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

I went out there to race, I didn't know there was a car show going on. I thought all those shinny cars on the other side of the track was just spectator parking. Shows how much I know! JC

 

Actually the event was going to end and Goodguys stepped in to keep it going. The previous promoters were having trouble with it and were going to stop. The way it was structured before put it out of business. The changes Goodguys made were to try to keep it alive.

 

if you guys think goodguys is a bottom-line-only organization, take a look at 'special events' track record. now those guys could fuck up a wet dream...

 

Last year was my first time at the event and I LOVED it! We had plans to attend this year, however, I live in the Detroit area and wanted to attend the Woodward cruise, also the same weekend this year. I know a lot of cars that wanted to attend Norwalk but stayed for for the Dream Cruise as well.

I would hate to see Good Guys leave the Blue Suede Crusie as I had hope that it would grow!

 

I have not been to the Blue Suede event, I have wanted to go but budget constraints make it kinda tough. I will have to say, that I have been in the past to almost all the GG events and have always felt as though I was getting more for my buck than any other venue out there. Whether it be the bands that they have, the drag races, the 4th of July celebration at Des Moines or the grounds itself, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Hopefully the Blue Suede will continue. Good luck in keeping what seems to be a great event going.
Later,
Dick (I've been a Dick for almost 70 years now)

 

Well said Road Kill, I've been to many GG's events and always feel like I've got my money's worth, but even more important is the great people that come to and work at these events. So hat's off to Kirk and the rest of the GG's that continue to make "my" hot rod life fun!

Eric.

 

Never understood this either...

"No... that show has too many cool hot rods, I'd prefer to see no where near as many cars"

 

I agree, we went to the event several times before GG was involved and it was great, it had the same problem the Gasser Reunion had for years and that was weather and we all know you can not control the weather and that started to hurt the turn out, what alot of people enjoyed with the old format was that you could run as much as you wanted and it was like a cruise on both sides of the track with racing in the center. From my understanding the one complaint people had with GG last year was they were only able to make 2 time runs on Friday & Saturday and went into elimination Sunday morning, now this year even with the rain on Saturday you were able to make more runs so that helps. I am not sure how much this contributed to lower car count but this was the same weekend as the Woodward Dream Cruise so that might have hurt it a little.

Jon

 

if ggs elect to reup for 3 more,it will have to move its date again,due to woodward

 

Well they should. Everyone I talked to said they liked it better in September. Once a date is established they should keep it though. Commit.

 

This was my first year going, and it's by far one of the coolest events we have. The venue is top-notch. Funny thing is most of the track staff I talked to said they liked what Goodguys has done. They even made fun of the guys who had complained about not getting the free dinner after it was rained out.... it was FREE, and a treat... who cares if they didn't have it? That's not a reason to cuss everybody out and stay home next year.... that's silly. We don't want those grumpy guys. We want happy car folks who LIKE a thousand cars, gassers, and stromboli. Many of the participants I spoke with were happy to be there and extremely nice, and the range of cars was amazing... they all seemed to "get it."

 

because good guys is for retarded old men who forgot what a hot rod was

 

Tew kewl fer skool!

 

Wow! Super clueless.

My new hero!

 

Not true.

 

Do you mean 'Family Events"? the ones that fucked up the Hot Rod Power Tour??

 

The early years WERE the glory years of this show. I remember the first BSC and they had free, unlimited amusement park rides. During registration you could sit in the stands or at the picnic tables and watch the cars register and then hit the strip as they went to find a parking spot. There were BIG name bands on Saturday night followed by fireworks. It was Fun Run after Fun Run before exhibitions and Jet cars were sucking up our track time. And yes, people really, really loved that Free BBQ dinner. Hot dogs to watermelon to beans. It was the highlight of the weekend and an offer like that will draw the people in. People love freebies.

 

What the HELL are you smoking? Before you make comments like that have a look at my car then have a look at yours. Now your stupid comment has been answered.

 

First of all, I like Goodguys shows. I've gone to Columbus forever and have been to many others all over the US. So this isn't a post bashing them. Plus I heart the Fonze and that KIRK! guy is pretty rad too. But since we have a dialog going on this I'm going to add the results of the 'survey' I have taken as to why pretty much ALL of my hot rod buddies refuse to go to the Blue Suede event (but will go to Columbus ).

Rewind to three years ago, the first year GG took over the show. Everyone moseys up there Friday afternoon just as they had always done. When they got to the track it was cloudy, it had rained, the track was wet. But like years before, the weather didn't really matter, they were there to have a good time- check out the other cars in the show, eat a free dinner and wait for the track to dry.

It wasn't until they had paid and were in the gate that they were told the show was cancelled for the afternoon/evening due to the weather. Now of course they were upset over not getting their free dinner (everyone loves a freebie--especially car guys ) but it was more than that. It was the idea that the new promoters (could of maybe not even been GG decision whatsoever) was changing the whole tone of the event, letting a little rain spoil all the fun. So then a bunch of them packed up and headed for home (we're about an hour and a half away) out whatever money it cost them to get in and the gas to get there. It was only later in the weekend that some people who had showed up Friday night complained enough to get refunds.

Like I said, this isn't just one or two people I've talked to, it's a fairly substantial number. With all of that in mind I'm not sure that the event would even survive if GG wasn't involved with all of the bad vibes from 2008.

The past three years GG has had the event on weekends of other established car events going on so I have not been able to attend so I personally have no opinion of if it is better or worse.

 

Thanks ChevyGirlRox, I do not think you meant stress the date thing, but that date is the same as other MAJOR events. I think this event would do MUCH MUCH better if it were maybe scheduled right between Columbus and Charlotte; and you (GG if you are still follwoing) CANNOT move the date once established. I know the track has its schedule but it has to be in your contract for a set date.

This show will not compete with Woodward for instance because Woodward has been around FOREVER. I am sure these are all constraints you put thought into (talking to GG again) and am sure they are all part of negotiations but I want to stress their importance. Get it together guys and keep this thing at Norwalk going.

 

I keep heaing about the "free" dinner, but I was at that event and if I remember correct you had to preregister for that and it did cost some amount of money. And there was some other issues that ticked people off, I know when I arrived at the gate Friday morning it was cloudy and it rained during the earlly morning hours and the girl at the gate said there was no racing today and to come back Saturday, I saw there were other people there and I told her I had to come in and drop my trailer because I could not put it at the hotel and it was 8:30 a.m. and I could not check in until 2:00 p.m. so she let me in, I ended up staying during th day and it did not rain again until early evening when there was another huge thunderstorm. Some of us walked around and seen the track was dry but the car show side looked wet, I also think there might have been an issue with electrical for the timing system or something because there was several workers going back and fourth checking things.

Norwalk has always tried to put on a great show no matter if its them running it or some other group but the original show in the earlly years very much was for the little guys to come spend a weekend at the track at a good price and run there cars and enjoys grudge racing there friends. Like alot of people have said I just dont want to see another event gone.

Jon

 

free dinner,please,is this why guys are not showing up,i just hope ggs keeps it going....

 

We will each have to sponsor someone to buy a dinner for when they come. HA. I am picking someone small who doesnt eat a lot. Next year come and find me; I will give you your dinner.

 

Good points. Unfortunately any NHRA track gives priority to NHRA. The contracts are for multiple years, but the dates are subject to what the facility makes available each year.

 

Some of you keep mentioning the FREE stuff and how things are cheaper at little shows. This is why the previous owners of the Blue Suede Cruise had to sell. Unless you have a limitless source of free money to keep giving stuff away or underpricing it, it has to come to an end.

I got the same uproar when admission for spectators at Billetproof went from free to $5. Yeah, I was a huge greedy asshole for that. People threatened to never come back. Over FIVE dollars! I guess I should have paid for the fairgrounds, flyers, confirmations, postage, envelopes, goodies for the volunteers, hotel rooms for the volunteers, rental truck to move all the required stuff, facility-required security etc. out of my own pocket.

Fuck the freeloaders. If you think people suck for losing money at your benefit, you're the one that's fucked.

Like I always say, if you don't like the way shows run, put on your own. That will wake you right the fuck up. I didn't, so I did, and it did.

 

I guess if anything this thread has enlightened me as to why GG got involved. Looking back on it, the previous promoters couldn't have been making any money, not even enough to keep the show going, hence GG entrance. It's one thing to put on a show in the community park for fun with volunteers but a show of that magnitude and at that facility has costs. I'm sure their employees enjoy getting their paycheck.

 

I went, Thurs. through Sun. Raced with friends, visited everything. Great time even with a few hours of rain on Sat afternoon. On top of all that 1 pound of ice cream for 1 dollar! Perfect!

 

that is exactly what i was hoping for; more like this

 

Yeah the dollar a pound ice cream is KILLER!

 

Um, excuse me if this post is not in line with the board rules, but I can't understand why the F word has to be used to explain Good Guys stand here. I have been following this thread from the beginning and I see some very valid points and I too like this show. But, KIRK, I think you are a bit over the top here. Slow down take a breath and explain. I don't know where you are in the GG food chain, but they probably wouldn't like your approch to this situation. You probably wouldn't like to be introduced as the guy with that only knows F word.
Don