Carlisle vs. Mopar Nats

[buckeyecharger]

What do you guys think? I've never been to Carlisle, hopefully I will get there someday.

[AKcharger]

I've been to both, Nats has a race track, other than that Carlise beats it in every cateory, more organized, cleaner, more parts for sale, better traffic control ect. ect.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Nats has a race track, other than that Carlise beats it in every cateory, more organized, cleaner, more parts for sale, better traffic control ect. ect.

from what I have heard about the Nats.....havent been there personally though

[Ghoste]

The Nats lets you park where you want which may or may not be a good thing depending on your reason for going.  The Nats is a big party.

[Cooter]

Never personally been to the Nats, but have a buddy that went about 5 times. Carlisle kicks Nat ass according to him.

[Tilar]

That really not an apples to apples comparison. Both are good. Carlisle is a good bit bigger, but as mentioned doesn't have the track.

[chargerboy69]

The only thing I do like about Nats is you can park where you would like, not all my friends have Chargers.

The track for Nats is a total dump.  No restrooms, very limited food, forty miles out in the middle of nowhere and run down in general. Until they move it, many of my friends will not be back.

I have a older Mopar Muscle or Mopar Action that list attendance. The attendance was highest while in Indy, in fact, it was not even close. You would think that would tell the organizers something. . .but nope.

[69 OUR/TEA]

If the Nats were closer to me,I'd try it to see for myself,but not at a 12-13 hour drive.Been going to Carlisle since 97,have'nt missed a year yet !!!!

[BrianShaughnessy]

Been to both...  of course my Nats experience is mostly limited to working the MA booth with a few hours off to go roam as much as I can see on a golf cart trying not to run any old folks over.   I prefer Carlisle hands down.

Nats is noisy, filthy, hot, humid.    Restroom situation leaves MUCH to be desired.   The deal is the supposed night life which used to be Brice but is now Heath...  not that I made it there either.      Whatever Brice was is a joke now.

Carlisle is hot and humid but it has some restrooms and is much calmer and has the larger swap meet and more cars in general.   Nightlife is what you make of it.

For what it's worth...   Carlisle attracts more east coast and Nats attracts more mid west.    The price of fuel and whatnot has turned most events into regional shows IMHO.

FWIW.    Lex ( that runs Maple Grove ) ran the Nats while it was at Indy,  he was telling some interesting stories about when it was there.   Basically the crowd is too wild for the town...  they didn't appreciate the burnouts and whatnot.   Ke sera sera.

[Benji]

The Nats is on rout 40, eleven miles straight east of Columbus, Ohio which is the capital of Ohio which has a population of around 800,000 people.  The main restrooms are behind the spectator stands and there are numerous eating vendors near the stands.  Yes it will be hot. August is always hot in the midwest.  There are lots of places that sell water and soda pop. There are usually a number of places that sell beer too.  You can also bring your own cooler along but I think they won't allow you to bring your own  beer in.  I'll be there again this year as my oldest son lives about 10 minutes straight down route 40 and I can stay there for free!!!

Benji

[jaak]

Never been to Carlisle, but one of these years I'm gonna plan a vacation so I can go. I have been to the NATS twice, its cool to check out at least once...but I have no desire to go back again.

Jason

[bill440rt]

I've never missed a year at Carlisle, and was only at the 'Nats twice (last time was in 2000, held in Columbus).
Not sure if things have changed since then, I had a good time but have no desire to rush back. Carlisle for me hands down. They seem to top each & every year, a difficult task. It well run & highly organized, a top notch show.
It could use an "OE-type" judged class (something they are highly considering so I am told), which would then bulldoze the Nats IMHO. I personally can do without the drag racing or a night of burnouts in a parking lot.

[bad88t-top]

I enjoy them both but both are considerable different

Carlisle Pro's
* Organized
* Little or no traffic
* More Parts
* Better Car Corral
* All Chargers park together by year

Nat's Pro's
* Racing to watch
* OE judging
* Night life cruise scene is awesome in Heath
* Can park with other cars besides Chargers

They're both great weekends with friends and family

[F8-4life]

Yea the heath scene is pretty cool I was out cruisin in a 71 new yorker one year and it was a blast, funny to see the cops bust the chevy and mustang guys but leave the mopars alone