Author Topic: Carlisle or Nats  (Read 4320 times)

Offline jondickson

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Carlisle or Nats
« on: August 12, 2013 - 12:48:08 PM »
 :wavingflag: :rebel:
Hey guys I'm new to the site. I was just curious about some of your opinions on the Mopar Nats in Columbus vs. the Chrysler Carlisle. I've been going to the Nats for 20 years now, and have only missed 3 times. I've always enjoyed it, but it seems the more I research Carlisle it sounds more appealing. I love all types of classics ranging from the Hemi Cudas and Challengers, to the Dodge Omins. I have entered my 71 Satellite, slant six, 4 door the past 4 years, but have felt like it was on its own amongst the "Big Boys". I feel like the Nats are a little unorganized when categorizing cars, there is none. Saturday I pulled in and parked in between a 360 Dakota and a 64 Coronet. Both cool vehicles, but all 3 of us were scattered. The next day I parked in between an Imperial and a Van. I feel like this makes it very hard to see every show car considering they are scattered every day in new places. Plus I'd like to see B, E, A, etc. all grouped per section, or rows possibly. I've heard this is done at Carlisle. Something else,,, I enjoy the racing, but it seems like there is more emphasis on this than the Car show itself. I'm not putting the Nats down at all, and plan on continuing to go simply because it has become a tradition for me and my brother. Just thinking about maybe trying Carlisle to see how it goes. Any ideas or opinions... Thanks Guys!  :ylsuper:




Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2013 - 12:58:21 PM »
Well I will be the first to jump in on this since I just went to both . . . I think most agree that the two are different animals.  If you are into racing and the drag strip . . . the Nats is great!  If you are into the car show aspect, Carlisle is the way to go.  Yes the Nats is unorganized but like I told Viperboy while traveling the show . . . "it is interesting because you just don't know what will be around the next corner!"  as all the cars are mixed up.  Watching and listening to all the race cars has its thrill . . . and of course the smell of the racing fuel is awesome!  This year at the Nats, Shelbydogg was nice enough to bring in a couple large tents that gave the group a place to hang out and watch the cars come in and out . . that was very cool!  But at the Carlisle show, we have a club tent and that is very cool as well.  Then Viperboy and his lovely wife Ashley make lunch for the group which is great! 

I enjoy both shows and certainly like the 4 hour drive to the Nats better than the 8 hour drive to Carlisle but if I had to choose between the 2, I would pick the Carlisle show!   But both have pros and cons . . . . .
« Last Edit: August 12, 2013 - 01:06:28 PM by 4Cruizn »

Offline anlauto

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2013 - 01:03:49 PM »
:wavingflag: :rebel:
I feel like the Nats are a little unorganized when categorizing cars,

Once you go to Carlisle, you'll realize you just made  :bananasmi THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR  :bananasmi

Carlisle is a lot different then the Nationals. I'm not going to say "a lot better" because in my opinion they are two totally different shows. and also IN MY OPINION The Mopar Nationals suck in comparison. :2cents:

Carlisle Has:
Helpfull staff
Organized parking
Huge swap meet
Indoor displays
Overall Organization
Good Food
Clean restrooms
Clean show field and swap meet
No loud race cars/smoke and stink
No night life cruising kaos
No golf carts
Organized 1/8 mile racing Friday night off site
Organized cruise night Thursday off site
Organized contests like burn-out and bikini contests.

etc...
etc...
The list could go on forever...
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Offline anlauto

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2013 - 01:09:13 PM »
I can't say for sure, but for years the people that run "The Mopar Nationals" only run one show a year and that's it.

The Carlisle staff run a dozen or shows a year....They main priority is to put on a quality show for the people to enjoy, not just to take your money to cover their costs and pad their pockets. :2cents:

Makes a huge difference... :worshippy
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Offline jondickson

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2013 - 01:29:06 PM »
 :bigsmile: Hey guys, thanks for the responses so far. I'm leaning more towards Carlisle already,,, or at least for giving it a shot next year. The only thing that has prevented me from going is the 9 hour drive as opposed to the 5 to the nats. It seems like the older I get (38), the better I enjoy to drive though. Maybe a little weird, but just me. I would like to mention that this year was the first year I went to the cruise in Heath. I thought it was nothing more than a joke to be quite honest. I got stuck in a parade of true Mopar guys and gals,,, along with Camaros, Mustangs, and Ricers! I was expecting something more along the lines of an organized cruise, not true at all. I have nothing against anyone who enjoys this type of cruise,,, just not for me. I guess what bothered me the most was the ones that try to burn the tires on vehicles that cant do it unless you simply do unheard of things to it.. I saw a jacked up 4x4 diesel Ram doing its best to get the wheels turning, while the whole time he's got one hand on the wheel with his head out the window not paying a bit of attention to the Prius in front that he almost hit! Burn and Bark em if you can, but nothing crazy. Another thing was some of the spectators just get out of hand, not all just a few. Here I am in my 71 Plymouth Satellite, slant six, 4 door, with dog dish,,,, and a guy comes up to the window hollering and screaming in the car "Come on man you can do this, light em up, woooo hooo,,, yeah its you!!!" I looked at him and said, its just a six dude, calm down. Heath cruise might be for some, but not for me, I''m staying clear of it next year for sure.  :bigsmile:

Offline 4Cruizn

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2013 - 01:37:23 PM »
The ride to Carlisle is long for me as well and I don't know where you are located  . . . this year I started out by myself on the ride to Carlisle thinking . . . . "is it really worth the 8 hour drive?"  I come from Michigan and the drive is not bad when you get to the east side of Ohio and close to Penn . . . good view with hills and open land.  I stayed at the show the whole weekend and started on my ride home and thought . . . . "hell yes it was worth it!"  This coming year at Carlisle is looking to be one of the best as we already have a good sized list of who is going!  The show is our CLUB MEET and all the members hang out and talk MOPARS!  Personally I like the show and all but hanging with the members in the parking lot after the show is a ton of fun!   :smilielol:

Offline jondickson

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2013 - 01:39:06 PM »
anlauto you definitely hit the nail on the head.

The bathrooms are always disgusting at the Nats. We got there when they opened and it was already stinking! Another point you brought up is the golf cart usage. I think it may have its benefits and some don't abuse the usage,,,, but most of the ones I encountered on the golf carts felt like they could simply run over you. Didn't like it that they would pull up right next to my car neither.

Offline jondickson

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2013 - 01:40:26 PM »
im sorry I failed to mention I was from ky, close to Louisville.

Offline anlauto

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2013 - 02:21:25 PM »
My drive from Ontario to Carlisle is 8 hours (including stops for lunch etc...) . It's a chance for me and my buddy to get caught up on things since we do get together as much as we have in the past....

The time flies by and it's always a nice drive south along the river !

Worth every minute and $120 in fuel...LoL
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Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2013 - 04:34:49 PM »
This is minor, but I was amazed at the NATS that there was nowhere to go to hide from the hot sun. I thought the grandstand to watch the drag racing would at least have a roof, but no.

At Carlisle, the grandstand is covered, although no drag racing onsite, but the autocross was fun to watch this year(tree shade). Then they have cars on display inside buildings, and we have a big club tent...

Mike

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Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2013 - 11:07:43 PM »
I drove 12 hours to Carlisle, by myself knowing that it is worth the drive. I knew there would be Mopars there, a huge swap meet, and C-C.com members to hang out with.  Same for the 8 hour drive to the Nats.  Each one is different. I'll try to do them both if I can swing it.

Rob

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Offline Jesus H Chrysler

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #11 on: August 13, 2013 - 12:51:02 PM »
I've been going to Carlisle for 8 or 9 years now.  I've only been to the Nats once.  Aside from the drive (I don't mind driving, it's a hobby of mine) I enjoy the atmosphere of Carlisle better.  All these years I've been a parts hunter and that's one of the big draws of Carlisle.  The Nats were a cool experience at the time, but there's only so much drag racing I can sit through before I get antsy.  I really did like the cruising aspect of the Nats back in the "good old days" before it got out of hand.  I have since been to the Woodward Dream Cruise and enjoy that more. 

I guess it's a "to each his own" scenario.  Give Carlisle a try like I gave the Nats and you can see for yourself what your thing is.  Most years I went to Carlisle by myself or with a buddy.  The past couple years it's been much more fun hanging out with a group of people you know and sharing the experience.
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Offline 72cudamaan

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #12 on: August 13, 2013 - 02:07:19 PM »
 The past couple years it's been much more fun hanging out with a group of people you know and sharing the experience.

Welcome to the dark side   :roflsmiley:  :roflsmiley:
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Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #13 on: August 13, 2013 - 03:06:18 PM »
Then they have cars on display inside buildings, and we have a big club tent...

I found out that if we don't have enough preregistered members that 4Cruizin was paying for the tent out of his own pocket. Lets make sure that we get a FREE tent for 2014 and from now on.
Rob

3 E-bodies, Megasquirt-1v3.0, Edelbrock Pro-Flo-1, Holley C950, FAST EZ-EFI; say no to carbs...yes to throttle bodies

My Pace Car restoration thread:
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=44869.0


Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: Carlisle or Nats
« Reply #14 on: August 13, 2013 - 04:30:28 PM »
I found out that if we don't have enough preregistered members that 4Cruizin was paying for the tent out of his own pocket. Lets make sure that we get a FREE tent for 2014 and from now on.

Rob,

  We had a free tent this year thanks to a member here that is on Carlisle's staff. I forget his name.   :-[

We can never get the required amount of cars registered(I think it's 25).

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.