Hot Rods I know it sucked last year but anyone going to indy?

I used to attend GG's in Scottsdale , Az for the swap meet. It cost $20.00 to get in. If you just wanted to spectate and see the venders that's kind of spendee Especially after driving 3 hours one way.

 

Car #574 - those numbers lie! They skip numbers at all the big shows - ask any promoter.
If you want a better idea of a car count sit in the parking lot where the cars check in and register. I've done it for years at Indy because I like to see the cars coming and going, and small talk with the owners. At IMS and the Indy Fair grounds the number of cars were way down compared to IRP. Last year was so poor I'm not going today for the first time since 2004.

 

I will be there tomorrow, have to try and get a head count.

 

Actually the NHRA event in Bowling Green helped the Indy Goodguys deal as having two events back to back made a trip from the west coast viable for the nitro cars. Also quite a few sportsman racers did the same thing, hitting both races. The NHRA did have a hand in the demise of the IRP event as they raised the rental cost right about the time that the economy was in the tank and people were traveling more selectively due to high gas costs. The events were paired for quite a long time as this is the 13th year of the NHRR at BG and at the last IRP Goodguys in 2010 there was more than a full field of top fuel cars present (and the same at BG the following weekend). Once Goodguys cut off the drag racing and moved to IMS (later in the year) the fuel car numbers dropped to the point where only four cars ran at BG in 2012.
Generally events run by promoters (rather than clubs) tend to go in cycles like restaurants. They start off with a big bang and lots of publicity and are on a lot of people's must go list. Then after a while they have a sameness to them and people start looking at somewhere else to go for a new experience and the numbers fall off. As mentioned by other posters the swap meet deal has been killed by the internet and the rising cost of participating relative to the potential return. The same applies to commercial vendors although I will dispute the comment that one poster made about the Snap-On guy being the only vendor present last year--did you not look at the inside vendors. Again the numbers were down for the previously stated reasons but they were there.

Roo

 

And you make it sound like it is a bad thing

 

Maybe 150 cars at noon today, Some nice stuff a few I have not seen before , indoor swapmeet small but respectable for 2015 standards

 

Those of you who constantly carp about the notion that these organizations "are in it for the profit" sound like idiots! If YOU were running a nationwide organization with a huge investment required to operate multiple events, tell me how YOU would BE WILLING to do it as a non-profit entity just so the folks LIKE YOU could be entertained at the lowest possible cost. Tell me how you are such a self sacrificing, benevolent individual, THEN I will listen to your unrealistic whining.

They are in business, trying to fill a demand, and thereby make living. How is that ANY different from any other venture? The fact that it relates to your hobby doesn't change the economics of it.

Ray

 

There is nothing wrong with trying to make a profit by doing something you love, it's the American way. I think this is just an example of being a good or bad business man.
To make money, a business needs to listen to their customers and give them what they want. In turn, people will return each year and stay longer. All of this results in a loyal growing customer base and higher profits.
Or, you could take a well oiled machine, get lazy, and only provide the services YOU think the customers want, or only the ones that your sponsors want you to provide. Then when the flow of people slow down, you cut the services even more to match the lower generated income. Eventually, you are left sitting there by yourself trying to figure out why no one wants to go to the biggest shows of the year.
It's just simple business. Take care of what takes care of you, and you will always be taken care of.

 

Drop the drama Ray. You're in these 'business' threads w/the same rebuttal. This web site was in part the result of the GG type shows & cars & attitudes being what they are. How many GGs have you attended? I did far too many when one year the picture became all to clear. CONTRIVED.

 

Sure, I'm in these threads, same as I am in the frequent requests for "pinion angle" info and countless other repetitious threads because someone different from the last time has raised the question. How is that any different than this?

You and I have "history" here,......me commenting....you "slamming" my comments. Drama? On whose part? I thought we had this resolved a couple of years ago........I guess not. But doesn't it bore you? I know it does me.

As for attending GG events, I have attended many of them over at least the past 15 plus years....Columbus, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines.....several times each....same with NSRA events, going back even farther.

Luckthirteenagogo, I understand the success or failure of a business depends on satisfying the customer base. If GG doesn't meet the expectations, they will suffer.....but the people complaining here might be more influential directing their comments to GG directly.

Ray

 

Thought I'd give Indy a try one last time. Haven't been there since the drag racing days at IRP.

What a "TURD" of a show! What a JOKE !

Came in today by 9:00 am and nobody there!
Was gone by 2:30 pm as were many others. Could have thrown a Grenade down the fairground streets and wouldn't have hurt a soul.

This is most DEFINATELY the end for me !!!

Ratio this year of Hot Rods to Muscle and New trash ..... 75%-80% New and Muscle, to at best ..... 20%-25% Hot Rods.

Not even bothering to go back on Saturday !!! Not worth the effort or the time.

If you like that stop-n-go, and turn to the left, and turn to the right, and go through the S turn, then maybe this is for you.

It's a shame that this new blood running the reins has got so far away from what this Hot Rodding thing used to be and still should be is just flat out ridiculous!

Plain and simple I'M DONE, I'M OUT OF HERE !!!!!

 

I personally don't care for the Auto cross stuff. If they want that -let them join SCCA.

 

Just a thought: Frog follies is pre-49, costs $15 and you get a free t-shirt and a free meal. 3000+ cars and a nice swap meet in the good part of town and the best collective attitude of any show I've ever been to. (big or small) This show is flat out about having fun! I drive 500 mile each way and smile all the way.

 

WOW!

 

No comparison between the Frog Follies which is one of the best rod runs I've ever been to and the cheapest. Great swap meet, dinner, doughnuts, coffee, t shirt and auto related gift all for $15. Also no rip offs at the concession stands. All profits go to charity.
Goodguys dying a slow death. The days of making bags of money for them is over.

 

I gotta agree, Frog Follies is by far the best venue and real"rod run"I have ever attended, and have been running since the early '60s.
Well organized, everything inexpensive, easy access, and the bonus is that the E'ville Iron give the money away to charities every year. This in it's self makes you want to attend. Did I say only PRE '49 may attend.

 

First It is not DALLAS It is the speedway in Ft Worth,,,The numbers were weak but weather was involved,,However it really has not grown like you would expect it has hovered around 1800-2000 cars at best,For me it does not have a lot to offer other than see some old friends,Drink a little cold beer and B S...That should be worth the price of admission?.But for any long distance people just a hand few a hotels close by and restaurants,,Unless you want to drive a little..It just is kinda lack luster,I go because it is close otherwise I wouldn't make the trip

 

After GG Columbus The Only Other Show I Go To Is The James Dean/Ducktail Run Combo.
These Guys Top Them All , Friendly Organizers, Awesome Show, Even Better Swap Meet, and
You Do NOT Have To Join A Club To Participate. To Hell With The Big Business End Of It. It Is Worth The 10 Hour Trip To Get There.

 

The best Hot- Rod get together is the Frog follies!!!! I hope everyone on the Hamb can come and enjoy it Don from N. W. Indiana

 

as roo man said the back to back weekends were great. no more gg for me. gg are you listening.

 

They way that I understand it there will be one more year at the fairgrounds (3 year contract) and then the hope is that the event will move back to IRP (although that depends a little on the NHRA (available dates and $$$)

Roo

 

So... who took pictures?!?!?!? Gary

 

The Bowling Green Hot Rod Reunion is the best of them all! I've been to Goodguys, and NSRA Events, and Bowling Green tops them all!

 

Retro61 has it right. NHRA HRR in Bone Green 10 days away. Can't wait. Why would anyone pay their hard earned money to participate in a "Lawn Chair" event when there's non stop Nostalgia drag racing?

 

Amen, Gman0046!
KK

 

If it goes back to IRP I'll attend again - I miss watching old hot rods drag race!!

 

Ive attended countless events in my 70 years.I just came back from NSRA York Nats .I dont know how many people attended but I was #2556 or thereabouts.I registered on Thursday afternoon.My guess is they had at least 3500 cars.There is a great mix of cars there. Certainly not as many hot rods as in the old days but more than most traditional only shows.I still meet with people there that I only see once a year and miss some those are gone.Its too bad that some folks spend so much time complaining about the cost.Most of us have to prioritize.I dont spend my money on NFL season tickets but I dont bitch and moan about the cost either.Sorry for the rant.And my vote for the best event is the Syracuse Nationals.Great venue run by the nicest folks.

 

I recently attended the 10th annual Nashville Goodguys. It was very good as usually. A good mix of cars from high dollar to low buck. I have been to Columbus and Phoenix and enjoyed both.

 

You don't have to go to Goodguys. You don't have to go to the NSRA. There are plenty of homespun events that are local and fun. Here's a few I like:
Texas Thaw
Texas Nostalgia Nationals
Hot Rod Hundred Reliability Run (OKC, SWMO, St Louis, North Texas, AZ)
HAMB Drags <-- never miss
Lonestar Roundup
Day of the Drags
Hot Rod Reunion
California Hot Rod Reunion
Eagle Field Drags
Bonneville speed week <--- bucket list
LA Roadster Show
GNRS
Rodder's Journal Revival
The Race of Gentlemen
Hot Rod Hill Climb
Stray Kat 500
Starliner
...and many more that I'm forgetting. If you made it to these events, that's a pretty full year of Hot Rodding! I for one, do not need the big organizations for events anymore.

 

Is it just me or is this thread getting boring?
Nobody is ever going to like every show.
You go and if you like it you go again.
If you don't you find somewhere else.
Sometimes like the GGs the show is so big
you can't see it all anyhow.
They left Rhinebeck for Springfield.
So I don't go. Big Deal!
Many times at least for me, a Friday nite cruise
can be more fun than a big show.
This is supposed to be fun.
I'm going for a drive!!