You have to remember that it's the Mopar Nationals. When most people
think Mopar, they think "Muscle-cars". As nice as your truck is, your still
driving a late model pick-up. As much as I disagree with it, we're still
the red-headed stepchild of the Mopar enthusiast community. Many shows and
cruise nights I've been to, have a cut-off year and wouldn't even let you in
with a late model truck. And many of those that do, really don't know how
to class show trucks. I've been in shows with my 88 Dakota and 00 Ram that
had me in the same class as a Lil' Red Express, a Dodge Big Horn (18
wheeler) and a Dodge motor home. Basically, if it's not a car, it's in the
truck and van class.
As a truck enthusiast, take the initiative and speak with the show
organizers. Work with them on setting up the truck classes. Most of these
people are Car-People and don't know what they are looking for when judging
truck classes. If the classes are already set up, talk with the judges and
offer your suggestions. Two years ago when at the Mopar Atlantic Nationals,
I offered to help judge the truck classes because none of the host club had
any experience judging truck classes.
They tried moving the Mopar Nats to Indy a number of years back. I was
there and the event was awful. The staff at Indy really seemed like they
didn't want us there and were downright rude. The cops busted some serious
balls. It was so bad, for months afterwards all the Mopar Magazines had
reader mail printed saying that the show sucked and they would never go
back. Some vendors were even selling bumper stickers and t-shirts that said
"Bring Back Brice Road". Attendance fell off so sharply the following year,
they moved the show back to Columbus the year after that.
I enjoy Brice Road and have even done a burnout one or twice myself. I,
however, don't agree with doing that shit on private property. If you piss
those people off enough times they may not accommodate you in the future. A
great example is the 4 Wheel Jamboree Nationals in Bloomsburg, PA. Every
year there is a big 4x4 truck show there and the town of Bloomsburg sponsors
a cruise night on Saturday night. Because they had so many problems in the
past, this year they did not do the cruise night and the cops were ticketing
anyone cruising with a truck that was not street legal. Changed the whole
atmosphere of the event and I know of several people who will not be
returning next year.
Walt Felix
88½ Dakota Sport 4x4, 2000 Ram 1500 QuadCab Sport 4x4 and a 67 Barracuda
Coupe 340/4Speed
Walt@Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
http://WWW.Walt-n-Ingrid.COM
http://WWW.MoparsinMotion.COM
>------------------------------
>
>Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2000 19:45:00 -0400
>From: "Mark Kuzia" <flyboy01@mediaone.net>
>Subject: DML: Re: MOPAR NATS (EVERY 1 READ)
>
>I was there on Saturday. I have a few rants.
>
>I was only there for a day, but I was very disappointed to see very little
>Daks there, maybee two dozen. I was also disappointed to learn that it was
>a
>"Muscle-car" show, and not a mopar show. 99.9% of the vehicle were models
>from 1960 to 1975. I know chrysler made cars after 1975. I was also
>disappointed to find very little dakota parts at the swap meet. The grounds
>were very disorganized and maze-like, and very little drag racing was
>taking
>place at all. The food was way too expensive and $18 to get in is way too
>excessive. I think they need to move the event to a bigger venue, something
>more modern with better road access.
>
>I dont want anyone to think that I did not like the show. The people there
>were cool and I did enjoy seeing some beautiful old mopes. But I was
>expecting more, I have been to better car shows locally. I even thought
>that
>the Mopar event at Milan in 99' was more fun.
>
>Mark Kuzia
>flyboy01@mediaone.net
>http://people.mw.mediaone.net/flyboy01/home.html
>1995 Dakota 13.79 @ 99.52 mph
>360ci, 5-spd, 4.11 LS, Ram-air
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