of the popular attractions that will revisit the Funfest for the first time in more than six years is a concert by "1964 – The Tribute," considered the #1 Beatles show in the world. The group will transport Funfest visitors and guests back in time with the music and mayhem of the original Fab Four during Saturday evening’s festivities.

The newly refurbished MY Garage R&D Center/Museum will be open for tours of Mid America’s Corvette collection, with special exhibits and the 2002 People’s Choice Corvette Winners on display. Visitors will also be able to meet Mid America’s Call Center representatives and receive 10 percent discounts with free ground shipping on catalog orders placed during the show.

Finally, as part of its Customer Appreciation Celebration, participants registered in advance by September 5, and who drive their Corvette to the event, will receive a free T-shirt, lapel pin and one free meal each for themselves and one passenger, while supplies last. Show hours for the 2003 Corvette Funfest are Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Last year, more than 6,800 Corvettes and 30,000 spectators attended the Corvette Funfest, as Mid America raffled a 2003 Corvette and raised nearly $300,000 for the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The special "People’s Choice" Award, where Funfest goers cast $1 votes for their favorite vehicles, also raised thousands of dollars to benefit Mid America’s "Caring & Sharing" program for foster children in a five-county radius of its facility.

For more information on Mid America Designs, to register for the 2003 Corvette Funfest or to receive copies of the company’s free full-color Corvette parts and accessories catalogs including the 1953-82 Vintage, 1984-96 C4 or 1997-2004 C5: call toll-free 800-500-VETT (8388); visit and shop www.madvet.com, or write to Mid America Direct, #1 Mid America Place, P.O. Box 1368, Effingham, IL 62401.

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