jpossibul

I really hope to make a trip to the TA Nationals in Dayton this summer. It falls right on or around my birthday. Not that "Munch" is going to win any trophies, but it is just bout being a part of the TA community! Has anyone else been there or are thinking about going? What did you think of the entries? Were the accommodations pretty good? How talkative were the other TA owners around? Whatever your experiences, please tell! I've never been to one before - just been to cruise in's around middle TN.

kymmee

I've been there in 2010 and 2011. Didnt take any of my cars, just as a spectator. It is dominated by mostly 2nd and 4th gens. There are some 3rd gens but way less than the others. I found the people very talkative and there is a lot of vendors. You have to go to the Tipp City cruise in on Sat evening-thats the best! I cant comment on the accomodations, I didnt stay there. I think the competition is fierce, the best TA's and birds come out for this event. Hope this helps. I plan on attending in 2012.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I have been going on and off for many years.
I think its been 2yrs(?) since i've been but I have always had a good time.
Last time I was there I got a 2nd place in heavy modified 3rdgen. Wasn't expecting anything at all.
Tipp city is fun also. Sooo much to do around there. I haven't done it yet but would like to go a day or 2 early and visit the Dayton air museum. (its huge)
I would like to go this year but I may hold back... I have 4 cars I want to get done an take them all @ once soon..
I have a good friend and his wife that live over there, used to stay with them but last time I stayed at the host hotel for the 1st time in a long time... They have had a band out back on the show weekend everytime Ive been an they are fairly good..

dharris89

You should come and bring your car. It's a good time. The Dayton Marriott hotel is pricey so I don't stay there. There are a bunch of hotels near I70 and 75. Don't base your decision on trophys. I go and have a great time each year. I have only taken a trophy once and I was surprised that year. Where else can you see 400 of the most beautiful firebirds in the country at once?

jpossibul

At minimum, I want to go check out all the cool birds that weekend!! I don't know right now if I am going to take the car right now - there are several things I want to get done on it first. And then there is the thing of loading it up and hauling it up there. I'd have to talk my bro into going with me so we could use his truck. But I am not going to drive it that far. I think it could probably make it, but I haven't really driven it enough since rebuilding it to know for sure if I got all the bugs worked out of it yet. Besides, it could rain and mess up all that work I did cleaning up the underside last fall.

rob2000gt

iTrader: (1)

when is this?

dharris89

Go to this website for info. It's August 24-26. It's in Dayton, Ohio. It would be a long drive but it would be great to have you.
http://www.78ta.com/nats/

red88tagta

iTrader: (14)

I live here, It's the only place my car goes, such a shame!

jpossibul

Well, I've decided I'm definately going this year to the event!!! Still don't know if I am going to take Munch yet or not, but I got to go see all that pretty paint and and steel!!!

IMissMy86TA

I am thinking about going to the Tipp city cruise. I am in Columbus Ohio and I wont skip church to go to any car show. Most smart large car shows do a cruise in on Friday and a show on Saturday.
Never gone due to this.
I hope Tipps is worth it!

Gunner823

iTrader: (2)

The "show" itself is an all weekend thing. If you come to the hotel on saturday and cruise up with the caravan to Tipp, you'll get the full experience, pretty much. The competition part of the show is Sunday, but really, if you do the whole day saturday you've done it all. I go every year as I am local and it really is a great time.

dharris89

Hey Gunner. You were next to me last year. If I can get it done in time mine will be converted to a t56. I'm also putting 4th gen seats in. I may be in a different class this year.

Gunner823

iTrader: (2)

Hey buddy! Good luck with the build, I'd like to see and hear all about it because I'd love to have a manual in mine.

dharris89

I just hope it gets done. I bought a 96 formula for 1900. I kept the tranny, pedals and interior and parted the rest out for about 1300. Unfortunately the tranny has major damage inside so my budget swap just went out the window. I'm only going to do it if everything is done by show time.

jpossibul

I was talking over the event with my brother today - I guess I will be registering for the event this week. I got a lot to do before the event, and probably everything won't be done the way I want it to be, but we're going anyway. Looking forward to meeting a bunch of TA nuts like me and checking out all the awesome birds there this year!!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

I'm hoping to swing it this year.. I guess we shall see..

red88tagta

iTrader: (14)

I am going to rent a vendors spot this year to dispense with a lot of parts that cost too much to ship. Headliners, fenders, doors, radios, ground effects, interior stuff. The list goes on. I will have my wife bring the car down for me. Got some work to do on my Phoenix before the, hopefully this week.

Kevinfirebird

iTrader: (22)

I will be there with my 92 firebird kitt.

dharris89

Glad to hear there will be at least 1 kitt there. Sine my formula is black I get a lot of KR references. Every time it makes me smile.

IMissMy86TA

My son has never seen a kit clone. how complete is it?
interior and all?

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

About a month away folks...

IMissMy86TA

yeah.. on the fence for me. I am tempted to just go to the tipp city due to I dont really want to be at the show all day sunday.

lonesomeloser

I might drive up and check it out. We'll see.

dharris89

My t56 swap is almost complete. I can't wait for the show!

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Not going.

IMissMy86TA

I will have a new headliner for it

91 Ragtop

I'm planning on making the Tipp City cruise in Saturday night. The budget just isn't justifying the $50 for the Saturday / Sunday event unfortunately. I'll get there early enough to look around then head to Tipp City. I've been there a couple of times and it's a great event if you can make it!!!

bestracing

Looking forward for the show this time. Last year my entry fee went towards new brakes, caliper, lines and rotors.

You're too close not to, also you need to cruise to Tipp City Saturday night
I've driven up many years with my 86 to look around and just attended Tipp City. This will be my second time showing.

IMissMy86TA

Wife has never ridden in the GTA (thinks its her competition or something)
Said she will go for a long drive if I DONT go to a show this year. I guess I wont be going this year maybe next

or maybe I drive her friday and be there sat?

Coolnyjay

Is anyone from the New York area going to this event? I am always thinking about attending an event with the gta. This one is kind of far but a convoy would be cool

IMissMy86TA

what time is the drive from dayton show to tip city?
I would like to go in that caravan

dharris89

Most folks head up there around 4 to 430. Registration is from 5 to 7 if you are interested. But you don't have to register to show. Only if you want a trophy.

eseibel67

Jr. and I are leaving tomorrow morning, Google maps is predicting a 7 hr drive.

Jr.'s car - 88 GTA 5 speed
My car - 01 WS6 6 speed

Never been before, looking forward to the Tipp City outing.

dharris89

Glad to hear you are coming. Have a safe trip.

eseibel67

Damn! Walking speed traffic uphill on the Bluewater bridge with 89 degree temp fried the clutch on the GTA. Had to turn around.

Hope the rest of you have a good time!

dharris89

Bummer. I'm a lot closer so I'm heading out early tomorrow morning. Hope to see you next year.

IMissMy86TA

sorry guys. Wasn't able to make it. I hope for next year

bestracing

I wound up having to fix more problems than i had anticipated Friday, I had to finish up waxing and getting the wheels back on Saturday and got up to the Nats around 1:30 - 2:00pm. I was dead tired so I covered the T/A, drove the truck up to tipp city, walked around for a little bit and then went home in the truck. Showed Sunday, Class K-1, and a nice red 89 firebird took first place in my class. A very nice car!

dharris89

Congrats on the trophy. You did better than me. I ended up on the back of a flatbed - again. My car died about 10 miles from home. It's the same fuel or electric issue that has plagued my car the last few years. it's totally random and really annoying.

bestracing

Thank You!


My brother had a similar issue with an 86 IROC where it seemed like the fuel pump died, he replaced it and then the car died again the same way. Turned out that the Hot wire for the car (big red wires hooked to the post on the radiator support) was spliced and was making a bad connection. He had another problem where the "+" battery cable would got pinched between the passenger inner tie rod and the oil pan shorting it out and killing the car during a right hand turn.

One thing, make sure to check the ground connections!! cleaning and installing new star washers on the grounds can't hurt either. It was good seeing you there again and hope we see each other next year.

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

dharris89,
I think I saw your car at the show, did it have Ronals?

dharris89

Yup. They are my favorite wheels for the third gens. Were you the other blue over silver ta in the k1 (custom) class on Saturday? I got confused (which isn't hard to do) on Saturday and thought either you or bestracing had switched rims. I was relieved on Sunday to see there were two different cars.

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

No, I didn't get to take my car, lost the alternator the friday night. UGH!

I really liked your car, very nice!

I haven't gone to TA Nats in over 15 yrs, they weren't even having the Tipp City Cruise the last time I went. I got to tell you, I was really impressed by all the generations and Tipp City was awesome! My wife had a great time!

The best part about it was that it motivated me to get off my butt and finish my '86 Trans Am. My wife challenged me to have it ready for next year's show, and I will. See you next year!

86TA355SR

iTrader: (1)

Here is one for you...I thought I had Tipp City also but I don't.

kymmee

First year for me taking a car. Always was just a spectator. The quality and number of third gens seems to get better every year. Had a great time, met a few people and got lots of compliments on the car. It got pretty hot on that blacktop, wanted to spend more time down by the cars, but took a few breaks in the pool.

dharris89

Actually that was the other 89 black on black formula 350. It was crazy to have two such similar cars. I was over near the firehawks in k1 custom. I went over to that one several times but never caught up to the owner. Thanks

bestracing

My "dopple ganger" was actually an 87 with T-Tops so exterior wise the only difference was the wheels, t-tops and he had the large hood bird.

Flyin Monkey

Thank you! That would be my wifes. There were some really nice cars in her class.

bestracing

I'm glad I got to talk with you both. I just had fun being there and for me that is the most important part. If I get anything then that is just a bonus. If you noticed, I didn't even realize they called my name

dharris89

I always have fun. Thankfully OSU football starts this weekend.

Flyin Monkey, your paint was great. Hope to see you again next year.