Syracuse Nats 2010-feedback

I have been to 7 of the ten years and only went to the grandstand show once ( a friend was in the burnout comp.) After being there all day we are usually tired and hungry, go back to the hotel, grab a shower, and go out for dinner. We are usually gone before 5:00 both Friday and Saturday. I myself like to see the cars driving around so we like cruisin' around the area. Have seen the fireworks from the hotel, they look they are pretty nice. We don't usually go back on Sunday, (have a couple of times) closing ceremonies took too long, couldn't afford to pay the sales/winnings tax on the giveaway car anyways and since it's a 4 hour trip home, we don't bother to show up Sunday anymore, as I'm sure alot of participants do.

 

First, I have never even heard of the Right Coast Association or the Syracuse Nats. Just too far out of my neighborhood, I guess.

Second, I have learned from reading her excellent show reviews on the HAMB that Denise is the first and foremost authority on what makes or breaks a show, particularly from a HAMB perspective.

So, bottom line, with Denise's opinion being what it is and since none of her concerns can/will be addressed, it is just as well that I've never heard of it, as without Denise's seal of approval I would never put it on my list of far-away shows to attend in any given year.

Just my 2 cents.

 

well- Denise tends to like more traditional shows and she is most certainly entitled to her opinion . Different strokes for different folks- its what makes this hobby so cool.

7000+ cars/trucks and almost 100,000 people this year told us that we must be doing something right as our show grows every year.

Thanks again for providing feedback.

Info on hotels should be up on the website shortly as we are working with the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce right now on letters abour rates etc...

 

What I like or don't like has nothing to do with my opinion regarding an event when asked what could make it better. I have attended all the NSRA and Good Guys events east of the Mississippi, the Cruzn the Coast in MS, Back to the 50's in MN, The Turkey Rod Run in Daytona Beach, invitational concourse events, etc, all of which are not traditional styled events, plus I have been to the Syarcuse event a NUMBER of times, so I do believe I am capable of critiquing ANY type of car event unbiasly.

The Syarcuse event has a layout and flow problem, this is not something new to the Right Coast organizers. Anyone attending the event can see that, especially if they attended the early shows and have something to compare it to. It has nothing to do with whether the event is a traditional style event or not.

 

as a retailer - I am not sure I can afford to come back - but I dont think that is a fault of the show.........I think it was the economy. You guys have always treated me really well and I appreciate it.

I would agree though that there are waaay too many vendors there. I think there are more there than at the Back to the 50s - and there are waaaay too many there as well. But the vendor/spectator ratio holds up in MN. Not sure it does in NY.

I have not made a decsion yet on going back in 2010 - if there is anything "local" I will most likely do that instead.

In the past it was worth the trek out half way cross the USA........now I dont know.

I can tell ya that the $10 shirt guy is VERY happy with your show - he told me that he may try to get a 2nd spot next year. Perhaps that says it all right there - I have licensed Rat Fink merchandise and can NOT sell for less then $20 a shirt........

I have seen several unlicensed Roth sellers there at the show.

I simply cant compete w/ these guys while trying to maintain an ongoing relationship with Ilene Roth.

there ya go

that is my take

 

This is a Website geared towards traditional cars....you did know that right! you asked for our thoughts we gave them to you, you came back and blamed all the issues on the Faigrounds the City or whoever you could blame, and now your getting defensive with Denise for giving you her thoughts on the show. Sounds like they need someone that is willing to listen to the car owners, and not the just the vendors to run the show, Yes I am a vendor and have done lots of Good-Guys shows, but I also understand its a car show first and formost, and the vendors come second. Tradional or not the cars make the show and with out them all you got is a swap meet!!

 

Here's some links that should make for intersting reading for show promotors. Maybe some ideas can be generated.

"What has happened to the real rod runs"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405579&showall=1

"Why do you go to shows and cruz ins?"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=368911&highlight=car+show+ideas&showall=1

"Car show activities and promotion"
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=403691&highlight=car+shows

 

I really hate it when folks ask for opinions and then dismiss the answers they get.

Ryan says that the NSRA has very little, if anything, to do with traditional hot rods. I'm beginning to think that the same can be said about Right Coast Association.

 

thanks- when asking for feedback we jhave also asked for ideas-
just telling us our show isnt for you isnt constructive or helpful to anyone-but provigi=ding ideas for family friendly show stuff is.
Thanks Denise.
RCA

 

Denise told you what the problems with the show were, from her perspective, from her first reply. She didn't just say the show wasn't for her. Maybe you need to re-read her first reply to your post:

 

ok -this is getting off topic here- I PM'ed Denise- all is good.

"Ryan says that the NSRA has very little if anything to do with traditional hot rods. I'm beginning to think that the same can be said about Right Coast Association. '


I guess now we are getting back to the 'what is traditional rant/rave again on the HAMB now' ?!

We are trying to fix things- and YES we asked for feedback-
a good portion of the problems HAMB people have mentioned ARE the Fairgrounds and we - their space/their rules-some have been NY State law-again -pretty much beyond our control to fix without lobbyists and $$$ to fight .

We WANT to help and change things if people dont like what is there- (and if we are able to-again not everything is in our control )

At least we are publicly trying and admitting not all is perfect instead of just willing to take your $$$ and let you leave pissed.....

Why are we getting attacked for WANTING to help? This isnt idel chatter or talking crap-we mean what we say - how about giving us a chance to FIX things ?

 

What is the topic??? REALLY!!!

 

Conduct your show however you want. I, for one, won't be there. You won't get my $$$. You've managed to piss me off before I ever even attended! Not good public relations. Not good at all...

 

The topic is that the Right Coast wants feedback and SUGGESTIONS on what we can do for 2010 to make our Syracuse Nats better. We want to take everyone's suggestions /comments into consideration while we plan for 2010. We realize we cant please everyone but we want to address real concerns and issues for people.

By the way we will have a booth at SEMA this year for the Nats- and you are more than welcome to provide feedback there as well. Stop by and say Hi at Booth# 24597

 

I think this getting post is getting a little out of hand !!! ... Eveyone made there point good, bad or whatever. Stop pointing fingers you are all sound like baby's !!

I have been to this event since the start let's see what can be fixed for 2010.

 

Holy Shit, Give them (RCA) a break. In all my years of going to shows in the USA and Canada, NEVER and I repeat NEVER have I seen or heard any of them ask for FEEDBACK on a public forum like this.
I applaud you for this and I hope you will take and use some of the suggestions here. I for one have changed my mind and am willing to return one more time to see if you guys are true to your word. Thank You, and I will see you in 2010. . Larry

 

KIRK! asks for feedback reg the GG events and has for years, and look what it got us...a GREAT "new" Gazette, autocross, more emphasis on "traditional" at their events, better bands, etc. All very noticeable and appreciated.

 

They asked for FEEDBACK. They got FEEDBACK. They dismissed the FEEDBACK (and all solutions offered).

That's worse than NEVER, and I repeat NEVER, asking at all.

 

HATE HOTROD ROUND-UP...COME TO OUR SHOW OCT. 16 & 17.....only $10 per person and $20 for vendors w/ 2 entrance tickets. Great music, and traditional hotrods built by interesting people. The cost to be an outdoor vendor at Syracuse is soo expensive, you don't even want to know how much it cost. Most vendor spots start around $500-$800 and get outragous from there. Just bringing a hotrod to the show for a day gets costly. I know you Syracuse have overhead costs but I don't give a crap. We'll just stick to our more traditional shows and support each other. I hit at least 15-20 shows a summer and have a lot more fun with car builders rather than many of the bolt on Boyd Cottington Hawiian shirt wearin' billet look alikes. Syracuse lost it years ago, it's not about cars anymore it's about making more $$$ you guys are just a big business that hit its potential and now it's down hill from here. Just my opinion. Joe www.powerandnoise.com

 

Seems to me that 4 or 5 years ago when I first tried to find out about a swap spot at the Nats all I could find was regular vendor spots. 10x10 was $100 then. Those spots are aimed more at the large scale vendor who does shows for a living though.

The swap meet spots now are $50, which isn't too bad when you figure that's $17 a day for like 10 times the crowd of any other show. I mean I'm a cheap SOB and I bought two spots -

 

They must have been giving me a different price, My first year was $100 for an indoor out of the way spot next to some lady selling potholders and knitting supplies. The next year I got an outdoor 10x10 spot that started at $400. A guy next to us selling plastic car bubbles paid $1,100 for two spots. What is up with that?? Its a mess when you have to drive to some other hotel to pick up your ticket to get into the show then drive back too. Make two separate shows and that'll solve your problem but you won't have a huge profit so you probably won't do it. It's fitting 10lbs shit into a 5lb bag. The troopers love to give tickets to out of towners too. Even if there cars met inspection they knew they'd pay the ticket anyway becasue they are from out of town. I understand unsafe cars but Making the quota is what they are up to. Do us a favor and go read all the old posts about you right coast guys. There's everything you need to know. We'll get back to our cars. Joe www.powerandnoise.com

 

I have gone to all 10. I (and friends) drive up both saturday and sunday (work Friday). it is a big pain driving past the fair grounds to the other side of Syracuse just to get our entry tickets then back to the grounds, It would be nice to just drive in.
Why can't you also move the swap meet and car corrale out to the field where the ticket takers are, other than trailers and over flow campers there is a lot of empty space in that area. That would free up the space they are now for more cars and also give them more space
The Give-a-way- I come to look at cars and vendors not stand at the stage all day- the "You must be at the stage in one minute " is impossible and unfair.

 

Bone Daddy: am sending you a PM.
.

 

Have you ever considered merging your Circus with Bobs Circus? Now that would an entertaining show...It would bring the numbers your looking for......well over 12,000+ cars...450,000+spectators....You could call it the "$UPER GREED RIGHT COA$T $UMMER NATIONAL$"...Just a suggestion of course?.....see what kind of feedback you get?...could be a goldmine for you both!....You should take a poll....I'm seeing $$$$ dollar signs on this one... ) .....You heard this idea on here, so don't forget our cut...when it happens!!!....remember when you guys actually had passion for cars and car people...yea, that's what I thought! Oh yea...thanks for letting me vent how I feel about your events!!!

 

Glad you noticed. I try to do just that - make changes for the better based upon input from real hot rodders.

Just saying "this sucks" or "that's lame" doesn't do anything. If you don't like something write an intelligent letter or make an intelligent phone call. As with any problem, don't just complain - offer a solution. The person you are talking to may just be able to make it happen, but they sure as hell won't if you sound like a dick or just whine "you suck!"

 

I have been going to this show since 2003 and I have to say it is very family friendly. but like many have already pointed out the flea market can use a make over we need more of the vendors who are carring those treasures that we all love to get and as for the cruising around this issue could be ok if there was an area dedicated to cruising maybe like around the perimeter of the show. But with the turnout of spectators that this show gets I find it very hard to be able to just cruise around it with out the possibility of hitting one of the many thousands of people who attend this shaow and whom are walking around looking at the cars parked or maybe taking care of there children and not paying attention to the cars that are cruising. The outcomes of this sort of situation could be very serious if something were to happen so I can totally see the point behind this. I have to say I have been to alot of shows and even traveled all the way to Florida for the Billet Proof event and they were not cruising around the grounds but we all managed to have a hell of a good time. So to me cruising is not that important. Although I really can not wait to see what it is you guys come up with for entertainment "Stunt Cars" would be all kinds of cool. Hell I would like to see some vintage dirt cars racing on the oval or even a figure 8 set up would be cool. Lets even kick it up another notch and have a wood track built and have some of those crazy bastards out there now that would be the best.

 

I think the last time I went it was around $16 to get in, another $1 to get a brochure to know where to find stuff.So after spending that kind of money I want to see car stuff not "crafts and such.Denise is right on with the Jalopy Showdown, for $10 your have a much better weekend. Probably because Scary Larry, Mr. Paxton, and the other folks that put it on do it for the love of the atomsphere, not to get rich. I'm not saying the Right Coast is trying but every stinking hotel,the fairgrounds, etc. is.

 

I didn't even go at all for a long time because I never could find out if they even had a swap meet, then I found out after the fact they did have one, but never found out what it cost. For a long time I didn't want to try to tie myself up for 3 1/2 days to set up over there. Finally looked into it in 2008. So I can't tell you about before that... but I think the '95 Street Rod Nats had a swap meet back in that same area.

The swap has the cheapest spots and the rent goes on up from there. Indoors = more $$, closer to the main gate = more $$, etc.

Putting the swap meet out in the parking lot would take away 90% of the foot traffic, I don't want to be out there. There was no problem getting spaces, guys showed up as late as Saturday morning and there were spots to be had. The car corral had some overflow issues - by two or three cars or so.

By the way, I know from talking to one of the other groups who puts on a show there that it's around $10,000 (I'm sure it's more than when I heard the figures discussed 2 or 3 years ago) for a weekend just to rent out two of the buildings there. I don't want to guess what the cost is to use the entire grounds for something. That's a lot of bucks to make up. When you put on a big show of any kind you need to charge enough to be sure you at least break even with a poor turnout.

 

Wicked John put down in words exactly how I feel. Alot of my friends from all over w/ great hotrods won't come to Syracuse anymore (at least 60 rods in total) and its in their own backyard. I've been to 7 of their shows and the last few years the focus has changed. I'm all for capitalism and the price for the weekend is fine but when I look at the whole picture and see dozens rightcost workers fooling around w/ each other and really not doing anything like helping traffic flow etc... I don't see any passion for hotrodding. It starts for the top down and what your trying to sell.