I was thinking about Nationals Today at work, for some reason...
Anyway, I was thinking of places to have it if we kept it around the Same area. And I thought I'd suggest Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas VA. Its like 2 hours from my place. But anyway, I've been to BUGOUT there the last few years before I decided to sell my bug and its a nice place. Its got plenty of Show grounds for the cars. Plus there is a 1/8 mile drag strip and circle track where they always do a slalom course.I just thought I'd just give on option since it came to my mind! Later

 

Sounds like a pretty good place, except for that!! I was at nationals last year, but I missed race day, and boy am I glad I did, cuz I didn't realize they were only going to a mud infested 1/8 mi track. Who the hell wants to go to an 1/8 MI track?? Please! No 1/8 mi tracks next year, even if it's at a different place from where the meeting grounds is, we have to go to a 1/4 track if we're gonna race.

 

To be fair, the track was 1/4 mile, but since it rained off and on for two days the track operators shortened it to 1/8. The first half of the track dried off in time to race, even though traction was poor.

The place wasn't really impressive however, and run by some really arrogant morons.

 

Well I wasnt really impressed with the 1/8 mile track @ Old Dominion, I was just stating it was an all in one facility. For Good Drag Strips in Virginia, ONly one I could suggest would be Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie, Then I heard there was a good one in MD too!

 

Why not have it at Atco in New Jersey?? Very nice facility-

 

hey guys


How about Bristol TN. I have been there fot the Buicks at bristol events for yrs great place or Bowling green KY both are killer tracks or Rockingham NC

 

After reading all the above locations, i would almost swear it was going to be an EASTERN gathering???? Ok this will seem kinda partial since you can see where i live, but why wouldn't somewhere in the middle of the US be a compromise for people coming from the west! I know Heartland Park in Topeka KS has a nice dragstrip and lots of pit space as well as a road course. But of course i'm picking something closer to myself!!!

 

or we could have it in TEXAS......cuz texas is big and in the middle of the US!!!

 

what happened to the talk about it coming to Crete IL ??

I thought Mark and Denny were talking about holding it on his land there?

 

that time of year is a no can do. I'm in college along with many other guys

 

Moved ---> To where they will be held 2004

 

I think Bristol, TN sounds good they have a great 1/4 mile track and plenty of space to show the cars off and everything, but that could just be my location talking too, I only live 20 min from the track, sorry guys!!!But it would still be pretty cool!!!

 

TN sounds good. I'd rather keep it out of MD if possible. But I'll go anywhere on the east coast.

 

I'd like it near the beach. lol or somewhere warm in the south. Carolinas are nice

 

I second that! I think thats its great to do all this and kudo's to Mark for organizing all this but I think you should at least yeild a little bit on the location. If you want the most centralized I'd say go for Topeka, or somewhere near. You aren't going to get much more centralized than that, and the facilities are great.

I know that nobody wants two or more seperate get togethers but this would be the most practical solution. I'd try to get a tally of West of the Mississippi who are even thinking of driving that far and go from there, I'm not sure you'd lose as many people as you think. Of course each event would need its own seperate organizer and so on. I think what we need is a website for this and some complicated poll system so we can get an idea of where to have this thing.

Of course all this means squat if the organizer doesn't wanna, and thats ok too, because Mark is the one doing most of the work.

 

I don't know if my car will be ready for this years nat's, but I do have a question. Is there a reason that the nationals are held so close to the east coast? All the planning I've seen this year tends to show east coast locations.

I REALLY want to attend, but I mean 2500 miles is a LONG WAY. Is there anything just as big, but closer?

 

there is a meeting out your way, check the other gathering boards

 

the closer to the west the better
im coming from vancouver canada
should be a fun drive

 

I know you guys said that the general population of thirdgens is on the east coast, but in all honesty, I just think it's fair to have it in a more centralized location like St. Louis or Topeka.<--Very nice facility. I know that this has been said before, and I also know that there is a gathering in Crete, Ill. I am just throwing in my .02. This is the big show that everyone wants to see, and I think that more people would show up if it was more centralized. I don't want to make this hard on Mark, or anyone, just my opinion.

 

There is a very nice fair grounds by me ( in Hamburg,NY). Somewhat close to a race track (25 min.) and close to the city (Buffalo). Excellent for cruzin around in your 3rd gen and picking up some women.

 

do a poll....everyone can vote their location either state or part of the country then post the poll and where the most thirdgens are and the best central location there is.

 

If we put it there id definently go! It sure it a cool spot i normally go on saturdays during the summer to watch the stock car races with my dad also some car shows down that way...ive yet to go on a friday to see the 1/8 thats right next to it...but now from wat i hear they are tearing the whole place down...or someone if buying the land and they are gonna get rid of it not sure yet...i live about 45 mins away but a great place indeed!

 

Sounds like a good idea, it's seems a litte more fair that way.

 

I'm getting sick and ****in tired of hearing people bitch about location...

Listen, Mark IS the guy setting it up, if you dont like it then what is there to say?

How is Mark going to set up something 3-5 states away while in school?(or even not in school, it doesn't really matter) Its not possible...too much work and preparation goes into it. It's like you just put your finger on a map and say "Gee there is where it's gonna be, I have no idea what is around that area but that's where the gathering is gonna be"

Use your heads people...

Sorry for ranting like that but it's the truth...ANY location is not going to please everyone and it has to be in an area where those that are setting it up can make the proper arrangements....

 

You guys all have good points, but since Mark is involved in several things, including school, the location has to be convenient for him.

No one is saying that the location is the 100% best for everyone, but it is the best for Mark. That's what matters. Maybe in 10 years, this will be a HUGE annual event with big money sponsors, and Mark can simply oversee the whole thing....then it can be more central. In the meantime, keep in mind all the trouble he's going to, just to pull this off.

 

I personally was not trying to look down on Mark in any way for the location of this event, I mean hats off to the guy for doing any of this.:yourock: I think some people are just disheartend b/c they don't have the time or $ for such a trip. For example, it's 1765 miles one way for me. And like Abubaca said, maybe some day it can be moved. I also believe that in the future if Mark did decide to move this event, there are plenty of people from this site who would pitch in and help. I will try to make it no matter what. In any case keep it up Mark, I know you have alot on your plate.

 

BadBowtie88-check your PM's

 

I would really love to go and I know Mark has a lot on his shoulders and he is an outstanding guy for doing this:yourock: But do drive so far in my GTA which is the only one that is road worthy would mean $250 just for gas because i get a ***** 8 miles to the gallon in that beast. But if he ever wants to change the location there is an awsome track in Knoxville, Tennessee. and it is right up from another one that is a 1/4 of a mile and is hudge! But this is my location talking. What ever he wants to do is cool And if I do go I am thinking of letting people who like custom hand pin striping a hand if they want it on their car! Here is a look at some of my work if you agree!

 

the dinwiddie one sounds great. i have realtives in virginia and my dad loves NHRA and we use to go every weekend to watch dragster there.

 

POLL = GOOD IDEA

.....although I hope WHOEVER LIVES NEAR the place would be willing to WORK with Mark to MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!

 

was that a direct comment on me?