Recap of Ames Performance Nationals

[Nomadac]

This being my first Ames Performance Pontiac Nationals I returned with some opinions of the event. Performance seems to be the dominating factor, as there were lots of performance/drag racing Pontiacs to view and watch. The Car Show was nice, but some of the classes were disappointing, as there were only 3 cars entered in my GP1 class. The GMC classes had only 3 vehicles and for a 2007 GMC to win a trophy is ludicrous IMO. Many in the award tent snickered when this current vehicle was announced as a winner. I found the Swap Meet disappointing as the selection of parts for sale was lacking in many respects, unless you were looking for really old junk. One person had an old red 69 Judge that had more rust and problems listed for $18K and the only good parts on the car were the new tires and wheels, the rest of it was junk. I will probably attend next year but w/o a car so I can spend more time viewing the cars in the car show and watching the drags. Having a car in the show area demanded too much time to be with the car and not be able to spend more time walking around. JMO of the event. What is your opinion?

[super]

I believe the Ame's put on a wonderful event for all to attend. There is much concentration put on the drag racing portion of the event, but this is an important part of Pontiac heritage. From the early 389 and 421 super duty Pontiacs to Ram Air Pontiacs, everything gets to test it's performance potential.

For many years, the POCI really looked down at individuals modifying their cars. If I were to take my '74 SD-455 car to a POCI show, it would receive serious criticism. I strongly believe in the performance aspect of my '74. This is where I feel the Ame's event fits more Pontiac owners.

My car generally racks up mileage a 1/4-mile at a time. At the Ame's event, there are many people that share the same common interest. How many events can a person go to and see 500 plus racecars........All Pontiacs!!!!

Why don't you repaint your car the original bucaneer red, why don't you install the original ralley II's, why don't you ??????????????????????????????????? I love my car just the way it is.
My car takes on its own personality and I enjoy the modifications I have made to it.

The '74 has traveled the 1/8-mile in 7.6 seconds at 90 m.p.h. and can hit the 60-ft mark in 1.6 seconds. Not bad for a car weighing in at a hefty 4200lb.

Show and shine events are good, but what about guys strictly interested in performance. The average guy may not be able to have a 100% correct show car, but he can generally afford to piece together a hobby car to run down the 1/4-mile.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the fully restored cars, I just have more interest in the drag racing. The beautiful black '63 super duty sedan is a perfect example of a great show car. It may be a trailer queen, but the history of these cars alone is so unique.

Too bad there are not more events like this. Mr. Ames and the Bader family have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears in to this event and it shows. They treat everyone like they should be treated, with respect. I wish them many more years of continued success. I will always do my part to support the event. Rather it be as a spectator or a racer, they can count me in.

How many places can you drop $30.00 for the weekend pass and get this kind of entertainment? None in my book.

As far as the class break up is concerned, I would get together with the host that judge the event. Constructive criticism is good. Maybe you could help them out with the show. Differnet views and opinions can be good.

They may need help with class sponsorships too. As many of us know, trophies and awards are not cheap. Maybe the classes could be more diversified with more funds. It is hard to tell.

[Nomadac]

My comments are not with the performance part of the show or those that like to drag race their cars, it is the lack of participation in the car show classes ie the Grand Prix classes and swap meet vendors and the availability of the parts they offered. If you ever attended any GoodGuys Shows you would know that their is an equal interest in Nostagic Drag Racing at many of their events so those that prefer to race vs. show their cars and enjoy the event and for a equal amount of entry fee. You I am sure spend most of your time at Drag Races while I have attended Car Shows for the past 15 years at a participant both in Southern Calif. and the Indiana area, so am quite familiar with Large and well run events. I appreciate the effort and choice of the individual and what they choose to do with their vehicle and having worked for Pontiac Motor Div. from 1967 to 1987 appreciate the Divisions participation in Performance and their history in this area, so you are preaching to the choir in my case. As I said I just wished their had been more older Grand Prix models attending the event. Like you said you spent your time on the drag racing side and I spent most of my time on the other side of the track.

For comparison if you ever attended a Super Chevy Event you would have seen Chevy's racing and a Chevy Car Show with 4 times the swap area, but I do realize their are 10 times the vendors selling Chevy parts vs. Pontiacs. My previous comments were my impression of the event and not a criticism of how it was conducted or organized, just the lack of participation by other car collectors. It is still the best Pontiac event I have attended and I will probably attend again next year but without my car, like others I met at this year's show. JMO

[stevep]

That show is the best Pontiac show in the country, hands down. It is SO much better than a POCI Convention. It is the best Pontiac swap meet since the 1994 POCI Convention in Springfield Illinois.

[super]

I am sure weather in Ohio played a big factor in the car show participation. seemed like attendance at the car show was down considerably from 2006, but it is still the largest Pontiac show I have been exposed to.

The swap meet area participation was probably affected the same way as the car show. Vendors were not allowed to set up on the grass areas until the grounds dried up. I guess the swap meet area can go a number of ways. I was unable to locate some parts I have been searching for for some time, but I am sure many found gold mines of parts.

What was the year range for your Grand Prix class? These are tremendously stylish cars, but to be honest, I do not know if I have ever seen a large number of them at a car show. As you stated, it would be great to see more of these beautiful cars at the event.

I am already looking forward to the 2008 event. I have a great time each year and things seem to keep growing. I believe there were more racecars this year than any previous years.

Next year we plan on bringing an even larger group of Pontiacs with us. We should have a fairly large camp in 2008.

1963 A/FX Tempest

1963 tube chassis Tempest

1965 Tempest

1969 Firebird

1971 GT-37

1974 SD-455 T/A

1978 6,500 original mile T/A

1999 30th Anniversary T/A.

We are going to bring some Pontiacs to the car show side next year. We will have to make better plans next year so some of our members can meet each other.

[Larry]

Let's start some chatter about us PontiacRegistry.com members meeting in Norwalk next year. This could be the start of a beautiful relationship (to quote Bogart).
Larry

[Nomadac]

[super]

I agree Larry. The Tri-Power Pontiac race would be a great place for several of us to get together. We have a year, so lets start planning.

[Larry]

I will put a note in the Calendar of Events for a get-together in Norwalk for '08, and try to keep it in the forefront info-wise.

I will check with Pete Woodruff for the exact dates and to see about space.

[evil455]

[quote="Seems like the age of the collector determines what year car they collect, as the older collect the older cars and the younger collect the newer cars.[/quote]


i'm an exception to this, I'm 22 and have 2 1980 T/A's and 1 1981 T/A.
Starting showing my first car (gray 1980) at age 16.

[super]

Will you have all your cars at the Sikeston race?

Jeff

[evil455]

yes, I will be driving the show car in (gray 80) and my brother will be hauling the blue/white 81 and dad will be hauling the blue/white 80.