Jalopy Showdown Feedback *PLEASE*

My friends and I think the show is great the way it is. It is our second year and we see you guys need more help with people volunteering. Jr. looked like was wiped out at 2pm but Friday night will do that to you. We are the guys from Binghamton,NY and we would like to help out or volunteer, if you have any jobs for us to do. I hate to hear about some types of limits to change the cars. Even though I prefer traditional, it is the best/only show in the northeast that everybody respects each other. I know a few people had a hard time finding the Showdown off of Route 15. If they would let you place more signs to the show, that would help. Can't wait to do it again. Joe

 

...only one.... can we have one on the West Coast? Flingin' a hot rod round a dirt track looks like so much fun, can we? Please please pretty please?

You guys are having all the fun out there. Dammit. Hope I get out there some year.....

 

looks like a great time.

 

Sure, the west coast would be fine. Hire me as your professional dirty show consultant! I'd love to come out and help!!

 

You did a great job! Putting on a show is hard work and no matter what... someone will dislike something.

Suggestions:
1) Perhaps more food vendors?
2) Keep every thing else the same... love it!

Thoughts:
1) How are you going to handle 100 more cars? Seems like its the trend?
2) The mix of cars in the infield is great! It's working... leave it alone.
3) Bands were great... lost my mom for an hour... she was watching the Diamondheads... Good times!

 

This was my first showdown. The coupe is not done yet so I just spectated it with a friend. The day was great and the feel of the place is something that is very special. The museum is way better than I thought also. I think that this show will get bigger every year. We will be back.
I like very much that the concessions were organization type venders and not a bunch of professional types. I would rather see those groups be sucessful and sell out of stuff than have alot of the professional ones all over the place.
You will not be able to please everyone so just keep goin' as you are with little improvements. You guys have a good idea of what you're doin'. The folks that don't like the show will not come back and the ones that like it will be back (bringin' more folks with them)
I feel the next problem you will have is the thing gettin' too big.
Larry, I'll be lookin' for you at York. I was commin' over to talk to you near the end of the day just when the Rocket Tractor broke down.
Also to the folks in the area that like the Jalopy Showdown check out the Magnetos Thrill Show in Quakertown June 16. It's a fun little show with more good folks,cars,bands etc.
Thanks,Smokey

 

Larry

not to start a pissing contest.. as thats not why I am about to make the following statement.. BUT..

I've been to alot of shows. and I have got to say..

your EVENT is THE BEST hands down anywhere. PERIOD..


the showdown is so awesome because (RIGHT NOW)..everyone at the show realizes how unique the opportunity to be there is.. And how lucky we are (the participants) to be able to participate in the EVENT..

i think your current guidelines for entry to the show are perfect.. and hope you don't change a thing.. IF someone wants an experience at a "era correct event".. I will kindly please refer them to the aaca meet held annually in nearby Hershey. (which may be close enough to some that they should not need to trailer their vehicles....)

this event is ABOUT and should continue to be about DRIVING our cars.. AND EXPERIENCING THE TRACK..

my single sole suggestion would actually be to explore the idea of routing the "staging area" around the outside of the track. Possibly cars could line up through the "sowhat emcampment" and onto the track into turn one?

 

It was a great show, traffic over the bridge was a problem with no easy cure. The bus schedule to the museum was a little hit or miss, we finally walked back. Keep spreading the word we need lots more cars there. Lots of guys lurk on the HAMB that came to the show, lets try to get them active. 2 shows a year would be ideal.

 

this was my first showdown. i thought it was excellent.

personally, i think having the cars inside the track is nice, whether they are in line to make a lap or parked. the late comers can still see all the cars even as the line begins to form. plus, owners are at their cars so you can ask questions about their build while they are waiting in line. having the cars line up outside would mean half the cars are separated.

my only suggestion would be to have a 15 ft buffer along the inside fence rather than have cars parked at the fence. this way, the cars making laps can form a line along the fence with a gap at the pit entrance\"cattle crossing". this would eliminate traffic jams down the parking lanes. the "make a lap" line can go all around the fence and people can still watch at the fence.

just a suggestion... as the showdown gets bigger.

Bryan

 

39Ford, Like he said 2 shows a year..........Best show i have ever been to.The sound of the cars going around the track all day adds a sound that you do not hear at any car show. I got to say it sure beats the DOO WHAP music thats pounded into your head all day long, and the absence of asphalt sure puts you in the mood for a good day at the old fair grounds. Thanks for a GREAT show Larry.....

 

a lurker no more! my first ever post, on a subject that i'm passionate about. larry and kim's show is "one of a kind", and although it can/could be "tweaked", it should never be changed! i agree that the fairgrounds is a major part of the event, and lends itself to the overall old time feel of the event, not to mention the proximity to the museum, the beneficiary of the profits of the show. if there are any "issues" about the goings on, you should buy last years show DVD and pay particular attention to the interview with larry, where he re-iterates that in the end, this is "all about the cars". i am very proud to be one of his volunteers, for the last 3 years, and am pleased for the growth that has been achieved. overall the day goes off without too many "incidents" and he and his "crew" are to be commended for all that they do. an aside to Pat and JT, it has been my pleasure to work with both of you, you're the best.

 

BigJohn....time for an intro.......and stick around for more fun. It helps kick the magazine addiction.
Clark

 

Personally, I don't think trailered cars should be allowed. I saw some trailers there and cars going on and off them, really killed the feel of things if you know what I mean. It made it feel more like a car show and not an old timey get together at the dirt track to hang out and have some fun. Other than that, add some more seats to the rocket ride...and can I get some of whatever the guy driving was on?

 

The rocket ride is the coolest! When you first look at it you just think "thats dumb"...until you ride it! Brandon is crazy! He is the only guy that does the rocket and knows the grounds like his home. He raised $80, fifty cents at a time until his distributor quit with people still waiting. Ride it next year!!

 

I assumed it was for kids and their parents only.

Good to know I can try it next year. Wooo, more fun!

Every time I saw it, everyone on board was laughing. That guy's doing something right.

 

There has yet to be a time when I have been to Latimore and by the end of the day the rocket is still running. Everyone has a blast and by the end of the day between flat tires and broken mechanics the rocket is toast!

 

I wouldn't knock the trailers too much... without mentioning names, some guys get their cars finished to a "drivable" state just hours before the show and don't want to take the chance driving distances to the show in an untested, un-liscensed ride... trailering lets them get the car to the show to the benefitt of everyone. I do agree that if it's a liscensed driveable proven rod then, heck yea, drive it! but maybe there should be a designated trailer area off site or up out of the way near the museum so that the guys who have to trailer don't take up precious parking spaces near the field and can still save face by making it seem like they drove their rides the whole way

One other thing, it would be nice to have some dirrection in the grove across the creek where the public can park... by 11 am in the morning, everyone had parked up the edges of the central grass area leaving prime parking area in the center nearly inaccessible...

but these are SMALL details... at present status quo this show is still the best around and extremely well run despite it's loose feel... THANK YOU Larry and Crew!

 

have two suggestions. different weekend. It was the same weekend as goodguys hershey. I would assume that some people there would attend the showdown. and/or make it a two day event. saturday and sunday. or maybe memorail day weekend saturday and sunday that gives everyone monday to travel home

 

They actually are turning into big details that I think we already have a solution for. Good points and ALL have been very helpful
P.S. When you have big opinions about what is "right or wrong" and present yourself as what is period correct, you are ALWAYS gonna get beat on a little when you trailer no matter what the circumstances. If it has good brakes, fuck it, drive the thing. If it breaks...THEN trailer it. I dont give a shit one way or the other, you were there supporting the museum and THAT is all I care about. This is the first year we didnt have a panic build going on for somebody...it was nice. Enough with the trailer stuff please.

 

Harrisburg had one
first fired at 8am!

 

I seen quite a few cars with Good Guys stickers in the windshields that were skipping that show for the day to go to the showdown. I am not bagging on GG events because I enjoy their shows as well.

I will say this though. One of the funniest things last weekend was turning off of US 15 seeing a sign that read "real hot rod show" turn here, and seeing a line of streetrods going on by as we turned in.

 

Tell me if I am wrong, but I think The Jalopy Showdown was using this weekend at least one year before Good Guys moved in. Let them change their date if they are worried about losing cars to a WAY better show.
The only way the show could be better is if ya could talk Paxton into loaning me a 255 offy from the museum to put in my car for a few hrs, oh and a set of Knobbies, then keep the flagman busy for a while doing something else.

 

Racer...you are corect. the Showdown has had the same weekend since the second year. The first year it was memorial day weekend due to a conflict with another event. larry was really worried when the Goodguys put their show on the same weekend.

We just figured the people that should be at the showdown will have no problem missing a parking lot show to go to a really cool show. Nothing against Goodguys but you just can't beat how cool the showdown is. Maybe the Goodguys show helps keep the size of the Showdown to what it should be and gives the people that have street rods a place to go.

Also a couple of the long distance drivers have gone to both. Giving them something to do on Friday and Sunday.
Clark

 

We had a fine time! 'Bout a 4 hr. drive from Pittsburgh was alll the driving we got to do......our cars were just barely making it over the bumps to cross the track.
Here is my one and only suggestion......put an air freshener in that wooden crap house! Whew! That thing was not for the faint of heart!
By the way, was that aerial picture taken from that Super Decathalon that was circling just before the rain???
See ya next year!
Johnny
Drifters CC

 

"Stand back folks!!... we dont know how BIG this thing'll get!!!

Parking....yeah, a little bit of a problem, if you get there late(hint hint) nah just jokin'.. your doing well with what manforce you have.

Food.. its good, make more, and variety is the spice of life!

Bands.. Good stuff, no changes needed.

Swap meet, yeah a little more "spacial organization" wouldnt hurt. If needed, in the future, the swap meet could be expanded to the outfield near the road? this could free up more infield parking and provide a swapmeet specific area.

Date/Time GoodGuys? well, all I can say is this... priorities folks, its all about your priorities.... Time-wish I had more to walk around this year. My girl told me she wasnt gonna miss this year even though she was scheduled to work 8:30-5. She somehow finagled her boss to let her leave for 3 hours, and come back round 4:00, just to cover an hour between manager changes, haha... she wasnt shittin' about not missin it. Anywho, between drivin to/from, I had only an hour to walk around. Best damned hour I had all weekend!

Crapper... yeah it got a little ripe, not sure if you can do anything about that though.

Car Type/Year I like the present settings, My only wish some people didnt need to build there cars with "shock factor" as the motivation. There was a higher level of cars this year, and to that I want to give a great big "Atta boy" to all those builders/owners whos rides made it out this year.

Two Shows?... well, with the Sept drags.. is there going to be a cruize in?, Im not talking about a full on show, but a general suggestion to locals that if they'd like, they could all park in a designatd 'hotrods only' parkin area?

The Friday nite thing... keep it rolling, I didnt make it this year, but hope it'll be around for next year.

Thanks for another great show....Jason

 

olskool....The drags will be a show too. You don't have to run if you don't want. It will be like the Showdown with people hangin out and people racin.
Clark

 

I know all about it, I was beat. Had a great time and it couldn't have gone any better for me and my roadster!
PS. got my plates last week and I will drive it next year!

 

Sweet..., and for once, I think I'll actually have my car done by then!

Oh, BTW...Im the younger guy that showed up with Big Al, and helped him load up that frame. Not sure if you were able to talk to him at the show, but he's slowly pieceing that '34 together. Just yesterday he told me he bought a 60's Fairlane rear for it, and I think he's got some early front end that might work as well. If you know of anyone with some half decent floors/rockers that they're getting rid of, drop him a line. I'd really like to see him in that thing,... he deserves it for all the shit he's been through lately.

Anywho... lookin foward to the drags! thanks for the info.... Jason

 

This was my first year at the show, and I think it is great. Seeing the cars running is really cool. Now I am on the clock, because I have to get my pickup moving under its own power for next years show.

Only one request, and I know it is asking a lot, but maybe something for the next generation? Other than the rocket (which was great!) my boy kinda rode around and said "this is dumb." The subtle nuances of traditional hotrods were lost on him.

 

Sorry i am late to the post but I thought I would say this was my first year at the showdown and it was so cool, the cars were awesome and different too. I thought the show is the coolest I have been to with the dirt track and all the little things, like the rocket ride and the music all day. I loved the museum, great stuff there. The only thing to make it better, MORE PEOPLE STAY AND CAMP!!!!
Great show guys comin again next year
Matt