GS Nats

[jmidolo]

Will be here before ya know it, just made reservations for 3 dbl rooms...May is coming!

Maybe we'll have a tranny vendor there this yr..how 'bout it Bruce!! Have a little tranny tech session, would be great we can talk about junk yard TCs LOL

 

[Chris Cornett]

How about having some cars and people there as well. I have been to 9 in a row and keeps getting smaller and smaller. A few years ago the whole town was overun with TR's and GS's. Oh well, I guess we can all thank Rich and Bennet for ruining a good thing.

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by Chris Cornett
How about having some cars and people there as well. I have been to 9 in a row and keeps getting smaller and smaller. A few years ago the whole town was overun with TR's and GS's. Oh well, I guess we can all thank Rich and Bennet for ruining a good thing.

Maybe I am biased, but comments like this are not welcome here. If you have specifics to validate your comments, would like to know what they are. If not, personal attacks will NOT be tolerated.

 

[Red Regal T]

I've been to the Nats many times. Last year there was quite a large threat of bad weather. Held down the crowds but was a great event if you love Buicks. See ya there next year.........8 months and counting.

 

[LV GN]

last year was my first and we had a great time. i thought the event was planed well . and the people that ran it did a great job! by wed. the town was filled with turbo cars and gs's everywhere we went. i cant wait for the next one. see you there.

 

[jmidolo]

I don't personally know the people that run the Nats, have always heard bla bla, comments about them over the years. Until last year, I know Nick. Nick did a great job and I think everything ran smooth, from a spectator standpoint. I have not raced there, but from my perspective, things were a lot more efficient.

I plan to bring the Limited in May and race it this year however.

I was just talking to someone the other day and they mentioned that last year seemed very small. I dunno, I think we will not see the attendance like we did back in say the mid-later 90s...I think that's when the Buicks Peaked but seems to have leveled off now.
I go and see the same group of friends that I only see once a year, hang out, race, drink, tattle tails whatever. It's guy-week, a break from the family and work, so as long as it's there, I'll be there. The event is what you make of it really.

 

[jmidolo]

There's not as many vendors as in the past either...I can think of a few off the top of my head that are out of biz or out of the Buick scene all together....

 

[XXQUICK6XX]

I've been going for over 5 years and still love going. Great hospitality from the town and a great atmosphere. Just the weather is a little sucky but nobody that I personally know has control over that. And I plan on going this year too. Its a good place to see old freinds.

Steve

 

[Nick Micale]

Guess I was somewhat "direct" in my response to Chris.

Let me add some comments on a more positive note.

Last year, John Chamberlain was the Nats event director and Bennett handled the administration part. John is a GSCA charter member and very knowledgeable, personable guy. He was everywhere in the event making sure all was going as smooth as possible, and listening to members comments. He made MANY changes for the better, even if they were small items. I had the priveldige to work with him and know his goal is to satisify the members. He is open to comments on anything that improves the overall event.

As has been mentioned in many post, there are various reasons for reduced attendance in cars and vendors, weather, economy, number of Buick owners and cars, but certainly NOT the facility, or town hospitality.

For the year 2005, the track has been tentatively reserved for an early to mid-June date, which has been the date requested by most members. Also, racer payout program will be revised to better inform and reward the class winners.

It may not be the most perfect event for Buicks, but is is still the largest, and has the most "goings on" of any other!

 

[STP]

IMO, the facility doesn't even compare to the other facilities/event I attend yearly (Bristol, Norwalk) I have attended 7 BG events and raced at two of them. BG has never been a "racer's" event, compared to the Norwalk or Bristol event(s). All other aspects of Bowling Green are nice. Nice town, friendly people, and lots to do after hours. It's also fairly centrally located...It's just been my experience that the track personnel couldn't give two ****s about the Buicks being there.

 

[Chris Cornett]

The town and atmosphere are great. I yhink John will dp a great job. I am just saying that it seems the event keeps getting smaller. I realize the weather in May in BG is kind of a crapshoot, but it has never stopped me from going. As I said next year will be 10 in a row for me. I have never had a problem with the club or Rich for that matter. Bennet is another story. My registration packet was 'lost' for the 01 event so I wound paying twice to attend that year. Bennet told me to provide him with a cancelled check and a receipt from when I paid again so I did. He never refunded any of my money or returned phone calls or E-mails. You start talking about spectator and race tickets for the whole week it adds up quickly. So all in all, I paid over $400 to attend that year. I think John will do a much better job because he is a personable guy.

 

[Lee Thompson]

Nats.

I look forward to the Nats. every year. Things were definately better organized this year. Nick and John are a welcome addition.
Concerning fees--- be sure to keep records, reciepts, if you preregister through the mail, have it sent where they have to sign for it and you get proof they got it. When it comes to $, the heads of the club are like a deep black hole, it don/t come back out!!

 

[Otto J]

Originally posted by STP
It's just been my experience that the track personnel couldn't give two ****s about the Buicks being there.

They probably really dont give two ****s about whos there, wether its buicks or chevys,They normally probably dont work during the week.
Otto

 

[Boost]

Like Lee and most of us, I too, look forward to the GS Nationals every year...

Get to see Buicks (GS's ,TR's) all over town, learn something new, bs in the parking area in the evenings, breakfast at Theresa's, the drive to the track every morning, the street racing scene at Auto Zone, Toot's, beautiful cars through out, great hospitality, the competition, the latest technology, talking to vendors and gurus, the swap meet, but most important, seing, sharing and shaking hands with friends and fellow Buick gearheads that I've made through out the years, putting a face to the people you talk to on the phone and meet in the net.

Without a doubt, if you are into Buicks, this is the event to go to, to see everybody that's somebody in the Buick community.

Looking forward to '04.

 

[Red Regal T]

Re: Like Lee and most of us, I too, look forward to the GS Nationals every year...

Originally posted by Boost
Get to see Buicks (GS's ,TR's) all over town, learn something new, bs in the parking area in the evenings, breakfast at Theresa's, the drive to the track every morning, the street racing scene at Auto Zone, Toot's, beautiful cars through out, great hospitality, the competition, the latest technology, talking to vendors and gurus, the swap meet, but most important, seing, sharing and shaking hands with friends and fellow Buick gearheads that I've made through out the years, putting a face to the people you talk to on the phone and meet in the net.

Without a doubt, if you are into Buicks, this is the event to go to, to see everybody that's somebody in the Buick community.

Looking forward to '04.

...............................SEE A RED REGAL ....

 

[b4black]

Originally posted by Nick Micale
Last year, John Chamberlain ..... ..... He was everywhere in the event making sure all was going as smooth as possible, and listening to members comments. He made MANY changes for the better, even if they were small items. I had the priveldige to work with him and know his goal is to satisify the members. He is open to comments on anything that improves the overall event.

I went for couple of years, then quit going. Too much "if you don't like it, tough. It's our show, we will do what we want" It seemed like it was about $, and nothing else.

This is the kinda change that might bring me back for 2004.

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by STP
.........It's just been my experience that the track personnel couldn't give two ****s about the Buicks being there.

That certainly was NOT true this past year. I spent the better part of Friday and Saturday in the track area, and in the tower, so I can attest to this first hand.

The traffic flow for the race cars was very smooth and efficient even with the rain shower delays. Additional help in the staging lanes allowed smoother flow and less wait time.

Track prep was outstanding, ask the 7, 8 and 9 sec. drivers! Track personal did whatever we asked for within reason.

A few more changes are in store for next year that will even further improve the race program for spectators as well as racers.

Chris, am sorry to hear about your payment problem. For a few years now a PR group headed by Ron Joseph has been available to assist in situations like yours, or any other member concerns. Simply find Ron, or have him paged by the tower if help is needed.

 

[gnxtc2]

It was my first time at BG this past year, and I am going to go back.

My only complaint that I had, and I addressed it to Ron. The problem was that there was no schedule to follow. There should lane assignments while you are lining up.

That was my only gripe, otherwise see you in'04.

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by gnxtc2
It was my first time at BG this past year, and I am going to go back.

My only complaint that I had, and I addressed it to Ron. The problem was that there was no schedule to follow. There should lane assignments while you are lining up. Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

There was a race schedule published, it was in the Program. Lane assignments were announced on the PA, and for qualifying and eliminations there were staff members in the staging lanes directing traffic.

The problem in lining cars in the proper order was due to the wrong, or no, class designations on the cars.

Further, when racers filled out their tech cards they did not put down the class they would run. Because of this, the car and driver could not be entered into the computer which slowed down the qualifying events.

Hopefully, this will be improved next year.

 

[arista5]

only one thing i would say was a negative was they didnt exactly hose the waterbox often enough. i watched alot of dry burnouts still had fun and will be there next year