MATS Las Vegas March 18-20, 2016

[Dennis H]

 

[Dennis H]

 

[Dennis H]

Word is that Spring Fling is April 23rd. MATS and the Fling used to be back-to -back weekends making for a great road trip. No more. Almost a month apart.

 

[Dennis H]

 

[Kern Dog]

Steve Wall has said that the dates for Spring Fling are never set in stone. They are at the mercy of whatever lottery system the state parks dept has in place. Each year they are treated as if they are new applicants for the show date. This is what you get when dealing with typical indifferent government agencies.
The MATS show is a different animal. Is phil Painter still associated with the show or is that ancient history? I went to the show their first 2 years but haven't been there since. Drag racing isn't my thing. I like a big show and swap. Car shows on grass are easier on the feet, too. Has their swap improved at all?
We have seen a 30% drop off in the swap size at our Mopar show in Sacramento compared to 2010. Either the parts are just drying up or ebay and craigslist is getting a bigger bite.

 

[Dennis H]

If anyone plans to Cruise into Vegas from Arizona, please let me know. Thinking about running around Route 66 etc prior to MATS. We went to Kingman a few years ago and the turnout was very light. 40/66 beats that rotten I-15.

 

[69hemibeep]

MATS is now Muscle cars at the strip. No longer Mopar exclusive or what??http://www.matslv.com/news/

 

[Dennis H]

Been a while now. Painters lost their Mopar Dealership and licensing issues. Pony car challenge now allows Ford/Chevy. Still 90% Mopars. The Show is early this year, more concern about weather than Fords.

 

[69hemibeep]

Been a while now. Painters lost their Mopar Dealership and licensing issues. Pony car challenge now allows Ford/Chevy. Still 90% Mopars. The Show is early this year, more concern about weather than Fords.

How about the show field

 

[dieseldazzle]

Dennis let me know about the show. Im moving back to cali and will make the drive to attend this year in the charger if I can get the ac fixed and its mostly mopars still. If not Im flying in again.

 

[Dennis H]

How about the show field

Hmm, not sure.

 

[Dennis H]

Flyer says yes other brands allowed in fun field.

 

[ckessel]

I went to this years show, thought it was improving over the 13 and 14 show. The economy still plays a role in attendance. The swap was bigger, more and some different vendors, more cars etc. I saw Phil there so he is still the man behind it even though Ma Mopar slipped him the big one. My hat is off to him. I think I had the oldest car there. 1929 Chrysler model 75.

 

[super-bee_ski]

I MAY make Vegas
Jeesh, so darn busy.

 

[fwi]

I will be driving from Bullhead City AZ on Friday, easy drive up the hill from Laughlin to 95 north....... four lanes all the way and usually no traffic whatsoever.

 

[Darter6]

Yes it's still Phil Painter's show (JP Motorsports) now in it's 13th year.Economic recovery kept the numbers down since 2008.Last year was better.2015 saw a increase in the swap meet area and the car show area.The guy that runs the swap said every space was sold even though some swapers only stayed one day or were no shows.Car show saw the same,some didn't stay for all 3 days.But the turn out was good.The Hellcat and Viper rides were great fun.The drivers from Ma Mopar beat the crap out of those cars and they just kept going. Vendors have been down and I think will be as more and more are using the internet to buy.Guess you can't blame them.Cost big bucks for a road show crew,product, food and lodging for at least 4 days. Weather, well when it comes to Vegas you never know what you are going to get.I'm praying for excellent weather.......

 

[Dennis H]

Yes it's still Phil Painter's show (JP Motorsports) now in it's 13th year.Economic recovery kept the numbers down since 2008.Last year was better.2015 saw a increase in the swap meet area and the car show area.The guy that runs the swap said every space was sold even though some swapers only stayed one day or were no shows.Car show saw the same,some didn't stay for all 3 days.But the turn out was good.The Hellcat and Viper rides were great fun.The drivers from Ma Mopar beat the crap out of those cars and they just kept going. Vendors have been down and I think will be as more and more are using the internet to buy.Guess you can't blame them.Cost big bucks for a road show crew,product, food and lodging for at least 4 days. Weather, well when it comes to Vegas you never know what you are going to get.I'm praying for excellent weather.......

Yes, the Hellcat rides were great. You could hear the flogging roar even from the grandstand. Linda went for a ride with the gorgeous female driver in the Viper. She said it has wheel hop at launch - just like my Challenger. Best all around Show with the racing aspect.

 

[Dennis H]

Flyer and commentary from Rob Wolf.

 

[moparmarks]

I'll be there as always.

 

[B-mine]

We'll be there, leaving early from Colorado Springs in case of weather. If no problem, more sight seeing. Spent all day digging out the trailer, will be in the 50's for a week, gots some work needs to be done, Seeya!