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Question for the experienced GoodGuys Events participants

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Blown69RS

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
My wife finally talked me into attending a GoodGuys event this summer. We're going to the Heartland Nationals in DesMoines, Iowa on Fourth of July weekend.

I had a question for all those who've previously attended events...

When you arrive on the grounds, what is the typical parking area for the different cars? I know the DesMoines show lists "special parking areas from 7am-noon" for "Mighty Muscle ('55-'72)" and "Homebuilt Heaven" and
"Ya Gotta Drive 'em".

Do you just park wherever you want to usually?? Is there an event coordinator(s) that direct you to certain areas to park, or do you just drive around and look for a spot?? Are these "special areas" an invite-only area to park? If you fall into the theme of one of these areas, can you choose to park in that particular one?? Taking the '69, I could see being in the Mighty Muscle (unless it's for more stock vehicles). I also built mine at home, and I drive it everywhere we go. So, I'd be comfortable in the other "special areas" also.

Could anyone that's been to any of the GoodGuys events chime in here and let me know how some of this stuff works??

Thanks much,
Russ
 
#2 ·
Russ there may be a well thought out structure to Goodguys show parking and I'm sure every region it's different. My experiences have been once you get in the gate it's a confusing free for all. There will be obvious areas "Camaro Corral" or "Mustang Corral" where you will find nothing but Camaros or Mustangs parked there but you won't find a lot of guideance and a club parking together will look just like the "corral" area once you are in a long line of cars all looking for their buddys or the right corral area or just trying to get to their favorite spot before someone beats them to it.

The last time I displayed at a GG show my buddy and I found 2 spots only 3 cars apart and it was in an area where swapmeeters had parked their trucks once they figured out they could pay for show parking and get 2 people into the swapmeet for 2/3 days and park closer than general parking and for less money. It was inside the show grounds and all the parking left after sitting in line from 7am until 10am when we found these spots.

I'm sure it was just a bad day and the GG folks sent out apology letters for the problems but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Go extra early, pay in advance and go with as many friends and their cars as you can so you can stake out a good spot and spread out some.
 
#3 ·
The big thing is to get there early as Dennis mentioned.

The GG events I have been to were organized pretty well.

If you want to park in a special area, just drive up to it and act like you know what you're doing. They will usually help park you and later give out a special dash plaque for the particular corral you're at.
 
#4 ·
I'm sure it depends on how many cars and how big the "fairgrounds" are. My experience has been that you park anywhere you can find a place. The special "corrals' are optional, meanig if there is a Camaro or Muscle car corral, that doesn't mean you have to park your Camaro or Muscle car there, it just means you can't park a truck in the corral.

As mentioned get there EARLY if it is anything like what we have here in California it will be a mad house once the gates open and all the foot traffic starts it can be a hassle to get parked, people on foot just don't like to get out of the way.

Over all I have always had fun at GG events, usually one of the biggest shows around. Really draws a crowd.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Russ,

I was just at the Goodguys in Colorado.

For Mighty Muscle they picked factory muscle cars, 69 camaro pace car and 70 torino 429 cobrajet.

I did not catch what won in the homebuilt class but there were'nt any real nice cars that I saw.

I did win the Mighty Muscle award in my prostreet camaro 5 years ago at the Texas event.

Register early on friday so you dont have to mess with it on saturday.

We got there a 5am to sit in line on saturday morning and was about the 100th car in line. There were people in line at 1:30am and then sitting in there regular vechicle sleeping. It was crazy.

On friday just drive in and checkout whats going on. There will be signs for Mighty Muscle and Homebuilt caterogy.

On saturday just drive up to what class you want to get into and enjoy the show.

We won the Cool Camaro award in Colorado last weekend.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
prostreet69camaro said:
Russ,


Register early on friday so you dont have to mess with it on saturday.

We got there a 5am to sit in line on saturday morning and was about the 100th car in line. There were people in line at 1:30am and then sitting in there regular vechicle sleeping. It was crazy.


We won the Cool Camaro award in Colorado last weekend.
Click to expand...
congrats on your win Mike...

I don't really have any illusions of winning anything... I'm just going to hopefully see a lot of cars I haven't seen before.

I'm already pre-registered, so I hope a lot of that delay will not be an issue. We'll try to get there fairly early,,, but I can't see the wife (or me for that matter) sitting in this car for a few hours at 5am waiting for the 7am opening. You definitely have more patience than I do. We'll be driving a little over 2 hours to get to the show to begin with... I don't mind the ride of the car, but there's no doubt it isn't the smoothest/most comfortable thing to ride in.

DesMoines usually has a turnout between 3200-3500 on Saturday, but it's located in a fairly large state fairgrounds.
 
#7 ·
Russ,

You'll be fine if you get there a little later, you'll just have limited choices on where you can park. Of course that mainly depends on the venue, if there is plenty of room then you will have no issues. I have seen guys cruise in at 10:00 and later, they have to cruise the fairgrounds for a while, but they always find a place to park.

I have never sat in line, I usually would roll up between 7:00 and 8:00 getting there real early just gives you the pick of parking spots.
 
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