Automania- A Mile And Two Blocks Of Automotive Heaven

Cars and Rock n’ Roll
The Cars, the Stars and Rock n Roll! Automania creates an ambiance like no other Midwestern Automotive Event! From million dollar muscle cars and exotics to daily drivers and or projects, Automania is known to have the largest display of vehicles all at no charge to participants! The cars are the STARS and we appreciate the effort and support of the Automotive communities for the largest FREE to the public Automotive Event in the Midwest! Automania, is set for Saturday, June 27th, from 10AM – 11PM, in Brandon, SD!

The music at Automania always draws a crowd, and this year the feature band is Gary Lewis and the Playboys. The son of famous rocker Jerry Lewis, Gary is sure to bring the best in classic rock n’ roll. They go on stage at 7pm.

Also catch these other fine acts: Big Red Rawkit Riot playing their signature rockabilly music, DNR performing with brass, and the Surfin’ Safari’s taking the Automania stage with many classic rock favorites. Guilty Pleasures Orchestra will close out the evening.
This year many celebrity guests are making appearances at Automania. Reality TV star, Mike Henry, from the popular show Counting Cars, will be available to sign autographs and take photos from 4-9pm. Find him at the entrance to the Brandon elementary school, one block to the west of the stage.

Schulte Subaru of Sioux Falls, is bringing in guest Bucky Lasek, member of the Subaru Puma Rallycross Team. Lasek is also well known as a professional skateboarder, claiming the title of #1 Vert skateboarder. He will be available for meet and greets and autographs at the Schulte Subaru display, one block east of the auction area.

New this year will be a life-size NASCAR Simulator with “2 full screens of racing action” sponsored by Sheehan Mack!

Returning to Automania is crowd favorite, Sheriff Buford, aka Dave Betz. With his signature Smoky and the Bandit jargon, Buford delivers a fun, family friendly experience each year.

Something For Everyone
Note for parents: New this year is an impressive array of inflatables and games for the kiddos (and the young at heart). Sponsored by Carolan Rental and N-Flatable Fun, there are over twenty activity stations to keep your young ones busy. This area is located across from the main stage.

Note for ladies: If classic cars aren’t your cup of tea, not to worry! Enjoy a day out and about while exploring the Diva Den, an area specifically designed for shopping. With over twenty-five small businesses offering jewelry, cookware, fashion and home accessories, your time can be spent perusing the Den while your husband peruses the cars. This area is located one block west of the main stage.

Automania to Partner with VanDerBrink Auctions
Yvette VanDerBrink grew up around classic cars. Her family founded Nordstrom’s Auto Recycling, and her weekends were spent going to car races with her dad. Her interests were a bit different from her friends. Collecting old tractors, racing enduros, driving hotrods, and hunting for project vehicles on the weekends set her apart from the typical high school gal.

After high school, VanDerBrink considered going to auction school, however there were few women working in the auction industry. She decided to pursue a career as a lab technician at McKennan Hospital. Her position at the hospital kept her busy. When VanDerBrink and her husband started their family, it became clear that she needed to do something different. The idea of attending auction school continually popped into her mind. However, it took six months and a series of events explained only by divine intervention, that finally convinced her to take the plunge. According to VanDerBrink, the first two years of starting her business were extremely difficult.

“It was really tough getting going. I think a lot of people questioned how I was going to make it as an auctioneer in the classic car and antique tractor industry. I had lots of people call and test my knowledge. I took it as a personal challenge and simply refused to give up,” said VanDerBrink.

Her first big break came when she auctioned off several cars for her family. That sale led to another, and then a few more. Currently she’s been in the business fifteen years and has developed a nationwide reputation. She’s organized some of the largest classic car auctions in history, and she’s known for bringing a big crowd to her sales.

From the beginning, VanDerBrink advertised her auctions differently. Thinking outside the box, she began utilizing online auctions in 2004. This was long before it was a mainstream practice. She called magazines and writers, worked with TV stations, wrote press releases, and called on her personal network to promote the auctions.

“For me, every auction is personal. I don’t take it lightly when someone entrusts me with their life’s collection,”
said VanDerBrink.

Since beginning her business by auctioning classic cars and tractors, VanDerBrink has expanded into selling farmland and antiques too. She’s proven herself in the industry, and VanDerBrink Auctions is excited to partner with Automania   to grow the auction in Brandon.
Auction Coming to Brandon
There are several unique cars and special collections being sold at the Automania Auction ; a rare ‘38 Buick Limo, Studebakers, and more. Pay special attention to the Weideman collection. Featuring an impressive array of ’32 Fords (the epitome of the hotrod), they are selling with no reserve. Also in this collection is an All Henry Ford Steel, ‘32 3-Window Coupe.

As you’re perusing the auction catalog, don’t forget to look through the Kleinjan collection. Four cars are selling with no reserve, including a rare Camaro and GTX.

Wendy and Richard Jones are selling several nice Mopars and Chevys. Amongst their cars, you’ll find a very rare paint color code Road Runner painted in 999 Bahama Yellow. There is also another Road Runner outfitted with a 426 Hemi. The car isn’t original but the engine is extremely rare.

Automania kicks off at 10am and the Automania Auction starts at 11am. For detailed entry information, visit
www.VanderbrinkAuctions.com.

For more information on the event, visit www.automaniabrandon.com or email
bill@automaniabrandon.com. For more information on the Automania Auction, visit
www.VanderbrinkAuctions.com. TMM