TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 13, 2009, McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance, announced the winners of Hagerty's second annual Youth Model-Building Contest and inaugural Young Designers Contest, offered under the leading collector car insurer's youth initiative Operation Ignite! Three finalists from each contest were provided an expense-paid trip with a parent to attend the final judging set at the famed Monterey Classic Car Week during the company's annual party at The Lodge at Pebble Beach in Pebble Beach, Calif.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090814/LA61704)

A VIP judging panel consisting of McKeel Hagerty; Brad Lewis, Director for Pixar Animation Studios; Valentino Balboni, legendary test driver for Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.; Matt Stone, Executive Editor of Motor Trend magazine; and Ed Gilbertson, Chief Judge of the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance selected two winners from each contest. Michaela Baughn, age 10 from Omaha, NE, was awarded the top prize from the judges for her model of a 1940 Ford Coupe, and Austin Nelson, age 15 from Hillsboro, OR, won the Young Designers Contest for his rendering of a modern 1959 Cadillac.

"Operation Ignite! is one of Hagerty's most important initiatives, where we offer youth-focused programs to kids around the country in the hope that their passion for collector cars will be ignited," said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. "We feel it's essential to the future of the hobby to encourage early exposure to the excitement and camaraderie the hobby provides. We're pleased with the success of this year's youth contests and want to thank all participants and our judging panel."

Earlier this year, Hagerty mailed out nearly 350 model car kits to more than 30 car clubs throughout the United States to host their own youth model building competitions. The winning car from each club was shipped back to Hagerty and photos were placed on www.hagerty.com for voting by the public. Hagerty also invited teens ages 13-17 to submit a rendering of a modern reinterpretation of the 1959 Cadillac in honor of the iconic car's 50th anniversary. All entries were posted on www.hagerty.com for voting by the public.

Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc. is the leading insurance agency for collector vehicles in the world and host to the largest network of collector car owners. Hagerty offers insurance for collector cars, motorcycles and motorcycle safety equipment, tractors, automotive tools and spare parts, and even "automobilia" (any historic or collectible item linked with motor vehicles). Hagerty also offers overseas shipping/touring insurance coverage, commercial coverage and club liability coverage. For more information, call (800) 922-4050 or visit www.hagerty.com.

SOURCE Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc.