Event Coverage Goodguys is Cancelling This Why? Blue Suede Cruise Coverage

Looking for nostalgic drags, tons of classics and antique rods, a laid back atmosphere, tons of room and great surrounding historic towns and scenery. What else could you ask for right? Well it was all there at Norwalk OH this past weekend and even though it rained a little it was still one of the best shows I went to this year. Goodguys put on a great event here and even with the Woodward Ave. extravaganza going on at the same time the turnout was not anything to sneeze at. Not including the dragsters- what a show- 1700 or so cars attended.

The track and field at Summit Motorsports Park was nice and flat so you could walk for hours without getting tired, the weather was not too terrible either, little rain lot of sun and not overwhelming heat. Plenty of great people and... yeah the nostalgic drags! I mean come on, how awesome to see slingshots, gassers and dragsters tearing it up all day long. The sights and sounds were like no other. Blue Suede Cruise is a show where you can take your time getting up, go get some nice breakfast and stroll in whenever while still getting a great spot. It is not overrun like a lot of the other shows during the year.

As far as what to do when the show is over, I cannot begin to tell you how many things are open to go and visit. Milan (birthplace to Thomas Edison) is one of the great little gems that has not been molested by modern architecture. Awesome scenery surrounds you with picteresque almost proplike buildings and gorgeous streets. Take a cruise and there is even more to see- beautiful farms, great old barns and sprawling fields as far as the eye can see. What a nice break from the city. Putin Bay is moments away, great restaraunts up and down Rt. 250, everything from bars to waterparks- there really is something for everyone.

Sad to say though the rumor on the streets is that all of this (at least for Goodguys) will be no more. Hopefully Blue Suede Cruise will get sponsered by another "nostalgic loving" events promoter and can stay true to form in the next coming years. I can tell you one thing; whoever sponsors this event will get my business for years. Great show and look forward to seeing you there next year.

Well enough babbling- here are the pictures, hope you enjoy.

DSC_1412 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1383 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1374 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1371 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1369 by Malibob, on Flickr

 

DSC_1367 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1364 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1363 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1361 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1354 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1332 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1330 by Malibob, on Flickr

 

Goodguys is a business, I'm GUESSING that show isn't turning the profit it needs to. Hell, look at your first pic of that red dragster. Now look up in the stands

 

DSC_1325 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1323 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1319 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1313 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1298 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1297 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1294 by Malibob, on Flickr

Well there is a lot more on my flickr page; leave comments there if you like.

 

Nice choice of cars....good eye.

 

DSC_1256 by Malibob, on Flickr

Almost forgot, here are our rides.

 

if that is true - that will be a shame....everyone I talk to that goes to that show say it is a great venue

 

Can't help myself here are a few more:


DSC_1244 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1248 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1220 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1176 by Malibob, on Flickr


DSC_1172 by Malibob, on Flickr

 

PM Kirk!!! here on the HAMB...he may be able to enlighten you as to why...I'd suspect it wasn't making any money...

R-

 

I absolutely agree. That is the point of my little article here. More people should go to this venue. It is a great car show with great people. If they could finalize a date and not adjust it every year it had great potential.

I was told they lose $7 per employee for the weekend but obvioulsy if more people came more vendors would sign up and then more money would come in so we could all be happy here. Trust me though I do understand where you are coming from.

 

On the other blue suede pic thread someone said that the contract was up. G.G. was working out the details with track owners to renew. My fingers are crossed that this event stays afloat. It is a great facility and the racers love the track surface.

 

That sucks, I hadn't heard that. It was always one of my favorite shows of the summer the last couple of years. Columbus is great, but I feel like I need a vacation come Monday. This show was way more laid back, but if it doesen't make them money... Anyways, thanks for the pics!

 

Looks like a great event but I'd be willing to bet that the expenses from the facility are pretty high and may be a large factor.

I know that at the local "big event" the facility wants a larger cut and tacks on more expenses for the local club that puts it on every year.

That's a great batch of photos Malibob, you do have a good touch with the camera.

 

goodguys has always had a tough time in northern ohio with show never could make money when they were in medina.

and it is to close to columbus in distance and time

 

maybe someone could pick up the show if goodguys drops it then it would be win/win for everyone.

 

Funny part is...it started out as someone else's, then GG's came in with the money machine. Track owner figured he'd hit it BIG so he sided up with them.
I liked the original, still have fun at this one, just hope it doesn't go away completely. But if it does, there'll always be something else to go to.

 

I thouht the attendance was pretty good....those empty stands are the cheap seats. The seating capacity at Norwalk is 30,000, so yep, there were some empty seats. I think it was just a contract issue and this rumor may be overblown. However, I did like the bluesuede cruise as first constructed better, I got to take people for rides

 

It would be a bummer to see it go. It is way more laid back than Columbus. However, I did like the Blue Suede Cruise a little more before Goodguys took it over. I miss the Goodguys Medina days. I was youngin just getting exposed to hot rods. Magical....

 

Don, Thats a ride I'd like to take! That car launches awesome!

Later, Bill

 

I hope they don't cancel the event. I have attended since Norwalk raceway put the show on itself, which ended up being a trainwreck and turned a lot of people off. They have had crap luck for a couple years with weather, and I still don't understand why you would have a show in northwestern Ohio when the Woodward cruise is happening. It's a great time to watch some cool cars run the strip and just cruise. The word needs to get out a little better, and hopefully more will attend.

 

That is why I wrote this little piece, to get the word out. I thought it was an awesome venue and think a lot of people would enjoy if they went. I think an organized cruise/ power tour that weekend would also be a great idea to visit the area and see some REALLY cool stuff.

 

i too hope they have a change of heart and keep it going,good meet

 

I was busy and didn't get to look at many cars, but I will tell you the track condition was as good as it gets. I saw some very cool old race cars in the lanes.
I saw your run Sunday morning Don, looked like you were pulling on him pretty good in the lights, thats the way it goes some times. We came up short too. JC

 

You get the pic I sent you? I need to get your car and take some good shots of it for you.

 

yep bob, i got the pic,looks good,thanks man.... p.s. its a 35 not 36

 

Shlt I always do that. Sorry

 

It has rained every year since GG has taken it over, that could be a big part of it. Plus there are a lot of people that used to go to that event that won't go since GG took it over and changed everything about it. I'd like it to go back to the way it was pre GG ($30 for a show car and car load of people for the weekend, free camping, unlimited all day fun runs, free welcome BBQ, etc) but I doubt it will ever go back w/or w/out GG involvement.

Thanks for the pics!

 

It does rain there every year, and they change the week. The show seems to pick up every year and get better. But when you schedule the event the same week as woodward cruise what do you expect. I love the show and go every year. I will really miss it if it go's. Don't get me wrong I love columbus, but it is like a job. I always end up having a better time at the norwalk show than I do at columbus.

 

The Goodguys car shows started out promoting just a few small automotive races in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1985. Goodguys have grown since then to become an extremely successful company, putting on events in over 20 markets, publishing a national magazine, and grossing millions of dollars in profits. Their membership has surpassed that of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The point to be made is that they are a for profit car show promoter. I live in Jacksonville, FL. and we had a Goodguys show here that attracted about 1600 cars and 50,000 visitors but Goodguys dropped us from the schedule because they were not making enough profit. Money is the bottom line for Goodguys. They are not in it for the fun of promoting quality car shows.

 

Are you refering to the rain that came and the cancelled free food? Come on! Want to make this a better event? Better class definitions and race at night, or, take it back to all fun runs...but they called the fun runs early because all the show car guys went back to their hotels...Keep the party at the track!