Another car show at Carlisle and guess what, another Showfield record is broken in 2021!  Since the Carlisle Events schedule launched in January of 2021, turnout for events has been near or above record numbers and that trend continued July 9-11 as part of the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.  The “Mopar Madness” was on full display, as was an all-new record of 2,926 cars, mixing perfectly with a sold-out swap meet of vendors.

The three-day affair is always extended to four with the annual Mopar Rebellion kick-off party, held starting at 4 p.m. on the Thursday before show weekend.  That get together was the perfect jumping off point for what would end up being three full days of energy, parts shopping and unmatched camaraderie. 

Once the sun rose on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds July 9 through the final load-out on Sunday, the place was hopping with special displays, vendors, guests and special attractions.  Spotlighted in 2021 were the Demons, 50-years of 1971 Mopars, Old Skool Paint, and even Dirty ‘Birds.  Buildings T and Y saw a lot of eyes, as guests checked out the likes of a 1971 Road Runner that was salvaged and rebuilt following Hurricane Katrina, another ’71 that was driven direct from Connecticut to Carlisle with no AC or power steering and even a ’71 with a big Warner Brothers Road Runner protruding from the hood (beep! beep!).  Not far from there was a nice mix of Forward Look cars in Building R.  This display included designers Gordon Davis and Diran Yazejian.

The Forward Look guys weren’t the only special guests, as Carlisle welcomed Herb McCandless, the Golden Commandos, Ramchargers, Joe Zolper and Dave Rea too.  For McCandless, his appearance was supported by the world premiere of a documentary titled “Mr. 4 Speed,” some of which was shot in Carlisle in 2019.

While the nice mix of cars looked great on the Showfield, did you know that people come to Carlisle for something other than the diverse mix of cars?  It’s true!  The swap meet at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals is the biggest and best of its type and for weeks leading up to event weekend, was sold out.  Once July 9-11 rolled around, those spaces were packed with vendors selling millions of pieces and parts and a customer base eager to buy! 

The sights and sounds of the event were palpable too, with engine revs, horn honks and blowers whining all weekend. Some of the best sensory moments came from car parades, plus competitions including rolling exhaust, real street shootout and even open autocross runs.  Just like the Showfield winners, these competitions sent a handful of participants home with awards and memories to cherish for years to come.  It truly was amazing!

Though this year’s event has concluded, preparations are underway for the 2022 show.  Next year’s fun runs July 15-17.  Save the date and register today because it’ll be a fun one! 

Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions introduced itself to the Sunshine State in 2012 with a handful of events in southeastern Pasco County.  Beginning in the fall of 2015, events transitioned to Polk County and the spacious SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus.  After a record-breaking Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction in February, Carlisle Auctions is offering double the fun with a return to the facility for a fall offering; the Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction. 

Running two days, November 12-13, 2021 starting at 10:30 a.m. daily, the fall Lakeland auction brings classic and collector car fun to the complex in the days leading up to Thanksgiving and anticipates 400 consignments crossing the block, but likely more given the demand within the classic and collector car hobby.

This November auction is back and better than ever!  It comes to SUN ‘n FUN due to the success of not only the Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction in February but the overall success of auctions in 2021, auctions which have seen record setting results for Carlisle Auctions, off the charts sell-through rates, and unmatched buyer and seller interest.  As an added bonus, the November auction gives participants three ways to bid, in person, online or on the phone and a more streamlined process overall.

“We are thrilled to be returning to the beautiful facility at SUN ‘n FUN in Lakeland this November,” said Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “The collector car market is stronger than ever and our Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction this past February proved that as it was the most successful auction that we have ever presented in the state of Florida.  In addition, our Spring Carlisle Auction was the most successful auction ever in the history of Carlisle Auctions.  We look forward to carrying this momentum forward!“

In addition to the aforementioned Fall Lakeland auction, Carlisle Auctions has a few more dates to save on its upcoming schedule.  In the coming weeks, the Carlisle Expo Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania comes to life as part of Fall Carlisle.  The Fall Carlisle event runs September 29-October 3, while the Fall Carlisle Collector Car Auction at the Expo Center runs September 30-October 1.  Following that event, it’s the Fall Lakeland offering (November 12-13), then the Carlisle Auctions team returns to Lakeland for a February auction, February 25-26, 2021.  Two months after that and not long after the first days of spring in 2022, the Spring Carlisle Collector Car Auction returns to the Carlisle Expo Center. 

In total, the next 12 months will see well over 1,200 consignments cross two different auction blocks at two venues spanning two states.  Millions in sales will be generated and it’s all powered by Carlisle Auctions!  Carlisle Auctions also offers THREE great ways to bid and buy; on the phone, online or in person!  Details on parking, spectator admission, etc. will be included in the Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction preview in late September/early October.  For specifics on every event on the schedule, including the November return to Lakeland, details on how to register to bid, consign to sell or even attend as a spectator call 717-960-6400 or visit CarlisleAuctions.com.

The world’s “largest” all Corvette themed weekend returns August 26-28, 2021 to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and this year, everyone is looking forward to simply being at Carlisle.  Corvettes at Carlisle presented by Top Flight Automotive has been hosting Corvettes and Corvette lovers since 1982, but after a tumultuous 2020, so many are eager to come to Carlisle to simply celebrate the culture with their car, their friends and the community.  Not only does this year’s event offer that, it offers great displays, guests, charitable ventures and a chance to bring the cars into downtown Carlisle once more.

Three days long and starting on August 26, Corvettes at Carlisle hosts the C8 and every other generation of Corvette on the grounds.  Special features for 2021 include those focused on the Callaway AeroBody Corvette, a 50-year look back at 1971 Corvettes, a 25^th anniversary of the Grand Sport Corvette, the Solid Axle Corvette Club National Convention, NCRS Gallery Display and the annual Chip’s Choice featured vehicle display. 

As Chip’s Choice goes, the theme for 2021 is a salute to law enforcement.  The hand-picked gallery brings together about a dozen Corvettes that are owned, driven, shown or otherwise cared for by members of the law enforcement community.  In addition, there will be an on-site law enforcement parade, a stage presentation which welcomes not only Corvette enthusiasts in law enforcement, but local officers from the surrounding counties and of course the Chip’s Choice cars.    

Speaking of parades, Carlisle Events and the Downtown Carlisle Association are excited to share that the annual Corvette Parade and Street Party returns on Saturday, August 28.  Cars will roll from the fairgrounds around 7 p.m. and cruise into the downtown area before parking for owners and community members to mix and mingle as the sun sets on the show.

Additional elements of Corvettes at Carlisle include a large swap meet and a Corvette centric car corral, perfect for parts or car shopping, the chance to support the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation, giveaways, parts installs and FREE seminars. 

As giveaways go, the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation has partnered with the Lancaster County Corvette Club to raffle off a 2021 C8 Corvette with proceeds benefitting CMAF and Claire House.  Tickets are just $125 each and the winning number will be drawn in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Pick 3 (000-999) on Saturday, August 28.  Another C8 at Carlisle will be awarded later in the year, as the CMAF supports its second annual Corvette Contest.  This C8 is a 60^th Anniversary tribute to the legendary 1960 #3 Cunningham Corvette that won its class in the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France.  The CMAF also sees support on August 27 by way of its annual Corvettes for Chip dinner, held at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.

On the seminar side of things, Paul Koerner and his Corvette Mechanic team return to host FREE diagnostic sessions and how-to tech talks on multiple Corvette generations, while Rick Malone of Spring Mountain Motor Resort/Ron Fellows Driving School offers driving technique tips.

Finally, the parades aren’t the only way wheels will be in motion.  Corvettes at Carlisle hosts the King of the X autocross competition presented by Lingenfelter Performance Thursday, Friday and Saturday and there’s even a rolling exhaust contest.

Carlisle Events is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary as well as advanced arrival info is available on CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, be sure to learn more about the car show, register to become a vendor, sell in the car corral, or purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance of the event or call 717-243-7855 to learn more today.

The iconic baseball movie Field of Dreams hosts an equally iconic phrase; “if you build it, they will come.”  For Carlisle Events in 2021, it’s more like “if you host it, they will come.”  The Carlisle PA Fairgrounds might not be the Kinsella farm in Dyersville, Iowa, but the Miller’s field of dreams has been that and so much more for car lovers in 2021.  That passion was once again on display June 25-26 as part of a near record setting Carlisle GM Nationals; one that would turn out to be a top-5 all-time result for a car show that dates back to 2001.

Two amazing days of weather fueled over 20,000 guests and 1,026 show cars, the best car count at the GM Nationals since 2014.  Mix that in with passionate owners coming together to show off their rides, sell their products or go fast on the track and by the time the final awards were handed out on Saturday night, those leaving were wishing they could stay for more.

Special displays and activities went a long way to giving showgoers the kind of fix they needed.  This included open autocross runs and ride, the Solid Lifter Showroom in Building Y, GM Engine Swaps, the H-Platform and Vega feature, plus Comic-Car Con in Building T, the Novas under the pavilion, Corvettes for Chip (charity car show within the show) and even more amazing pieces of GM history on the National Parts Depot Showfield.  In fact, one of the biggest surprises of the weekend was the turnout of Fieros at the show.  There were so many in one place that Aaron Kaufman (Gas Monkey Garage, Aaron Needs a Job, Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman) remarked that he’d never seen so many together in one place…and he’s been to a lot of car shows.

Speaking of Kaufman, he made it to Carlisle by way of Denver where he was helping wrench a Pikes Peak Hill Climb car.  His Carlisle GM Nationals layover included two autograph sessions, a few concessions stand stops, a private tour of Lance Miller’s car collection and over 500 autographs signed.  Guests lined up non-stop for each of the two sessions to meet him, talk shop, snap a photo or get an autograph.  Kaufman even found time to peruse the Showfield, where he picked a 1959 Chevy Biscayne as his “celebrity choice” award winner.

In addition to Kaufman’s pick, many more event guests went home with awards, either via celebrity choice, Carlisle Elite, judging and more.  There were other awards too, as the UMI Performance autocross track hosted a real street shootout, plus the east side of the grounds welcomed more than a dozen drivers as part of the rolling exhaust contest. 

As the sun sets on the 2021 event, plans are already underway for 2022.  The event dates are June 24-25 and registration for the National Parts Depot Showfield is now open, including a 10% savings.  Learn more about the 2022 Carlisle GM Nationals and all other events on the Carlisle Events schedule online at CarlisleEvents.com.

In less than one week the Carlisle GM Nationals take center stage at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  The two-day gathering of all things GM takes place June 25-26 and includes competitions, special displays and even some cool automotive guests.  Each guest is special for various reasons, but the one standing front and center on June 26 rose to fame in the eyes of the car community via a handful of popular car programs.  For one day only, Carlisle Events is pleased to welcome Aaron Kaufman, direct from Texas to Carlisle! 

Kaufman is a builder and TV personality who is known for his time alongside Richard Rawlings on Gas Monkey Garage.  In addition, he’s also the owner of Dallas, Texas based Arclight Fabrication.  Kaufman also ventured into solo TV projects, including Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman and Aaron Needs a Job. 

While noted that Kaufman is coming direct from Texas, more accurately, he’s flying in from Denver, where he’s training and preparing for the internationally famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb, taking place just hours after his autograph sessions in Carlisle.  The sessions are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 26, while the 99^th offering of the “Race to the Clouds” is June 27 at the famous nearly three miles high mountain known as Pikes Peak in Cascade, Colorado.  By the way, an autograph and photo opportunity with Kaufman is FREE once on grounds at Carlisle. 

*Please note, an earlier guest appearance announcement noted that Mike Finnegan, host of Roadkill on Motor Trend TV, would appear at the Carlisle GM Nationals.  Due to circumstances beyond the control of all parties involved, he will not be appearing. 

Carlisle Events is COVID-19 compliant and follows current guidelines suggested by state officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  A detailed Health/Safety Measures summary is available on CarlisleEvents.com.  While on the web, be sure to learn more about the 2021 Carlisle GM Nationals, review photos of Featured Vehicle displays, register for the National Parts Depot Showfield or to be a vendor, purchase discounted spectator tickets in advance and more.  Call 717-243-7855 to learn more today.