Mopar Nationals --- Are you going?

[ViperRedCharger]

Hi all,

This may already be posted somewhere else but I did not see it.

Just wanting to see who is going to the Nats this year.  It would be nice to meet some of the people you chat with on here.

Eric

[jackel440]

we won't be making our annual trek this year.
Too many things coming up this summer with the kids ,and i never did get the tranny fixed in the charger
Thought about driving over for a day ,but probably won't happen.Take lots of pics

[chargerboy69]

Nope. . I thought about it, but until they move it to a decent facility I will not be back.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Nope. . I thought about it, but until they move it to a decent facility I will not be back.

[chargerman68]

is it that bad of a show

[ChargerSG]

I wish i could go....

[Ghoste]

It's a great show and I'll be back again this year.

[konigcharger]

friday & saturday 

[Spike]

Good show if you like unorganized chaos.
Lots of parts to look through, lots of cars and racing.
The problem is once you are on the grounds there is no organization on parking cars. It is a free for all.
That and the golf cart nationals are held there the same weekend. (kidding, but there are a lot of golf carts running around).
See you there 

[Troy]

As usual, I'll be there at some point for some unspecified amount of time.

Troy

[hemigeno]

I have kicked around going this year quite often, and the trailer & car are loaded up ready to go. 



OK, so I've been too busy to fully unload the trailer after Carlisle, but I rationalized that procrastination by thinking I'd be ahead of the game for the 'Nats.  However... The way things are going at work, it will be hard to justify taking the time off this year with a few of the other car-related activities I hope will happen in August.  Unless something strange happens, I'll have to miss.  Next year I hope to be there for sure.

[471_Magnum]

I'll be there:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,45788.0/topicseen.html

[moparsuebear]

Nope ...same for reasons above great race track but awful organization. We went back in '04 for the "year of the charger" and got in the prefered parking corral, if we hadd'nt we would have jut parked outside....but don't let me rain on anyones parade...have fun!

[pettybird]

going in the B5 bird

[TripleBlackGator]

YES!

[challenger70]

the golf cart nationals are held there the same weekend.

I will be there Friday/Saturday

[genlee1970]

Good show if you like unorganized chaos.
Lots of parts to look through, lots of cars and racing.
The problem is once you are on the grounds there is no organization on parking cars. It is a free for all.
That and the golf cart nationals are held there the same weekend. (kidding, but there are a lot of golf carts running around).
See you there 

...not to mention the absolutely vile bathrooms I GLADLY tip the bathroom attendants at Carlisle after witnessing the post-gastrointestinal carnage at the Nats.

There ARE golfcarts every where and they are sometimes driven with little regard for your paint job.

Lets see, noisy, dusty. The list goes on. The night life rocks though. Parked out on the grass  in front of your hotel on Brice, pounding a few cold ones and talking about cars. 

So no, I wont be going........

[Ghoste]

Yep, the Nats are just a big party and the golf carts are all the jerks who crash the party and wreck your place.  That being said, there is still a place in this world for stupid drunken frat parties and that is what the Nats represents.

[BMOTOXSTAR]

I probably will go on Sunday.

[Charged]

is it that bad of a show

NO! Thats one of the best Ive ever been to. Better than Carlisle by far!

Im not going cause of gas prices and the fact that I just got back from the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville. Just in town, but I cant handle to many shows at once.

[challenger70]

is it that bad of a show

NO! Thats one of the best Ive ever been to. Better than Carlisle by far!

Im not going cause of gas prices and the fact that I just got back from the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville. Just in town, but I cant handle to many shows at once.

The nats kick ass, it can be a mess though but it has personality   This will be my first year having my '68 and can't wait to search fo some good parts in the swap meet.

[69chargerboy]

I defiantly agree on how poor the Nats are organized. I drove my Charger down last year, wow, what a mess. The main show area was overtaken by pick-ups and mini vans! What the hell? I drove around the whole track looking for a place to park. After the hour I spend looking for a spot, I went back to the main entrance and demanded my money back for my car to be in the show, I just wanted to park in regular parking and just pay for my admission. After another hour of the Nats organizers not wanting to refund my money, they made room for others and me to park in back of the main stand of the racetrack... But I'll be there; hate to go, but I love my MoPars! 

[Ghoste]

...The main show area was overtaken by pick-ups and mini vans!...

...I went back to the main entrance and demanded my money back for my car to be in the show, I just wanted to park in regular parking and just pay for my admission. ...

Good for you.  If more of us did that, they would soon enough start trying to actually restrict the stock vehicles.  I love the show but one of my pet peeves for a few years now has been the fact that I have to submit a pic of my car and the VIN and plate no. with my application but on the show day I can show up with my Toyota Tundra and drive right in.  (no I don't own a Tundra, it's an illustrative example)

[Leonidas Rex]

Not this year. I wish I could go. My father is selling parts there again this year. In the past I have been the designated "chaperone" who goes to keep on eye on him since he is a diabetic who does not take very good care of himself.

[BrianShaughnessy]

   Took half day off work to start getting ready.    Leaving from E-boogers at 9am tomorrow.   

[TUFCAT]

Sorry but here's my: ( ).  There's NO way  ....NO WAY I would ever take another one of my cars to the Mopar Nationals at National Trails Raceway!!  Midwestern people still tolerate this show - - some of which have never been to Carlisle which in my opinion is MUCH nicer and better organized.   I was going to the Nats for several years.  If I ever went again, it would only be as a spectator - - bitching, pissing, and moaning the entire time; "this facility SUCKS!".

[Charged]

If it sucks so bad, hows it one of the top shows in the nation?

If any of you know how and why it supposedly sucks so bad, then build your own car show.

[TUFCAT]

If it sucks so bad, hows it one of the top shows in the nation?

I have no idea why....especially with the poor organization, high ticket costs, filthy surroundings, dust, and lack of amenitiies. 

[Charged]

If it sucks so bad, hows it one of the top shows in the nation?

I have no idea why....especially with the poor organization, high ticket costs, filthy surroundings, dust, and lack of amenitiies. 

Then you should pay your butler and maid to do a better job. Ill tell you why, because here in my world, that stuff goes hand-in-hand with every other show Ive ever attended.

As far as the ticket costs, If I recall right, I paid $10...per person at the Nats. Well, I also just paid $14 this weekend for the NSRA Street Rod Nationals here in Louisville, then $6 for a program, and $6 to park the car. Heres that web address for verification:

http://nsra-usa.com/index.php/site/evdet/96

Poor organization? Theyve generated a show thats one of the top in the nation. They attract MAJOR corporations and businesses and bring in HUGE bucks to the local community. It also sounds as if the organization could use YOUR assistance due to all your superior knowledge on how to run these things. Should I notify them that you might like an application?

My name is "Charged", Im 27, and I approve this message.

[TUFCAT]

Charged, this is not a new revelation - and I'm not a One Man Mopar Nats basher.  I simply pointed out a few things that have needed attention for many years, most of them directly related to the National Trails Raceway itself. Have you ever been to Norwalk?  Now that's a nice venue.

I hope I didn't came across as a know it all like you implied.  For my Mopar entertainment budget, this is not a show I want to attend.  In fact, I went to the Mopars at the Red Barns show at the Gilmore Car Museum (near Kalamazoo Mi) two weeks ago.  I took my 9 year old son and we had a great time.  With kids involved, certain things that used to appeal to you - suddenly wont.  Your beloved Mopar Nats has not evolved over the years, as a result its been eclipsed by better shows, at better venues.  I have a choice to spend my time and entertainment budget somewhere else.   

Jim Belinda (Mopar Nats owner) doesn't appear to care either....and certainly doesn't need me (like you suggested) to improve the many problems pointed out to him year after year by former show patrons.  He knows about the deficiencies, but won't spend the money for improvement because people like you will continue to come year after year   -  to find their own Mopar bliss     

[moparstuart]

Charged, this is not a new revelation - and I'm not a One Man Mopar Nats basher.  I simply pointed out a few things that have needed attention for many years, most of them directly related to the National Trails Raceway itself. Have you ever been to Norwalk?  Now that's a nice venue.

I hope I didn't came across as a know it all like you implied  For my Mopar entertainment budget, this is not a show I want to attend. In fact, I went to the Mopars at the Red Barns show at the Gilmore Car Museum (near Kalamazoo Mi) two weeks ago. I took my 9 year old son and we had a great time.  With kids involved, certain things that used to appeal to you - suddenly wont.  Your beloved Mopar Nats has not evolved over the years, as a result its been eclipsed by better shows, at better venues.  I have a choice to spend my time and entertainment budget somewhere else.   

Jim Belinda (Mopar Nats owner) doesn't appear to care either....and certainly doesn't need me (like you suggested) to improve the many problems pointed out to   him year after year by former show patrons.  He knows about the deficiencies, but won't spend the money for improvement because people like you will continue to come year after year   -  to find their own Mopar bliss     

your are exactly right , 
       belinda need to wake up , 

[ViperRedCharger]

Folks,

I see people complaining about the organization of the Nationals.  You need to remember at Carlisle there is a Swap meet and Car Show at the Nats there is those two plus racing.  It seems people don't like the idea of having to dodge cars ()No pun intended) when the cars are making there way over to the staging area.  That is not a Mopar Nationals Problem it is the way facility is set up.  Also,  how can you pass up the Friday and Saturday night car cruise at Heath and Brice Road.  Does Carlisle have a car cruise?  NO, Carlisle does not allow this in their town.  How about when the Nats were at Indy a few years back,  people were getting busted left and right for spinning tires.  Hey  I'm going and looking forward to a good time and to check out alot of nice rides. 


Eric

[richRTSE]

I'll be there again this year with my '69. I agree that the parking sucks. If you're not there when the gates open, forget finding a good spot.  But for the past couple years I've parked on the other side of the track (southwest) in the CarClub parking area. Much more relaxed, no so much dust from the race cars, and hardly any golf carts(just a long walk to the other side of the track). One of the guys from Moparts.com stepped up and found out all you need to get your "club" in is to have 10 cars preregistered as a group. Everyone sent there registration to him, he sent them in together, and you get your special car Club parking sticker in your packet. Maybe next year someone on here could do this if there is enough interest, but that is definately the way to go. 

Skipping Brice Rd again this year. We'll be in Heath Friday and Saturday night. Stop by and say hi if you see my car.

[ACUDANUT]

I am waiting for them to move it closer to the real midwest.
I too, do not approve of the Golf Cart show that it has become.

[Charger-Bodie]

My question is: Will Laysons be there???

[moparstuart]

My question is: Will Laysons be there???

are they back up and doing buisness as usual ? 

[ds440]

Layson's is there!  I just made a quickie trip and they are there but from what I saw, they only had CDs and a sign that said "20% off if you buy now" (or something to that effect).

Other than that....I'd say the show is "typical" Mopar Nats.  Pretty quiet but it is only Friday.

I saw Spike's 70.  Absolutely BEAU-TI-FUL car.     Looks better in person (Led Zeppelin in the 8-track to boot!).

I also got to examine an AMD '68 front fender.  Looks pretty nice, but I am but no means an expert.

And I finally scored an ever-elusive '68 dash clock (yay, um...me? ) in the swap meet.


For my fellow '68 owners, there was a really nice MM1 R/T in the "by invitation only" area.  I spoke to the owner briefly (really nice guy) and we talked about how few MM1 cars you see.  I just thought I'd point it out to anyone who is going up over the weekend - be on the lookout.