The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation (CMAF) launched in 2004 following the untimely passing of National Corvette Hall of Famer and Carlisle Events co-founder, Chip Miller.  For the past 20 years, the CMAF has served those in need in a variety of ways, and in memory of the 20^th anniversary of Chip’s passing, it’s safe to say that 2024 couldn’t be off to a better start for the foundation and for those who knew and loved Chip.  While the foundation is in the process of planning its summer events season and managing its current Corvette Contest, a recent contest car and the buzz surrounding it netted the CMAF nearly $300,000, all because of a handful of generous people and national TV exposure.

On Thursday, January 25, while many were wrapping up their workday, Lance Miller, president of the CMAF was in Scottsdale, Arizona with friends and the hard-working team from the Barrett-Jackson auction house.  Barrett-Jackson was amid its annual Scottsdale auction and this year, included Miller, the CMAF, and one very special Corvette; a 2023 Z06 with Z07 Performance Package.  The car had previously been part of the CMAF’s 2022-23 Corvette Contest and although it was awarded in October, the grand prize winner opted for the cash payout.  This meant that the foundation still had a highly sought-after car and a renewed opportunity to utilize it to benefit the foundation. 

In partnership with Barrett-Jackson, the Corvette was consigned, and before it rolled across the block where it sold for $220,000, donations of support were coming into the CMAF. 

“Prior to the sale, a dear friend walked up to me and handed me a check for $5,000, but that wasn’t the end of it,” noted Miller.  “As I was leaving, another friend walked up and hugged me.  In addition, he told me that he and his family would be donating $50,000 towards the CMAF,” continued Miller.  “We crushed it last night.  I’m so proud to be part of the CMAF and it simply humbles me as to how amazing the car hobby and the people involved with it are so gracious year in and year out.  The team at Barrett-Jackson stepped up to the plate to support the cause.  I can’t thank them enough, including Craig Jackson and my dear friend Joe Petralia too,” said Miller.  “This entire experience was an astonishing win for the CMAF.  I’m fortunate to have been able to share our story with everyone.  Our board works incredibly hard with a variety of fund-raising ventures and last night’s totals are MASSIVE for a small foundation like ours.  My father is smiling down.  Life IS Good,” concluded Miller. 

For anyone who wasn’t in attendance at the event or missed a chance to support the cause during the previous calendar year, the CMAF will host a variety of events in 2024 and is currently supporting another Corvette Contest, this time with a 1959 Corvette Restomod as the grand prize.  Learn more, enter to win, or donate today at ChipMiller.org.

If the first event of the year for Carlisle Events is any indication of how the rest of 2024 will go, it’s going to be a fun year in America’s Automotive Hometown.  Event one is in the books and Auto Mania proved once more to be a great way to start the year for automotive enthusiasts in the mid-Atlantic region.  From Delaware to Connecticut and parts in between, guests flocked to the Agri-Plex building at the Allentown Fairgrounds to beat the doldrums of the January cold (and snow) for a good old-fashioned automotive flea market event.

As the first date on the 2024 Carlisle Events 50th Anniversary season schedule, Auto Mania was a great starting point for those looking to pick up automotive pieces and parts, restoration items, collectibles, merchandise, memorabilia, and more.  From the time the gates opened at noon on January 19 through the final load out on Sunday, January 21, the 59,000-square-foot facility was bustling with shoppers and a sold-out vendor base.  Between the automotive and collectible items for sale and the neighboring farmer’s market, everyone was treated, in one way or another, to a deal at every turn.  From toy trains to vintage signs, classic cars, traffic lights, emblems, and more, Auto Mania had it all and then some.

After some snow Friday, Saturday became THE day for shopping and camaraderie in Allentown, with Sunday a close second!   Saturday’s fun ran from 9 AM to 6 PM and for the thousands of guests who made the trip, it was the best outlet for parts buying, picking, flipping, and just a generally fun day out of the house.  Sunday helped wrap the weekend, and guests had one final shot at deals within the automotive flea market and one last chance to connect with old friends before saying goodbye until “the next time.”

Speaking of next time, Auto Mania 2025 takes place January 17-19.  The buzz is always strong with this event among vendors, so much so that a large chunk of available spaces were renewed during the 2024 event weekend as everyone anticipates next year’s offering.  In the meanwhile, Carlisle Events’ next event is Spring Carlisle and its two-day collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  Spring Carlisle is April 17-21 and welcomes nearly 100,000 guests, thousands of vendors, millions of automotive parts, a car corral, and more at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.

As for the aforementioned auction, Carlisle Auctions anticipates 400+ consignments and boasts its exciting FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee.  In addition, buyers and sellers can enjoy live auction entertainment and other great conveniences related to being part of a Carlisle Auction.  There’s even an All-Truck Hour planned for April 18 at approximately 4 PM.  This hour welcomes nothing but trucks and is historically one of the best-performing and most popular parts of the auction.  A complete rundown of this event and others as part of the Carlisle Events 50^th Anniversary season are available online at www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.