In the summer of 1991, EMCC was founded with the idea that fellow Camaro enthusiasts could
bond together and create a fun organization where the love of the Camaro is shared and
celebrated.
Founding member Barry Hensel organized this effort and the search for a sponsor dealership in
the area. Soon, Gordon Chevrolet in Garden City was announced as the club sponsor. Club
meetings began in September of 1991, which is considered the club's birthday. While at Gordon
Chevrolet, the club grew in membership and friendships with the local Chevelle Club of
Michigan led to a couple of swap meets jointly held. This was also the beginning of a new all-
Camaro event: Camaro Superfest. EMCC partnered with WMCC (Western Michigan Camaro
Club) and held the very first Camaro Superfest at Domino's Farms in Ann Arbor.
In 1993, Krug Chevrolet in Taylor became the new club sponsor for EMCC. A club display
board was installed at Krug Chevrolet and several swap meets were held. Camaro Superfest
continued each year and grew into the largest all-Camaro event in the USA! While faces of the
membership changed over the years, a good core membership of about 15 stayed the course to
keep EMCC alive and well. In time, Krug Chevrolet was sold, and EMCC would seek to partner
with a new dealership to call our sponsor.
With member Ron Roy's help, Lou LaRiche Chevrolet in Plymouth became EMCC's third
sponsor! Club meetings were enjoyed at the dealership twice a month for a time before the club
tried a new meeting schedule. This change would get EMCC members out into the surrounding
communities and drive our Camaros a bit more too! Once a month, the meetings were held in a
restaurant or other venue of interest in different cities in Southeastern Michigan. The club
enjoyed continued success with events, including several years of an all-Chevy show held at the
dealership.
Camaro Superfest flourished and peaked at over 530 participants in 2003. Following the end of
production of the Camaro in 2002, participation leveled in attendance to a very respectable
230+ Camaro event. While not the largest event anymore, CSF is still the longest-running all
Camaro event in the USA.
Our WMCC friends retired from co-hosting Camaro Superfest prior to the 2008 event, so EMCC
assumed hosting duties on our own. There were some uncertainties going it alone, but the
EMCC membership stepped up to the challenge. The 2008 event was a success, and Camaro
Superfest continues to be successful year after year. We have been able to facilitate some
special activities as a part of our event that have included laps on Michigan International
Speedway, the chance to drive laps on Waterford Road Course, tours through GM Heritage
Museum, Vanguard Motorsports open houses, and participant only entrance to The Lingenfelter
Collection. EMCC put a focus on raising money for charity, a priority of the event and it was met
with wonderful support from event participants. In 2011, by choosing Angela Hospice as our
charity for the first year, we honored our Sponsor's wife, Mrs. Gail LaRiche, who had passed
earlier that year. Through generous donations and the help of event participants we raised over
$13,000 for Angela Hospice. Over the past 13 years, Camaro Superfest has raised over
$150,000.00 to benefit multiple charities in Southeast Michigan.
Eastern Michigan Camaro Club welcomed Champion Chevrolet as our new sponsor in 2023.
The dealership has been a wonderful supporter of our efforts to raise money for local charities.
Thank you, Champion Chevrolet! We look forward to a continued relationship and can't wait to
attend the summer cruise-in!
Throughout the history of EMCC, it has always been FUN with our Camaros that has driven our
events and activities. Club members have continued to promote our favorite car enthusiastically
and grow camaraderie between owners through attendance at events/shows/cruises all summer
long. We invite any Camaro enthusiast to become a member and enjoy some great times
together! Find information on joining our club here.