2012 supernats... impressions
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 261
From: East KY
Love the sound of it Doc, and I do have a camper and we love to camp. I don't know if we'd be able to make it all the way up to kentucky though. The 200 miles to pigeon forge is kind of the upper limit for me.
That truck fest in townsend in september sounds like a good arrangement. September is a busy month, but then again every month is a busy month these days.
That truck fest in townsend in september sounds like a good arrangement. September is a busy month, but then again every month is a busy month these days.
I swung by the Townsend show last year (was the same weekend as the Fall Rod Run in PF). I met Joe (harleymsn) and Jeff (mechmagcn) there. It's a good atmosphere. Big grassy field and some shade. Plus you're literally at the south entrance of the GSM National Park. It's a much smaller show, but I liked it.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Charelston, Illinois
My Thoughts
I find it very interesting reading everyone’s thoughts regarding the F100 Supernationals. I guess some things will never change.
When the F100 Supernationals were held at the Grand, the majority of people complained because they had to show up early in the week (Tuesday) to get a decent parking spot. Once parked, a person couldn’t get their truck out until the show was over. Along with showing up early, attendees were required to stay extra nights in not so good hotels which cost them extra. Further, everyone disliked being in an open area on blacktop with very little shade. Finally, the awards ceremony went way too long (over 4 hours) and these “gold chainers/trailer queens” make it unfair for those who build/drive their trucks. With these complaints, people swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and many didn’t come back because the show wasn’t like it used to be back in Gatlinburg.
Pat Ford tried to address many complaints by moving the show to Chilhowie Park in Knoxville. With this new location came better facilities and more shade; however, show admission fees went up, spectator and parking fees were put in place. Truckers could show up later in the week which reduced a night of or two hotel expense, but there wasn’t anything for the wife and kids to do in Knoxville. People complained and swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and many didn’t come back because the show wasn’t like it used to be back in Pigeon Forge.
Charlie Cobble purchased the show and tried to address many of the complaints; the main complaint of the show being in Knoxville, so he moved the show back to Pigeon Forge. With this new location came challenges. We were back to no shade and black top; however, you could get your truck in and out whenever you liked. Attendees were thrilled to return to Pigeon Forge where their families could enjoy the many attractions, but complaints came regarding fees and the lack of shade. With these complaints, people swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and many didn’t come back because the show wasn’t like it used to be back in Gatlinburg, the Grand in Pigeon Forge, or Knoxville.
Over the duration of my attendance to the F100 Supernats, I have met some great people and made many friends. Many of which were the ones who complained and swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and didn’t come back. Several of my friends have died and others have come down with illnesses (cancer) which have changed their lives forever. Having the opportunity to talk with them from time-to-time, it often comes up that they wished they never would have left the show. Years have passed which can’t be recovered and yea, there were things that they didn’t like, but in the end there are only so many opportunities one has to go to the F100 Supernationals to enjoy the mass of trucks we all love and enjoy like minded people.
I guess things will never change. Some people will take the good with the bad and enjoy what makes the F100 Supernationals so great – THE PEOPLE and THE TRUCKS. Others will get aggravated with the show, promising that they won’t attend any longer because it is not like it used to be.
When the F100 Supernationals were held at the Grand, the majority of people complained because they had to show up early in the week (Tuesday) to get a decent parking spot. Once parked, a person couldn’t get their truck out until the show was over. Along with showing up early, attendees were required to stay extra nights in not so good hotels which cost them extra. Further, everyone disliked being in an open area on blacktop with very little shade. Finally, the awards ceremony went way too long (over 4 hours) and these “gold chainers/trailer queens” make it unfair for those who build/drive their trucks. With these complaints, people swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and many didn’t come back because the show wasn’t like it used to be back in Gatlinburg.
Pat Ford tried to address many complaints by moving the show to Chilhowie Park in Knoxville. With this new location came better facilities and more shade; however, show admission fees went up, spectator and parking fees were put in place. Truckers could show up later in the week which reduced a night of or two hotel expense, but there wasn’t anything for the wife and kids to do in Knoxville. People complained and swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and many didn’t come back because the show wasn’t like it used to be back in Pigeon Forge.
Charlie Cobble purchased the show and tried to address many of the complaints; the main complaint of the show being in Knoxville, so he moved the show back to Pigeon Forge. With this new location came challenges. We were back to no shade and black top; however, you could get your truck in and out whenever you liked. Attendees were thrilled to return to Pigeon Forge where their families could enjoy the many attractions, but complaints came regarding fees and the lack of shade. With these complaints, people swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and many didn’t come back because the show wasn’t like it used to be back in Gatlinburg, the Grand in Pigeon Forge, or Knoxville.
Over the duration of my attendance to the F100 Supernats, I have met some great people and made many friends. Many of which were the ones who complained and swore they wouldn’t return to the show; and didn’t come back. Several of my friends have died and others have come down with illnesses (cancer) which have changed their lives forever. Having the opportunity to talk with them from time-to-time, it often comes up that they wished they never would have left the show. Years have passed which can’t be recovered and yea, there were things that they didn’t like, but in the end there are only so many opportunities one has to go to the F100 Supernationals to enjoy the mass of trucks we all love and enjoy like minded people.
I guess things will never change. Some people will take the good with the bad and enjoy what makes the F100 Supernationals so great – THE PEOPLE and THE TRUCKS. Others will get aggravated with the show, promising that they won’t attend any longer because it is not like it used to be.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 914
Likes: 71
From: Lavergne, Tn.
I've attended the F100 Supernationals for a number of years, starting with the first year it came to Gatlinburg from Chimney Rock, NC. It was not an extremely large show, but it was all F100s 53-56 with a few earlier F models. It was rather laid back and a lot of fun. Then it moved to Pigeon Forge and the show gradually opened up to later year model trucks and for me that kinda killed it.
I think the last Supernationals that I attended was right before it moved to Knoxville. It appeared to me that the Pigeon Forge city fathers had fell out of love with all the hot rods continually coming to their town. They've always had lots of traffic with out any car events and some of the knuckleheads acting up with their cars didn't seem to help any.
I guess for me, it's case of bigger is not necessarily better.
I think the last Supernationals that I attended was right before it moved to Knoxville. It appeared to me that the Pigeon Forge city fathers had fell out of love with all the hot rods continually coming to their town. They've always had lots of traffic with out any car events and some of the knuckleheads acting up with their cars didn't seem to help any.
I guess for me, it's case of bigger is not necessarily better.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
I think that's it right there. The only good thing I can think of about a big gathering like that, is it draws the parts and vendors. Which just points to the fact the gathering is no longer an owner-focused experience, it's a commercial event.
It's a damn shame this is such a huge country, a 48-56 FTE-only gathering would be a fun thing. Even if we could all get together, it would be best if we all had our trucks there, even if on a trailer.
It's a damn shame this is such a huge country, a 48-56 FTE-only gathering would be a fun thing. Even if we could all get together, it would be best if we all had our trucks there, even if on a trailer.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,963
Likes: 261
From: East KY
Bring em to my place. I've got a big tractor that can lift them off the trailer. If it fails, we can always use the bulldozer.
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
-DV
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 485
Likes: 2
...I guess things will never change. Some people will take the good with the bad and enjoy what makes the F100 Supernationals so great – THE PEOPLE and THE TRUCKS. Others will get aggravated with the show, promising that they won’t attend any longer because it is not like it used to be.
There were a lot of people at this show, so obviously it is meeting a need. If it is meeting that many people's needs then maybe it should continue on exactly the way it is. As for me, I'll probably just stick to the local shows and cruise-in's and maybe some regional shows where there is less asphalt and more shade.
-DV
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
I would say the hoods and fenders were all still marked at retail price...as far as I could tell. I saw one guy that had two new (most likely China pieces) 53-56 fenders priced as a "show special."
"show special" was $698...."show special????" really?!??!
But I wasn't there at the start of the show, so maybe some good hoods went for good prices that first day...
"show special" was $698...."show special????" really?!??!
But I wasn't there at the start of the show, so maybe some good hoods went for good prices that first day...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
) I've been to over 100 car shows and most have ranged in temperature from hot to scorching hot; it's the nature of the beast.
Elder User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 766
Likes: 6
From: south Fl.
This was my first year attending the show so I really dont know about what some are saying about the good ol' days, although it sounds like everyone had fun back in the day. I guess my point is that for everyone that chooses not to return, someone like myself fills the void. I had a good time and already plan on attending next year. Hopefully the grounds will change for the better when the new building and construction are complete, but we will have to wait till next year to see.
Maybe if I knew what im missing from years past I would feel differently. I understand, I was wishing for cooler temps and a little shade too
. That being said I live in Florida and deal with the heat daily.
Maybe if I knew what im missing from years past I would feel differently. I understand, I was wishing for cooler temps and a little shade too
. That being said I live in Florida and deal with the heat daily.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Odenville, AL
Although I agree with some of the points that are being made about the negatives with the show....I already plan to be there next year and the wife unit said she's coming with me again.
I've been to many shows/cruise-ins through the years and all the "negatives" are pretty much there to a certain degree with all of 'em. You'll never have a "perfect" show because of that.
It was my first year at the Nats and I loved it....didn't love the heat or the asphalt, but I can put up with it for all the positives. I love the F100(mostly) specific swap meet (I scored some great parts at great prices), I loved the amount of vendors there and I loved the amount of trucks and owners to talk to.
Looks like I'll be a repeat Nats show-goer for the forseeable future and one day hopefully my '56 will be done and I can enter it.
I've been to many shows/cruise-ins through the years and all the "negatives" are pretty much there to a certain degree with all of 'em. You'll never have a "perfect" show because of that.
It was my first year at the Nats and I loved it....didn't love the heat or the asphalt, but I can put up with it for all the positives. I love the F100(mostly) specific swap meet (I scored some great parts at great prices), I loved the amount of vendors there and I loved the amount of trucks and owners to talk to.
Looks like I'll be a repeat Nats show-goer for the forseeable future and one day hopefully my '56 will be done and I can enter it.
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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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