Effingham, IL- Mid America Motorworks is proud to announce sponsorship of ‘Corvettes at the Mitty’ in the Sports Cars of America Corral at the 2007 Classic Motorsports Walter Mitty Challenge. The Walter Mitty Challenge is the largest historic racing event on the east coast. Hosted at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA, April 27-29, the event will feature historic races, seminars, autocross, parade laps and an auto auction.
2007 will be the thirtieth year of the Walter Mitty Challenge and the spirit of the race series will be embodied in the classic Corvettes to be displayed by Mid America Motorworks. Mid America Motorworks is the country’s largest aftermarket supplier of parts and accessories for Corvette and Air-Cooled Volkswagens. Chief Cheerleader Mike Yager, recently named one of the top 50 automotive collectors in the nation by Sports Car Market magazine, has chosen three rare Corvettes from his personal collection to share with fans at the Walter Mitty Challenge. These priceless vehicles include the 1962 #69 SCCA National Championship Corvette, the 1968 #4 Le Mans Corvette and the 1969 Elliot Forbes-Robinson #8 Corvette.
Walter Mitty Challenge attendees are sure to be impressed by the pedigree of Yager’s vehicles. For example, the 1968 #4 Corvette finished 7th in class at Le Mans in 1972, and finished #15 overall out of 55. Only 18 cars were able to finish the arduous race. Driven by David Heinz and Bob Johnson, it took 23 years for Corvette to return and run as strong at Le Mans. Then there is the 1969 Elliot Forbes-Robinson #8 Corvette. One of four “lightweight” L-88 Corvettes built by Chevrolet, the #8 car was originally owned and campaigned by Herb Caplan. Between 1969 and 1971, Caplan won 46 races out of 49 starts.
Caplan sold the Corvette in 1971, and it was eventually purchased by Phyllis Stiles. Stiles had limited success with the car until 1978, when she secured the services of well-known driver Elliot Forbes-Robinson. Forbes-Robinson raced the #8 to a SCCA A-Production National Championship at Road Atlanta.
At the 2007 Walter Mitty Challenge Elliot Forbes-Robinson will be reunited with his #8 car. Forbes-Robinson will drive the #8 in a special touring lap on Sunday, April 29. Corvette owners will have the opportunity to participate in the touring lap led by Forbes-Robinson.
Also on Sunday, Mike Yager, Chief Cheerleader of Mid America Motorworks will lead the Mid America Motorworks All Corvette Parade Lap in the 1968 Le Mans Corvette. Participation in the Parade Lap is free to all Corvettes.
Vintage enthusiasts visiting the Sports Cars of America Corral will also enjoy meeting Mike Yager and Mid America Motorworks’ Restoration Specialist Dennis Gunning. Both will be available to answer questions on the process of collecting, restoring, and racing.
The thirtieth annual running of the Walter Mitty Challenge is an event not to be missed by anyone who enjoys rare cars, fast machines, or a day trackside. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.themitty.com.