Why is Goodguys in PA. is not catchin' on?

This year GG's in Des Moines was crazy huge. There was so many cars there you had to park a 1/4 mile away from the action. Thats inside the fair grounds. People pay the huge entry fee to be a part of the show, not to park in the back where nobody goes.... I went to GG's at the Kansas Speedway and the attendence seemed down quite a bit. I heard the Grease-a-Rama was huge, thats probably why.

 

I only attend the Charlotte event, because I don't get out much. Yes, it is expensive, but for Thurs. through Sunday it all evens out. There is more to see and do than time. It has autocross, a track ride, poker run, vendors. I see tons of trditional stuff. Yeah, there are still lots of billet rides, if you don't like them, walk on by. The Membership fee pretty much covers a nice subscription for the year.

 

May not be for everyone but....March 2011...

http://www.northeastcustomcarshow.com/

 

I preferred the Hershey location for this event, but it was competing directly with the Jalopy Showdown and Ocean City MD events. Both of them are more fun for the money.

 

Went to Lake George NY Sept 11-12 and I heard a lot of people there saying it was their last show for the year. Agree that maybe it's getting too late in the year for the area. Definitely a different mindset than when I was growing up in CA...

I noticed Lake George was like a trip back to the 80s in terms of car style and vibe. Lots of fat tires and blowers (nothing wrong with THAT). Not sure what the entry fee was, but spectator was $10 per day, and there were a S*%TLOAD of cars to see. Great cruise scene Sat. night as well.

 

The whole thing is going more grass roots, here's a big hook in my craw.
You build a ride, I don't care what you call it, it's cool. You pay for every part on it, you join this big organization, they charge you a lot of money to be a "member" what do you get for that? You go to a show with your car, they charge you a fee to "show" your car. WTF? They charge a gate fee thats really high. The show is over loaded with pro shops, they put all of these pro built cars all together in a fenced in area so the commons can't bump them or run into them. So here you are just some non pro guy who built his car in his one car garage, they stick your car in general parking where the dust is and there is no shade, what did you pay to be parked in the grass or mud at this show, 50 bucks.
From the spectator perspective it can be a nice time, for the pro shop it's a great business opportunity, for the common peasant that builds his car in his one car, the true hot rodder, it's an excercise in humility. When they used to have the fairgrounds style shows you could at least move about the grounds, now they fence you in or out and treat you like chaffe. Why the F-- would you want to pay to show your car so some corporation can make money on the showing of your car and then have them treat you like an asshole? So you can make it into a mag? So some kid can key your paint while your car is out in the field. So you can sit there in the hot sun with the dust twisters blowing dust in your face while you sit there in your lawn chair. As a spectator I have seen this very sight, some poor dumb SOB who poured his heart into his car, sitting in the dust, paying 50 bucks plus hotel plus gas, pus plus plus, all by his lonesome, I would have laughed but it's just too sad.
Grow the grass roots shit, it's more fun, you get to keep your dignity, let these other guys shows dwindle, maybe they will give a shit about you more when you are gone and stop kissing the vendors, pro shops, and peanut salesmans ass.
Arguably but not really, pre 73 is the farthest stretch of any kind of old car most of us would pay to see.

 

Sorry, but not much in that rant is true.

-The "Builder's Choice Area" is open to anyone who cares to put their car in there.There are NO requirements at all.

-If $35 for membership is a lot of money to you, I'm sorry. But, you do get event discounts and 12 monthly issues of the industries largest (and I think best) magazine.

-The "gate" fee is about $60 (depending on the event). That gets the car and two people in for THREE days to do things like; track cruises, bands, Autocross, how-to seminars, fireworks etc. Plus chances to win a ton of free stuff including multiple new and classic cars. "Showing" or participating in pretty much anything costs the person showing/participating money - dog shows, auto racing, car shows since there were car shows.

-Nobody "sticks" your car anywhere. Any entrant can park in any spot they want to. The only exception would be something like the Woody or Deuce area if you didn't have one of those cars, but you could still park in there if you insisted.

-"Why the F-- would you want to pay to show your car so some corporation can make money on the showing of your car and then have them treat you like an asshole? So you can make it into a mag? So some kid can key your paint while your car is out in the field. So you can sit there in the hot sun with the dust twisters blowing dust in your face while you sit there in your lawn chair." - It sounds like your issue is with car shows, not Goodguys. Yes, Goodguys is a business and it costs a lot of money to put on a professional quality event. If the price is too high for you, that's your personal issue, and I'm sorry, but that doesn't make the "Corporation" evil.

-"As a spectator I have seen this very sight, some poor dumb SOB who poured his heart into his car, sitting in the dust, paying 50 bucks plus hotel plus gas, pus plus plus, all by his lonesome, I would have laughed but it's just too sad." - What in that statement is related to Goodguys? The issue is the same for a "small" show. When I go to "grassroots" show I have to pay for my gas and hotel AND to get into the show. Unless there are shows out there that are free and they pay for your gas and hotel. If so, PLEASE let me know about them, because I'd love to attend!!!

-"Grow the grass roots shit, it's more fun, you get to keep your dignity, let these other guys shows dwindle, maybe they will give a shit about you more when you are gone and stop kissing the vendors, pro shops, and peanut salesmans ass." - I don't really get all of this statement, but YES definitely grow the "grassroots shit". That's what I did with Billetproof. Dignity? That's a personal issue. I'm not sure how anyone is kissing vendors' asses since they have to pay to show too, but OK. I guess they should go to events with 100 people rather than 45,000 to make a living. As for food, Goodguys does not make a penny at ANY of their events from food vendors in ANY way. The fairgrounds or tracks charge the vendors rent and a percentage of sales to sell there. That's why their prices are so high. BTW they also make all of the money off of spectator parking and determine the prices.

-I'm always willing to discuss opinions about Goodguys or anything else hot rod related for that matter. I always get accused of defending Goodguys because I work there, but I would never defend a true wrong done to a fellow hot rodder by any company. In fact, I am the loudest proponent for us (HAMB-types) at Goodguys. So if anyone has a REAL issue with something Goodguys has done, please let me know so I can get it fixed.

 

The bottom line is that Gooodguys IS a company. It has been since day one and therefore has employees, about 30 of them in fact, and I don't know even ONE of them who is out to screw anyone. In fact we like what we do. I love going to car shows for a living, so why would we purposely screw anyone and possibly jeopardize that?

It is going to cost money to do pretty much anything with your car other than stare at it in your garage. If it's too expensive to spend $60 for entertainment for two people for a whole weekend, that's your opinion. I always compare it to going to dinner and a movie for two. That easily costs over $60 for a few hours of (hopefully) good food and a (hopefully good) movie. Hell, Disneyland is $70 per person to get in on top of $20 to park and $10 hot dogs.

Anyway, like I said, I'd love to hear about real issue you guys have had with Goodguys or positive suggestions. I have a lot of influence and can get them addressed.

No company wants a venture to be a failure. Goodguys is the same with every event it does. It takes a lot of research to decide to start a new event and the goal with each is long term success. Sometimes they just don't work. I don't know the fate of Pocono, but I do know that Goodguys has spent literally hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to make it work and a responsible company can't consciously lose money.

 

Goodguys has it's place and audience. Back in the 90's when I was in Seattle it was one of the only big shows around and a great time. My whole club would go (4th Corner Elites ot of Bellingham)

I Attended several when I moved to Texas, still a great variety of cars, not all my style, but that's not really a problem.

Since I moved to Chicago I have not been, there are enough things going on that I don't feel the need to spend the big money to go, doesn't stop me from going to the pre-party at HRCC though. I'm sure I will go back with my traditional car and I will have a great time because I Want To Have A Great Time, not because of what everyoen else is doing.

I have never been in the hobby for trophies or recognition but I do like to see all the shiny cars with expensive paint and gobs of billet, there's some great craftsmanship and innovation there. Surprisingly I cringe when I see a "Patina'd" ride or Rat Rod and reallize that he is representing "Traditional" to this crowd, makes me want to bring my car even more to help Share the Gospel.

Goodguys has their hands full trying to pick an audience and ensure everyone has a good time. I applaud Kirk for standing up for our special interest group to ensure our voice is heard.

A one day pass would be nice though, good luck in PA., mabe I'll see you in Joilet next year.

 

You are not seeing it from the other side, I was not specifically knocking a particular event but lets compare Street Machine Nationals Springfield, Du Quion. Hot Rod Nationals East Canfield Ohio, the fairgrounds type shows of 20 years ago to the show at Joliet. Lets compare the number of participants, the quality of venue, the feel of the show from the common entrant/ participant in the show, the bread and butter hot rodder. Walk out into that dust bowl over there in Joliet and ask some of those people how they feel about basically parking in the infield. I'm very sorry Kirk but the question of the OP was why one of the shows in particular had a low or not growing attendance of cars, this is my exact experience with the venue, you can't show your car with pride and dignity when you have to park it in the dust. If you think I am just ranting go out among the guys out there and ask them how they feel, I did and they were not happy. Sure its a great show to "attend" but it can be less fun to participate in. You know exactly what these cars are called that end up in the field "overflow". Mean while the muscle cars had their own corral on the pavement. A freakin Buick Grand Nat is a gem and a guys 48 Ford is overflow. For gosh sakes the swap junk was on the pavement. And you "are" allowed to go anywhere in the overflow area outside of the fence on the in field area on the mud or dust. Buddy, if you are in the planning and or organizing arm of one of these shows you need to get in touch with the participants, get out side of that fenced in area and see how the guys in the dirt feel about your choice of venue. I participated in 7 Street Machine Nationals from St Louis Through Du Quoin, did 3 of the Ohio Hot Rod Super Nats, All excellent venues. Never ended up in a shade less dusty/ muddy place.
The ASRA for instance just had a very nice show, club membership 25 bucks, daily entry fee at gate 10 bucks each for a single day, air show, activities for the kids and plenty of nice pavement parking all pre 48. The show was held at Chanute AFB. These guys were out there asking everyone what they thought, how their day was going, how could they make it better. I tell you and you fire off in sub text and craftily word that I may be cheap and or mentally unstable. And that in a shell is what's wrong with the shows, ears closed, carry on, dismiss the complaintant, NEXT.

 

Thanks Kirk! I love the Good-Guys events!!!!!

I wish I could take vacation and do them all one year.
You guys do a great job! It is very much appreicated!!!
I love to watch the moto cross. I like to try it sometime.
I love to meet the new people and make new friends. I look forward to seeing them again next year.
I am looking forward to attending more shows next year.
The shuttle was great to have running. I told a bunch of people about the shuttles, and they said they would come next year. They didn't know about the shuttles. Can wait to see the dates for next year?

 

Here in ColoRODo, we have two "big" shows...Goodguy's and the NSRA Pueblo show...this year I went to both...and guess what...they are PRICED the same... and I had to drive to both...and I had to pay to fuel my car for both, and I had to pay for a motel room for both...and I had to buy my own meals...

The whole point of this is: I drive to an event, I've been to Kansas City GG's show, I've driven to Scottsdale (several times), Des Moines (several times) and Indy and by the time I get there I've already spent a couple of hundred dollars...why would I worry about a measley entry fee...???

FWIW, I went to Greaserama (a couple years ago) in KC and paid the entry fee -got a "grease rag" and nothing else for my "entry fee" and had to park in an unpaved dusty drive in movie theater lot...by the time I left early evening, the interior of my car was filled with dust as was the outside...and the cars there, well, let's just say that I got tired of flat black "home-built" stuff real fast. Never went back and prolly won't ever.

An asphalt track or grass certainly doesn't put up that much dust.

Besides, if you divide the $60.00 entry fee by three days, that's only $20 a day...or $10 per person per day if you take your wife, GF or best buddy...you can't even go to an indoor show for $10.00 a day and spend 8-10 hours there...and a movie is what, two hours at the most...dinner is two hours and more expensive... it's all relative.

I only wish I could make all the GoodGuy's shows...and one of these first days, I may give it a try.

R-

 

September,a lot going on!
We went to Lebanon valley for there fall show.Lot's of show cars.
Goodguys have priced themselves out of the park.
Even Rhinebeck this year was down.on cars!
I have been to all the goodguys Rhinebeck shows.
I don't think , I will go back!
We didn't see many Goodguy reps.No one even taking photos for the Mag???
$50 for one day?? alot of the same cars.Why go???
Some of the guys that won awards, didn't even go Sunday to pick them up!
Every year, it goes down hill!
The give away program, is not that good anymore!
$ 200 off, on something you don't need,after spending $800
We went to NSRA Burlington Vt, Nice giveaways, all Free! Bigest show they have had there.and keeps growing!
Great place ,Great people.Only $ 25 to get in for the weekend?
Vendors were down a little!
It's a bargain, compared to goodguys!

 

I am "out there" at every event. I am very accessible and talk to TONS of participants at every event.

Parking your car in dirt affects your dignity? Park in a different spot then.

"And you "are" allowed to go anywhere in the overflow area outside of the fence on the in field area on the mud or dust." Huh? There is no "overflow" area at any event. The entire event is open to everyone. Are the areas you'd like to park in already full when you get there? Then get there earlier. Acting like someone is picking on you because you chose to park in dirt does not compute. Venues have dirt, venues have grass, venues have asphalt - you're free to park anywhere that cars are allowed to park.

"I tell you and you fire off in sub text and craftily word that I may be cheap and or mentally unstable. And that in a shell is what's wrong with the shows, ears closed, carry on, dismiss the complaintant, NEXT." Actually I addressed every one of your concerns. I didn't infer that you were cheap at all. If you feel that the cost is too much, then for you it is. The events are priced to cover expenses and, yes, make a profit. That's how companies operate. Everything you pay for has a price and it is set by the cost to produce and by demand. I didn't dismiss anything you said, in fact, just the opposite. The main gist seems to be that you chose to park, or had to park, because others got there before you, somewhere was affecting your dignity. Pretty much everyone knows that every event is first come first served as far as parking goes.

 

How's your dignity after such a horrific dust experience? Obviously the Greaserama guys are out to screw you and everyone else. Bastards!

 

Good actual input.

There was of course a photographer for the Gazette in Rhinebeck, Brandon (Hemi on the HAMB).

As for the giveaway program. We have had the same response from other people and are trying to get the companies involved to kick in more.

 

Thanks man. It's easy (but usually frustrating) to just speak the truth. I love hot rods and want to see them thrive, no matter where.

 

You said it, I didn't...!!!

My dignity is still intact...but I'm still cleaning dust out of my car...!!!

R-

 

<hr style="color: rgb(229, 229, 229); background-color: rgb(229, 229, 229);" size="1"> September,a lot going on!
We went to Lebanon valley for there fall show.Lot's of show cars.
Goodguys have priced themselves out of the park.
Even Rhinebeck this year was down.on cars!
I have been to all the goodguys Rhinebeck shows.
I don't think , I will go back!
We didn't see many Goodguy reps.No one even taking photos for the Mag???
$50 for one day?? alot of the same cars.Why go???
Some of the guys that won awards, didn't even go Sunday to pick them up!
Every year, it goes down hill!
The give away program, is not that good anymore!
$ 200 off, on something you don't need,after spending $800
We went to NSRA Burlington Vt, Nice giveaways, all Free! Bigest show they have had there.and keeps growing!
Great place ,Great people.Only $ 25 to get in for the weekend?
Vendors were down a little!
It's a bargain, compared to goodguys!

 

Every time this topic comes up (and it comes up way too often!) I'm always amazed at the ridiculous excuses some of you guys can come up with for NOT attending a car show. WTF? Are you car guys or what?

"It's too expensive." "There are too many cars that don't look like mine." "They should pay me to have my car in their show." "It's too hot." It's too cold." "My car won't be the star of the show." "There are cars there that are better than mine."

I just pre-registered on-line for the Goodguys Bowling Green show next month. It was $45.00, not $60, not $80, $45.00. It's a 3-day show so that works out to $7.50 per person/per day! That seems pretty cheap to me. (Heck one day's admission to almost any drag race event is at least $20.00!) For that I get my wife and myself into the show grounds with our car for 3 days.During those three days there will be over a 1,000 cars to look at, vintage drag racing all three days, I can cruise around the grounds or park wherever I want and sit and watch other cars cruise by, a swap meet all three days, vendors all three days, etc.

Yes, there will be cars there that I have no interest in, but they will be in the minority and certainly won't keep me from enjoying myself. I don't understand why people are so put off at the mere sight of an o/t car at a show.

Last week my wife and I took her mother out to dinner for her 87th birthday. We went to a nice local restaurant, not a national chain and not a fancy place, but not a greasy spoon either. The bill for three was $51.00 plus tip.

So what's wrong with $45.00 for a three day car show, swap meet, and drag race?

 

Okay, here is another point. I live 85 miles from Pocono Raceway. I get the local area paper, the county paper and I listen to NPR,rock,country and sports talk radio stations. I saw/heard nothing about the show. Maybe the market is really NE PA and North Jersey, but we have a lot of hotrodders out here and I bet a lot of potential visitors didn't know it was happening.

 

More good input. Thanks.

 

I love GoodGuy's Indy, I just wish the weather cooperate a little more. I like the drag racing, the swap meet, Pro's pick, venders, I guess I like it all. It's also an hour from my house so I can go home every evening and not pay for a motel. I enjoy NSRA events too. I think the economy is affecting all events. The more events, the more competitive they have to be to draw their entrys. Money is tighter for me too, I pick and choose more than I used to. But I also remember when the NSRA Nats was the only game in town. I would wait all summer to go to one event, then when it was over I almost went into depression. Things have changed now. There are 2 or 3 on the same weekend, all summer long.
I just don't want any of them to stop. I still have fun at them, hope I always do.

 

Kirk have you been to the Joliet show?

 

Sure have.

 

Do you honestly feel that this venue has no short falls from the perspective of the average participant?

 

Every event venue has a variety of shortcomings. I don't think there is a perfect venue. But the entire venue is not dirt and nobody makes anyone park anywhere they don't want to. That is the point you kept making - that Goodguys was affecting your dignity by forcing you to park in dirt.

Also, this thread is about Pocono.

 

I have enjoyed every GG's I have participated in. The cost isn't even an issue if you look at the length of the show and what the show has to offer those who attend.

I know Kirk has been to most of the shows. I have seen him numerous times with his camera. His documentation of the events is truley enjoyable.

Even The Fonz goes to most of the events. If it wasn't cool would The Fonz be there??




BloodyKnuckles

 

I went to the show with my wife.Last minute decision. The show,not my wife.Got a nice room at Split Rock with no problem.The show was great even with the lower attendence.I agree that there are too many whiners. We had two days of fun for $55.00.Try to buy a ticket to Jersey Boys for less than $150.00.