Mopar Nationals

[69_500]

Just got home from a weekend at the Mopar Nationals. It wasn't at all what I was expecting this year. Not that the amount of cars or the quality of racing wasn't up to par for the course. Just the organization of the management leaves a ton to be desired.

Went to this show with the expectations of doing our filming and after 1 1/2 days of filming at the event the oragnizers shut us down. This was after over 15 phone calls before the event, 12 emails, faxes, and even a couple letters requesting permision to be there. All of which went unasnwered. So we went to the show anyways to show the 500, and meet up with other Charger lovers. Got there on Friday and set up 13 owner interview to do on film. Tried all day to get with the event organizers, left notes at their tent and never heard anything from them.

The next morning, my dad is talking to the event organize and he says "pay us 1,000 up front and go ahead and film and we will get back with you and let you know if you can put it out for resale". So we said forget it, we are gonna just chill at this show.

Not too much relaxing went on though, man that event has horrible organization. If it wasn't for the sheer number of cars that attend and people, I would stop going. Get to the show at 7 am on friday morning and go to a port-a-let and there is already toilet paper higher than the seat. This is 1 hour after gates opened?
Parking at the event is a disaster. There is not thought involved in where people can or cannot park. If you have a parking pass for one section there is nobody saying you can't just take your ride and park it wherever you want. At one point I got so irrate at a gentleman in a minivan it was difficult to keep from just slugging him. HEMIgeno will know what I'm talking about.

All in all though the time I got to spend with Geno, Troy, Ying, Jerry with the HEMI 500, and others that was awsome. As far as the whole show is concerned, the event sucks. I suggest to anyone if they want to see a well run show, and a lot of awsome mopars, skip the Mopar Nationals, and go straight to Carlisle.

[694spdRT]

We usually go to the Nats every year, but Monster Mopar Weekend has been filling the gap if we skip the Nats.

I thought last year was OK because of the Charger spotlight, but the show has lost some of its luster for me also. I do like it better in Columbus even though it is quite a bit farther. 

[69_500]

I absolutely hate the show being in Columbus. The show as better off here in Indy, or up at Milan, or pretty much at any other facitlity it has been at. the only plus to columbus is Brice Road. But there are roads to cruise up and down at any city.

[694spdRT]

I absolutely hate the show being in Columbus. The show as better off here in Indy, or up at Milan, or pretty much at any other facitlity it has been at. the only plus to columbus is Brice Road. But there are roads to cruise up and down at any city.

I can see someone from the Indy area wanting it local. Brice Road is one of my main reasons for going so that is a big factor. The other thing I did not like in Indy was the shear size of the town. After you get a mile from the track you didn't even know there was a Mopar show going on. The other thing was that long walk they made you do for the first couple years without any or enough shuttles.

[RT DAVE]

I absolutely hate the show being in Columbus. The show as better off here in Indy, or up at Milan, or pretty much at any other facitlity it has been at. the only plus to columbus is Brice Road. But there are roads to cruise up and down at any city.

I thought the high end cars were more plentiful when it was at Indy.   

[Telvis]

At least it was nice and warm!

[Telvis]

Next year I think I'm going to open a bottled water and lemonade stand.  At the prices they get I would have made a bundle. I bet I spen't close $50 on drinks Saturday alone.

[Ghoste]

As I heard someone else mention over the weekend, the Nats runs itself.  If you think it's poorly run now, you should have seen it some years ago.  It largely trades on it's reputation for being the first large Mopar show and that's why I go.  This made 25 for me so you have to keep the chain going.
I love how they made the swap meet and car corral so much largher and then don't enforce the parking rule.  I have to provide photos of my old car with the application to prove that it exists and then I have nowhere to park because of trailers, minivans, F150's, Suburbans, golf carts and on and on.

[69_500]

I don't just want the nats here in Indy because its local. The facility at Indy is way nicer, larger, and it doesn't turn into a mud pit at the first hint of rain. When you go to Columbus its either a mud hole, or a dust bowl.
This made the 21st Mopar Nationals that I've attended, and I can honestly say that since they have went back to Columbus I think the show has been going down hill. I really loved the early years shows. The early 80's up in Milan, Indy, St. Louis, all were great.

[mopar_madman]

Next year I think I'm going to open a bottled water and lemonade stand.   At the prices they get I would have made a bundle. I bet I spen't close $50 on drinks Saturday alone.

Yeah I learned to bring my own food and drinks in a cooler or just buy drinks from the guys selling in the swap meet.

[41husk]

I have been a long time Monster Mopar fan and have never been to the Nats it sounds like I may be making the right choice.

[mustanghater]

theirs a huge fairgrounds in lakecounty. its up by the lake. but theirs arn't any hotels near it.

[blackcharger]

my main gripe about the Nats was the morons on golf carts. No problem with the disabled/elderly. That's who should be on them. But most were people younger than me(41). Read horror stories on moparts about cars being hit, parts run over. I was hefting a trunk lid for the road runner from the swap meet by myself, and nearly got hit a few times. On the plus, two VERY nice gentlemen did stop and give me a ride on their cart so I didn't pass out from heat stroke.
One more........$3 for a bottle of water??

[ying]

hi to eveyone, i lovw going to the nats till i started to bring my car....... what a f#*kin' mess it was for those of us who were at the field. they took your $65.00 then said good luck parking your "show"car. they had piss poor management. no trailers on the grounds was a lie there were trailers eveywhere. i may go back but i dont know about my car. maybe do what countless others do and just go for the brice road antics and the parties at the hotels!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you were there you know the frustrations.................... thanks to all. Tim 

[4cruzin]

It was definitely HOT this year!!      And yes the organization is terrible . . . but it is the MOPAR NATS!!  This was only my 10th years and I liked it better at the Indy site too!!  Brice road is over rated.  Too many cops!!  Like was said . . . we can cruise down any road!! 

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Sorry some of you had a bad time.   I have never been there myself.  I can say though that my first time at Carlisle with the car was a pleasure to say the least.......

Any pics??

[Troy]

I have a few hundred pics but for some reason they frown on me posting them from work...

Troy

[472 R/T SE]

I think some of you guys are spoiled.   There's far more big Mopar related events east of the Mississippi.   

We have a few in the NW that average 300 cars and they're tops.

[69_500]

I would say that we are possibly spoiled with having so many huge shows to attend. However i was just voicing my opinion on how crappy the organization is at the Mopar Nationals. If it wasn't for the fact of seeing 1,000's of cars, I wouldn't go even to walk around. I  think might have been the last year I take the 500. That is until they either get better organized or move to another location.

[472 R/T SE]

I told my wife after the holidays and I get flying figured out(wheelchair), I'm coming out there next year to see what all the fuss is about.

[69_500]

The fuss is all about the horribly management.

[Chris G.]

I told my wife after the holidays and I get flying figured out(wheelchair), I'm coming out there next year to see what all the fuss is about.

Mike, If I know you like I think I do, you were built for a show like Carlisle. Gorgeous cars, all very well organized. The Nats should be your distant second choice. Plus I get to hang out with you if you go to Carlisle  . I have to start pricing hotels in a few months. If you want to go, let me know and maybe all of us can try and stay at the same hotel. Last year there were a bunch of us at the same hotel. Maybe we can grab Troy, Danny and the rest of the gang as well. 

[hemigeno]

Yeah, I agree that the 'Nats organization left a lot to be desired.   Seems like they just book the track, sell out the spaces, and then just let the show run itself.   It's like they are relying on pure tradition and the appeal of Brice Road to keep the MoparNationals "mystique".   Personally, I was not overly impressed.

This year was the first year I went to either Carlisle or the 'Nats.   Even though I didn't put a Mopar in the show at Carlisle, it was painfully evident within the first 15 minutes how disorganized things were in Columbus/NTR last weekend compared to what I witnessed in July (@ Carlisle).   That doesn't even count the fun Danny and I had with those (insert expletive here) Minivan enthusiasts from New York on Saturday.   

Strangely enough, I had a much more enjoyable time at the 'Nats than Carlisle - despite the less-than-stellar organizational skills of the show promoters.   It didn't hurt that I had something of mine in the show, but the real reason it was a blast was meeting up with a bunch of guys from the site, and talking with a whole lot of folks who like Chargers (& trucks too!).

That being said, it will be a while before I go back to the 'Nats.   Maybe they'll have their act together in a few years...

[69_500]

Gene, don't get your hopes up for the Nats getting their act together. Your exactly right on how they just sell out the spaces, and then just let everyone run around however they want.

I thought it was funny when Ying was saying the guys directed him to park his Charger over on a hill, that was rough as heck. Yet they are sending trucks and minivans over to where we parked which was obviously not the spot for 04-05 Trucks or minivans.

The name Mopar Nationals is the only thing that keeps that show running if you ask me. Tried for 2 months to get some information aobut getting a vendors booth or a swap meet space to no avail. Never even heard back from the place.

[hotrod98]

I only attend the nats every few years since it's so far away, (14 hour drive). I never take any of my cars for several reasons. As much as I love my cars, they're not the most confortable cars in the world to drive for that long. Then, when you get there you have to worry about the car the entire weekend. If it breaks down you have to worry about how to get it home. If you buy stuff at the swap meet you have to have a way to get it home. (that's why I take my truck). And, I go to enjoy looking at other people's cars...I've already seen mine.
We drove the two cudas to Branson this past weekend since it was only a couple of hours away. We'll probably drive one of them to St. Louis and then later to Topeka. Both shows are growing and getting better every year. Not near as many cars, but nowhere near the sensory overload of the nats. With the nats, you try to see and do too much every time. At least I do and then I feel like I missed something. The St Louis and Topeka shows are very organized and very enjoyable. They don't replace the nats, but they're so much closer.

[69_500]

So did you do the Cruising Branson under the lights? Isn't that the same weekend as the Nats? I was thinking of taking my 500 to that instead of the nationals, due to the chance to cruise with a Daytona in that one.

[Ghoste]

I don't have any solutions but I do have a couple of observations.  First off, I remember when it went to Indy all everone did was bitch about how great it was in Columbus.  IRP was a better track but does everyone recall the martial law reaction of the Indy police and their very clear direction that they did NOT want us in their town?  Remember the motel gouging?
Of course the cruise part had everyone longing for Brice and it took on this mythical status that could never be lived up to and when we did go back, it seemed like the wild west with burnouts everwhere.  It's no wonder the cops there now cut it down to one lane and create a stinking logjam.  The old Brice was lots of cruising and very few burnouts with zero tolerance.  Our memories made it bigger than it was.
Truth is, the Nats are just like their slogan about "not just a car show, it's an event".  It's a big party and they treat it as such.  Luckily for me, my old rat is just a Charger beater so even though I whine about the parking, I don't get as stressed as I would if I owned a 69 500 or a Hemi RT.  I am glad you brought both of those cars this time and I took  lots of film of them dust and all.  They were still beautiful.

[lumpy]

  ..... it is quite interesting to here this kind of feedback from people that have attended this show for a number of years. I am 36 years old and have been a fan of Mopars since I was about twelve, and bought my first car when I was 14, a '68 Plymouth Sport Fury 383 auto. Since then I have owned over 20 vehicles that fall under the Chrysler umbrella, I currently own 5. Sometime in early spring, I called my older brother up to see if he would like to ride out to Columbus with me in my '67 Coronet 500 Conv. Niether one of us had ever been to an all Mopar show, so we were pretty excited!! The 12 hour trip out to Columbus took 23 hours!! We ended up taking my '70 R/T S.E Challenger and were held up in a heavy rainstorm before we could even get out of Iowa, 5 hours behind schedule, drove over 700 miles with no problems, never saw any other mopars traveling under their own power, traffic jam on I70 7 hours behind schedule, fuel pump failed in heat 3 more hours, exhaust weld busted loose from header from pot hole on hwy 40 at 70 mph, 2 more hours behind schedule. We had planned on being there at 10am, but checked into our room at 9pm, oh they gave our reserved room away to someone else, so we had to fork out the extra $150 for the suite. I got up at 6am the next morning and washed my car in the hotel parking lot, went to the show and we both could not believe the number and the range of cars on hand. Everything from a blown black '71 Cuda pro street car to a concours restoredHemi R/T S.E. to a customized gullwing Dart!! WOW, I was in Heaven but i wasn't in Iowa!! I thought the show was Awesome, but on the other hand I can see why some people would be critical, I can offer this, if you want something changed, why not get involved? Your input here on this message board does not do anything to change the way the show will be run in the future, so quit your whinning, nobody forced you to go in the first place. We had an awful trip out there and the trip back was also full of untimley events, but we had a great time at the show, Brice Road, and afterwards at the motel parking lot.I will be back!!!

[hotrod98]

Hey 69 500,
The show that was in  Branson last weekend was the "Super Summer Cruise"  based at the "Shepherd of the Hills" facility. The "Cruisin Branson Lights" show has been moved to the last weekend of August, but isn't going to have a cruise this year since their permit was pulled by the city. We're not going to that show since I have way too much to do. I have to finish the 67 hemi GTX that I've got on the rotisserie and then finish putting my chal convert hemi clone together. All while I'm gathering info and parts for my Daytona clone. Making me tired just talking about it.
My wife and son are taking the cudas to a small mopar show in Fayetteville, AR this weekend if it doesn't get rained out.

By the way...I love the Nats...just can't go every year like some people do. I need the money to maintain all of these mopars here at home. lol

[hemigeno]

I can offer this, if you want something changed, why not get involved? Your input here on this message board does not do anything to change the way the show will be run in the future, so quit your whinning, nobody forced you to go in the first place.

Are you sure you weren't driving a dark blue minivan with New Yahk plates?

Your statement makes it sound as if any negative comment made about the show is whining.  You have no idea how much I would have loved to have fixed the few "serious" problems I encountered, but then I would probably be typing this from jail right now.  The lack of organization by the show's promoter is the reason idiocy occasionally ran rampant last weekend.  If there had been anyone with authority around, 90% of the problems I saw would have been alleviated, and the rest would be what you normally get with a large group of people.  End of story.

lumpy, I'm sorry you had a bummer of a trip up, and I'm glad you enjoyed your time at the show itself.  Just because you didn't experience any numbskulls doesn't mean they weren't there.

Whining....   

[lumpy]

This was my first time at a national event, the people that I met there were very friendly and helpful with the problems that we had. I did not hear anybody complaining about anything except the heat on Sat. and the prices at the swap meet $550 for a RH mirror for my car!! I am surprised that this thread does not have anymore positive posts. Do all of you veteran showgoers just hate the Nats? I was just pumped up to be there and to be able to see everything that I saw. I really have nothing to compare it to , except the Goodguys Heartland Nats. that is held  close to where I live. I enjoy that show very much every year, and the orginization is not any better. It's true that it seemed that there really was no one in charge of the event, but I think we all realize that alot of work is needed in order to put on a show of this size!! Please post your positive Nats comments

[Ghoste]

I thought my comments were positive.  25 year chain or no, if I were having a crappy time I'd quit going.  As to changing the show by getting involved, it ain't no hometown show.  It may have started out that way but Jim Bielenda does this for profit today.  I doubt he makes much money personally from it and I would think that he puts in an enormous amount of time.  In spite of that, or because of it, its his show and it will be run (unrun??) his way.  I suppose someone could try and organize a volunteer posse to work the gates and control parking, but gates are run by Natioanl Trail as far as I know.  A few years ago, golf carts were an out of hand problem and people complained so much that the Nats staff cracked down on bringing in your own golf carts.  Let me repeat, your OWN golf carts.  Now you rent them from Natioanl Trail and the problem is solved.
There, that's my negative comment.
Seriously though Lumpy, I had a great time and I will go again next year.

[Old Moparz]

I've only been to the Nats 3 times, 1985, 1988 & 2003. I liked the '85 best at Milan, & the '03 the least in Columbus because of the unorganized atmosphere. ('88 was better though, but probably smaller) I'll still go when I can, but would try to go more often if it were closer & better organized. I don't feel I'm missing out on anything if I don't go, unlike a Carlisle show. Too bad Carlisle didn't have a 1/4 mile drag strip on site.

As for no right to complain? What happened to being satisfied with what you pay for? If it were a free show like the local cruises are, I would almost expect it to be chaos, but with the fees involved, it should be better. Price gouging happens at Carlisle too, an $89 room was $189 during an event. Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ could give lessons to Columbus in how to run an event. BTW, golf carts are still an issue if you read this:

http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1916397&page=0&fpart=1&vc=1

As long as a profit is seen, most people running it won't care about solving "minor" problems, at least until it hits their wallet. It's a one time annual event & not done weekly, so I seriously doubt most complaints will be looked into. If it stays the same size or grows, it's going to be difficult to control no matter what. That's too bad, because it'll take a major mishap like a golf cart injury or a big dollar show car getting damaged before someone hears it.

[lumpy]

Ghostes' comments are more positive than most here still waiting to read that someone had an awesome time and thought that it was the best thing that they have seen :2thumbs:maybe I'm just blind to these other problems, because I am a first timer, but by nature i am someone that will find positive in any situation and tend to ignore things negative, I just try to have a good time no matter where I'm at .

[694spdRT]

We took dad's '71 Six pack last year to the Charger Tribute last year and it was no problem for us. The sent us our confirmation for parking and we got right in.

I would not want a nice car out in the general car area though. I enjoy the show we just don't go every year.

I feel the exhibition drags have fell off some in the last few years, but that may be due external factors. 

[hotrod98]

The first time that you attend the nats, it's so overwhelming just seeing that many mopars in the same place at the same time. I'll never forget my first visit at Indy. When you go for the second time, the thrill is not as great. You're still excited, just not to the same degree.
I will admit that there is a definite lack of organization. It's kind of a free-for-all once you're in the gates. I think most of the criticisms that I've heard here on the forum are legitimate. Everyone has a right to their opinion. It's not whining, it's just their opinion. Who knows, maybe someone that is involved with the nats will be reading and there may be some slight changes because of it.

[lumpy]

When your opinion criticizes, the work of others ,but you are not willing to change to make matters better... well it kinda sounds like Whini..

[Old Moparz]

When your opinion criticizes, the work of others ,but you are not willing to change to make matters better... well it kinda sounds like Whini..

I'll remember that if I ever have to have something amputated or removed. I'll just stay awake to make sure Dr. Abudalooney's nurses have the right chart.  

[Troy]

So who is whining that actually has the power to change things at the Nats? We could all stop going then it would change I'm sure. I don't recall the organizers asking for my opinion or putting me in charge of anything. I paid $40 to get in (no car) to see the "show" yet I had to walk miles out of my way to find cars stuffed against a fence or in oddball places because of all the trailers and non-show vehicles parked in the middle of the grounds. I'm sure that I missed many nice cars because of this. The "featured" cars, judged cars, and group tents were about the only guaranteed places to find a spot. The people at the show were rude for the most part (try taking pictures some time). It didn't matter much if they were walking or riding in a cart.

I have enjoyed the Nats every time I've gone and this year was no exception. Other than the sahara-like temperatures all weekend, I had a great time running around and inspecting some awesome cars. I personally don't care if the cars are separated into like groups because a little variety is good. I usually only go for the show itself so I've never been to Brice Road or any other activities outside of the show until this year. I'll probably do it all again in the future.

I think Carlisle was more organized and a better show for the specatator. It seemed fairly well set up for the entrants as well. If I have the chance I'll still go to both of them.

Troy

[Charger_Fan]

$40 a ticket? Holy crapolee!!
Is there a giveaway car involved? Are they trying to make up for all the funds needed for grounds upkeep in one weekend? That's disgusting.

I snivvle when I have to pay $16 per ticket for our annual "big" show here...but at least each ticket get's you a chance at a giveaway car.

[hemigeno]

When your opinion criticizes, the work of others ,but you are not willing to change to make matters better... well it kinda sounds like Whini..

Danny (69_500), Dewayne (Danny's dad), and I DID go talk to Jim Bielenda, the show promoter, about the problem.   You know what he said?  

"Well, after the early-morning rush, we put the "B" team out at the gates, so there's no one there who knows anything about where non-show cars and trailers are supposed to park.   We have this problem all the time.   They shouldn't park there, but there's not much we can do if they aren't at their car.   If you get me their sticker number, we'll keep them from registering next year."



Ummmhmmm...   tell me another story, and this time make it a western, wouldya?

That doesn't even begin to explain the problem Danny and Dewayne had in trying to get permission to film for (and later, to sell) videos of the event.   To say that Jim B. and his crew were less than helpful both prior to and at the show would be an understatement.   I'll let Danny explain that in greater detail, but the word "shakedown" comes to mind...

The cold hard fact is that there was no event personnel around to direct where people were supposed to park or not park.   THAT is my chief complaint, and we DID take it up with the top dog.   Can't go any higher.   We still got nowhere, and there was certainly no offer to deputize us so that we could rectify the situation.

Until you know the full story lumpy, you should try not making statements about what has or has not happened, when you have not the slightest clue about what our situation was.

[/rant]

[hotrod98]

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[694spdRT]

Has the car show participant parking always been a problem? We have only taken the Charger when they had the tribute last year.

At Monster Mopar Weekend it seemed better organized....heck the gate guy even made us pop the hood to make sure we could enter the "stock" class.

As for the $40 you have to remember that is for 3 days and it includes drag racing, exhibitions, swap meet, car show, car corral etc. I am not saying it is a drop in the bucket, but what is anymore.

[Troy]

$40 a ticket? Holy crapolee!!
Is there a giveaway car involved? Are they trying to make up for all the funds needed for grounds upkeep in one weekend? That's disgusting.

I snivvle when I have to pay $16 per ticket for our annual "big" show here...but at least each ticket get's you a chance at a giveaway car.

As stated above, the $40 admission was for 3 days and it does include admission to the track (well, it's all together whether you want to see the races or not). I think it's $20 for one day. That's one person - no car. The Chrysler Classic shows are $15 for one day and $25 for both days I believe and they are much smaller and easier to navigate.

Troy

[AKcharger]

I went last year for the Tribute and parked in the Charger area...I was horrifed at the fun field cars parked "Helter Skelter" all over the place. That will be our last Nats visit, it was too chaotic. Races were neat but not worth it...Calisle is the cats meow!

[Ghoste]

It's 65 dollars if you're bringing in a car (tickets are for two people then) and more if you're racing.  The exhibition racing has slid off and that is likely a cost issue.  I also noticed the Pro Stock cars weren't there this year and I figured Jeggy would show for sure.
This was by far the worst year ever for non show vehicles on the property and there were a lot of complaints so who knows.
I got hit by a golf cart myself btw and that was when I was wearing that goofy hat. 

[moparjohn]

I had a great time all in all. When you know what to expect (3rd year now) you find a place to park and make the best of it. I had the pleasure of meeting Troy and we got to talk for a while He is a great guy and I look forward to seeing him again. I also meet Telvis and his son, that was nice also but we didn't have that much time.  Brice road was the best cruising in 3 years though the crowd was less. And finnally it was nice to be an attention whore when I drove my Charger down Brice with my friend Kevin (Piper) playing the bagpipes!  That alone made the trip worth wild the spectators and fellow cruisers went WILD! John

[moparjohn]

Here's a couple of jackasses playing the crowd

[Ghoste]

I should have went with you guys.

[472 R/T SE]

I love bagpipes, I bet that was cool.

[ying]

hemigeno says it all.......................IF the had some people with balls to direct ALL cars to the appropriate spots there would NOT have been problems ..and tell others to get their trailers OUT ....

[69_500]

As Gene said we did go to the top of the pecking order to get some things straightened out but that was to no avail. As a matter of fact he almost had a smile on his face when we were asking him about parking situation. Then as Gene said there was a whole mess with trying to get video footage. Every person that I talked to at the event about that later on was like "Why can't you tape anything?" "Are you still going to make a DVD so we can purchase it?" The answer to the first is because Jim Belinda said "NO taping without $1,000, then we will let you know down the road if you can put that out for resale. Its no guarantee" The answer to the second one is no we stopped taping after that and packed up the camera's and just stayed by the car and chit chatted with people.

I had a good time at the show don't get me wrong. I mean lets see here working on a 69 Daytona was fun changing fuel pumps. Cruising Brice Road was fun, just watching Brice Road was fun. Talking to Geno, Troy, Ying, and various other board members that I can't think of right this second was awsome. So was hanging out all weekend with Jerry another fellow 500 owner, only his has a HEMI. Running into 4 other 500 owners at the show, and getting to talk to them about stuff was incredible.

However the organization sucks. The people in charge there just expect the show to run itself, its like taking 500 3 year olds and putting them in a room of toys and expecting them to clean up afterwords.

[tick68charger]

I have been going to the Nat's for the last 6 or 7 years.  And this was the first year I got to take my charger.  accept for the heat I had a great time showing my charger, seeing the reaction on peoples faces when they saw my charger, and talking to other mopar lovers, And after many years of watching other people cruise down Brice rd in their mopars it was now my turn(what a blast). The Nat's was not organized as far as the parking went, but i had a good time and I will be back next year.  I'm just glad there is an event like this where we all can get together.

[Telvis]

 I don't go to many shows or events so I don't have much to compare it to. My son and I had a great time. My Son especially. He's only 11 but knows more about the various models than I do. It was a good time for us to bond. It was a nice weekend.  I'm ready to plan for next year. 

[4cruzin]

[Troy]

They are here:
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,1546.0.html

Wouldn't want to hijack a thread now would I?

Troy

[Ghoste]

Well so far, the only pics we could include in this thread would be of trailers, minivans, dust, back tent graft, and thermometers in the 90's. 

[chargerkid]

I think the Nats is ran poorly.  I like Carlisle and Monster Mopar Weekend by far.  I know its been talked about before about the restroom facilities and trash.  National Trail really needs to invest in "building" a bathroom facility.  The trash is always overflowing.

Yes, trailers were scattered everywhere.  They need to have a designated place for all the trailers. 

I did see Hemigeno.  My buddy said check that set up out.  It was cool seeing the Charger on that awesome wrecker.  It was nice and high where no one could touch it...not like a flat bed car trailer.  We seen it parked by the vendor alley and it took off on Saturday.

I didn't set up this year.  It was nice to finally to walk around and not having to babysit parts.  I did find all the parts I needed.  I like seeing all the cool new repop stuff at the midway.

I can't wait for "MONSTER" Mopar weekend!

[hemigeno]

Yeah, I took off for a little bit on Saturday, but that was for a good reason...

MoparCollector'sGuide wanted to do a photo shoot at the airport that is adjacent to NTR.      Rob Wolf (nice guy!) took about 50 photos, so we'll see if/when it shows up in an upcoming issue. 

I'll be at MonsterMopar this year, and I'm thinking about leaving the car up on the truck there too.  Seemed to go over ok, and it was a lot less work too!!

[smasherofall]

this was my 17th Nats and I have enjoyed them all. I have gotten most of my parts over the years there because of the "deals" that most vendors have. I got to meet Troy which was one of my objectives, saw Danny and a few other great people I've met over the years. Of coarse I had to put up with my buddy I came with making fun of me all w/e for "documenting" 2nd gen trunk lids (because I haven't seen any like mine as of yet). Did almost get thrown out of Hooters Sat night for starting a wet t-shirt contest for the waitresses 

[Ghoste]

They do have a designated place for trailers Chargerkid.  It was that big empty grass lot just outside the entrance near the sign that said "trailer parking".

[Telvis]

Hemigeno, I saw that setup of yours. I didn't realize it was you until Troy told me Saturday afternoon. I wish I could have met you. My little boy loved your truck. That old car you had on the back was okay too.

[69_500]

Geno's set ups was incredible. I was hoping to get him to do a video interview about the truck and the car, but when they said I couldn't film there I didn't ask him. Maybe I can talk him into it at St. Louis.

[mustanghater]

how many cars were their this year?

[hemigeno]

Geno's set ups was incredible. I was hoping to get him to do a video interview about the truck and the car, but when they said I couldn't film there I didn't ask him. Maybe I can talk him into it at St. Louis.

Thanks Danny!   Telvis, wish I could have been there when you and your son stopped by, but I'm glad he liked it.

As far as doing an interivew @ MMW, like most guys it's not too hard to get them to talk about their rides.   Ya gotta promise me that you'll be kind with the editing though!   I just watched the Mopars at the Strip DVD again this morning, actually (wanted to see Jerry's interview on the '71 HemiCharger *survivor* again, since he spent so much time with us @ the 'Nats).   Hearing guys tell the stories behind some very cool cars is the definitive touch on your approach to shooting car shows.   Ain't nothing else like it out there - just hope I don't ruin a good thing     

[69_500]

Trust me you won't ruin it by an stretch of the imagination. Jerry was a very good interview out there in Vegas. The stories he was telling me 2 days before that interview were just as entertaining. He is incredible, and so are the 2 cars of his that I've seen. The 71 R/T survivor, and the HEMI 500 he had at the Nats. I had also planned on interviewing him again at the nats, but that didn't work either.
If you have watched the Carlisle video then you'll see how kind we were in interviewing Chris. Ask him how his little interview with my dad went.

[Ghoste]

There's a difference between "investigative" journalism and the genuine human interest stories.