Event Coverage: 2016 Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals

The 2016 Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals is quickly becoming one of our favorite events. We have many reasons for loving the show, not the least of which is the beautiful location and venue, which features large expanses of grass instead of asphalt, and is arranged in such a way that there is always something interesting to see for any enthusiast, of any Import brand. Historically, the Imports were paired with “kit cars”, which included your standard Porsche, Lotus, Cobra, and other replica cars. For 2016 the Import show was paired with “performance” which seemed to us to include a lot of Japanese imports.

Saturday started out as it has for a bunch of years now, with an awesome breakfast and mini-get together held at Mechanicsburg Audi. This “show before the show” if you will is a great way to see all of the cars lined up, check out the new stuff at the dealer, and get some eats and more importantly hot coffee before heading over to the Carlisle show fields.

Weather plays an important part in car shows, particularly one which tends to attract vintage and rare cars, and sadly this year we were treated to plenty of rain, which certainly limited the total number of attendees, but did nothing to dampen the spirits of those who did brave the elements.

As usual the Audi section was filled with an amazing array of cars spanning all generations, from early 80s right up to the current model year, it seemed to us that there was one of every platform there. We saw some really interesting cars too. How does a late 80s 90 quattro with a TDI engine fitted? Or a 90s 90 coupe quattro with a 4.2 V8? Or an achingly original 4000 2 door sedan? RS 2? RS 4? RS 6! Oh my! There were Quattros everywhere it seemed.

This show is a very different vibe from many of the other enthusiast shows we attend. The vintage preservation types and the cutting edge performance types mix and mingle perfectly here, and each shares tales and stories of their experiences with their cars. We haven’t really found a show that better suits true automotive enthusiasts than this one, for this reason. You can show up with a brand new S8 Plus, and not feel out of place parking it next to a 90s vintage V8 quattro or S6, for example.

This year’s featured country was Germany, which meant a special display of only German cars was to be found in the show barn. This was especially interesting to us, because our relationship with the folks at Carlisle Events goes way back. AudiWorld has in the past been a sponsor of their motorsport endeavors, and as such, we found one of the display cars still wearing an AudiWorld decal, which quite honestly made us incredibly proud! Also on display was a pair of Audi RS 6 race cars, which were formerly owned by Champion Racing, and were used with great success in the  SCCA Speed World Challenge Grand Touring Class.

All in all, the 2016 Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals was a huge success, in spite of less than desirable weather. We’re sure some folks kept their really rare cars safely on the trailer or in the garage, but we were thrilled to see so many amazing cars driven and enjoyed, the way they were meant to be.

We are already looking forward to 2017!