Thread: NSRA Springfield

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Originally Posted by rspears

Thanks for posting, Ken. You & grandson Ian made it around more of the grounds than I did this trip, and glad that you stopped by for a visit. It was also good to visit with Matt, and to put a face with the screen name. It would have been nice if he could have brought the sedan, but the $70 ticket for only one day was indeed pretty steep (NSRA membership plus the at show rate of $40), so it was totally understandable.
Lots of people baled Saturday mid to late afternoon, and I really thought about it but then found that in addition to the storm approaching Springfield today there was an earlier cell that was headed into the KC area, which was a sure thing to hit last night. I decided to go ahead and stay over, taking a chance on getting out ahead of the rain by leaving at first light but no joy. It was drizzly as I left, and I was on wet roads, and in varying degrees of rain for the whole trip back. I finally hit drying roads five miles from the house, but in the past couple of hours it's started drizzling here again. On a good note, the car did great, cruising back in the light traffic this morning 70 to 75mph all the way. Haven't checked the mileage, but I'm pretty sure it was a little north of 16mpg based on miles & gas guage guessing. I really enjoyed hooking up with Duane & Scott from N&N on Saturday morning, visiting with them and some of their friends from the area around Belleville, AR - great people!

I'm glad we were able to hook up and wish we could have stayed longer, but Ian had to be at work later in the afternoon. It appeared to me that the spectator crowd was about the same as last year though it was obvious that there were not as many cars. I assume there is still some amount of grumbling among the older members of the NSRA and that and the threat of nasty weather had something to do with the lower turnout. Still there were some fine cars and trucks in attendance along with the usual piles of junk more commonly referred to as "rat rods".

Thanks for posting all those excellent photo's ken. Many " I would love to own that car " too.I was stumped on what make of vehicle that had the split windscreen until I came to the photo where I could read the show board so I now know what a 1933 Chrysler looks like.
Was this a national event for the NSRA in Springfield and for how many days ? Do the attendeds just park up for the day or two or is there organised cruises ? Is there other attractions put on to keep the attendeds happy or does everybody just seat in lawn chairs or walk around catching up with folk they may know ? Is there a price giving dinner held on the last night where everybody gets together ? I'm just interested in how your events happen so appreciate your input, thanks Mark.

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Thanks for posting all those excellent photo's ken. Many " I would love to own that car " too.I was stumped on what make of vehicle that had the split windscreen until I came to the photo where I could read the show board so I now know what a 1933 Chrysler looks like.
Was this a national event for the NSRA in Springfield and for how many days ? Do the attendeds just park up for the day or two or is there organised cruises ? Is there other attractions put on to keep the attendeds happy or does everybody just seat in lawn chairs or walk around catching up with folk they may know ? Is there a price giving dinner held on the last night where everybody gets together ? I'm just interested in how your events happen so appreciate your input, thanks Mark.

It is a national event, Friday through Sunday, and Springfield has hosted this event on our Memorial Day weekend for some 20 years if my memory serves me right. There is a cruise on Friday night that encompasses part of old Route 66 and people line the streets for a couple of miles or so. A lot of the cars take part in the judging with awards on Sunday but I know of no organized dinner. Many of the attendees will be driving though the grounds at any given time and that can be dangerous or appealing depending on your point of view. Some folks will be selling ala swap meet style and the major vendors will be hawking their wares in an indoor venue and that's great if the weather is hot and humid or if Mother Nature decides that rain is in order. Most of the cars are from the states surrounding Missouri and occasionally they come from either coast. In my opinion the turnout wasn't as large as in years past and that could be because of the rain this weekend or the NSRA rules on who can take part. I enjoy all of it except for the "rat rods".

Not sure if Ken is in NSRA or not, but I am.
Was this a national event for the NSRA in Springfield and for how many days? This is one of nine regional events, termed as "nationals". This one was the Mid-American Street Rod Nationals, all held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. There is one true NSRA Street Rod Nationals held in Louisville, KY each year, which will have something around 15000 attendees in the three day period.
Do the attendeds just park up for the day or two or is there organised cruises? Attendees park for the day, but many will cruise around the grounds to see other cars, but also to be seen. With over 1800 attendees, trying to do organized cruises, poker runs, or the timed pasture autocross type event that you see at NSRA NZ events is simply not practical - too many people, and frankly too many trailer queens here that wouldn't participate in any such event.
Is there other attractions put on to keep the attendeds happy or does everybody just seat in lawn chairs or walk around catching up with folk they may know? There are a few technical seminars given on Saturdays for those who are interested in doing things themselves. They also have a shuttle service to local shopping areas for the ladies, and along with the normal vendors there are generally some focused on the ladies, too.
Is there a price (prize?) giving dinner held on the last night where everybody gets together? On Sunday the attendees who are there have a numbered ticket for prizes from vendors, and one or two significant cash prizes in the $3000 range. They also recognize the vehicles that have been selected by various judges through the weekend, about a dozen as I recall. It's out of the question to expect a dinner for more than 1800 attendees and spouses/significant others, and then think about the true national event - almost 30,000 to feed in a timely manner?

Having been fortunate to attend last years NSRA Nationals in New Plymouth, I can see how it is confusing. Your NSRA is more of a close knit club of something less than 500 members, and each new member is by invitation. Your national may see something like 50% of the members, so a hall for a group dinner, organized poker runs, etc, etc, are a viable and expected part. Our NSRA is open to anyone who sends in $30 annual dues. My member number is something near 275000 and I joined maybe five or six years ago?

Thanks for the answers Roger and Ken and apologies for my spelling mistakes as it wasn't until I read the answers I realised my shocking spelling, now should that be realized or realised.. Of course I hadn't thought of the great numbers of people who attend these events so I understand the impossible logistics in organising cruises and meals etc. Heck I can imagine how long it would take just to cruise a few blocks of Route 66 in the town and then there would only be time for one pass per car. Again thanks Ken for the photo's and the both of you for posting a reply to my questions.

Originally Posted by rspears

With over 1800 attendees, trying to do organized cruises, poker runs, or the timed pasture autocross type event that you see at NSRA NZ events is simply not practical - too many people, and frankly too many trailer queens here that wouldn't participate in any such event.

Roger's correct.
The 'timed pasture autocross type event' he refers to is what we call a 'grasskhana'.
Great fun; but can sometimes be hard on the cars!

Originally Posted by rspears

It's out of the question to expect a dinner for more than 1800 attendees and spouses/significant others, and then think about the true national event - almost 30,000 to feed in a timely manner?

Having been fortunate to attend last years NSRA Nationals in New Plymouth, I can see how it is confusing. Your NSRA is more of a close knit club of something less than 500 members, and each new member is by invitation. Your national may see something like 50% of the members, so a hall for a group dinner, organized poker runs, etc, etc, are a viable and expected part. Our NSRA is open to anyone who sends in $30 annual dues. My member number is something near 275000 and I joined maybe five or six years ago?

That's entirely correct too...their NSRA is an entirely different beast from our NZ NSRA, with ours being far more family oriented.
I've been an NZ NSRA member for twenty years or more, number 248.
Robin (lamin8r) and Lynda Barnes even longer.

Originally Posted by johnboy

Roger's correct.
The 'timed pasture autocross type event' he refers to is what we call a 'grasskhana'.
Great fun; but can sometimes be hard on the cars!

Grasskhana! That term had temporarily left my memory (CRS again....), but it was a memorable event! First, imagine the line of street rods turning off of the highway onto a dirt lane barely wide enough for the farm truck, rough enough that most everything but Robin's F100 truck had to creep through the swales for 1/4 mile, only to end at a hillside designated for parking, overlooking the paddock below where the course was laid out. Now this hillside was at about 40 degrees, climbing perhaps 100yards or more for those who wanted to brave the climb. The paddock was fresh spring grass at least a foot high, and the course was marked by old tires piled at key points to form a tortuous path. You can imagine a car driving around through that high, damp grass, but make it a huge figure eight, and a half dozen or more turns before getting to a finish line. Now imagine that course being driven against the clock by everything from a full fendered deuce to a pristine '57 chevy, with Robin's truck thrown in the mix! I'd venture that such an event organized for a US NSRA event would be met by, "Are you CRAZY? I'm not driving down that road, and I'm for sure not driving in that tall grass!"
Aside from the family oriented gathering of like minded people who've all been invited to join the group, one thing that stood out to me was the total absence of trailers. I believe that every car was driven to and from the event, and that included departing in the toad strangling rain on Monday! Many of the NZ rodders have cars built to show car quality, but then use them as cars, not as display models carried place to place on a trailer.

And more of stuff like that needs to be done here Roger. Sounds like hot roddin here back in the 60's and 70's. Heck back in those days I drove my hot rod back and forth to work everyday rain or shine. It's just a dam car guys.
Lawn chairs runs are no fun 2 me.

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

Lawn chairs runs are no fun 2 me.

Wait a minute....................

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Wait a minute....................

I'm in 4 that Bob

Many of the NZ rodders have cars built to show car quality, but then use them as cars, not as display models carried place to place on a trailer.
I would bet my left testical that there wouldn't be one Hot Rod, Street Rod, Custom Car that is a trailer queen here in NZ. There is a one radical Model A Tudor that has hydraulic suspension that is able to sit down on the frame and raise the wheels off the ground so it isn't street legal but then the owner built it understanding that, so is trailed to events.

Originally Posted by rspears

Grasskhana! That term had temporarily left my memory (CRS again....), but it was a memorable event! First, imagine the line of street rods turning off of the highway onto a dirt lane barely wide enough for the farm truck, rough enough that most everything but Robin's F100 truck had to creep through the swales for 1/4 mile, only to end at a hillside designated for parking, overlooking the paddock below where the course was laid out. Now this hillside was at about 40 degrees, climbing perhaps 100yards or more for those who wanted to brave the climb. The paddock was fresh spring grass at least a foot high, and the course was marked by old tires piled at key points to form a tortuous path. You can imagine a car driving around through that high, damp grass, but make it a huge figure eight, and a half dozen or more turns before getting to a finish line. Now imagine that course being driven against the clock by everything from a full fendered deuce to a pristine '57 chevy, with Robin's truck thrown in the mix! I'd venture that such an event organized for a US NSRA event would be met by, "Are you CRAZY? I'm not driving down that road, and I'm for sure not driving in that tall grass!"
Aside from the family oriented gathering of like minded people who've all been invited to join the group, one thing that stood out to me was the total absence of trailers. I believe that every car was driven to and from the event, and that included departing in the toad strangling rain on Monday! Many of the NZ rodders have cars built to show car quality, but then use them as cars, not as display models carried place to place on a trailer.

...and that encapsulates NZ NSRA folks!
I doubt I've ever seen a 'Trailer Queen' at an NSRA event unless it's a 'work in progress' or it's broken. Cars are built to be driven...sometimes hard!
And it's all
bloody
good
fun!

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics! What a great selection by you. I'm glad you like 40 fords too.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Thanks for taking the time to post these pics! What a great selection by you. I'm glad you like 40 fords too.

The second car I owned was a 40 Standard 2dr sedan and it was sold to buy a 36 5 window coupe and I'm quite partial to both.

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Many of the NZ rodders have cars built to show car quality, but then use them as cars, not as display models carried place to place on a trailer.
I would bet my left testical that there wouldn't be one Hot Rod, Street Rod, Custom Car that is a trailer queen here in NZ. There is a one radical Model A Tudor that has hydraulic suspension that is able to sit down on the frame and raise the wheels off the ground so it isn't street legal but then the owner built it understanding that, so is trailed to events.

You gunna use a blunt knife,or a sharp knife,Mark?? Don't wanna hear any squealing now... I have poked a couple of guys down here,in Taranaki,for doing just that.....Putting the hotrod in a trailer,to go to events..