GS Nats- was it just me or...

Jason I noticed also. Maybe it's a sign of the times. Many people don't care about others property, or why can't I have your stuff. When that fails some just vandalize your property.
I stayed at the Campground as usual. We had several Buicks around us, GN's ,GS's other Skylark's and Briz's Wildcat.
Definitely not like it was but it definitely was a great time. As said elsewhere " Not long enough ".

 

Yes. The hotel parking lots used to be a car show in and of themselves. Times have changed. We've probably changed too but I think it's more so there's more to worry about now. Yes, the cars are worth more but there's also a lot more bad ppl out there that would either damage the cars just because, or steal them, or steal parts off of them.

 

I noticed that as well,...my GF couldn't believe that guys just hang out in the hotel parking lots and BS all night

 

And those parts can’t be replaced for pocket money from the ‘dollar trailer’ either.
I did drive mine back and forth, and when Thursday evenings ‘power nap’ became ‘he went to bed’, my car sat in the hotel lot with the top down all night with swag from WOT (including the beer) on the back seat and top stack. It was all still there Friday morning!
Patrick

 

We talked about that too. I really looked forward to the parking lot car shows and seeing the cars driving around town. Not as much fun pulling the car out of the trailer and driving it 50 yards to park and then back on the trailer. Still a good time just they are changing.

 

Good to hear.

I was happy to see my parts were still on my trailer Friday & Saturday mornings. I did park in a kinda prominent spot & I have 3 locks that keep the trailer attached to the car - Not that they couldn't be cut but someone is going to work for it. Probably should've just left it at the track.

 

I drove over to BG on Friday morning and spent the night at the Quality Inn. I think there was one Regal in the parking lot in addition to my GS. I don't blame people for leaving their cars at the track, though.

 

I couldn't comment on this year.. I was only in BG for about 4 hours ... I never planned on being there more than 1 day, just too many things need to be done at the shop here for me to have anything that resembles a vacation.. this was always going to be a business trip, for parts drop off and pick up. I was hoping to do that Thurs/Friday so I could attend the WOT meeting, but my RF wheel bearing had other ideas for me..

I will say that last year, the place we stayed had several GS's in the parking lot, seemed to be about the same as it always had been, for the last number of years... I don't think we will ever see what it was like in the late 80s'/90's again, many more folks trailer them now, and have other vehicles to drive around BG.

It looked like as strong turnout this year.. and I plan on this being the last year I show up without a race car..

JW

 

Went to Walmart Sunday afternoon when we got in to get soda & water & by the time I came out they stole my marker light off my dually. Lucky nothing done to the trailer.

 

after Sid & Velba's Regal got stolen a few years ago and another turbo car got stolen right after that from the hotels, and a few of my friends 442's during an Oldsmobile Nationals, it gave me a weird gut feeling. That is what got me started camping out in BG. I know my turds are not worth much but knowing it be there in the morning was the only way I would continue going to BG. I know times have changed but I have worked very hard to preserve them, to have some low life take them, or ruin my vacation. Thieves are one I can't stand.
Fernando

 

Sid's regal got stolen in Flint, MI at a hotel around the corner from my house was parked under a light in the parking lot.

 

I drove my POS all over. Left it in the camp overnight with the keys in it. Did trailer to and from the event for simple economics. Truck gets better millage towing the car than the car gets pulling her own weight.

 

That’s one of the things we like about the Power Tour. All the hotel lots are like car shows and the cars are being driven. Highly recommended!

 

I miss the old Holidome days (and nights!). But I guess they are never coming back. Glad that I got to enjoy them.

 

I think it is a combination of many things. Years ago Bowling Green was a quiet town, now it is a bustling city. All the issue come with that. Fear of theft, fear of getting hit in traffic, value of the cars, issues with crime do to lax punishment, cost of premium fuel, and on and on. Along with that is the fact that many people live days away. For me to trailer one of my cars I would need at least 2 days each way (not as young as I once was). I know many people fly in rent a car and come enjoy the event. I joke that some day everyone will come in to see the one car that shows up for the event.
Back in the day (holidome days) I would drive my Stage1 Convertible to the event over 900 miles.

 

Fred you can do it in 1 day 20-21 hours for me without traffic issues, so that is less than a full day.
Conn and NY seem to be where the traffic is the worst.
80s and 90s we would occasionally be driving down and back in a 70 mph parade of Buicks going to the Nationals. Those were fun times for sure.
As many lodging facilities as there are now in BG compared to 20 years ago has a bunch to do with the scattering of cars around the city. Maybe someone can organize the cars ,rates and special deals in an area where many hotel/motels are.

 

There's several of us local folks that have Buicks that will always be there.

 

If I had the $, I'd buy a car & rent a garage down there to keep it in, lol.

 

I was a teenager attending with my father in 87 and 88. I remember registration and picking up a "packet" and t-shirts at the Holidome!