I have always had a problem with paying to show my vehicle as I really don't show up for trophies. I don't mind paying if there are door prizes or entertainment or the money is going to charity, but if it is a retaurant or parts store trying to make a buck off my vehicle I get upset.

I produce the car event schedule for Saskatchewan and formerly did the BC one for about 10 years before moving here and I have dealt with all types listing their events. I had a charity group want to list their event and he gave me a date that conflicted with a car club's event date and I advised him that he was close to the event the club was putting on and on the same date. He said he didn't care after I told him he may be affecting their attendance and their monetary gain for their charity. I informed him that I would not list his event as it was a calendar of car events for car people and if he had that attitude he would not be supported by car people. Also a lot of communities put on events for ridiculous prices to draw more people to their strawberry fair or whatever.

Personally I would prefer to get together with a bunch of friends and drive my car to a lake or whatever and not worry about making someone else some money. At least in my tunnel visioned little world that is how I see it.

Fun with cars
Pat O'Connor

Nate, I agree with you, and most of the guy's in our club feel the same. We put the big bucks in these cars and we also carry the dollar burden at most car shows.

Our club puts on a cruise every Tues night @ Bramalea City Centre, and the dollars from our BBQ and 50/50 goes to the Hospital and the MS society. We don't charge to get in and nor would we ever, cars and spectators are free. When we did run an annual car show, the gate receipts for cars and spectators didn't cover the cost of the show. Draws and vendors were required to pick up the tab.

Maybe you should enlist the rodding population to list the shows that they were very happy with in the past year and you can run a show hot list of the car shows that ' look after " the rodders. The top of my list for last year was the CN Tower car show - they asked for no money and gave each car a T-shirt, passes to the tower, a goodie bag and a bbq lunch, for each member in the car. The prize table was something else as well. These guys want you back and work for your support. Oh and a tour of the local brewery - took that one twice.

Tim Miller, Brampton Street Rods

I agree with you wholeheartedly, and in fact seldom go to car shows any more for this very reason - the fact that we have to pay to be the entertainers. The exceptions this year were Elora (the shopping nearby), Richmond Green (just for Ralphy), Bothwell (how could anyone miss Bothwell?) and Whitchurch-Stouffville (had nothing else to do that day and was still suffering withdrawal from Bothwell) Keep writin' old friend, I'll keep readin'....

Steve Black

How right you are the dollars we put out and then pay to show. Not good, as in bad ju ju.

Doug Dicks

Nate, I agree with your comments. However, if taken literally, the Canadian Street Rod and Custom Car Nationals (formerly CANATS) shouldn't charge participants anymore than we charge spectators at the gate. If we did this, there would be no annual event for Canadian street rodders!

Al Cook

In reply to Nate's letter I agree.We all spend big bucks putting our dream cars together. Some more than others but so what. If we spend all our time building these rolling pieces of art why then we pay to show them is beyond me. I want to go to a show that is working for me and my fellow rodders. Not line the jeans of some would be promoter.

Think about it - do the math .The average show south of the border is gonna kill around 40 U.S. bucks. Multiply that times 5000 cars and you got enough scratch to do alot of damage in Mexico for a month or two. Sure there are cost tied to doing a show but thats why we have a corporate arena to draw from. All the big guys want a piece of a good show. But WE ARE THE SHOW so lets give something back to this great hobby and recognize the guys and the girls and make it fun for all to enjoy.

If you get a good assortment of sponsors to cough-up-the-doe you can spend a few more bucks on the participants and make there day a little better. Thats what we are going to do at our first Time Bomb Hot-Rod and Kustom event.
All are welcome 1970 and down.......Sorry Jeff.......

Time Bomb John