This year, the Mopar Nats marks the much-anticipated return of the Charger to the Dodge line up. The 24th Annual Mopar Nationals is proud to feature a tribute to the Dodge Charger. This includes all the body styles that carried the Charger nameplate over the years. From rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive, these cars will be parked in the featured area with certain models selected to be the center attraction of the display. Mopar Nationals will pick one car from each year/model that the Charger was offered to be in the center of the display. All the remaining cars will park around the perimeter. Entered participants with these cars will receive a unique souvenir in their goody bag. You must send proof of ownership with your application (copy of vehicle registration and photo) to receive this souvenir at the registration tent.
The event will also have displays of other attractions, such as the Dodge SRT, Viper, Neon, Ram, Crossfire, and the 300. The latest Chrysler concept cars, along with the '05 product lineup will be here. See the "Survivors" display of all original, unrestored Mopars. For racing fans, there will be the time-honored wheel standers, Pro Mods, and Super Stocks running exhibitions. For those interested in the car show scene, you can view the concours restorations, OE certified, Young Guns, and some of the finest Mopar show cars in the world. Participants at the '04 Mopar Nats will see more than 3,000 Chrysler vehicles from the '20s to the '05s, with an example of almost every Chrysler vehicle made. See the all-new Mopar Performance Road Show and the huge Manufacturer's Midway featuring all the latest products and accessories for your past and present Mopars.
Returning this year will be the Young Guns Drag Class, a special bracket race class reserved for participants 25 and under. For the Match Box Car Drag Race (children 10 and under), Mopar Nats will supply the racetrack, the Match box car and prizes for the kids. Depending on the number of entries, we will have a race off and prizes for the top 5 finishers. Afterwards, the kids can keep their Match box car as a souvenir. Ladies, make sure you check out the Longaberger Basket Tour on Friday. The bus will leave from the NTR tower in the morning and return in the late afternoon. You must be preregistered. The deadline is June 30.
This year's Grand Prize is Hemi Power! One lucky participant or spectator will win a Mopar Performance 5.7 Hemi Crate Motor. Every participant or spectator has an opportunity to win. The top half of your admission ticket will serve as your entry into the drawing for this and other great door prizes. The winner of the engine will be announced at noon on Sunday, August 15, during the award ceremony. You do not need to be present to win.
Mopar Nationals will be expanding the Car Club parking area. If you're a member of a Mopar Car Club and have at least 10 members entered into the '04 Mopar Nationals (applications must be sent in together), then you can park together in a reserved area on the Judged Show side of the track.
The Nats will once again be teaming up with Tri-County Chrysler to sponsor an organized Cruise on Saturday night. Participants will be able to cruise in a special area and park in a designated lot to view each other's cars. The Cruise will take place in Heath, and Tri-County Chrysler will serve as the host of the cruise. Details will be available at the event.
Drag Racing at the 24th Annual Mopar Nationals always brings out some of the best and fastest iron that Pentastar produced. Added to this year's race program is the Year One sponsored F.A.S.T. Class. See the Year One web site www.yearone.com for rules/regulation details. Make sure to check out the Top Gun Dyno Challenge. The top horsepower delivered to the rear wheels for a stock and modified Mopar will be awarded the Mopar Nationals Top Gun award.
The show, racing, judging, the largest all-Mopar midway in the world, and more than 1,500 swap meet spaces will make this a weekend to remember. From Dodge business coupes to coupes than mean business, from Vipers to 300s, from Prowlers to PT Cruisers-see it all August 13-15 at National Trail Raceway, Columbus, Ohio. Often imitated, never duplicated, it's the 24th Annual Mopar Nationals and it's going to be a blast!
Manufacturer's Midway/General Swap Meet
If you are looking for that hard-to-find part or that last piece to finish your restoration, the 24th Annual Mopar Nationals is the place to go. With more than 1,500 all-Mopar vendor spaces, it is the largest all-Mopar swap meet in the world. Many companies use the Mopar Nats to debut their new restoration/reproduction items and offer introductory discounts. You will find a variety of N.O.S., new, reproduction, and used parts, not to mention literature, memorabilia, collectibles, toys, and just about anything Mopar-related. If Mother Mopar made it, chances are it will be for sale at the Nats.
If you own a Mopar parts or service business, you need to be at the Mopar Nats! Where else can 50,000 die-hard Mopar enthusiasts see your product first hand? Space price is based on the amount rented, with reduced pricing based on larger space requirements. Space sizes come in 20x20 increments. The Midway is located up front, near the starting line, guaranteeing your company the best possible exposure. You can download the Midway application from our web site or just send a SASE to Mopar Nats for the information.
If you have parts to sell, the 24th Annual Mopar Nationals general swap meet is the place for you. Spaces are 10 feet wide by 25 feet deep. Cost is $85 for a regular space and $130 for the end of an aisle (limited availability). You must be able to park your vehicle within the size of your space or you will have to park in the vendor parking lot adjacent to the grounds. Make sure you purchase enough space for your parts and vehicle. Additional space is available in 10-foot increments at $85 each. The swap meet area will be located in the northeast corner of the track in back-to-back rows. Even though this area is huge, we sell out every year. Purchase of swap meet spaces can be done at NTR until 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 12. No entries will be accepted after this time, unless Mopar Nationals has given you prior approval. All vendors will set up Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday move-in is possible on request. If you plan to purchase a swap meet space on Thursday, use the Gate H entrance off Refugee Road (CR 30) and proceed to the red-and-white tent for registration.
Mopar Models
AutoKnow of Utica, Michigan, will again sponsor the 16th Annual Mopar Model Car Contest. Stop by the AutoKnow tent in the Manufacturer's Midway and view the models for yourself. The amount of work and attention to detail these skilled model makers devote to these cars is fantastic. Participants-young children to seasoned adults-may enter single or multiple cars, from complete scenes (dioramas) at racetracks to cars rusting away in a remote field.
Entry is simple. the model needs to be a Mopar/AMC product. Register your model at the AutoKnow tent on Saturday, August 14, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Models will be judged in different classes with results posted at 4 p.m. Participants should pick up their models by 5 p.m.
Participants are divided into three age groups: 11 and under, 12 through 17, and 18 and over, with each group divided into stock and modified classes. There will also be a class for the diorama entries. Depending on the number of entries per class, First through Third Place trophies will be awarded.
If you are into building car models, come and compete with some of the best. If you just want to see some unbelievable craftsmanship, stop by during your visit to the Mopar Manufacturer's Midway.
Award Ceremony/Picture Session
The Award Ceremony is scheduled for noon on Sunday, August 15. The winners will be posted at the Judging tent and Mopar Nationals Registration tent on Saturday afternoon by 4 p.m. Winners are to pick up their plaque at this time at the Judged Show tent. Along with your plaque, you will be given a 3x5 card with your vehicle information and the place you won. PLEASE KEEP THIS CARD FOR THE SUNDAY AWARD PRESENTATION. You can add any interesting facts or information about your car. this information will be read over the PA system when you participate in the Sunday Award Ceremony. Please keep the comments brief and direct. For those winners participating in Sunday's Award Ceremony, line up your car (and plaque) by class on the drag race staging lanes starting at 10:30 a.m. You will then be instructed to proceed to the starting line, where you will hand the announcer your 3x5 information card. Participants are asked to remain in their vehicle. You will then proceed down the track at a slow pace, as your name, position, and car information is announced. Please proceed to the first exit turn off on the right side of the track. Park your vehicle out of the way of the Drag Racing staging lanes. You are asked to refrain from burnouts or racing down the track. Violators will be suspended from future events, and your name will not be listed among the winners for publication. if you wish to participate in a group photo, the winners with their plaques (no cars) are asked to proceed to the starting line winner's circle. This photo will appear in most of the major magazines that cover the Nationals. After the group photo, if you wish to have a picture taken of you, your award, and car in front of the Mopar Nationals banner, please feel free to do so. The inside staging lane will be left open for this activity. With the large amount of awards presented at the Mopar Nationals, individual photos at the starting line are not possible. We will have photos at the starting line for the winners of Best Of Show (car and truck) and Most Popular. Also, certain winners may be approached to have their vehicle photographed by a Mopar Nats or a mopar magazine staff member.