Mark your calendars for the 2015 Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals. This year’s show runs May 15 to 17, and features cars from more than a half a dozen different countries and regions.  As a special feature in 2015, Asian cars will be the focus as part of the Passport Program. 

The Import and Kit Nationals have been a long standing staple at the Carlisle, PA Fairgrounds, running annually since 1986. This year’s show turns its spotlight not only on cars from the Pacific rim, but also hosts thousands of cars from across the Pond, both the U.K. and Europe. Joining cars from abroad will be a unique selection of kit cars, as well as dune buggies. Bruce Meyers, who is the originator of the dune buggy and also a loyal Carlisle fan, will be a part of this display.

When the cruising fun cools, cars at Carlisle are parked by country of origin and done so in a manner that best highlights each country’s automotive production. There is a special indoor invitational display and a dozen car owners who chose to have their ride further evaluated and given the white glove treatment via the Standard of Excellence judged show field.

In addition to the car displays are dozens of car clubs that bring an added level of enthusiasm to the show. Those clubs, combined with more than a half-dozen live music acts and hundreds of free prizes via the Passport Program make the event a truly festive weekend. 

Club participation is growing in 2015, as many new clubs plan on attending. Those new clubs include German car brands such as Porsche, VW and BMW. With German cars being featured in 2016, this year’s show is a great way for the new group to get acclimated to such a fun-filled event.

Carlisle also offers autocrossing so guests can push their rides to the limit on the custom-made course. Further, a slew of swap-meet vendors selling the pieces and parts needed to restore or enhance an imported classic give the weekend even more strength. Joining them are some of the top vendors in the kit car hobby, making Carlisle a go-to destination for parts and merchandise shopping.

Additional special guests can be found at Carlisle too.  Historically, they include significant contributors to the import and kit car hobbies and can be found at Carlisle presenting seminars, providing clinics, meeting fans and more. In the coming weeks and months leading up to the show, those names will be announced via the Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals web page and Facebook pages.  

Registration is also now open for those looking to secure a vending space, sell within the car corral or simply show as part of the always eclectic show-field layout. As an added bonus, a 10 percent discount is available for anyone hoping to show a car and registers prior to the April 13 “Gate-N-Go” deadline.   

Carlisle Events is a partner or producer of 13 annual collector car and truck events. Events are held at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds (Carlisle, PA), Bloomsburg Fairgrounds (Bloomsburg, PA), Allentown Fairgrounds (Allentown, PA) and the Sun n’ Fun Complex (Lakeland, FL). The season schedule includes five automotive swap meets of varying size, four auctions, as well as individual specialty shows featuring Corvettes, Fords, GMs, Chryslers, trucks, imports and kit cars and tuner and modern customs. Founded in 1974 by friends Bill Miller and Chip Miller, events hosted at Carlisle attract more than a half a million enthusiasts annually from all corners of the globe.