Annually the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals are a crowd pleaser, both with the diversity of its showfield and the depth of its automotive flea market.  Those aspects, combined with some stellar cooperation from Mother Nature helped power the 2019 event to an all-new showfield record.  In fact, this year’s record turnout was the second consecutive year that a record was broken and the fourth time since 2015 that the feat has been accomplished.  After all the cars came and went, the 2019 total reached 2,803.

By mid-day Thursday, the grounds were coming to life as patrons were trickling in, along with the cars and vendors.  Everyone onsite came looking to catch a glimpse of a bustling showfield in the making, plus beat the competition as it relates to parts shopping within the automotive flea market.  Speaking of the flea market, it was beyond sold out for 2019.  So much so that extra space was added on the east side of the grounds just to accommodate the demand from sellers.  This has never happened before during Chrysler weekend.

In addition, the featured vehicle displays took shape.  Building Y hosted a dedicated Summer of ’69 showcase, with a dozen or so of the best examples from 50 years ago.  This display welcomed a non-stop flock of enthusiasts.  Within Building T, a general snapshot of cars and trucks filled the floor and were anchored by some gems.  Themes included A12 cars, additional best of the best featured cars, Daytona & 500 cars and M-Codes.

While Carlisle welcomed individuals as special guests, Dodge hosted the true stars of the weekend, the cars (and trucks) that make their brand so popular.  Within the Dodge garage were RAM trucks, Hellcat Challengers, the Durago and the biggest car star of them all, the ALL-NEW 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody.  This car was the featured attraction both in the Dodge Garage tent as well in front of the stage with two walk-arounds where Dodge product host John Hammer offered an exciting look at the latest Dodge offering.  Following the walk-arounds, Dodge thrill ride driver Mike Burris wowed the crowd with a meaty Hellcat Challenger burnout.

As far as special guests go, Dave Rea and Chris Jacobs, both with ties to MotorTrend TV (formerly Velocity) were the big names on the roster for event weekend.  In addition, the Ramchargers and Golden Commandos were represented, Mr. Norm returned to Carlisle and Herb McCandless offered an impressive display of cars just opposite the Dodge Garage.  In fact, McCandless was more than a little bit of a star during the weekend, as a production crew was on-site following him daily as part of a project that chronicles his life and success both on the track and off.  He even hosted seminars packed with standing room only crowds.

The sights and sounds of the event were palpable too, with engine revs, horn honks and tires squealing all weekend. Some of the best sensory moments came from Dodge via their wildly popular thrill ride program, while the Saturday afternoon burnout offered a little added fun, with Dodge putting a Hellcat into the pit, plus more than a half a dozen enthusiasts competed to be king of the hill.  In all, the weekend was truly amazing!

Day three of the event was also the last day of the 2019 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.  The gates once again opened at 7 a.m. and like minded Mopar fans took one last pass on the showfield.  At 9 a.m. the Salvation Army hosted its non-denominational worship service, while the awards parade featured the best of the weekend, representing over 150 classes.  In all, it left guests wanting more and looking forward to next year.  Speaking of next year, the 2020 dates are July 10-12 and event registration is open now!

The Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation’s annual events schedule is nearing its halfway point.  Surf Fest, the Skate Park fun, Slide for Amyloidosis and Taste of OC are complete and with things up and running in 2019 for the CMAF, all eyes turn to Carlisle, Pennsylvania and Corvettes at Carlisle.  This year’s Corvette weekend is presented by Corvette America and on Friday, August 23, the Corvette world and those who support the CMAF come together for a big celebration and fund-raising benefit dinner.

The 5th Annual CMAF Benefit Dinner is held amid a backdrop of Corvettes, guests from the region over, VIP’s from Corvettes at Carlisle and more.  The CMAF dinner is also a great place for car clubs and large groups to spend an evening together instead of having to battle packed restaurants in the region for table space.  What makes it fun is that while there is a super casual sit-down dinner catered by Market Cross Pub and Brewery of Carlisle, it’s also a relaxed time to mix and mingle, plus raise awareness for Amyloidosis.  

Door prizes are up for grabs with items including a 2020 Corvettes at Carlisle VIP package that includes three nights hotel and Chip’s Circle access, Spring Mountain Motor Resort/Ron Fellows Driving school package valued at $2,500, special items from Team Chevrolet, a registration for New Jersey Track day in October and more.  

Just announced, producer/director Michael Brown is offering round trip coach airfare for two from your home base (within the U.S.A.) to Dallas, one night of lodging, a private tour of his Corvette and neon collection AND a personally signed copy of his wife's (author Sandra Brown) latest book, Outfox.  

Annually, thousands of dollars in donations are offered, with lifetime friendships forged too.  Last year, $15,000 was raised and with your support, that number can be topped in 2019 as we take another step closer to finding a cure for Amyloidosis. 
 
“The CMAF dinner is one not to miss! Not only is the food amazing, but the company is superb and the cause is even better,” noted CMAF president Lance Miller.  “We’re happy to host this fun-filled event on Friday evening as part of Corvettes at Carlisle,” continued Miller. “Expect to see many of the Chevrolet team sprinkled throughout the room along with many Corvette celebrities to mingle with.  The auction benefiting the CMAF will be sheer entertainment for everyone.  We do our best to have fun and make sure you and your guests want to return. The cars we’ll have on display will blow your mind this year, don’t miss it!”

Up next for the CMAF is the 4th Annual Hugh Claus 5K fun run and walk.  The race takes place Sunday, September 22 in South Seaside Park, New Jersey.  Registration is open now via www.ChipMiller.org (under the events tab).  Following the 5K event, the CMAF puts the pedal to the metal with a special track day at the New Jersey Motorsports Park.  That takes place October 10 and much like the 5K, details are available online under the events tab).

Nice weather and cool cars go together like…well, like every good cliché of things that go together.  For two days in June (21-22), the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds came to life with nearly 1,000 cars spanning the history of the Chevrolet brand as part of the annual Chevrolet Nationals.  The National Parts Depot Showfield was bustling with over 100 years of history, hosting a greater turnout of cars than the year before.  

Chevrolet weekend offered many things to many people – seminars, cool displays, activities (autocross rides with UMI Performance, Nitrofest), contests (burnouts, beauty, Real Street Shootout), special guests (Bruce Larson, Matt Avery, Charlie Morris, Larry Lombardo, Linda Vaughn and more than a half a dozen other greats from the history of Hurst) but it was the Bandit Jump that literally had folks craving more.

Vendors were coming to Carlisle days in advance of the weekend, with showcars quick to follow.  Indoor displays like the Solid Lifter Showroom in Building Y and the Featured Display showcase within Building T were in place by Thursday evening.  Additional spotlights like Novas at Carlisle and the Hurst Showcase also came together in advance of Friday’s 7 a.m. opening.  Once in place, these “best of the best” features helped anchor another great Chevrolet Nationals weekend.

With many great cars on display, many more cruised in to be part of the judged showfield.  From Fiero’s to Buick’s, Cadillac’s to Oldsmobile’s, Corvette’s to trucks and more, there was a little bit of something for everyone.   

As previously noted, the Bandit Jump was the star attraction of the show.  On Saturday at around 1 p.m., the Northeast Ohio Dukes stunt team launched a Smokey and the Bandit themed Trans-Am through the air on the southside of the grounds.  After soaring some 30 feet in the air and 120 or so feet in distance, the front-end impact left the crowd cheering and its driver, Ray Kohn wanting more.  This was also the first-time Kohn and the NEOD have jumped a Trans-Am and also the first time a jump like this was attempted anywhere in the country this year.  Needless to say, the crowd standing rows deep were appreciative of the efforts.  

In addition to all of the fun at the fairgrounds, the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center came to life for the second annual Summer Sale, powered by Carlisle Auctions.  From 11 a.m. until around 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, some 200 consignments crossed the block; again, spanning automotive history.  There was even an all-Chevrolet hour, offering a perfect compliment to all the fun happening across the street.  The top selling auction car was a 1966 Corvette going for $61,000, while another Corvette, this one a ’63, selling for $46,000.  Each sold during Carlisle Auctions’ all-Chevrolet hour late Saturday afternoon.

As the last of the vendors and showcars load out at Carlisle, everyone is making plans for 2020’s event.  Save the date, because the 20th edition of the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals take place June 26-27.  Registration is now open for that event and would be attendees are welcome to call 717-243-7855 or visit www.CarlisleEvents.com to learn more.  

Central Pennsylvania is rich in the trucking industry.  Not only do many major roadways pass through or near the area, but multiple companies have established trucking hubs to help get their products from point A to point B within the mid-Atlantic region.  In addition, Carlisle Events launched the Carlisle Truck Nationals and Big Rig Show & Shine in 1991 because ultimately, trucks of all types, are the backbone of our society.  It’s this love for trucks and the passion of those who attend shows at Carlisle that help usher in multiple businesses as supporting parts for the 2019 season (and beyond).

Carlisle Events is pleased to welcome back A&A Auto Stores as the presenting sponsor of truck weekend.  A&A has been in business for more than 60 years and within the past two years, established a brick and mortar business in Carlisle.  Not only are they the presenting sponsor, they are the official performance parts installer of Carlisle Events for many shows on the season schedule.

Joining A&A are our official sponsors Extang, Rock Auto, Meguiar’s and our ALL NEW partners, American Force Wheels and Ranch Hand Bumpers.  Ranch Hand fitted its first grille guard on the front of a truck in 1986 in a small shop in south Texas.  Since then, business experience, knowledge and determination has expanded their presence on the road from a single rancher’s truck to tens of thousands of trucks, Jeeps and SUVs across the nation.

The list doesn’t stop with presenting partners and official sponsors.  As Carlisle Truck Nationals weekend grows, so does its list of partners.  Guests at Carlisle can expect to see Ford Trucks, General Tire, Skyjacker, Rolling Big Power, Fury Off Road Tires, FASS Diesel, Borla Performance, Lund International, 4 Wheel Parts, BD Diesel, Anthem Wheels and other truck outfitters who vend at Carlisle with specific product offerings geared to truck and off road enthusiasts.

While much of what’s listed above is specific to light trucks, the Big Rig showcase includes custom and antique rigs, while also featuring a great array of partners for truckers and trucking enthusiasts.  Experiencing nearly 200 big rigs and heavy equipment is just one amazing aspect of the Big Rig Show & Shine, but when walking the grounds, guests can talk directly with the likes of Cumberland Truck Center representing Volvo Trucks as well as Kenworth of PA representing Kenworth Trucks. Commercial Carriers both national and regional show up in full force representing their fleets, while offering career opportunities as well as impressive fleet showings just for fun from carriers of various products.

Seeing is believing at Carlisle and truck weekend annually runs the first full weekend of August.  In 2019, the event kicks off August 2.  Complete details about the event are available at www.CarlisleEvents.com and if you’re interested in supporting the show as a sponsor or business partner, connect with event manager Ed Scholly at EdS@CarlisleEvents.com or by phone at 717-243-7855 x118.