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First off let me start by thanking all the die-hards that still come out for this event.You make it worth our while to retain this show. The folks that show up are having fun and that is important.
Some of you, however, really must have your heads in the sand. Take a look around. All of the muscle car shows are shrinking, and shrinking rapidly. I said it before, and I'll say it again, The hobby is "greying". Many musclecar owners are now in their 50s and '60s. They've "been there and done that". The excitement is gone. In addition, many of us are facing serious financial difficulties in this terrible economy. All you have to do, if you don't believe me is to come out on a regular race day and count the number of "classic" Mopars...........One? maybe two? Usually none! And this is at a big, famous race track in a major metropolitan area.
The sad fact(for you) is that you are being replaced by a new generation that shows little interest in our type of car. Proof? How about Twenty Two Thousand people for Waterfest, a two day VW and Audi show in the dog days of August. Earlier this year we had a sport compact race with Nine Thousand spectators on a Sunday and ATCO had to close the gates before noon on Honda Day because there was no more room for spectators or racers. They (spectators)were actually cutting the chain link fence with bolt cutters to let their friends in!
We offer them the same thing that we offer you. They come, you don't.
Pontiac Day, which used to bring a couple hundred cars had about 30 cars this year. Have we really messed things up that badly? I don't think so. You want the event to grow? Talk all of your friends into actually showing up and to stop crying into their keyboards.
Flame on!
WF

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Sorry, and with all due respect, I disagree with your statements for the most part.

Yes, the economy is in the dumps. We all know that. But there are people that are still getting out and enjoying the hobby. Lots of people. Get in your truck next week and head up to Lebanon Valley for Musclepalooza and then tell me that the muscle era cars are dead. The place draws an unbelievable crowd! Packed to the rafters. Same for the Carlisle events. And while I havent been to the Nats in the last few years, I hear they are still drawing a big crowd as well. Yet, Musclepalooxa at Etown doesn't nearly have the "juice" that the Valley has. Something's just wrong here. And as a business owner myself, I don't like anyone telling me how to run my business so I won't do the same for Etown, but constructive criticism is certainly welcomed. At the end of the day, a bigger, more popular event is good for all. The spectators/entrants have more fun and the house makes more money. Everyone wins.

The import events seem to be more about the "culture"(women, music, and )than the cars. But give them their due, they figured it out somehow.


I won't outline all of the changes that I believe should be made, as frankly, they would mirror what most have already previously posted. Read and take note I suppose. The one change that should absolutely be made is to change the date of the event. It rains just about every year on that weekend. Perhaps people are just "crossing it off their list", assuming that its going to rain anyway. The string of bad weather for this event is beyond a coincidence at this point. Move it or lose it.

Regards,

MB

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First off let me start by thanking all the die-hards that still come out for this event.You make it worth our while to retain this show. The folks that show up are having fun and that is important.
Some of you, however, really must have your heads in the sand. Take a look around. All of the muscle car shows are shrinking, and shrinking rapidly. I said it before, and I'll say it again, The hobby is "greying". Many musclecar owners are now in their 50s and '60s. They've "been there and done that". The excitement is gone. In addition, many of us are facing serious financial difficulties in this terrible economy. All you have to do, if you don't believe me is to come out on a regular race day and count the number of "classic" Mopars...........One? maybe two? Usually none! And this is at a big, famous race track in a major metropolitan area.
The sad fact(for you) is that you are being replaced by a new generation that shows little interest in our type of car. Proof? How about Twenty Two Thousand people for Waterfest, a two day VW and Audi show in the dog days of August. Earlier this year we had a sport compact race with Nine Thousand spectators on a Sunday and ATCO had to close the gates before noon on Honda Day because there was no more room for spectators or racers. They (spectators)were actually cutting the chain link fence with bolt cutters to let their friends in!
We offer them the same thing that we offer you. They come, you don't.
Pontiac Day, which used to bring a couple hundred cars had about 30 cars this year. Have we really messed things up that badly? I don't think so. You want the event to grow? Talk all of your friends into actually showing up and to stop crying into their keyboards.
Flame on!
WF

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First off let me start by thanking all the die-hards that still come out for this event.You make it worth our while to retain this show. The folks that show up are having fun and that is important.
Some of you, however, really must have your heads in the sand. Take a look around. All of the muscle car shows are shrinking, and shrinking rapidly. I said it before, and I'll say it again, The hobby is "greying". Many musclecar owners are now in their 50s and '60s. They've "been there and done that". The excitement is gone. In addition, many of us are facing serious financial difficulties in this terrible economy. All you have to do, if you don't believe me is to come out on a regular race day and count the number of "classic" Mopars...........One? maybe two? Usually none! And this is at a big, famous race track in a major metropolitan area.
The sad fact(for you) is that you are being replaced by a new generation that shows little interest in our type of car. Proof? How about Twenty Two Thousand people for Waterfest, a two day VW and Audi show in the dog days of August. Earlier this year we had a sport compact race with Nine Thousand spectators on a Sunday and ATCO had to close the gates before noon on Honda Day because there was no more room for spectators or racers. They (spectators)were actually cutting the chain link fence with bolt cutters to let their friends in!
We offer them the same thing that we offer you. They come, you don't.
Pontiac Day, which used to bring a couple hundred cars had about 30 cars this year. Have we really messed things up that badly? I don't think so. You want the event to grow? Talk all of your friends into actually showing up and to stop crying into their keyboards.
Flame on!
WF

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WOW! i don't know what to say.. you are freaking clueless man. get out look around its your event that sucks. others are fine. you want us to show up then make it worth showing up. your obviously too thick headed and blind to listen to the people that used to make the show great so just kill the event already. your a joke and so is your event. go back to whatever cave you have been living in.

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Get in your truck next week and head up to Lebanon Valley for Musclepalooza and then tell me that the muscle era cars are dead. The place draws an unbelievable crowd! Packed to the rafters. Same for the Carlisle events. And while I havent been to the Nats in the last few years, I hear they are still drawing a big crowd as well. Yet, Musclepalooxa at Etown doesn't nearly have the "juice" that the Valley has.

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I doubt Hemmings will use E-town as the fall event much longer. Their staff was not at all happy with the turnout compared to NY. And anyone that's been to Lebanon Valley knows it's in the middle of nowhere, so to get the turnout they do must mean they are doing something right.

After reading Walt's comments, it's no wonder the show is what it is.

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I'm sorry but I have to disagree with the folks disagreeing with Walter. It's pretty simple that if the 200+ folks from this site alone that no longer attend and make excuses as to why simply showed up one year, that would make the following year one of anticipation. That would also show the facility that the event has life which would in turn create the finances from the draw, not the tracks' account to provide some of the "events" being discussed such as legend appearances which cost money(sometimes in the thousands of dollars), hemi shootout event with sponsorship and payout etc. Regardless of the headcount drop in the last few years, all sides make very valid points. Internet and Ebay sales for parts, the reproduction parts market explosion, cost of simple things like food(bring your own), fuel, tolls, and the "been there done that perception" are all things that absolutely contributed to the downfall. But it always comes back to simply putting it on your calendar and showing up. Pay your $12 to come in, see old friends, buy a burger, watch some races, make new friends, open up to the new models of our hobby(LX), check out the SuperCars, and have a good time. Yes we remember how it used to be and it will never be a standing room only event. None of the heavy hitting events are. They are all not dead, but you can't honestly tell me that Carlisle wasn't thin, and Columbus wasn't thin. How can you not want to go to this event? The name Raceway Park alone is the top reason we go. Come under that tower when you're racing and there is nothing like it, thousands of feet of paved parking, beautiful grandstands, the sounds of racing, meeting up with your old friends, and putting a face to your keyboard friends. I'm sorry but I'll still attend no matter what because of those simple details. Many of us will still not agree, but all I know is myself a the gang of merry men that convoy with us, plan to go every year like has always been.

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THE TRACK IS WILLING TO LISTEN....IF IF IF IF...

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Have we really messed things up that badly? I don't think so.

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Quarter Aces on Friday was week,

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Didnt Carlisle just set an attendance record last year??

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Show me where the actual numbers are. Did you go? I did and have been there for 9 years straight. Friday was a ghost town, Quarter Aces on Friday was week, York Reunion on Satuday was very slow. I did not hit Beaver on that Sunday so I can't speak for that. Quoting that attendance phrase means that their marketing department is on point and doing a tremedous job. Putting that phrase out there is great tool of marketing to make every enthusiast believe everything is still keeping the status cuo.

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