Rumors are flying indicating that the Good Guys organization may schedule an event in York, Pa. next August. Has anyone else seen or heard anything about this or is it just wishful thinking on my part?
............If the rumor is true, and I can't seem to verify it, such an event, if held at the York Fairgrounds like the NSRA show in June, could have a negative impact on an already deteriorating NSRA Nats East.
Almost all NSRA and Goodguys event attendance seems to be trending downward. The NSRA Nats South in Knoxville used to be well attended and is now a shell of what it once was. Goodguys shot themselves in the head by eliminating drag racing and allowing cars up to and including 2018 models into their events. They don't even go to Indianapolis, IN anymore after having huge crowds attending the drag racing at Raceway Park. The recent GG event at the Kentucky Horse Park which is a great venue had only about 1000 cars. The NSRA Nats in Louisville however seems to be holding at around 10,000 cars which they should exceed next year as its their 50th anniversary. Events such as the NHRA Hot Rod Reuion and other nostalgia drag racing events continue to increase in attendance and enthusiasm. Don't know about y'all, but lawn chair events just don't do it for me anymore. Next year I'm going to the Pontiac Nats in August and really looking forward to it. May even run my Poncho on the track. Gary
According to my friends who are on Facebook ( I am not ) the NSRA will return to allow RVs to camp on the fairgrounds again at York. When they stopped camping a long time ago, the attendance at York declined about 2000 cars the next year. My guess is that the Goodguys will be lucky to get 2000 cars, because most of their shows don't come near that number.
Years back I was told by a GG’s official the main reason they left Indy was the venders concerns about security and possible weather problems as the exhibits were in tents. Whether this is true or not there’s no way of knowing unless a rep from GG’s would set the record straight. It’s also been suggested that the bottom line at their events is the gate and not so much the count of cars in attendance. With the Sunday only ticket one can bring in any American made car I believe, basically primo parking to enter the event on the last,short day.
I am not a big fan of GG's events but attend the Texas Motor Speedway Lone Star event because a group of friends like it and I enjoy their company. The weather can effect the event [March and October] and that effects the number of cars but it is still more than I can look at. What always floors me is the number of paying spectators pouring thru the gates even in lousy weather. That said, I can't recall an event with cars/hot rods that I disliked totally.
I guess I will have to join GG again. I was a member when they tried hershey for a few years. I would go to york in august. If the let camping on fair grounds back for the NSRA show, that would be great. I have had some fantastic times at york when the camping was allowed.
Never been at York while there was camping allowed but did hear a lot of guys say how much more fun it was. If they allow us to camp there I got to think the attendance would jump back up some.
It is no rumor just go on GG web site. Rhinebeck is no longer which is a big blow to me. 263 miles as opposed to 3 miles I guess I'll be staying home. Pat
Went to Rhinebeck a couple of times,nice show, but it seemed to rain a lot and I think what really hurt it was that the local hotel/motels where killing guys on pricing. I heard $650 for the weekend? for a place that was normally half that. We camped right in the adjacent lot so it didn't bother us ,always had a good time.
It sucks to learn GG is leaving Rhinebeck. It's a beautiful fairground and the ride out is fun. Not too warm 'n fuzzy about traveling to York instead. 3 hour drive vs. a 7.5 hour drive with shit scenery.
The Jalopy Journal
