Platinum Bug Award

The Platinum Bug Award is a life-time achievement award presented annually to individuals who have shown long-term dedication to the preservation and promotion of the Classic Volkswagen hobby for future generations. 2011 became a memorable year, as winners Dr. Darby Milnor and Corky Yager became our 2011 Platinum Bug Award Winners. Congratualtions to you both!

Dr. Darby Milnor, affectionately know as a Volkswagenologist, has spent his entire life collecting, restoring, resuing, repairing, advising and searching out Bugs.   Sally, Darby’s wife, fondly recalls many of their date nights spent in his garage working on broken down bugs.  Through the last 23 years, Dr. Darby estimates that he has had close to 700 VWs that have come into his life!

A truly touching moment during Funfest for Air-Cooled VW occured when Corky Yager surprisingly showed up for opening ceremonies, after being hospitalized the previous evening.  In turn, Mike gave Corky an equal surprise as he awarded his oldest brother and the person responsible for introducing him into the VW hobby, the 2011 Platinum Bug Award.

Want to be next year’s winner? Submit nominations to funfest@mamotorworks.com. Place PLATINUM BUG AWARD in the subject line of the email. Please include your name, contact information of both the nominator and nominee, and the reason he or she should be considered.

In 2009, we introduced a special recognition called Passing On The Passion to a Father/Son or Father/Daughter that share the VW Passion together.   Our 2011 winners were Dave & Ryan Marx who both love unrestored Volkswagens.  To date, they have 8 in the garage!  Robin Marx lovingly nominated her husband and son for the award and although even after 27 years she has yet to park in the garage, she supports the passion that Dave and Ryan have for the Volkswagen hobby. Fun fact, Dr. Darby Milnor built the engine for the current ’59 that Dave and Ryan are restoring!

Submit nominations to funfest@mamotorworks.com. Place VW SPECIAL RECOGNITION in the subject line of the email. Please include the name, contact information of both the nominator and nominee, and the reason why they should be chosen. One image of the Father/Son or Father/Daughter may also be submitted with the nomination email.

2011 Special Drawing

All persons who registered during Funfest for the 2012 Funfest Party were included in a drawing to win the canvas edition of the 2011 Funfest for Air-COOLed VW poster. Congratulations to Stephen Sulin of O’Fallon, MO!