My wife and I traveled 4.5 hrs to this event with hope of getting some detailed pics. to finish up some of the finer details on our 66GS conv. only to very disappointed with the car show. The car show is really just GN and your 1970's GS with a few 69's and 68's their was one 67 GS and one 65 both were fine looking cars, I don't think their were more than thirty cars. but after a couple of days to reflect on this event, I believe that our car enthusiast for Buick's is a dwindling and aging niche of owners who don't have the time or desire to bring there cars to an event and share there passion with others. Without them your going to lose more people willing to travel to this event. and on the side we did enjoy the racing and revisiting with some people that I've not seen in a long time...…..
Our first year to attend was last year and it was plagued by rotten weather which undoubtedly impacted attendance. We still had fun and our little group drove two 65 GS’s and a 67 from MN to the event. We could not go this year but will be back, again driving early GS’s. Hope to see your 66 there!
Ronnie I can tell by a lot of your knee jerk comments that you start typing before you actually think about what you are saying. Have you ever been to Bowing Green for an event? Do you know why its held in BG as opposed to out west? Do some research and educate yourself.
The event is held where it is to be the most common location for the largest number of potential participants. I drive 11+ hours each way. this is my 9th year. more than one has been rained out. that just leave more lime to hang with friend ya only get to see once a yr. I'll keep going as long as the event is running.
Yeah, i overheard that you were bitch'in at the show about it... All you have to do is put a post up here and i am sure that someone with a restored 66GS would send you some pictures that you need. Jimmy S could probably give you all you need.You could have posted a thread here "Are you bringing your 66GS to the GS Nats car show?" Then you would not had to waste your time attending.....a drive from Anderson,IN is nothing compared to what most of the people that come have to drive. To dis on this event is out of line ....IMHO. No it is not the event it used to be but it is WAY better than most car events that i attend each year and it's ALL Buick. 1966 GS's have not been a common sight at the Nats over the years and i never see them at any of the car shows and Auctions i attend/work at.....and i attend some very big ones each year. Ronnie....please......i enjoy your input but the Dodge comment...Really ? Peace WildBill
I have to say that I don't think Gregory's comment was anything other than polite. And if you read his post he was really talking about the wider state of the Buick community and the implications for events such as this.
You were not at the show.....he expressed his views to all there....i heard what he had to say there and how he said it......that's all i am saying. Yeah....very disappointed is a polite way to express his opinion here...... Not trying to start something but posting sour grapes here is not fair to all the people that work and attend this event to make it happen...for the last 39 YEARS ! Peace WildBill
I was lucky enough to go for my first time this year. We had a very good time and met some great people. Bummer on day 3 about the weather. I had big plans there for the day. I heard about how large the event was years ago. I'm sure some of the particapition decline is due to the aging of old buick lovers. Might pass or get to old to make the trip. And alot of the younger generation are into imports and big wheels. Very sad about that. We will be going again for #40. Very excited. Going to use my time wisely. I asked about before the internet how people knew about the event. I was told it was in magazine ads. I'm hoping that Buick lovers will want to come for #40. We did sell some parts, and bought some. I was told years ago there was alot more sheetmetal parts available. And I know as our cars get older those parts become scarce. Regardless, it's a great event, and we will be there again for 40.
I will agree that there are probably many more ways to advertise this event that could be used....we need to use all avenues and forums and the internet to advertise the 40th GS Nationals. Peace WildBill
The 66 Gran Sport is probably the least popular of all the years and I should know because I had one. There are very few that show up any given year, but there are quite a few guys on here that are very knowledgeable like Jim Shiels and Walt Kilgas. They can probably answer any of your questions. Duane
actually Ronnie is right. It already happened at the 2018 event they allowed a Dodge Demon to race a Cadillac CTS-V multiple times. While some did find it interesting I personally would rather have seen Buicks racing. In the past the GS Nats has allowed Corvettes to race. Allowing these other brands to race would have been much more interesting to watch if they were paired up with Buicks. Instead they just raced other brand-X cars. Hopefully this won’t happen at future events.
I knew when I posted this It would be a starting point for a conversations about the event and where these kinds of events are headed. My thoughts would be to make it a BOP event and lets see some racing like we did in our youth. Don't get me wrong I like to see the GN's rocket down the track, but to think these events are going to rebound to the glory days of just Buicks I'm sorry but our group of owners are just flat out getting older, sorry life happens. By making it a BOP event now that brings excitement back to the track and maybe some of our members who no longer have the desire to bring there cars to this events to bring them out to run against that olds that he raced years ago..... And now for Mr. Burton, Bill I never talked to you at the event this year as you stated, I only talk to an old high school class mate Greg Davis and Ted Nagel. For you to state that you overheard me bitching is a flat out lie, you were never a part of any conversation that I had. People like you Bill drive members away with this kind of negative and narrow mindedness. With your comments why would anyone want to come to this event, either get in line with you or get shamed
Most of the times the Brand X'ers were there were for photo shoots and magazine articles.....like when the dually 4x4 truck made passes.....it's all about the Benjamin's baby...and Dallas loves them. Heck they even had several musclecars one year.....there have NEVER been many brand X's there. And i don't care to see them race Buicks...new cars. The times they have been there i believe the GSCA allowed them to run....it was to accommodate the track owner and those magazines and such. Ronnie in not right....not yet Peace WildBill
Sorry.......i will apologize to you right here...i am out of place here...i did not mean to start something with you....you are right....i was not part of that conversation....i never stated i was. Did you not make negative comments about the event at the event? I guess i got a burr under my saddle when i saw you make a negative post and then Ronnie's.... My apologies again....come and have a beer with me....you can find me very easily. My love for the GS Nationals and all the people that make it so special to me cannot be described..... Come to the 40th with your Buick....mine will be there. Peace WildBill
Sorry Bill that was not the case with the Demon/CTS-V races nor with the Corvettes. And even one is too many. We came to watch Buicks race not a Dodge and a Cadillac. The one positive thing about the rain this year is that we didn’t have to see Brand X cars racing while Buick guys sat in line waiting.
A little off topic ...So the gs nationals are moving to May in 2020 and a gsx reunion is planned for it as well, correct?..
Gary...i guess i should have spent more time in the stands watching the racing......it probably would have bothered me.....i never recall them racing on Saturdays...that's when i spent the most time in the bleachers Peace WildBill
That is what is being said by peeps in the know..and it was mentioned over the PA at the track....but there are details to be worked out so it cannot be announced yet officially....ya know it IS the 40th ! Peace WildBill p.s.....they are also having a GSX reunion......you should have seen the one at the BPG...attendance for the 40th could be BIG.
