The Nats at National Trail Raceway Aug.12-14

[BigYellaStella]

The forecast is easing up...

Despite the rant above (most of which if not nearly all being opinion that has deeply rooted factual basis) I'm still going, dwindling quality & attendance notwithstanding. Hope to see the die-hards there!

 

[biomedtechguy]

Spent about 8 hours judging cars...wow! it's really a task to do. NO RAIN! By the time we got to go through the swap meet/car corral/manufacturers tents, most were closed/closing. Tomorrow no judging, so I will have some time to do what I couldn't do today...watching the 1/4 mile action, checking out the cars I WANT to see, and stuff...I have enjoyed it so far. Tomorrow should be a much better day.

 

[67 B-body]

Hoping the weather holds out tomorrow... At the KOA now!!!

 

[747mopar]

I'm planning on heading out tomorrow morning and parking in the fun field provided the weather looks decent. See you guys there.

 

[usaroadrunner]

I'm planning on heading out tomorrow morning and parking in the fun field provided the weather looks decent. See you guys there.

take some pics dev, have fun. did kahn, and goon make it down.

 

[747mopar]

take some pics dev, have fun. did kahn, and goon make it down.

Goon had something come up, that combined with the weather made us decide to meet up later. I honestly didn't expect the weather to cooperate.

 

[67 B-body]

WOW, it was HOT today!!!!!!
Supposed to rain tomorrow though.....
Many swapers pulling out this afternoon and not returning tomorrow at all..... (That's what I'm being told anyhow)

 

[BigYellaStella]

Went & had a blast! Golf carts were obnoxious, prices hyper inflated, decent turnout, but remarkably hot! Being that I'm local I didn't stay too long, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Got my dog dishes and found out they don't fit wheel vintiques wheels afterall which is a huuuge bummer...

Here's hoping that the weather cooperates for tonight!

 

[auwing]

This was by far the worst Nats ever!! they have ruined this show vendor turn out was awful nowhere near the cars as in the past and don't get me started on the golf cart atv bull. I have been going for over 30 years and unless they get new management I wont be back!! There are plenty of Mopar shows for me to attend.

 

[RT68440]

My dad and I just got home. We had a great time as usual. Attendance seemed down and certain areas of the show seemed light as well. The judging field was pretty thin and the Charger 50th/'66 model year area was pretty much nonexistent. Boy was it HOT!! We carried around a cooler with water and stayed hydrated so we were able to go the distance. I think that the weather scared a lot of people away. Between the heat and the forecasters saying that it was going to be a wash out, I think that may have contributed to the poor attendance.

 

[biomedtechguy]

Well, I had a great time and this was my 1st Nats..Friday was all work judging cars. Today, however, was great. Lots of racing until the rain came around 5PM. Met Jamie Passon, cool and VERY knowledgeable guy. Saw Tony of Tony's Parts, Herb of Herb's parts. So much to see and do, only today really to do it.

 

[Duda]

I go to the Nats every year and I love it Heath is also good there is a cruise this from Heath to buckeye lake this year it is about a 6 mile cruise stops a long the way food music I hope to see some of you there

Hey what's Mr B. I couldn't make it this year.

 

[747mopar]

I had fun... don't know what the complainers are so upset about??? Been going for the last several years and I'm not seeing much change? This year the turnout was definitely lighter but I'm gonna go out on the limb and say the forecast had a lot to do with that, hell I'm only 1 1/2 hrs away and wasn't going to come because of it. Vendors were plenty, racing was alive and well and there was more cars than I care to look at in one day...... good day in my book!

The golf carts on the other hand have got to go or at least ribbon off a route for them, I felt like upsetting quite a few of them today! Rude idiots just stopping wherever they want blocking people from getting around and constantly coming entirely to close to pedestrians. Food and drinks have been ridiculously priced every year I've ever been there, basically $5.00 for just about everything just like most big shows.

 

[Mopars & Missiles]

Seems like the ones that had a good time and liked the show are the ones that have only been going for the last 3 to 5 years. If so, then they have no reference to compare to what it once was. This was the 17th year in a row that I have attended and taken a car to show or be judged. As mentioned by several people, this year was the absolute WORST Mopar Nats show that I've experienced in 17 years. I am now almost positive that I won't bother to attend next year or any time soon again. 65satelliteman's "rant" is very accurate as to how this show has deteriorated over the last 5 years in particular. And I will also say, THE WEATHER this year didn't have any more influence on the lack of turnout than any other year's weather has in the past. We have had MANY years where it was sweltering hot and humid, rain, wind, you name it, and it NEVER kept the Mopar faithful away from the show like they are staying away NOW. The NATS is no longer dying a slow death, I now believe it is truly "DEAD".

 

[d fark]

I've only been attending the last 5 or so years. It definitely hasn't grown any. I saw several chargers but they were scattered all over. I couldn't tell what the featured car was until I read the website. It was hot and I agree that the forecast didn't help attendance. The racing seemed steady all day long.
A lot of stuff in the car corral. Still, lots of great cars and proud owners. Saw some swap meet guys packing up by 3 pm on Saturday(??) We had a good time just the same, but Mopars and missiles is right I have no idea what it used to be. I'm 2 hrs away and if I was any farther I probably wouldn't go

 

[mr. b]

I went and had a great time I will be going next year and by the way I have been going since 1992 and still love it also 3 hour drive for me and got some great parts for my barracuda

 

[747mopar]

Seems like the ones that had a good time and liked the show are the ones that have only been going for the last 3 to 5 years. If so, then they have no reference to compare to what it once was. This was the 17th year in a row that I have attended and taken a car to show or be judged. As mentioned by several people, this year was the absolute WORST Mopar Nats show that I've experienced in 17 years. I am now almost positive that I won't bother to attend next year or any time soon again. 65satelliteman's "rant" is very accurate as to how this show has deteriorated over the last 5 years in particular. And I will also say, THE WEATHER this year didn't have any more influence on the lack of turnout than any other year's weather has in the past. We have had MANY years where it was sweltering hot and humid, rain, wind, you name it, and it NEVER kept the Mopar faithful away from the show like they are staying away NOW. The NATS is no longer dying a slow death, I now believe it is truly "DEAD".

Well then that explains it, I've only been going for about 5 years. I guess if your not holding it to a past standard it makes a difference. I look at it like this, tons of Mopars, tons of racing and plenty of parts to be had without paying shipping.... all good here. I won't argue that it would likely be a better show if moved to Norwalk but it has to have drag racing otherwise.... boring!

 

[BigYellaStella]

Well then that explains it, I've only been going for about 5 years. I guess if your not holding it to a past standard it makes a difference. I look at it like this, tons of Mopars, tons if racing and plenty of parts to be had without paying shipping.... all good here. I won't argue that it would likely be a better show if moved to Norwalk but it has to have drag racing otherwise.... boring!

Norwalks big Mopar show was the last weekend in July. Never been but I hear it's decent...

 

[747mopar]

Norwalks big Mopar show was the last weekend in July. Never been but I hear it's decent...

I plan on going every year but it seams something always comes up, this year I woke up to pouring rain. Maybe next year.

 

[lewtot184]

i think the first one i went to was at the indy 500 motor speedway in 1984. starting in 1987 i used to go to all of them with 2002 being my last. lost interest due to the hassle of the drive, finding rooms, and don't care about the cruising. prices on used junk are stupid, and national trails was always a dump.