Trade show

FLORIDA STOCK CAR RACING KARNAC's FLORIDA STOCK CAR RACING
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[B][I]This morning I was thinking about: Whatever happen to the ‘‘then’’ famous Circle Track Daytona Trade Show???

I remember in the '80’s it was a hot happening there… Every major circle track business was represent at that show.

What happen to it??

Could it be revived?

I was at the one in 1984, that was something then. Those were the years of Prototype Racing engine, Baker Engine, Dillon Chassis, Oliver Rods just came out, Tri City Buggy was a big thing on dirt, MRE(today AFCO), Jig A Low. I was working then for a Road Race Racing team from Minnesota, Ofthedal Racing Team. It was a Pontiac backed team, third biggest on the Trans Am circuit after Dehatley(Bud) and Huffaker(Pontiac 1st).

We were there for the SunBank 24(Today the Rolex 24), and stayed there before cruising down South for the Miami Grand Prix, which was run in the streets of Miami then.

WOW!!! Almost 30 years ago… No wonder sometime my bones hurts…[/I][/B]

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Daytona Show

Do you mean Speedweek Show in Daytona, I went to it waaay back in the 80s last time I went there was 86s when it was Daytona Speedweek, that location in the car garage on A1A just north of International Blvd.

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[B][I]It was some kind of PRI show, where all big names in racing industry were there to show off their new products.

And there was always some big follow up in Stock Car Racing Magazine, Circle Track & Open Wheels with the ''What new for 198?..articles.

Yes it was on A1A, in the basement or 1st floor of a big hotel or something like that. The exact location… sorry do not remember, too far down memory lane.[/I][/B]

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I used to go every year up thru the late 90’s. It was at the Ocean Center on A1A. It became more of a souvenier and autograph stop for fans, rather than a hardcore trade show expo. I understand that is what led to it’s demise, and the development of the PRI show in Orlando.

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Thanks, now we know

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Originally,in the early '80’s it was held in the basement of the Plaza Hotel and was excellent. We used to wander around looking at all the trick,up-to-date equiptment we couldn’t afford. But it was big fun,and the fact that we could sip on a cold beer(or three) as we strolled around the hall surely didn’t hurt. After it moved across A1A to the Ocean Center it really morphed into a souvenir/fan oriented event and lost it’s “cool factor”. All good things come to an end,I guess…

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Dick Anderson of Carrea Shocks started the trade show at the Plaza. It was a hard core racers show for manufactures to meet with dealers.You had be a dealer or a racing team to get in the show. Later in the week they opened it up to the general public.
Later one of the big Mags opened up at Ocean Center with good looking models and a bunch posters and that was the end of Dicks hard core racing show.