Which major car show to take son to?

[78formula]

Hi there! I've been a member for awhile now and I love this board! I live on Vancouver Island and while we have some decent car shows, I would really like to take my 15 year old son to a "MAJOR" car show.

I would really like to take him to SEMA, but my understanding is you have to be in the automotive industry and kids aren't allowed. What show would you guys recommend that would be worth attending that is "SEMA" like?

[MrQuick]

the car show at Indy is always good.

[jocko124]

You may attend SEMA if you are 16 or older.

[78formula]

I thought SEMA was only open to people in the automotive industry and closed to the general public... Is this incorrect?

MrQuick - Which show in Indy?

[jocko124]

Generally speaking you are correct, SEMA is a trade show not open to the piublic; but in the last 2 years they have had a program called the Opinion Leader Program--anyone can sign up for it for a fee of $35. I attended last year and will be attending this year. Assuming the program continues, it's something to consider for next year.

[colt zantop]

detroit autorama is always a nice show! I also have been to some of the other autoramas and they are nice as well like pittsburg, etc.

[78formula]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Definitely will have to look into SEMA's Opinion Leader Program for next year. Generally how big is the Detroit Autorama or the one in Indy? If I'm going to spend the $$$ to travel to one of these shows with my son, I want to make sure it's not something that can be viewed in a couple of hours.

[Pro Stock]

Are you looking for a car show or a trade show?, Sema, and the PRI show are both trade shows, I prefer PRI plus it is in Orlando which I think that your boy might enjoy more. PRI has an age limit of sixteen but a friend got his fourteen year old son into the show last year no problem, he wanted to check out all of the racing cart manufacturers and we looked at all of the cars and performance parts. There was several PT manufacturers there also, you can go to the PRI site and find out the the process for registering, it's easiest to register if you know somebody in the automotive racing, automotive machine shop or automotive supplier business, or print some cards of your own. My buddy got his son in by signing him up, nobody checked his I.D. If you were talking about a car show, go to the Columbus Goodguys show, it's the biggest Goodguys event of the series. In either case allow as much time as possible for your visit, you won't be able to see the entire show at either one.

Dale

[78formula]

Are you looking for a car show or a trade show?,

A little bit of both actually... I love the thought of being able to see all of the new products and technolgy available for the enthusiast and some of the cars they've developed for the product manufacturers and I also want to see lots of modified cars from the various big name builders out there (and on here).

Never heard of PRI and I've checked it out a bit, but it seems to more of a "product" trade show with fewer cars... At least it appears that way from their website. I checked the Columbus Good Guys show and 6,000 cars?!?!? Seriously? :drool: Are there any other activities at the Good Guys shows?

[724tim]

I checked the Columbus Good Guys show and 6,000 cars?!?!? Seriously? :drool: Are there any other activities at the Good Guys shows?

Columbus Good Guys Show X2

[michael6372]

X3 on Columbus Goodguys show. I've been going there for 10 years now and will not miss it for anything. It has something for everyone, from bone stock original cars to all out show cars. There have been cars there that have been great 8 finalists for the ridler award as well as ridler award winners, Some of the greatest Street Machines on the planet and the top builders in the industry.

As far as other things to do, there are other things to do at Columbus. There is the autocross event for the Street Machine of the Year award, Drag races on Friday night, and if you register a car, there are alot of activities/parties for participants. Hope this helps...

[meenaggie]

Absolutely Good Guys Columbus. It is by far the largest of the Good Guy shows and there are always lots of vendors there with booths set up. There should be an autocross there sponsored by Ridetech. You could spend two days there and not see every car. Mark your calendar for July 8 - 10, 2011.

http://www.good-guys.com/events/eventsList.aspx?year=2011

[78formula]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll have to talk to my son and see what he thinks as well.

[joe440]

ive been going to the daytona turkey run for quite some years now and love it every year. Nice weather, right by a beach, the show is on the infield of the daytona 500, 5,000+ cars, plenty of night time activity. Its also a swap meet with everything you can imagine. The daytona strip at night time is absolutely wild.
http://www.turkeyrun.com/Turkey_Run_Home.html