What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

[Captain Morgan]

Please keep in mind this is CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM thread, not a bashing thread. Every year there are things people really like and things people feel werent worth it or didnt go so hot.

Now that Nats is over, the committee can finally take a breather and the last thing they want to think about is Nats, but while things are still fresh in everyones mind, I would like to know what you did or didnt like.

Some things that are on my mind in particular are the following....

- the dyno, did anyone miss it?? do you think there would have been more interest if it was cheaper?

- the parking lot games (tire changing, propshaft swap, ect), do they need to come back?

- trophies, were the piston/rod trophies cool or what? are more traditional style trophies desired or were these cooler than anything you can buy in the catalogs.

- racing classes, I know this has been a touchy subject in years past, but I know there was some arguement about what class some trucks belonged in.

- friday meet & greet, would a more formal introduction work better? every year once everyone gets home and people start posting there is always a handful of "you were there? I never got to meet you" kinda posts. If we were able to gather everyone together at once and have a stage for people to come up and introduce themselves, would that be a better ice breaker than having everyone lurk around at peoples trucks and then finally meeting the owners?


Please post up and give your opinions on any of the above subjects or anything else thats on your mind.

Thanks.

 

[ZMann]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

- the dyno, did anyone miss it?? do you think there would have been more interest if it was cheaper?

- the parking lot games (tire changing, propshaft swap, ect), do they need to come back?

- trophies, were the piston/rod trophies cool or what? are more traditional style trophies desired or were these cooler than anything you can buy in the catalogs.

- friday meet & greet, would a more formal introduction work better? every year once everyone gets home and people start posting there is always a handful of "you were there? I never got to meet you" kinda posts. If we were able to gather everyone together at once and have a stage for people to come up and introduce themselves, would that be a better ice breaker than having everyone lurk around at peoples trucks and then finally meeting the owners?

Please post up and give your opinions on any of the above subjects or anything else thats on your mind.

Thanks.

I am not a big fan of sitting around the dyno shop half of the day while some people came with and some stayed back at the hotel. It kind of seperates the entire group.

The tire changing competition would be worth it if there was a new propshaft at stake. Or we could raffle that off as well.

I LOVE MY TROPHY!!! My family thought it was very cool as well. It's got a place on my shelf already.

Lets get a picture of each person w/ or without their trucks and post them online.

 

[GarnetTy1473]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

I enjoyed it very much. Only suggestion for next year is to maybe push it back a week. Jeremy and I both raced at US Nationals the week before. I know he didn't have any problems getting off work again since he owns the business, but I couldn't justify going back to work for 2 days after being off for a week, and then leaving again. I don't expect it to be changed just for me, but I figured I'd throw it out there. I missed a lot since I didn't show up until Friday night, but for the short time I was there, I enjoyed it.

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

Since it was my first nats....I thought of this to help open more instant recognition of each other.
Just a plain cheap shirt with your forum handle in pretty large print, then below that, your name ( possibly avatar for the visual) and the state and truck #'s. !!
Wear them only at the "meet n' greet" then go normal, if thats possible.
I spoke with a Ebay vendor that said 20.00$ to do such a thing with artwork. Surely this could be done. Kind of Dorky I realize.....but if your standing across from someone.....the name tags are not always in view.
Just a thought ????
................Vinny

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

Since it was my first nats....I thought of this to help open more instant recognition of each other.
Just a plain cheap shirt with your forum handle in pretty large print, then below that, your name ( possibly avatar for the visual) and the state and truck #'s. !!
Wear them only at the "meet n' greet" then go normal, if thats possible.
I spoke with a Ebay vendor that said 20.00$ to do such a thing with artwork. Surely this could be done. Kind of Dorky I realize.....but if your standing across from someone.....the name tags are not always in view.
Just a thought ????
................Vinny

The shirt Idea is a good one, It could work hell a sharpie and a white t-shirt could work. Then again some of us dont need them cause we are actually quite famous "people know me"

 

[AUSyTyIN]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

NATS was fun as hell, but I would've liked to take a trip to the dyno. I think the parking lot games need to make a come back, and everyone needs to wear a name tage (my self included )

 

[JSM]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

I say we try the shirts, but you have to make one for someone you know, and your not allowed to make your own shirt.

I suspect we can find all different colors of sharpies and get real creative. I will volunteer to make a shirt for Renz. :tup: :tup:

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

I think the shirt is a great idea. If this is your first Nats you should get a bright red shirt (kinda like a cherry). This will make it easier for people to seek you out and introduce themselves.

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

Mikes unoffical review to follow:

1. The "grilling" that wasn't supposed to happen, you know the $5 lunch.....Kicked Ass.....Exceptional idea, and I hope you guys at least broke even, or made some cash on that. Also in this same thought, the selling of cokes outside for a reasonable price.....Also kicked ass.....WAY better than walking all the way inside to pay for overpriced drinks at the gift shop (when it was open)

2. I didn't miss the Dyno, or the parking lot games. With that said, I do think an organized jackstand race might be in order one of these years. It's been discussed for several, but never materialized.

3. Trophies were nice, much better than the plaques from previous years. Not that the plaques were bad, they were very nice, but the piston trophies are way cooler IMO. Even though I didn't get one.

Otherwise I don't have alot to say about it. I have a strong feeling we could just show up in a random parking lot, and have just as good of a time, since as you know it's the people that make the event, not the other way around.

 

[JSM]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

Buick owners are required to wear PINK.

Heck we could have colors for # of nats attended. Be kindof cool.

 

[phoonerorlater]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

shirts are good. I have been to t-shirt parties where everyone has sharpies and everyone has white t-shirts then you can write stuff on other ppls shirts. The more drunk you get the better the quotes get. If we did the handle and name already printed on the shirt then you can get new friends autographs to remember the Nats by.

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

I agree - the food outside ROCKED. What a great idea.

I want to go to the track Friday night again for Test and Tune. It is kinda fun to see some of the local cars.

Jackstand races...eh, it is just asking for injuries/stupidity. Have you ever tried to roll a jack over a pebble?

I'd like to see some pit bike races AWAY from trucks.

The dyno was kind of cool - but if you aren't doing any tuning, what's the point? It was far too expensive this year.

 

[SEL777]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

I like the NATS "VIRGIN" shirt idea.

I also like going to the track on Friday evening. It was cool to see some SyTyers run against the locals.

As this was my first NATS, I did not know what to do with myself for 9-10 hours SAT. at the track. I'm not saying to change anything. I was not prepared to sit there for that length of time. If I planned better, I would have brought my cooler with some food and beverages.

I tried the Frito Pie and lived.

I do not think I would miss much w/o the dyno. As mentioned above if you're not tuning then WTP?

 

[NOJIMMY]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

...Pardon my posting, as I wasnt able to attend this year, but if I can add something of value, here goes:
-I think the attendance would have been even higher, if the rain forecast had been favorable for Sat.
(Many of us late-adders were watching weather, debating on cost/rain out conditions. Sorry.)

-In the past, I really liked it when there was a outside laptop/projector aimed on the wall
showing clips (at night in the parking lot).

-I also like it when you guys did a photo shoot at the track. Its kinda fun when
one of our own broadcasts from the tower as well.

-I like organized cruises to hooters as a meet-and-greet, with local street racing/action.

-Dont know if name tags were available, but they always help.

-I like the late fall, September scheduling (allows for tuning/planning all summer).

-I like the Hotel selection (security, good parking lot, etc)

-I like the photos (from past years) of the license plates (ie naming convention and state location

-I like the posting on the syty.net of events/happenings/photos

...great job from what I can see. And thanks for asking the question.

 

[JSM]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

...
-In the past, I really liked it when there was a outside laptop/projector aimed on the wall
showing clips (at night in the parking lot).

Had the covered, even saw some random changes being made on syty.net that night. It was WAY funnier to be there I am sure. I am still looking for some used shocks.

-I also like it when you guys did a photo shoot at the track. Its kinda fun when
one of our own broadcasts from the tower as well.

-I like organized cruises to hooters as a meet-and-greet, with local street racing/action.

-Dont know if name tags were available, but they always help.

-I like the late fall, September scheduling (allows for tuning/planning all summer).

-I like the Hotel selection (security, good parking lot, etc)

-I like the photos (from past years) of the license plates (ie naming convention and state location

-I like the posting on the syty.net of events/happenings/photos

...great job from what I can see. And thanks for asking the question.

All the rest covered except the cruise to hooters. I also wouldn't mind seeing it again.

 

[CarbonFiber AWD]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

Oh man......watching Morgan and the boys messing with the forum on the big screen FREAKED me out .. :rotf: I had NO clue that could be done. You guys scare me when the guns are loaded and in your hands...Lol.
...............Vinny

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

I'd like to see the Hooters cruise again. This year people just kept showing up and the next thing you know we had 7 tables lined up. And the waitresses and managers scratching their heads trying to figure out what happened. It'd be even more fun to tell them we have a party of 40 (un-announced of course) and see what happens.

The funniest part was hearing two of the waitresses talking about Morris' Caddy hat. "OMG, the guy has a Cadillac grill on his hat".

 

[turbodig]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

What I do like:

New personal first: I worked on/with 6 different ECM systems at one event- 3 aftermarket, 3 GM. Nothing like tuning a FAST at 2 AM on the 435.

I always enjoy seeing old friends, and meeting new ones.

Impressive builds/hardware that you don't get to see elsewhere.
New ideas... you see a lot of cool, low-buck ways around things.

BBQ in the parking lot. I'll volunteer super-secret burger seasoning for next year.
In fact, I'd like to see it both days. I could grill some rum-soaked pineapple, too.

Racing, racing, racing. Nice to be able to make hot laps around the track if you want to.

Liked the swap meet. Appeals to the junk collector in everyone.

A nats without Fire or Hotel destruction. That stuff just makes us all look bad.

Hotel hallway smells like gear lube/Dexron mix. Just like home.

Best BS sessions 3-5 AM. Watching some drunk hillbilly sway in the breeze.
(Maybe it was me who was swaying, and the rest of the world stationary...)

Perfect Venue for having the gathering. The wooded seclusion really works well.

Awards Breakfast is excellent.


What I don't like:

While parking-lot launches are fun to watch, I have a sinking feeling someone's gonna get hurt someday, which would suck. Yes, I know I sound like an old gramma saying this.

The liquor stores closing at 10:30? Note to self: Bring beer along.

Slow track cleanups. I realize it was a heavy A/F spew, but it really killed the mood.

The fact that more people don't get in the races. I can't knock somebody for not wanting to break thier transportation, but Bob Galla darn near won Modified on a pump gas tune. Not that Bob's Ty isn't quick, but we should have had more competition.

The fact that we can't get an Auto-X someplace. Not that the Nats staff haven't tried- the whole insurance situation in this country sucks.

Driving a Suburban/Trailer in KC traffic.

The after-effects of barely beating the sunrise into the Hotel.

Coors Light mixed with Captain Morgan.

Not being able to get to help all the people I talk to. I know I told 4-5 people that I'd help with things that I never got around to.




Things we should have:

Scan tool Tech session. Gonna goad Jeff into bringing the projector next year so we can do this.

Basic tuning tech. Not sure we can swing this in the same nats as the above.

A general Q&A session someplace, like, meet at the tree at 4:30, with your name tag/shirt on, and people can just fire away.


I'll be back next year... with a working truck.


Just my .02.

 

[turbodig]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

I say we try the shirts, but you have to make one for someone you know, and your not allowed to make your own shirt.

I suspect we can find all different colors of sharpies and get real creative. I will volunteer to make a shirt for Renz. :tup: :tup:

I like this. I can do Jeff's... a Bartles & James box glued to a shirt.

Martha Stewart my ... Maybe an award for best Nats Avatar shirt.



Seriously, though, I had people standing 3 feet from me ask, "Has anybody seen Dig?"

 

[Six-is-Enough]

Re: What did you like/didn't like about this years Nats?

The only complaint I have is the racing. I know people like to stay out late, but can we rent the track any earlier? Dinner at 10pm is not cool. I think it pulls peopleaway from the track and racing as they leave early to eat and I can't blame them.

Maybe start the rentalat say 12 with a hour for tech and pictures. Start open test and tune at 1pm let it go till 3. take 1/2 hour break for track personal, then gointo racing at 3:30. Then back to open test tune after racing to say 7 pm. This way we can get dinner around 8 pm or so. This leaves more time for socializing afterwards on saturday night.