vettecaster
08-29-11, 10:28 AM
If Irene drove a car, it must be a Viper. She certainly gave Carlisle weekend a run for its money.
How could it be? A big storm casts a shadow of anxiety over a weekend that demands weeks if not months of planning by participants. While Hurricane Irene was the talk of the show, it was business as usual for a day and a half at the Carlisle Fairgrounds.
That would change dramatically Saturday night and Sunday as rain began to fall and winds, estimated at 65 miles per hour shredded and overturned big display tents, toppled port-o-potties and damaged at least one show car. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Sunday Carlisle was a storm wasteland. One, maybe two clubs still had a handful of cars on the hill but the showfield was empty. Those vendors housed in the safety of buildings were packing up and the entire food court was shut down. Other vendors had fled the storm late Saturday. Those who decided to stay sustained damage in the form of wet merchandise. As we completed our foot tour of the fairgrounds, we looked up to the grandstand stage and saw the black ZR1 that would go unclaimed on the last day of Carlisle.
Still, the show offered the usual Vette fix on a good weather Friday and most of Saturday. Here are some random thoughts...
FRIDAY
Arrived around 10:30a after deciding to take Route 11 off the Turnpike as traffic was lighter than expected. Just west of Harrisburg, we joined a fast caravan of about a half dozen cars, mostly C5s and C6s. In previous years, I felt I'd spent too much time shopping and this year I said to myself "it's all about the cars." Sherri hit the women's oasis to sign up for a massage and then do a little shopping while I checked out the Fun Display cars.
A highlight of Carlisle is talking with the owners of the cars on the showfield. One particular C3 stood out, an immaculate orange tunnelback car from western PA. I usually deduct mental points for those cars that are trailered to the show but who could blame the owners of this fine ride, given the weather forecast? The crowd seemed on the light side for a Friday.
Saving "the hill" cars for tomorrow, I checked out the ZR1 reunion and the '61 cars. This year's theme for the 30th Anniversary of the show as "Carlisle Blue." As most know, GM honored the annual event by designating an official Corvette color, a light blue, for some 2012 Vettes. Three variations were on display, a vert, a coupe and a ZR1. I like a darker color, but this shade of blue grew on me each time I saw it. After a quick lunch at Stoltzfus' (gotta love that ham'n'cheese sandwich!) Sherri headed back to the oasis while I looked at the cars in the buildings. One display, "Barn Finds," was a highlight of the show. These were mostly C1 and C2 cars that were salvaged from barns and other places and displayed in all their dirty glory.
Here's a Carlisle first: beer for sale on the fairgrounds. Miller and Miller Lite was sold from a tap trailer for 5 bucks a pop. As I took a slurp from an overflowing cup, I wondered what Chip would have thought of this.
By late afternoon, the traditional Carlisle heat had begun to set in, so we skipped the burnout event and headed back to the hotel, the Hampton Inn, just off the turnpike. Soon to come would be dinner with friends at Rillo's Italian Restaurant in Carlisle. By the way, the Hampton begins accepting reservations for next year's show in two weeks.
SATURDAY
Breakfast (no extra charge) at the Hampton Inn, and back to the Fairgrounds. We decided to take the back roads to the show but probably didn't have to as traffic was surprisingly light. Upon arrival, Sherri did some more shopping while I looked at cars on the hill. I have the honor of taking part in the "Celebrity Pick" and always look for a favorite that's away from the heavy foot traffic. Ideally, it's a car that has not won before and one that will still be around Sunday for the presentation parade. I found it in the form of a silver '08 Vert with a modded hood and black ghost flame side graphics, owned by an enthusiast from Cherry Hill. His car has a new top. You see, he shredded the original at 178 miles per hour!
I finally found the CCDV tent and hung out there for a while. Kudos to Henry and company for the work they do every year. I understand we're going to need a new banner. Perhaps we can win one from Carlisle as they will have a new contest for clubs next year?
Noon came quickly, and it was time to rev the engines to honor Chip. I still expect to look up and see him every time we attend the show. I picked up a DVD copy of "Driven To Find a Cure." This Chip Miller Foundation video is all about Carlisle Events, Chip and the fight against Amyloidosis.
Then came the luncheon at the Celebrity Tent were we met up with Ed Bonk and his lovely girlfriend Susan. Lance Miller introduced people connected to the Carlisle Blue color, along with GM engineers in attendance. There was a cake decorated to honor the 30th anniversary.
After some down time at the Hotel, we returned to the Fairgrounds at 5:30 to line up for the parade. The event was on despite threatening skies. We decorated the C5 with twin American Flags topping the windshield and had strings of red white and blue stars that lined the windshield and backlight, plus patriotic ribbons attached to the side mirrors. The parade, which had more than 350 cars, pulled out at 6:45 and sure enough, as soon as we hit the street, the rain started coming down. I was surprised at the number of spectators who hung in there and they were delighted as Sherri tossed candy to the kids. Some drivers pulled over and put their tops up. We decided to ride it out with the roof off. I was blasting this heavy drum-bagpipe music I'd picked up at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and it felt appropriate. The Vettes had invaded downtown again! Unfortunately, there was no band/street dance this year. Spectators quickly descended on the parked cars for pictures and a good look. I noticed a number of shops that had been open late last year were closed. Maybe because of the storm?
After a drink with Ed and Susan at their downtown hotel, we headed back to our hotel to catch the end of the Bristol race and to watch CNN and the Weather Channel. The rain was really picking up late Saturday. I found a parking place away from light poles and signs, to be safe.
SUNDAY
We had planned to stay over Sunday depending on the trek of Irene but early reports were
encouraging. "Traffic and Transit on the 2's" on KYW via my smart phone spoke of no problems on the major highways. We decided to pack up and return but first we'd swing by
the Fairgrounds to see if anything was going on as the CarsatCarlisle website said nothing about a cancelled show. The gates were open, but the grounds were empty, aside from the wreckage of overturned tents. The tornado two years ago seemed minor compared to what Irene had wrought. I filed a report for radio and we headed back to the car for the windy/light rain, ride home.
Steve
How could it be? A big storm casts a shadow of anxiety over a weekend that demands weeks if not months of planning by participants. While Hurricane Irene was the talk of the show, it was business as usual for a day and a half at the Carlisle Fairgrounds.
That would change dramatically Saturday night and Sunday as rain began to fall and winds, estimated at 65 miles per hour shredded and overturned big display tents, toppled port-o-potties and damaged at least one show car. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Sunday Carlisle was a storm wasteland. One, maybe two clubs still had a handful of cars on the hill but the showfield was empty. Those vendors housed in the safety of buildings were packing up and the entire food court was shut down. Other vendors had fled the storm late Saturday. Those who decided to stay sustained damage in the form of wet merchandise. As we completed our foot tour of the fairgrounds, we looked up to the grandstand stage and saw the black ZR1 that would go unclaimed on the last day of Carlisle.
Still, the show offered the usual Vette fix on a good weather Friday and most of Saturday. Here are some random thoughts...
FRIDAY
Arrived around 10:30a after deciding to take Route 11 off the Turnpike as traffic was lighter than expected. Just west of Harrisburg, we joined a fast caravan of about a half dozen cars, mostly C5s and C6s. In previous years, I felt I'd spent too much time shopping and this year I said to myself "it's all about the cars." Sherri hit the women's oasis to sign up for a massage and then do a little shopping while I checked out the Fun Display cars.
A highlight of Carlisle is talking with the owners of the cars on the showfield. One particular C3 stood out, an immaculate orange tunnelback car from western PA. I usually deduct mental points for those cars that are trailered to the show but who could blame the owners of this fine ride, given the weather forecast? The crowd seemed on the light side for a Friday.
Saving "the hill" cars for tomorrow, I checked out the ZR1 reunion and the '61 cars. This year's theme for the 30th Anniversary of the show as "Carlisle Blue." As most know, GM honored the annual event by designating an official Corvette color, a light blue, for some 2012 Vettes. Three variations were on display, a vert, a coupe and a ZR1. I like a darker color, but this shade of blue grew on me each time I saw it. After a quick lunch at Stoltzfus' (gotta love that ham'n'cheese sandwich!) Sherri headed back to the oasis while I looked at the cars in the buildings. One display, "Barn Finds," was a highlight of the show. These were mostly C1 and C2 cars that were salvaged from barns and other places and displayed in all their dirty glory.
Here's a Carlisle first: beer for sale on the fairgrounds. Miller and Miller Lite was sold from a tap trailer for 5 bucks a pop. As I took a slurp from an overflowing cup, I wondered what Chip would have thought of this.
By late afternoon, the traditional Carlisle heat had begun to set in, so we skipped the burnout event and headed back to the hotel, the Hampton Inn, just off the turnpike. Soon to come would be dinner with friends at Rillo's Italian Restaurant in Carlisle. By the way, the Hampton begins accepting reservations for next year's show in two weeks.
SATURDAY
Breakfast (no extra charge) at the Hampton Inn, and back to the Fairgrounds. We decided to take the back roads to the show but probably didn't have to as traffic was surprisingly light. Upon arrival, Sherri did some more shopping while I looked at cars on the hill. I have the honor of taking part in the "Celebrity Pick" and always look for a favorite that's away from the heavy foot traffic. Ideally, it's a car that has not won before and one that will still be around Sunday for the presentation parade. I found it in the form of a silver '08 Vert with a modded hood and black ghost flame side graphics, owned by an enthusiast from Cherry Hill. His car has a new top. You see, he shredded the original at 178 miles per hour!
I finally found the CCDV tent and hung out there for a while. Kudos to Henry and company for the work they do every year. I understand we're going to need a new banner. Perhaps we can win one from Carlisle as they will have a new contest for clubs next year?
Noon came quickly, and it was time to rev the engines to honor Chip. I still expect to look up and see him every time we attend the show. I picked up a DVD copy of "Driven To Find a Cure." This Chip Miller Foundation video is all about Carlisle Events, Chip and the fight against Amyloidosis.
Then came the luncheon at the Celebrity Tent were we met up with Ed Bonk and his lovely girlfriend Susan. Lance Miller introduced people connected to the Carlisle Blue color, along with GM engineers in attendance. There was a cake decorated to honor the 30th anniversary.
After some down time at the Hotel, we returned to the Fairgrounds at 5:30 to line up for the parade. The event was on despite threatening skies. We decorated the C5 with twin American Flags topping the windshield and had strings of red white and blue stars that lined the windshield and backlight, plus patriotic ribbons attached to the side mirrors. The parade, which had more than 350 cars, pulled out at 6:45 and sure enough, as soon as we hit the street, the rain started coming down. I was surprised at the number of spectators who hung in there and they were delighted as Sherri tossed candy to the kids. Some drivers pulled over and put their tops up. We decided to ride it out with the roof off. I was blasting this heavy drum-bagpipe music I'd picked up at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and it felt appropriate. The Vettes had invaded downtown again! Unfortunately, there was no band/street dance this year. Spectators quickly descended on the parked cars for pictures and a good look. I noticed a number of shops that had been open late last year were closed. Maybe because of the storm?
After a drink with Ed and Susan at their downtown hotel, we headed back to our hotel to catch the end of the Bristol race and to watch CNN and the Weather Channel. The rain was really picking up late Saturday. I found a parking place away from light poles and signs, to be safe.
SUNDAY
We had planned to stay over Sunday depending on the trek of Irene but early reports were
encouraging. "Traffic and Transit on the 2's" on KYW via my smart phone spoke of no problems on the major highways. We decided to pack up and return but first we'd swing by
the Fairgrounds to see if anything was going on as the CarsatCarlisle website said nothing about a cancelled show. The gates were open, but the grounds were empty, aside from the wreckage of overturned tents. The tornado two years ago seemed minor compared to what Irene had wrought. I filed a report for radio and we headed back to the car for the windy/light rain, ride home.
Steve