Since 1986, the Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals has displayed the best import and kit cars in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. In recent years, a simple event has transformed into an automotive festival. Live music, prizes and more have given the weekend an overhaul and 2013 was another great showcase of international automotive history. The Passport Program returned as did a massive array of clubs. More seminars were held onsite too giving the tent an always full feel to it. Guests like Peter Brock held court with patrons hanging on each word the legend shared about his experiences within the hobby.

Additional highlights included awards on Sunday plus a Saturday showcase of two machines, 100 years apart, making parade laps around the autocross track. Though this event has concluded, the next one is just 11+ months away, May 16-18, 2014.

The Import & Kit Nationals Swap Meet is the perfect opportunity to sell the parts and accessories that have been collecting dust in your garage. The swap meet is also the place for the parts you need to finish a job. Parts, memorabilia, collectibles and literature –you’ll find it all in the Import & Kit Nationals Swap Meet.

For more information or to purchase space, please contact us at 717-243-7855 or email info@carlisleevents.com.

• Reserve Your Space Today

Peter Brock is a highly regarded designer and author within the automotive hobby. After leaving Shelby American in 1965, Brock launched his own company, Brock Racing Enterprises (a.k.a. BRE). Prior to doing so, however; Brock had some pretty impressive successes in the automotive design field, most notably penning the classic forms that would eventually become the famed ’63 “split window” Corvette Stingray, a design celebrating 50 years in 2013. In addition, after a move to the west coast, Brock designed the body for the World Championship winning Cobra Daytona Coupe for Shelby American.

On his own with BRE, he not only was designing cars for companies like Hino, Toyota and Triumph, he started his own race team and literally put the Japanese automotive industry into the history books with his famed team of BRE Datsuns, winning two C Production National Championships with the 240Z and two 2.5 Trans-Am Championships with driver John Morton and his beloved BRE Datsun 510s.

In addition, his star power and amazing resume will be accompanied by his 1975 Datsun 510. This was the championship winning car from'72 and is coming direct from Tennessee to reunite with the man who gave it the success it's known for. Brock is a true innovator within the industry and you can meet this great man onsite throughout the weekend at Carlisle.

• Peter Brock on the Web

The 2012 Import & Kit Nationals car corral provided classic to late-model imported vehicles in all varieties of make, model and condition for sale. Thousands browsed, compared and made deals directly with the owner. As always, notary services including temporary tags were available in the car corral. This allowed would be buyers to drive their purchase off the grounds almost instantly. Car corral rules dictate that all vehicles in the corral must be for sale, in running condition and cannot be displayed on trailers. For more information or to purchase a car corral space, please contact us at (717) 243-7855.

• Reserve Your Car Corral Space Today

Clubs that receive a Carlisle Events’ supplied tent are encouraged to participate in the Coolest Club Hangout competition. There aren’t any official rules and the process is simple: just decorate your tent in a manner that would make the Carlisle staff want to hangout with your club for the weekend. Colorful displays, cool banners and people having lots of fun always attract our attention. The winning club will be awarded a banner that can be proudly displayed on your tent for the weekend letting everyone know where the place to be is! The prize pack is provided by Midway Bowling and Skating Center and Cumberland Drive-in. Go to 81fun.com for more information.

2013 Coolest Club Hangout Winner
The Audi Club

• Carlisle Club Relations
• Download the Club Flyer for your next club meeting

The Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals has long been home to many car clubs with some using the event as the host to their national meets. We recognize the largest clubs at the awards ceremony on Sunday. Awards are presented to the three (3) largest clubs (based on the number of registered show vehicles). Clubs that register a minimum of 25 vehicles are eligible to receive the use of a 20’ X 20’ tent for the weekend at no charge. These tents make a great location for the club headquarters and the ideal place to hang out and socialize. Larger clubs are eligible for larger tents – call (717) 243-7855 for more details.

2013 Club Challenge Winners

2013 Import Car Clubs
1-Saabs @ Carlisle - 251
2-The Audi Club - 92
3-Volvo Club of America - 88

2013 Kit Car Clubs
1-Speedster Owners - 59
2-Manx Club - 11
3-Avenger-Valkyrie Registry - 5

• Carlisle Club Relations
• Download the Club Flyer for your next club meeting

Beginning in 2013 Sunday admission will be reduced by half for all specialty shows, joining Spring and Fall Carlisle where half-price Sunday has been in effect. In addition, parking just outside of Gate 5 will be free (Sunday only).

Finally, all children age 12 and under will be admitted free at Carlisle. Enjoy great savings and fun for the entire family at Carlisle!

Although the Import & Kit Nationals is more widely known for its relaxed atmosphere and cars on display in the field without the pressures of being judged, there are some cars that stand out above the crowd. Owners of select cars can have their prized ride evaluated by a team of automotive experts as part of the Standard of Excellence judging. Registration is limited to 12 vehicles. Applicants are required to register for the Standard of Excellence judging and submit photos of their vehicle in advance of the weekend. The 2013 registration form is available online. Review it and submit for consideration. Good luck!

• Standard of Excellence Registration

As part of the Import & Kit Nationals in 2013, all participants are invited to be part of the second annual downtown Carlisle Block Party. The gathering will take place on Friday evening of Import weekend and will see the Carlisle borough bag parking meters on North Hanover Street from North Street to the square. Parking will be reserved for Import & Kit Nationals showfield vehicles that display their dash plaque and/or showfield sticker. This is not a parade, rather it is a collection of like minded enthusiasts gathering to dine, shop and socialize “after hours” off grounds.

An annual part of the Import & Kit Nationals is the ability to drive your car around the Autocross track. Why do you do this? We suspect the answers will vary, but either way, you compete against the clock and the elements. During the 2012 event, 59 cars took a trip around the course. The top five times are listed below and the entire results list is available by clicking the link below. How did you do?

1) Michael Towery - 87 Volvo 240, 71.003
2) Stevn Brown - 01 Subarus Impreza, 71.757
3) Richard Good - 72 Triumph TR6, 72.239
4) Ian Bill - 78 Volvo 244DL, 80.990
4) Ian Bill - 78 Volvo 244DL, 81.017

Be sure to get involved during the 2013 event and push your ride to the limit.

• Autocross Results

Each year, the showfield at the Import & Kit Nationals feature a different theme and different country. In 2013, the event will showcase Swedish vehicles. If you want to have your ride considered for the Invitational Display, click here for the Invitational application.

Whether your Swedish car is new, old or somewhere in between, we'd love to have it at Carlisle in 2013. Call (717) 243-7855 or register your vehicle online today!

• Register Online
• Invitational Submission Form

In 2013, you can take a trip around the world - at Carlisle that is. As part of your FREE event directory, you'll get a passport style insert. Take it and do what you already do, walk the grounds and browse the amazing display of cars. At the same time, get your booklet stamped for great prizes, including a grand prize which will include showfield registration for 2014.

A special thanks to our partners to date: Colucci and Company, Market Cross Pub, Rillos, Visaggio's, Silver Spring Golf Club and Williams Grove Speedway. If you or your business want to be part of this exciting event, contact event manager Ed Buczeskie at 717-243-7855 or via e-mail at EdB@CarlisleEvents.com.

Building Y is the place to see the best of the best in imports and kit cars. Many Invitational cars are featured in national magazines as a result of being on display. To have your car considered for the 2013 Invitational Display, click here for the Invitational application.

• Invitational Submission Form

The Import & Kit Nationals Race Car Paddock is an annual highlight area of the Showfield and returns in 2013. The Race Car Paddock is reserved exclusively for imports and kits that are set up for racing. All race cars are eligible – from road racers and autocross to drag and rally cars. Many show off their race car and hang out with fellow drivers and race enthusiasts in this featured area.

For those that have the urge to get some track time in during the 2013 event, you can do so by taking a few laps on our onsite autocross. Call us at (717) 243-7855 or register online today!

• Register Online

Annually you can take part in scenic cruises as part of the Import & Kit Nationals. We provide the directions that will allow you to take a self-guided tour of south central Pennsylvania. The tour takes you off the beaten path and allows you to get a real taste of the Cumberland Valley. You do not need to be registered for the Showfield; all show guests are welcome to participate. Directions are available at Guest Services.

We will be roaming the Import & Kit Nationals Showfield on Friday in search of their ten favorite vehicles to become the newest members of the Carlisle Elite. To be picked for the Carlisle Elite, your car doesn’t have to be rare or a high dollar, professional restoration. In fact, the only real criterion is that it catches our collective eye. Make sure your car is registered and parked on the Showfield on Friday to be eligible.

Each year at the Import & Kit Nationals you can tune up your automotive knowledge with free seminars taking place all weekend and open to all show attendees. Topics have ranged from power tuning to building an entire kit car. Seminars are typically informal with plenty of opportunities for interaction with the seminar presenters. All presenters are very knowledgeable in their areas of expertise and most are available during the weekend for further discussion.

Rather than a traditional seminar, John Twist of University Motors LTD is here to actually diagnose and repair your British classic! John will listen to the owner’s description of the problem then do what he can to make the car run better. Some issues may be too complex for John to repair but rest assured he’ll do his best and at the very least, you’ll have an expert diagnosis to better your odds of resolving the issue on your own after the show.

• University Motors

Why attend this Seminar? When you are explaining your interest in specialty cars it is important that you know the historical context. We are sure you are familiar with the question, “What is it?” or “Who built it?” This seminar will help you understand the history and impact of specialty cars on the automotive world allowing you to wow your audience with your highly credible, in-depth answers to their questions! Too long untold….too long forgotten…the history of building your own sports car in postwar America has long been clouded in mystery, intrigue, and controversy. Join us for our first ever seminar on this lost time in America chaired by our veteran speaker Harold Pace and welcoming for the first time the folks from Forgotten Fiberglass: Geoff Hacker and Rick D’Louhy. Their seminar will be set up in panel style with all three speakers taking turns to review the history of handcrafted sports cars spanning the 40s, 50s, and 60s such as the Glasspar G2, Woodill Wildfire, Grantham Stardust, Chicagoan, Devin, LaDawri, Kellison, Fiberfab, CRV, and others.

• Kit Car Builder Magazine

Peter Brock worked on the design of the ’63 Corvette Stingray and had great success with his race team, Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) but in between those two milestones he also worked for Shelby American. While at Shelby American, Brock designed the World Championship winning Cobra Daytona Coupe. Join Brock as he discusses the origins and design of the Cobra Daytona Coupe.

• Peter Brock - BRE

As long as your classic isn’t made of fiberglass (and even if it is), you’re going to have to deal with rust repair at some point. Carl Heideman from Eclectic Motorworks and Classic Motorsports Magazine will discuss how to keep rust away, how to repair it when necessary, and how to develop good welding skills along the way.

• Eclectic Motorworks

There are always rivalries in the classic car world: Ford vs. Chevy, MG vs. Triumph, coupe vs. convertible. Among the most polarizing are debates about carbs: SU vs. Weber. European vs Japanese, even carbs vs. fuel injection. Carl Heideman from Eclectic Motorworks and Classic Motorsports Magazine will discuss how to decide which setup will work best for you, along with some basic tuning hints and some thoughts about dealing with modern ethanol-blended fuels.

• Eclectic Motorworks

John Twist, the MG guru of University Motors in Ada, Michigan, will discuss the basics of British electrical systems. From the battery to the generator, from the fuse box to the wiper motor and lights, you will learn how to diagnose and repair common problems, followed by a Q&A.

• University Motors

John Twist (University Motors LTD) and Carl Heideman (Eclectic Motorworks LLC) will explain how to get the most performance out of your British sports car. They will carefully explain how to find and unleash hidden power and performance. Ignition, carburetion, emissions and drivetrain issues will be discussed. Other topics include advanced concepts such as fuel injection, supercharging and engine swaps.

• University Motors

If you want to learn how to properly maintain your car’s appearance, there’s no better name than Meguiar’s. They’ve been providing the best products in car care for decades, and now you can get detailing tips directly from the factory-trained staff. They’ll show you how to properly clean and protect your car’s finish, interior, tires and more. Seminars will be conducted on Friday and Saturday, but Meguiar’s staff will be happy to answer your questions all weekend. Give your car the advantage on the Carlisle Events’ Showfield!

• Meguiar's

In conjunction with the French car display in Building R, Carlisle Event is proud to present our special guest Geoff Hacker of Tampa Florida and Forgotten Fiberglass. Hacker is a collector of Renaults for more than thirty years as well as a leading authority on early Fiberglass and Kit cars. Geoff will be giving a seminar on history of Renault powered fiberglass cars. Geoff will be assisted by Marvin McFalls the President of the Renault Owners Club of North America.

• Forgotten Fiberglass

Music always adds to an event. At the Import & Kit Nationals it creates an ambiance that just seems to bring all of the great cars and motorcycles to life. A variety of bands will play the River 97.3 main stage this year, plus there will be a traveling band playing on the tram that tours the ground. New for 2013, two additional locations will be set up within the showfield where yet more music will be played. All of this will help further the great festival atmosphere.

The weekend lineup includes:

Friday
12 p.m. to 2 p.m. - Across the Pond (Gate 3 Stage)
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - Jazz Me Rhythm & Blues Band (River 97.3 Main Stage)
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Close to Consideration Band (River 97.3 Main Stage)

Saturday
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Soul House (River 97.3 Main Stage)
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Payton Taylor Band (River 97.3 Main Stage)
1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. - Soul House (River 97.3 Main Stage)
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Payton Taylor Band (River 97.3 Main Stage)
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. - Across the Pond (Gate 3 Stage)
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. - The Funktion Band (Gate 3 Stage)
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Margy & the Original Substance (Building Y/Notary Stage)
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – The DeAngelo Trio (Building Y/Notary Stage)

Sunday
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Wave (Gate 3 Stage)
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Jazz Me Rhythm & Blues Band (River 97.3 Main Stage)

Plus
No Last Call Band - Roving in the Tram!

The love of Irish & Scottish music brought the acoustic trio of Mike Morrison, Chuck Krepley & Dan Diviney together late in 2010 to form Across the Pond. Focused on traditional Irish and Scottish songs and tunes, this trio adds their own arrangements to create a unique and moving style. And you might hear a an occasional Old Timey or bluegrass tune in their music. Their music is acoustically woven on fiddle, guitar, flute, whistles, mandolin and bodhran. From slow haunting airs, love songs and ballads, to hard driving songs, and fast jigs and reels, Across the Pond plays the music with emotion and conviction. The music spans centuries of oppression, from the work of O'Carolan and others in the 17th and 18th to contemporary pieces, all of which can be heard in the pubs if Ireland and Scotland today.

Catch them Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., both sets will be on the new stage just inside of Gate 3.

• Across the Pond on the Web
• Across the Pond on Facebook

The Jazz Me Rhythm & Blues Band began playing together nearly 8 years ago, and is usually comprised of four South Central Pennsylvania musicians. Jazz Me is considered a variety band in that they perform everything from Sinatra to Santana, Motown to ZZ Top and everything in between. In late September 2010 the band released their sixth CD project entitled Mo' Jazz Me rhythm & blues, which was preceded last year by their Christmas CD named, “Jazzy...with a Chance of Flurries."

Because of this wide variety of songs, the band can entertain virtually any age group. Jazz Me has been awarded the "Best Of" bands several times by the Sentinel readers, and was named "Simply the Best" in the Harrisburg Magazine's Readers Choice poll for 2010, 2011 & 2012.

Catch them Friday from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., both times on the River 97.3 Main Stage.

• Jazz Me Band on the Web
• Jazz Me Band on Facebook

Close To Consideration (CTC), formed in 2006 with Chad Wright on guitar and vocals, Trace Morgan on guitar and vocals, Mitch Houck on bass, and Austin Weaver on drums. By 2007, the group’s core members were Chad (guitar/bass/vocals), Trace (guitar/bass/vocals) and Austin (drums/percussion).

CTC writes their own songs as well as play covers. In the winter of '09, they released a 5 track demo, "Boredom in the Basement". Then in late summer of '11, released their first full-length CD titled "Not Going far", containing 13 original tunes. In April ’12 CTC released their EP titled “Just an EP” which includes two original songs and a cover of John Denver’s “Country Roads”.

Shows range anywhere from clubs, venues, and bars (boondocks, 720 club, LPYC, Appalachian Brewing Co., Champ, Crock Rock) to basement shows, parties, fundraisers, and pretty much anywhere (THON, Environmental Day, Juice & Java, Hot Topic, the list goes on...). CTC has appeared in local showcases such as Harrisburg’s Millennium Music Conference, and Lancaster’s LAUNCH Music Conference.

Catch them Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the River 97.3 Main Stage.

• Close to Consideration on the Web
• Close to Consideration on Facebook

Soul House brings an eclectic mix of traditional jazz, blues, rock, and new classics. From Billie Holiday to Jimi Hendrix to B.B King and back to Eva Cassidy, Soul House puts their stamp on well-penned tunes from the history of the American songbook, showcasing the soaring vocal stylings of Amy Shaffer.

Join them for two sets on Saturday. The first is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., while the second is from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Both sets are on the River 97.3 Main Stage.

• Soul House on the Web
• Soul House on Facebook

In the summer of 2012, Payton Taylor performed at several of the country's largest music festivals, such as Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the CMA (Country Music Association) Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee. She released her debut CD, entitled "Shine", in the summer of 2011, and since then, she has opened for major artists, such as Casey James, Chuck Wicks, Collin Raye, Lorrie Morgan, Pam Tillis, and the legendary Charlie Daniels Band. Payton has been singing since she was only a child, but during a trip to Nashville, Tennessee in August 2009, she was invited to jump on stage at a local music venue and perform a couple of songs. “That’s when I knew I wanted to sing Country Music for the rest of my life,” says Taylor. “During that trip, I fell in love with Nashville – it’s music, history, and its culture.” She was a finalist for the 2011 Texaco Country Showdown, and has been gaining national attention through multiple TV appearances, newspaper and magazine interviews, and a strong social media presence through sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. She is presently recording her 2nd album. The project contains 6 songs that Taylor wrote herself and is set to be released by mid-summer 2013.

See Taylor twice on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Both performances take place on the River 97.3 Main Stage.

• Payton Taylor on the Web
• Payton Taylor on Facebook

Hailing from South Central PA, Funktion is a fresh band, with a long musical history. Playing a hot mix of Old School & New School Funk, R&B, & Classic Rock…Funktion owns the stage, performing hits from The Commodores to Journey, Stevie Wonder to Lynyrd Skynyrd, B.B.King to CeeLo Green! They’ll even seamlessly slip in a few originals, to see if you take notice, or just keep on dancing.

Seem them Saturday between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. the new stage just inside of Gate 3.

• Funktion on the Web
• Funktion on Facebook

The DeAngelo Trio is a father & sons family band specializing in Gypsy Jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli. This uplifting form of guitar and violin-based acoustic jazz also known as "gypsy swing" or "hot club jazz" was popularized in the 1930's in Europe. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a tap in your toes. This band of gypsies formed in 2010 and consists of Joe DeAngelo on violin, Sam DeAngelo on lead guitar and Cory DeAngelo on rhythm. The DeAngelo trio is based in Carlisle, PA.

The trio can be heard near Building Y and the Notary office between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

• DeAngelo Trio on the Web
• DeAngelo Trio on Facebook

Wave plays a mix of smooth jazz, blues, pop and swing music, all done with our own twists. The music is enjoyable and fun, and the players enjoy playing it and entertaining the audience.

Wave has a single set on Sunday. Catch them from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the stage near Gate 3.

Margy is a young local singer/songwriter originally from Pittsburgh. She is a multi instrumentalist, including guitar, piano and bass. She is currently recording a studio album with her band The Original Substance. Her genre of music is best described as Indie rock but she has been known to pen country and even classical pieces.

Don't miss Margy and her band Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. near Building Y and the Notary office.

• Margy Finnegan on the Web

Get your official event merchandise via the Carlisle Store. The Carlisle Store offers event specific shirts, memorabilia and more. Remember, the Carlisle Store and Brickel’s Racing Collectibles offer site to store and site to home shipping. Order any item online and have it mailed directly to the store at Carlisle for convenient pick up during the show or to your mail box at home. Please note, event specific t-shirts will ONLY be mailed within two weeks of its respective show.

Additional styles are colors may be available. Click the link below for more options.

• Carlisle Store

The Carlisle Import & Kit National is fun for the entire family and we have not forgotten the kids. We have crafts for kids and parents to enjoy together during this and many of our events. We also have lots of play activities that we think will “wow” the young ones. Come and check it out!

• Kids at Carlisle