Guests of the 2023 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals can not only see the rides that drive their passion, but they can also experience it first-hand from the company that produces them too.  Just announced, Dodge returns to Carlisle with a great display planned for the Manufacturers Midway, PLUS they’ll put the wheels in motion to showcase the true power of Dodge with thrill rides on the Carlisle track.

This year’s Chrysler car show at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds is July 14-16 and when the gates open at 7 a.m., everyone who treks to Carlisle can experience the massive midway display from Dodge, plus enjoy their wildly popular thrill rides.  In addition, product experts from Dodge will be on hand to talk shop at their display; better-helping guests learn more about the brand.

Thrill Rides on the track are FREE for onsite guests who have visited the aforementioned midway showcase.  The rides are unlike anything most guests will have ever experienced and they’ll be piloted by a team of professional drivers.  This element of Dodge’s involvement has proven to be one of the most popular programs over the past ten years at Carlisle.  Riders must be at least 48’ tall and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Chrysler weekend topped the 3,000-show car mark for the first time ever last year and anticipates a similar turnout in 2023.  In fact, pre-registration numbers are trending higher than any total ever for Chrysler Nationals weekend.  Featured vehicle displays include those focused on the Malaise Era, high school Mopars, 50 Years of 1973 models, and even a general featured vehicle showcase, which highlights some of the best of the best within the hobby. 

There are also guests including Linda Vaughn, the Missile Group, Paul Rossi, Butch Leal, Dave Rea, Claudia - Miss Direct Connection 1984, the Ramchargers, Golden Commandos, Herb McCandless, and more.

Cars and guests aren’t the only draws, as the event hosts a massive automotive flea market.  This year’s automotive flea market footprint is sold out, meaning those looking for OEM or NOS parts and accessories should look no further than Carlisle because if it’s not here, it’s not anywhere.  The thousands of flea market spaces will host hundreds of vendors and millions of items, all for sale by the owner and direct to the consumer. 

In fact, the early bird gets the worm, with a Thursday, July 13 early bird shopping opportunity.  While admission and parking charges apply on the 13th and there is no car show or midway activities taking place, the setup day doubles as a chance for shoppers to browse the automotive flea market for the items they are looking for prior to the massive influx of guests for the event itself starting the 14^th.

Learn more about all that the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals has planned by calling 717-243-7855 or online at CarlisleEvents.com.  In addition, online registration for the Showfield is available through the end of the day on Sunday, July 9, with in-person registration available thereafter.  In addition, discounted spectator admission tickets are available online through the event’s conclusion on Sunday, July 16.

In the '80s (and before that) cars or trucks were just as much the star of a program as the actors or actresses.  Recently, a social media post by the Retro Network caught our eye; its focus...the Top 50 Cars and Trucks from '80s Movies or TV Shows.  Check it out, share it with your friends, and be sure to come to Carlisle where replicas or tributes of some of these rides just might show up to show off!

Top 50 Cars and Trucks - Read on to Learn More

Every auto event at Carlisle hosts an automotive flea market element.  Each vary in size by event, but ultimately serve a similar purpose; that being the buying, selling, and trading of automotive parts, merchandise and collectibles.  Recently, Tim Suddard and his team from Classic Motorsports attended the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals car show.  They always make a point to attend the annual May event in some capacity and for 2023, it was be a vendor and "sell their stuff." 



In this week's All About Cars, Tim looks back at that experience and outlines for you, some of the top tips on buying and selling within an automotive flea market event like those at Carlisle!



CLICK HERE to check out the full piece and visit CarlisleEvents.com for complete details on the reminder of the 2023 schedule and beyond at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.

  

Passionate!  That one word and ten letters is the best way to describe and summarize those who attend and/or participate in the world’s largest all-Ford-themed car show; the Carlisle Ford Nationals.  The 2023 offering presented by eBay Motors (June 2-4) became the second-largest Ford Nationals ever and did so in more than one way.  Of course, the all-time Showfield mark was set in 2022, but this year’s total of 3,434 show cars, combined with a stellar vendor and spectator turnout means that since 2014, this was THE largest gathering of Ford lovers at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds. 

Now, why did all these blue oval lovers migrate to Carlisle?  Where does one begin?  Maybe it was the two-dozen new product walkarounds from industry experts being executed two and sometimes three times an hour, or the half a dozen or so new vehicle unveilings.  It could have also been the special guests, unique displays, competitions, parades, and of course parts shopping within the automotive flea market.  The reality is, it was all of that…and more.     

Friday, June 2 included a special one-day-only visit by two-time Formula Drift Champion and professional fun-haver Vaughn Gittin, Jr.  Vaughn and his RTR Vehicles team came to Carlisle to showcase their new fleet of vehicles, meet fans, sign autographs, and have some drifting fun on the Carlisle track.  In addition, another automotive giant, Steve Saleen, made Carlisle home for the weekend.  Steve and his team showcased a handful of Saleen customized rides, including the amazing S7 and an all-new SA-40 Mustang, including one that supports a charitable cause.  Steve was also part of a special Friday evening dinner and auction that benefited the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation. 

2023 featured displays included the annual Ford Nationals Select in Building Y, plus a mix of Saleens, Lightnings, SVTs, the Coyote Den, Malaise Era cars, and more mixed between Building T and special display tents on the grounds.

Ford Performance was well represented by its team members, including the likes of Jim Owens, John Clor, Carl Widmann, and Arie Groneveld just to name a few.  Each had a little something to showcase to the masses.  For Owens, it was a trio of Mustangs, including the Dark Horse, the EcoBoost, and one with an all-new GT performance package.  Widmann and Groneveld had the honor of presenting for the first time at an enthusiast event, the Ranger Raptor truck, plus brought the F-150 Raptor, and Bronco Raptor with them too.  Meanwhile, Clor presented some talks on the SVT, while also honoring Venom Invasion, the event’s coolest club. 

Further love of Ford branded products came from Kyle Sargent of Ford Performance Racing Parts as well as Gary Patterson and Tracey Smith from Shelby American.  Sargent showcased a pair of 700+ HP F-150s, while the Shelby leadership not only introduced but also reopened production of the Shelby Dragonsnake with its former driver Bruce Larson, while also pulling the covers off a pair of Centennial Edition trucks on the Carlisle stage.  KTL Restorations also got in on the walk-around game, showcasing their award-winning 1970 Aruba Eliminator two different times as amazed showgoers looked on.

The wheels were in motion at Carlisle, not only from Gittin, Jr. drift exhibitions, but from rides via Gateway Mustang, the Real Street Shootout (autocross), a rolling exhaust contest, rolling burnouts and donuts presented by Atturo Tires, on-grounds parades, monster truck rides from the Virginia Giant, and the Ford Downtown Parade, Park and Party.

As the final hours of the 2023 event concluded, awards were posted and presented to those who were available to receive them, while others celebrated the success of the weekend with late-day photos and even some open autocross runs on the Carlisle track.   

While 2023 is a wrap, the Carlisle Ford Nationals 2024 is in the planning stages and taking place May 31-June 2.  Registration for it is now open and planned 2024 display themes include 60 Years of the Mustang, including a gallery of legendary and historically significant Mustangs, a Mustang production timeline, a Y-Block Reunion, 40 Years of the SVO, 50 Years of the Mustang II, and the annual Ford Nationals Select display.  For details on upcoming car events at Carlisle, advanced arrival information, or to check out the winner’s list and photos from Ford Nationals weekend, visit CarlisleEvents.com.

Annually at Carlisle the Carlisle Ford Nationals and Carlisle Truck Nationals welcome a nice mix of Ford Rangers.  Rangers span all years of production and include just as many original options as those that have been modified.  This week's All About Cars takes us to therangerstation.com and a piece by Jim Oaks.  Jim showcases 40 years of the Ranger and we hope you'll bring yours to Carlisle this summer to celebrate too.  Showfield links for both events are below...but first, be sure to check out Jim's story!  We can't wait to see you in Carlisle in 2023 and beyond.


40 Years of the Ranger by Jim Oaks
Carlisle Ford Nationals - Register my Ranger
Carlisle Truck Nationals - Register my Ranger