President:     Brad Carrel    (205) 542-9431     email

Vice President:     Jim McLean   (205) 328-8020     email

Secretary:     Dawn Vaughan     (205) 215-6001    email

Treasurer:    Becky Wall     email

Media Coordinator:     Todd Prater

Sargeant at Arms:     Eddie Vaughn    

The beginnings of the Central Alabama VW Club (CAVWC) are rooted in the first big VW show held in Birmingham in 1998.  This show was the Alabama October Ralley held at Oak Mountain State Park and sponsored by clubs in Anniston, Montgomery, and Huntsville.  In 1999 Mr John Sansom was in attendance with his freshly restored mid '70's bug.  He had decided it was time for a Birmingham and Central Alabama club.  During the show that year he took names and contact information and the CAVWC was on the way to being born.  John headed the club in it's infancy until he had to step down for personal reasons.  In 2001 the leadership went to Louis Donaldson.  Under Louis the club continued steady growth.  Along with the cruise-ins that are still held on the fourth Saturday of each month, Louis started a show.  The first real VW show sponsored by CAVWC was September 16, 2001 at Moody Park in Moody, Alabama.  For the first show it was a resounding success with most types of VW's represented!  In 2002 the club continued it's growth and the show was given a name; The Birmingham Bug Blast.  Every year the club membership, under Louis's leadership anticipated the show and every year it grew.  By 2005 Louis decided it was time for him to step down and let someone else lead the club.  Not only did a new leader get elected but the form of leadership changed.  Originally the CAVWC was headed by a Chairperson (president) and a steering committee made up of various club members.  Though it brought on many growing pains, the club now follows the Robert's Rules of Order and elects a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Sgt at Arms.  By this time CAVWC was involved in numerous activities.  The cruise-ins continued. Although not a club event, many members were regularly inv loved with the Aircooled Driving society annual October cruise. To this day, many members join together to "carra-bug" and "carra-bus" to other shows.  The first president elected under this new system was Gloria Brown.  In the years past Louis was the chair of the show as well as heading up the club.  In 2005 it was decided to elect a person, not the president, to be the chair of the Bug Blast.  That person was Todd Prater.   By 2005 the Birmingham Bug Blast had become so big that some club
members felt a new venue was warranted.  Some felt well enough should be left alone!  After listening to all the pros and cons and doing a bit of research on various venues around the central Alabama area, Todd decided to move the show to Tannehill State Park.  A decision that was not popular with many members at first.  With the help of many members, especially Brad Carrell, the show was organized and on August 28th 2005 the first Bug Blast at Tannehill State Park was held.  Surprisingly one of the most popular events surrounding the show at the new venue was the camping!  It has been a big party each year!  Nervously the members of the club waited to see if anyone would show up for the show.  When all was said and done, the count of VW's in attendance was around 120, 20 more than the year before, again the show continued to grow proving the show was strong on it's own merits and not dependant on venue.  In 2006 the show was moved from Sunday to Saturday and yet another 20 or so cars showed up for a total around 140!  The camping has grown also with two nights of party and fun.  In 2005 another event was added to the CAVWC lineup.  Originally conceived by member Doug Zanis as a way to get the club together to take pictures for the website, the Show N Shine was born.  The first Show N shine was held at Royal VW in Vestavia as a way not only to get pictures but to help promote the big show.  Now an annual event, the CAVWC Show N Shine is still to help to promote the Bug Blast but it is now held at Letson Farms just off of I-459.  In 2006, the first year is was held at the new venue, a campout at Tannehill State Park, which is just down the road, was added to the fun of the April event.  Although the CAVWC has gone through many growing pains and many changes it continues to grow and flourish.  Today the new president, Jim Ludwig is heading it in yet a new direction.  Chairing the Bug Blast for 2007 is Brad Carrell and many others are lined up to help.   All in all this club is made up of a wonderful and diverse group of people from all over the central Alabama area.  All are invited to join in and help write the history yet to come!