Preface: I'm a complete car show/drag racing newbie. But I was at the Nat's on Saturday and got to purely observe, since I wasn't feeling well. I have been to numerous national equine events and biker events, so if I'm way off base about car events, let me know. 1) For the first time out, it was an awesome event! If you've ever been involved in planning a large event, it can be maddening! Great kudos to those who worked to pull it off. 2) The golf carts were an excellent idea! I would've died without mine! 3) The $15 admission seemed steep. Not for me - I would have paid a lot more just for the opportunity, but locals may have been put off at the price. I know these things are expensive to put on, but if you could get the general admission price down it would be good (yes, my fault for not getting the early discount, just looking at it from a pure spectator point of view) 4) There wasn't enough 'stuff' going on Saturday afternoon. After perusing the car show there was a lot of empty time before races. Here's some ideas: a) Lots of little kids there. Could have something for them? Somebody with a typical drag car could make some money by taking pics of little kids sitting in their car (big kids, too!) b) More Seminars!! How about "Car Showing for Dummies" and "Drag Racing for Dummies"? I could have used more info! c) How about a consignment auction or raffles? They could be fundraisers to support the event. d) More Vendors!! The ones that do the demonstrations of their products. I'm sure a lot of this was discussed, much of it is time-consuming to put together, and I still think the whole thing was great! I learned a LOT from just sitting back and observing. Had I not been sick, I would have met a lot more people. For what it's worth, a newbie's view from the stands.
Annie I think they are excellent ideas...my son is 15 and while he was able to enjoy the racing and stuff...he would have given his right arm to sit in any one of the race cars for a picture or a ride down one of the roads on the track property. The seminar idea is also a good one. I know Jim Lore (flynbuick) offered to put on a seminar about repairing our maplight rearview mirrors. Maybe more people with specialized skills can offer a brief 1/2 hour talk/demo on particular topics.
Paul, I'm not sure about the ride part (no passenger seat), but if you want to do it at the East Coast Buick Regional event at Cecil County in October, I'll be happy to let your son (or anybody else's kid) sit in my car for pictures. If you want, I'll even take the driver's door off the car so it's not in the way of the picture. I didn't think of it in Salem, but thanks to this thread, I'm aware of it now!
Awesome! Doug, I will certainly take you up on this...he will absolutely love it! After watching John Jr.'s moon shot, I think he would be a little intimidated for a ride in it anyway!:TU:
An hour or 1 1/2 hour long seminar on sheetmetal fab and rust repair would be great (if you can cover those bases that quickly in that amount of time). I know it takes years of experience to be able to do what guys like Rusty Davenport are doing with his little old lady car, but I don't even have a starting point. The rocker panels I did on my Mopar turned out *okay*, but a little edu-ma-cation would go a long way for a guy like me ("Why is the welder blowing holes???"). :TU: Anybody like the idea, or up to the task? o No:
I agree more information needs to be included for members who are in the learning stage. I was hoping to see more vendors also, especially vendors that offer interiors. The focus seems to be race oriented, with little effort given to those not as interested in racing their car. Maybe the vendors would offer a how to seminar. All in all I enjoyed the Nats, but if more is not offered for the non racer I think members will pass on the opportunity eventually. Patrick "4) There wasn't enough 'stuff' going on Saturday afternoon. After perusing the car show there was a lot of empty time before races. Here's some ideas: b) More Seminars!! How about "Car Showing for Dummies" and "Drag Racing for Dummies"? I could have used more info! c) How about a consignment auction or raffles? They could be fundraisers to support the event. d) More Vendors!! The ones that do the demonstrations of their products."
As to the interior co.s being thier...the Mopar Nats was/is the same weekend. Year One and Legendary were both at the Mopar event with there big semi trailers.. The Mopar event draws ..I`m just guessing at least 30-70,000 people[it was a complete zoo on Sat] For a first year event,I thought it was good,I was there on Thurs.Next year I`ll split it better.Plus hopefully my Stage1 will be done
Annie Oakley, I think more seminars would be a great idea. I started off the restoration clinic, and was followed by Dennis Manner (Head of Buick Engineering) and then Mark De Conti who talked about the differences between stage 1 vs non stage automatic transmissions. I could also do a how to recover seat cover demo, if someone was willing to supply a seat and cover. The only problem is that it could not be done on the car show day, as I have other responsibilities. I am sure others could do a demo on grill repair, etc. Duane
Great ideas Annie. I must have missed this thread the first time around. I really like the idea of having seminars from the time the car show starts until the awards for the car show are handed out, assuming that immediately after that the racing begins. Besides the technical, informational. How about a pick Duane's brain session? Speaking of vendors, if there are any specializing in Buick literature I think it would be a plus. Shop manuals (CDs or paper). Dove books, owners manuals, posters, etc. etc. I was surprised there weren't some of the clocks there. I probably would have bought one if it was in front of me. What other kinds of apparel would poeple like to see? Cashmere sweaters, sweatshirts, polo shirts, hats, etc.? I can help with that.
This kinda defeats the purpose of not having racing going on too - and that is to have a time for JUST the car show. Personally....I think most, if not every, car show I've put my car in (and thats alot over 11 years) is about twice as long as it should be. Usually by 12-1pm, you've seen it all and talked to most yet you're still there for another 2-3 hours waiting for the vote tally / awards. My solution ?? Cars in their places NO LATER THAN 10am. Car show ends @ 12:30pm. Go eat lunch for a half hour and racing starts at 1pm. Votes are tally'ed while racing commences. Racing stops at 4 or 5 pm for Awards cerimony - after cerimony racing resumes. This gives the racers time to see the show and then get ready....and also allows the show-only's to watch a couple hours of racing until votes are tallyed and awards are ready. I also think a "Call to the stands" should be issued (and acted upon by all present) before the awards cerimony for both show and race. Its much better to receive an award for your efforts with people watching than without. Of course the above assumes a popular vote show for all but Concours Cars
Mike, We had a "pick Duane's brain session" this year, it was called the Restoration Clinic, and I talked for about an hour. I agree that we should have several different seminars, however I think they should be spread over more then one day. It was almost impossible for me to get everything done this year with judging, and having the resto clinic immediately follow that. The Nationals is not a 1 day event, so if we have seminars on more then one day everyone will benefit. Duane
OK, I've got a problem. I was sleeping and didn't get to the show until 12:30! If you guys end the show earlier next year, I might not get to see it! I can't think of a solution to this problem that won't negatively affect me, can you? o No: :laugh:
I gotta solution. Stay in bed all day and I'll check out the show and race your car!!!!!! I'll get back to you in the evening with the results. Am I a genius or what?:3gears:
Ya see that?! Ask and ye shall recieve! I wanted a solution and look how quickly I got one! Excellant! I'll give you the keys the night before the show.....Uh Oh, I forgot.....THERE ARE NO KEYS!! :laugh:
Dan............that's a good way to get a better ET than me!! I'll have to become buddy's with the Zerucha's!!
