Traverse City, MI. February 2008 –-Do you remember spending hours assembling, gluing, custom-painting and finally applying the decals to a Revell or AMT die-cast model of your favorite car as a kid? How about the pride you felt when you completed it and envisioned yourself in the driver’s seat of the real thing? Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. – the nation’s largest agency for collector vehicle insurance – is launching a new program designed to help pass on that passion to a new generation of car lovers.
At the upcoming Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, March 9, Hagerty will launch its National Youth Model-Building contest, as well as two other youth-focused programs, geared toward helping car clubs engage youth in the collector car hobby.
“We believe that the future of the hobby depends on exposing kids to the excitement and camaraderie that collector vehicles offer,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “We believe that by developing youth-focused programs, we are igniting a passion for these automobiles in future car enthusiasts.”
Hagerty’s Model-Building Contest will run through the entire summer, with final judging held on Thursday, August 15 during the Classic Car Weekend in Monterey, Calif. The model-building kits will be available to car clubs from March 10 to April 18 and will be shipped to youth contestants sponsored by the clubs. Contestants will have until May 1 to build and finish their model before shipping it back to Hagerty. Hagerty will then photograph the models and display the photos on Hagerty’s website to be voted on by staff, clients and anyone who visits the site.
The top five finalists will be announced the week of June 30. These lucky finalists will travel with a parent or legal guardian – courtesy of Hagerty – to Monterey, California for final judging where the grand-prize winner will be presented with a trophy. The car clubs sponsoring the top five finalists will each receive a check for $500 to use toward club materials and events.
For more information on the Youth Model-Building Contest and other Hagerty youth-focused initiatives, visit www.hagerty.com/modelbuilding.