2019 Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals Offer an International Flair

Go fast and have fun at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds May 17-19 as some of the sickest and most elegant rides from around the world converge for the annual Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals.  Anchored by displays from at least 8 different countries, plus features focusing on rare and unique marques, this weekend gives those at Carlisle a chance to send it, see it and show it!

From the time the gates open on May 17 through the conclusion on May 19, over 100 years of automotive history come to life.  It used to be commonplace that the performance side of things offered the “go” while the import features provided the “show,” but as this event continues to grow, it’s clear that it doesn’t matter what type of car is registered, it’s an all-out competition for automotive supremacy!

What makes a show like this so hot?  First off, the car clubs!  Car clubs come by the dozens (over 40 different ones), with members by the thousands.  Their passion is clear, their dedication unwavering.  They come to hang out, showcase their slammed and stanced rides, tout their fitment or showoff their aero mods or display their latest restorations!  Clubs also offer car gatherings simply not seen anywhere else!  

Cars featuring fresh styles of today and yesterday perfectly compliment the special features planned in 2019.  Those features include a VW Jetta 40th spotlight, Subaru WRX STI 25th honors, plus Building Y hosts Citroen-related displays and seminars as the French automaker commemorates its 100th year. These anniversaries will be complemented by Super Cars and a display of Featured Vehicles in Building T.

The international flavor continues within Building R where show participants as well as guests can support a great cause by taking part in the Toys for Tots toy drive.  The 2019 goal is 500 toys and helps determine the coolest club winner too.  In addition, the Renault Owners Club celebrates 20 years at Carlisle within R, while featuring the Alpine.  Speaking of the Alpine, they will be part of a special 12 p.m. Saturday exhibition on the autocross track.

Between Buildings T and Y, guests can further experience a large tent hosting additional featured vehicles, seminars and Citroen clubs from the US and Canada.  Another great feature will see a 100 Year Birthday Celebration on Saturday with birthday cake (open to all), a Saturday parade of Citroen vehicles in chronological order, special Citroen-related guests as well as a 1950 Citroen Traction Avant 11BL owned by Brad Nauss. which has been on display at EVERY Carlisle Import show since the first one in 1986.

All these great stationary displays are the perfect complement to a need for speed.  Anyone showing can also take part in drifting and autocross – rubber burning excitement with NICOClub as part of NICOfest, low car limbo, rolling exhaust, beauty and of course burnouts!  It’s like a three-day cars and coffee that’s family friendly and ultra-affordable!
It all starts May 17 and registration is ongoing for not only those looking to show at the event, but also for anyone looking to buy a single day or weekend pass too.  Learn more via www.CarlisleEvents.com and see it firsthand in Carlisle as part of the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals.  

There are many famous car movies, but not many deal specifically with the Corvette.  Carlisle Events and Winter AutoFest are pleased to announce a special screening of The Quest, a 2011 film by producer/director Michael Brown.  The movie traces the rich history of a specific racing Corvette as well as a son’s love for his father and proves that it’s possible to triumph when faced with tragedy!  It all comes to the big (or medium sized) screen starting February 22 in Lakeland.

How often can you sit and watch a movie with some of its key stars sitting right beside you?  As part of Winter AutoFest, that’s the case as the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation presents The Quest.  This story highlights the full account of the first Corvette to win its class at the famous 24 heures du Mans (Le Mans 24−Hours) race in 1960 and re-traces what happened to not only the car, but its famous driver, John Fitch.  The Quest also showcases renowned Corvette enthusiast Chip Miller and his dream of finding, acquiring, restoring and ultimately returning the car to France with its original driver to mark the 50th anniversary of its historic victory.

Joining attendees for the screening will be Lance Miller, son of Chip and the man who ultimately saw his father’s dream come true, Michael Brown, producer and director of The Quest as well as Kevin Mackay who worked not only with Lance Miller, but with Chip too on the restoration of the #3 Cunningham car.

There will be two chances to see The Quest.  The first opportunity is a private screening on Friday at 8 p.m. within the auction arena.  This is exclusively for event VIP’s.  Option two, which is open to EVERYONE is 5:30 p.m. on Saturday within a tent near the Cessna Building on grounds at SUN ‘n FUN.  In each instance, copies of the movie will be available for sale and to be autographed by Brown, Miller and Mackay.  Proceeds from the sale will go directly to the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation.  The trio will also host a Q&A session following the screening.

This, plus so much more will be part of Winter Florida AutoFest.  Learn more via www.CarlisleEvents.com and see it firsthand in Lakeland, Florida starting February 22, 2019.  

One of the biggest issues with personal car care, especially in the Corvette world, is the fact that everything is so technology based that it’s just easier for the masses to take their Corvette to an expert. As part of Winter Florida AutoFest, Carlisle Events is bringing the experts to the masses and it’s FREE! Winter AutoFest commences February 22 at the SUN ‘n FUN Campus in Lakeland and welcomes not only Corvettes and the enthusiasts who own/love them, but experts who will share their knowledge on America’s Sports Car multiple times throughout the weekend.

Announced for Winter AutoFest are GM Certified Technician and Corvette genius Paul Koerner and world-renowned Corvette restorer Kevin Mackay. Each will host seminars on Friday and Saturday, plus be part of the special Corvette dinner planned for February 22 and February 23 on grounds at SUN ‘n FUN.

Koerner has been a GM service technician since 1997 and has been specializing in Corvette care and service since 1999. He’s obtained the classification of GM World Class Certified Service Technician and in a nutshell, is fully tested and trained by GM to repair any system in any GM vehicle (sans Saab and medium-duty trucks). This background will offer guests a trio of free seminars and priceless education along the way. Seminars from Koerner include:

Friday and Saturday - 10 a.m. Corvette Collections and what is a Collectible in Today’s Corvette Market: This seminar will cover VIN breakdowns of Corvette models in the newer generations and how to inspect vehicles prior to auction. If you’re tastes are 1997 to modern day Corvettes, this one is for you! 

Friday and Saturday - 1 p.m. GM V8 Engines Through the Years: This seminar covers engines from the very beginning (1953/C1) to the latest and greatest power plants available today. Paul will cover engines, power train management and other facets including development and how things have been shaped. This two-hour seminar offers plenty of time to learn, ask questions and get the answers you’re looking for.

Friday and Saturday - 3 p.m. Corvette Diagnostic Session: Corvette VIP participants have the opportunity to have their diagnostic review done by Paul one on one. While the seminar will be open to all attendees, only VIP’s will have the opportunity to sign up for this diagnostic session. Seminar participation space is limited.

Mackay has a long history with Corvettes and Carlisle Events. The lead restorer on the famed #3 Cunningham Corvette, Mackay has owned and operated Corvette Repair Inc. of Valley Stream, New York since 1985. Over the past 34 years he has built and re-built some of the most historically significant Corvettes in the world. For his efforts, Mackay was inducted into the Bloomington Gold Great Hall in 2012 and has earned countless awards and recognitions along the way. Mackay’s seminar times are 2 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. Saturday at the Cessna Building and will allow guests to spend time with Kevin as he shares some of his greatest stories. He’ll even have copies of his book, The Corvette Hunter available for sale and to autograph. Hear tales of perseverance, grit and cunning behind his restorations direct from the source.

Even more seminars will be announced, so learn more the event as well as sign up via the web at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855. 

As Carlisle Events gears up for its annual Winter Florida AutoFest event at the SUN ‘n FUN Campus in Lakeland, the focus has been on Corvettes, Mustangs and all things automotive. Known for its mantra of “The Cars, The People and The Excitement,” the minds behind this great event (February 22-24) are pleased to announce that Mr. Wesley Wong will attend!

Who is Wesley Wong? Quite simply an amazing man with impeccable credentials and a lifetime of stories, many of which tie back to his involvement with rescue and recovery on September 11, 2001. Mr. Wong was one of the first on-scene during the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 and was famously photographed along with NYFD members carrying NYFD Chaplin Mychal Judge from the rubble. Judge is recognized as the first known victim of the attacks.

A decorated FBI agent, Mr. Wong serves on the board of the National Corvette Museum (NCM) and the NCM Motorsports Park and is a car lover himself. Retired in 2006, Mr. Wong now works in the private sector and is currently a Senior Advisor to the Special Operations Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), Tampa, Florida and the Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Mr. Wong also remains involved with his former organization at the FBI Academy and is a Senior Fellow of Advanced Antiterrorism Studies at the Air Force Special Operations School, Hurlburt AFB, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Mr. Wong holds a Top Secret, SCI clearance.

No stranger to the Corvette world, Mr. Wong first worked with Carlisle Events as part of Corvettes at Carlisle in August of 2018. His candid stories about that fateful day in September left many with goosebumps and an even greater appreciation for our freedoms! 

As part of Winter AutoFest, Mr. Wong will appear not only at private VIP functions, but publicly at 9:45 a.m. on the front end of Carlisle Auctions second day of action, Saturday, February 23. Following a brief introduction, Mr. Wong will speak to the gathered audience, he’ll be presented with a special banner from his Corvettes at Carlisle appearance and staffers will “pass the hat,” accepting donations for his charity, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. 

This, plus so much more will be part of Winter Florida AutoFest. Learn more via www.CarlisleEvents.com and see it firsthand in Lakeland, Florida starting February 22, 2019. 

TV cameras and TV hosts have become the norm at Carlisle rather than the exception as of late and that trend continues in 2017 as part of the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals. This year’s Import & Performance weekend runs May 19-21 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and features Korean cars, while also showcasing some of the best vintage imports, tuners and performance sport compacts from around the world. While 20,000+ guests and nearly 2,000 cars are anticipated, what is confirmed is that joining them in May will be a production team representing Discovery’s Velocity Channel.
This is not the first time Carlisle has been seen via Velocity, but it’ll be the first time in quite some time that the Import & Performance event gets its turn in the spotlight. The new program, entitled Legends of the Design, will air later in the fall and be comprised of 10 episodes filmed at shows around the country. Of those 10, one, maybe two of them will be set in Carlisle.

Legends of the Design is co-hosted by author and car collector “GT Joey” Limongelli as well as Maria Prekeges and will give those showing and attending at Carlisle their chance for 15 minutes of fame and to be able to brag that their car is now “as seen on TV.” Joey, Maria and the crew will scour the Carlisle grounds looking for cars that highlight amazing designs of the import world. Not only will the cameras flock to these showfield gems, Joey and Maria will speak with owners and enthusiast to better educate viewers on overall design and features. In addition, Joey and Maria will go the extra step, breaking down the who, what, where and why of the car design and its features.

A show like this is a perfect fit for the mixed audience of people and cars that come to Carlisle. According to Joey himself, Carlisle was a must for this upcoming season.

“I’m excited because I’ve been coming to this event for 20 years and I could not think of a better launching point for this all-new TV series,” noted “GT Joey”.”
“The filming of this new show puts our weekend of international automotive excitement on display for the entire world to see…literally,” said event manager Ken Appell. “It is exciting to see this attention brought to such a diverse market and to work with such a professional host as “GT Joey.”

The Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals is currently accepting registrations for the 2017 event. Be it showfield, vendor inquiries or the purchase of single day or weekend tickets, complete details are available by calling 717-243-7855 or online at www.CarlisleEvents.com.

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Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of 12 annual collector car and truck events. Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA), Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA) and the SUN ‘n FUN Campus (Lakeland, FL). The season schedule includes five automotive swap meets of varying size, four auctions, as well as individual specialty shows featuring Hurst branded machines, Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, imports, tuners and performance sport compacts. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, events hosted at Carlisle attract more than a half a million enthusiasts annually from all corners of the globe. More information is available via www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com.
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