Check out the 2023 Import & Performance Nationals Event Guide for everything you need to know about the show.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW

Over 1,800 registered vehicles participated in the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals.  While not every one of them were judged, many were by our friends from eJudged.com.  In addition, there were competitions throughout the event that saw additional winners earn first, second or third.  Below is a link that showcases all winners in 2023!  Thank you so much for being part of the event and save the date because we look forward to having you back next year, May 10-11, 2024.

Winner’s List                            Carlisle Elite & Contest Winner's List 2023

Post Event Survey
Ship My Award

We hope you enjoyed your time at Import & Performance Nationals! We'd love to hear your feedback via our online survey. If you complete the survey, you can enter in a drawing for a chance to win (2) 2024 Event Tickets to a Carlisle show of your choice.

Fill Out The Survey

Our friends at Motorsport Marketing Inc., publishers of Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports magazines are having the “garage sale of a lifetime” at the show this year. They recently moved their offices and have decided to blow out decades of parts from project cars from the magazines, swag, posters, banners and other goodies. They are even going to sell the trailer that’s hauling it all here from Florida!

GRM publisher, Tim Suddard, has told us that everything will be sold and none of the parts they bring are going home with them. The parts they are bringing are for Nissan, Porsche, Triumph, Austin Healey, Mini, Miata, Lotus, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes and more! In Tim’s own words, “Everything that goes will be sold at whatever price is offered.” Bring cash and find them in spaces B44-B46.

The Import & Performance Nationals car corral provides classic to late model vehicles in all varieties of make, model and condition for sale. You can shop, compare and make the deal directly with the owner. Notary Service will be available. If you need anything else for the purchase of a vehicle, our staff in Guest Services can provide a contact list. If you are a car corral vendor or would like to become one, be sure to take advantage of the following offers:

- Book car corral space(s) prior to 45 days of the event at a discounted rate.
- Early bird renewal discount of 10% when you renew your space(s) at the event up until Friday after the show. 

Please Note: All vehicles in the corral must be for sale, in running condition and cannot be displayed on trailers. Spaces are approximately 10’ frontage x 20’ depth per outside space for the entire event.

Reserve Your Car Corral Space Today   More about Vending at Carlisle

Join us in welcoming local breweries to the Import & Performance Nationals within the first-ever Carlisle Brew Mixer!  The Carlisle Brew Mixer will take place across from the Food Court on Saturday of Import & Performance Nationals from 11AM - 7PM. Here you will be able to try different brews from local establishments such as Desperate Times Brewery, Market Cross Pub and Brewery, Shy Bear Brewing, Whiskers Brewing, Wolf Brewing Company and more, all in one convenient place! Grab your official Brew Mixer Tour Tee or top off your wardrobe with some merch straight from the participating brewers. Live music from Green Tangerine, a rock funk band based out of Carlisle, will also accompany the Brew Mixer from 1PM - 4PM. In addition, you will have full access to all that Import & Performance Nationals has to offer. 

The Carlisle Brew Mixer is FREE if you have purchased Import & Performance admission tickets, showfield or vending registration.

Buy Tickets to Import & Performance Nationals

The Audi Club is sort of a loose “chapter” of Audi Club North America and it’s also the name they created for the faithful group that attends Carlisle every year. The cool thing about The Audi Club is that they include the oldest Audis (including Auto Union and DKW) up through the current models and their members have almost as broad of an age range. You can expect to see this wide range of Audis on the Showfield as always and in the Featured Vehicle Display in Building T.

Rest assured that The Audi Club will be spreading the word throughout the community, and we expect to have the biggest turnout of Audi vehicles ever at Carlisle.

Our friends at the Rolls Royce Foundation in nearby Mechanicsburg, PA are going to take over Building Y and transform it into a complete display that you won’t want to miss! This won’t just be a typical display of about a dozen cars just lined along the walls. No, they are going to decorate the entire building in a theme fitting of the brand. The museum’s collection ranges from cars used in Hollywood movies to some of the oldest and rarest models.

Visit the Rolls Royce Foundation Online

Honda’s dominant Honda Civic compact has been a staple of the Import car market now for 50 years. Help us celebrate this historic marque at this year’s Import and Performance Nationals. We will host an indoor display in Building T and we'll host other yet to be announced activities.

The Acme Cup returns to Carlisle for the 2nd annual race and now YOU can compete! If you don’t have the required air-cooled VW valve cover, Acme Companies has FREE valve covers for anyone who is interested at 201 Ross Ave, New Cumberland, PA or call Anthony Getty at 717-774-9450. Last year the race was limited to Manx Club members as they worked out the bugs, but now they are ready for all challengers!

On Friday, we’ll offer a test & tune session. This is a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the track. If this is your first time running your racer, you’ll definitely want to use this time to work out the bugs. Saturday will be race day! Valve Cover Racers (VCR) will be paired up and raced using nothing but gravity.

Trophies will be awarded for 1st & 2nd plus there will be people’s choice trophy for the most creative or interesting Valve Cover car. It should be noted that this series is only for valve covers found on air-cooled Volkswagen Type 1,2,3 & 4 engines only. No propulsion systems of any type are allowed. More details and a full list of rules can be found at the links below. The number one rule is to have fun!

More Information                                   Rules

Annually, the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals host a display deemed "Vehicles from Around the World" within Building T. The display ranges from the best of the best imports, tuners and performance sport compacts. It is open to all makes and models to apply. Many featured display cars are featured in national magazines as a result of being on display. There is no charge to participate if your vehicle is selected, admission is provided as well as truck and trailer parking. The international flavor of the display offers something for everyone. Don't miss out! 

The Import & Performance Nationals Race Car Paddock has been an annual highlight area of the event for several years and the vehicles are treated as a Featured Vehicle Display. That means you can display your race car at no charge! The Race Car Paddock is reserved exclusively for vehicles that are set up for racing including road racers and autocross to drag and rally cars and more. See the cars as part of a true garage display within the American Collectors Insurance Pavilion on the east side of the grounds.

This display is hosted each year by our friends at the Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association but all true race vehicles are welcome to apply. For those that have the urge to get some track time in during the event, you can do so by taking a few laps on our onsite autocross. 

Experience drive through judging at this year's show! Judging is hosted by eJudged.com. Join them for a weekend of fun! Last year they judged hundreds of vehicles without a hitch and the process gets better each year. Register your car today for the Judged Showfield!

If you are a winner, you can see in person as the winner's list will be posted at Guest Services on Saturday night as well as online at the same time. Check the event guide for the exact time.

Also, if you are not on-site to receive your award, you may either pick it up during regular business hours at the fairgrounds or we will ship awards for $15 each. We hope you will join us throughout the weekend, however; to celebrate the vehicles that are honored as winners.

Register for the Judged Showfield  Judging Standards

If you have already registered for the Showfield and need to make a change, please complete our online "Update Showfield Vehicle Registration Form"

For over twenty years, the partners of eJudged, have been actively judging car shows. Starting as enthusiasts, the eJudged team has built award-winning vehicles that have been featured at SEMA, CES and national automotive events. Now they are on the other side using a state-of-the-art administrative tool that calculates results in real time. eJudged has been used for Carlisle Events Car Shows, the Mothers Shine Award at SEMA, Bimmerfest, OC Car & Truck Show and much more!

Part of what makes Import & Performance Nationals what it is, are the clubs that attend! If your club is not yet deemed an Officially Recognized Club, the first step is to apply. Officially Recognized Clubs have the ability to rent a club tent as a place to hang out and socialize throughout the show!

If your club gets a club tent, you also have the chance to compete in our Club Challenge & Coolest Club Contest! The Club Challenge Award is presented to the three largest official clubs, based on the number of registered show vehicles. The Coolest Club Contest is based on if we feel like your club tent is the place we'd want to hangout in. Whether that be the atmosphere, decorations, or anything else that makes the club stand out!

We hope to host your club gathering at Import & Performance Nationals this year! 

Register to be an Officially Recognized Club  Learn More about the Club Program

NICOclub.com, the largest and most comprehensive online resource for Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun enthusiasts once again is coming to Carlisle for their annual NICOfest at the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals show. Their draw gets bigger and better each year and pulls attendees from the West Coast, Florida and Chicago. Reach out to NICO today to make this year even bigger and better. Please note, you must be registered as a non-judged participant at minimum during Import & Performance weekend to be eligible to participate in track activities with NICO. Make sure to review the NICO Club Rules before attending. Helmet guidelines have been updated and outdated helmets will be refused entry.

Register for NICOfest    NicoClub on the Web    Register for the Showfield

Made popular by video games like Forza, Drift Limbo will take over the drift course on Saturday of event weekend. Back by popular demand, this competition incorporates the skill of the driver to not only control the car but to also drift through a set window of space. The way drift limbo works is two cones will be setup as a window to drift through. Each competitor will have to drift through the window. As the competition rounds progress the window will slowly get narrower until a winner is crowned.

A competitor must be registered for the non-judged Showfield at minimum and have completed the necessary registration and tech through our friends at NICO Club at least one hour prior to this activity's start. Sign-up for the contest at the NICO Club tent! Join us at the autocross track Saturday for the fun. Refer to the Event Guide for the official time (published two weeks prior to the event).

View the Past Winner's List  View the Event Guide 

On Saturday evening of Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals, visit the track to get your fix for tire burning excitement during the Rolling Burnout & Donut Contest!

This contest will feature multiple ways to get your burnout going. Participants can chose from the following:

1. Do a rolling burnout down the track!
2. Do a donut on the fresh donut pad!
3. Do a wicked rolling burnout into a donut onto the pad! 

The contest is limited to 10 contestants and sign-ups will begin Friday at Guest Services. You must be a registered participant at the show and provide your driver’s license & insurance card when signing up. Refer to the Event Guide for the official time & location (published two weeks prior to the event). 

View the Past Winner's List   View the Event Guide 

Don't miss the Rolling Exhaust Competition as cars will start in a line behind the pavilion (close to Gate 6) and roar as they accelerate up the hill to the north side of the grounds. This contest will be judged but take note, the best overall sound will take home the prize, not necessarily the loudest!

The contest consists of two qualifying rounds, with each round hosting 20 cars. You MUST sign up in Guest Services prior to each round. To participate, you have to be a registered participant at the show and provide your driver’s license & insurance card when signing up. From the two qualifying rounds we will select approximately 20 cars to move on to the finale on Saturday. You must participate in a qualifying round to have a chance to participate in the finale! 

Refer to the Event Guide for the official times & location (published two weeks prior to the event).

View the Past Winner's List  View the Event Guide 

Instead of measuring from the driver door or the roof, we figure the best way to see who is lowest is to make them limbo. We will have a vehicle limbo bar set-up in multiple increments. Each car or truck must make their way under the bar without smoking tires and without knocking the limbo bar over. The last vehicle not to knock off the limbo bar wins!

To participate in the contest, you must sign-up at Guest Services. A show sticker (i.e. registered for vending or showfield), driver’s license and proof of insurance are required. The activity takes place Saturday in front of the stage. Refer to the Event Guide for the official time (published two weeks prior to the event).

View the Past Winner's List  View the Event Guide

Getting a FREE souvenir has never been easier or more fun. To win the limited edition souvenir, all you need to do is walk around and enjoy the show. As you’re checking out all of the cool rides, simply stop by the Checkpoints for each country and get your Passport stamped. Your Passport can be found in the FREE event guide, which is available at the various gates as well as Guest Services. Once you have all eight (8) stamps, simply proceed to Guest Services to receive your Import & Performance Nationals souvenir glass.

Please Note: There is limited quantity of glasses. First come, first served. You can only participate once!

Many people love participating in the annual Passport Program at Import & Performance Nationals and it continues to grow each year. We are taking you one step "closer" to traveling around the world and that is with food! Our participating food vendors are bringing you cuisine from each country represented on the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals Showfield! There will also be some freebie items at some of the passport locations. When you go to get your stamp at each country, there will be a sign directing you to the specific food vendor serving that country's cuisine. Make sure you come hungry! A special thank you to our participating concessionaires!

Carlisle Events' staff will be roaming the Import & Performance Nationals Showfield on Friday of event weekend in search of their ten favorite vehicles to become the newest members of the Carlisle Elite. To be picked for the Carlisle Elite, your car doesn’t have to be rare or a high dollar, professional restoration. In fact, the only real criteria is that it catches our collective eye. Make sure your car is registered and parked on the Showfield on Friday to be eligible.

View the Past Winner's List  Register for the Showfield

If you’re coming to the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals to look at the classic and collector cars on the Showfield, don’t forget, not far from those rides are an amazing mix of automotive flea market (a.k.a. swap meet) and midway vendors.  

Learn more about our event vendors and their location(s) today by downloading the Carlisle Events App or once available online (or in person), check out the vending pages and map of our event guide. Online, the guide and map are posted about one week prior to the event.  At the event, it’s available at Guest Services or any main point of entry.

Check out the Event Guide/Vendors       



Download the Carlisle Events App

The Manufacturers Midway is central to the action of the show and is the place to find new parts and accessories from the top new parts dealers. Many vendors choose Carlisle as the place to debut new products and project cars; be sure to visit the Midway and to see what’s new this year!

Reserve Your Midway Space

When you bring your kids to this year's Import & Performance Nationals, there will be different things they can participate in at the show! Check them out below: 

Kid's Goody Bag- Available for pickup at Guest Services for kids 12 and under! Parents will receive a goody bag coupon for each kid when they pick up their Showfield Goody Bag or coming in with a spectator admission ticket. Some goodies within the bag are a coloring book, free cup with a coupon for a free drink at the food court and much more! 

RC Car Giveaway & Kids Cash Grab- Kids 12 and under can sign-up to potentially win an RC Car! When signing up for the giveaway, they are also eligible to be chosen for the Kid's Cash Grab. The Giveaway sign-up is located in Guest Services. Winners of the RC Car & kids selected for the Cash Grab will be contacted via phone!

Kids Choice Award- Kids can cast a vote for their favorite car within Building T and the owner of the car will get an award!

We hope to see your whole family at the show!

More Kids at Carlisle Information

Thanks to Scootaround, the exclusive scooter and wheelchair rental service for Carlisle Events, you can rent mobility scooters & wheelchairs for the event. Scootaround allows you to reserve your scooter in advance online or by calling 1-888-441-7575. The only way to guarantee scooter availability is to reserve on line prior to the event!

Please Note: Online reservations close the Friday before the event week. 

Reserve a Scooter

Carlisle Events takes pride in the partners we work with and we’re excited to partner with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley in 2023.

This year Ronald McDonald House Central Valley is raffling a 70th Anniversary Edition 2023 Corvette Stingray, a numbers matching 1965 Corvette Stingray convertible, a beautifully restored 1969 Chevelle SS, and even a Hawaii Getaway Package. Proceeds from their fundraiser will go towards providing a “Home Away From Home” for families while their children are being treated in a local hospital. Each room at the Central Valley Ronald McDonald House has two queen size beds, private restroom and satellite TV. Guests share common areas such as kitchens, laundry rooms, and other common living areas. Some families stay for a few days, while others stay for weeks or even months, depending on the severity of their child’s illness.

Tickets start at only $5 for 1.  Use code CARLISLE for special ticket offer!

Click Here to Enter

Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals welcomes our sponsors and partners, where the industries best companies share their passion for automobiles with enthusiasts. Learn more about our sponsors and how they can help you! 

JJ Best Banc & Company - Offering financing opportunities for your next collector car. 

Hemmings Marketplace - The Marketplace for buying and selling anything collector car.

Visit all our Sponsors and Partners

For decades, buying a ticket to a car show at Carlisle meant arriving the day of, pulling out your wallet and paying cash at the gate. While that still is an option, you can plan ahead and purchase your admission ONLINE! When you purchase tickets online, you’ll receive a confirmation e-mail with a bar code. This code will be scanned at the gate for access. It’s that simple! Oh, did we mention that tickets are cheaper online and that means the money you save can be used in the automotive flea market or can help you buy a car within the car corral. Buy now with total confidence and enjoy the show! 

Buy Tickets & Event Passes  Carlisle Events Season Pass

A $5 off discount will be applied for active, reserve or retired military members who purchase a single day spectator admission ticket in person at the Fairgrounds. The $5 off savings is offered for service members who show a valid military ID when purchasing and is for only the ID holder and their single day admission. This discount is available for in person purchase only to any Carlisle Events hosted show during the current season.

We truly thank those that are currently serving and for those that have served for us!

Have you ever walked the grounds at Carlisle, lost beyond belief and wondering where your favorite show cars are, or how to find that vendor you’re looking for? Carlisle Events has figured out a way to solve your navigational challenges via the Carlisle Events app. Available for FREE download on the iTunes store AND Google Play store, the app is your on the go tool kit for all things Carlisle Events! Find vendors, check out the event schedule, interact on social media, buy tickets, get directions and review the event guide! Know before you go and with this app, you’ll never be lost at your car show of choice again! 

Carlisle Events App (Apple Devices)  Carlisle Events App (Android Devices)

Also available, the Carlisle Auctions app. This app allows you to stay current with Carlisle Auctions! View consignments, search for cars and get the details on all the great vehicles being offered at Carlisle Auctions. Plus, during live auction hours, you can review the run list and even watch a LIVE web stream of the fun. Download the Carlisle Events and Carlisle Auctions apps today and we’ll see you at the show!

Carlisle Auctions App (Apple Devices)

The Carlisle PA Fairgrounds is a large footprint that can be a challenge at times, even for the most experienced attendee. 82 acres, 16+ miles of paved roadway, vendors and cars everywhere…it’s easy to understand how you may start wondering to yourself “where did I see that part or car I want to buy?” “How do I get my purchase from its space to my truck?” “How am I going to do this?” 

Never fear, because we’ve compiled a helpful list of ways that enhance your on-site experience at Carlisle! Thanks for joining us and enjoy your time at the show!

1. BRING CASH - The more the better. It’s hard to negotiate a deal without being able to pay.
2. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES - It’s a lot of walking.
3. SUN BLOCK/DRINK LIQUIDS - You’ll be in the sun all day. It’s important to protect yourself and stay hydrated, especially if your weekend outdoors is your first prolonged exposure to the sun for the year.
4. REMEMBER THE SPACE - Take a picture of the space location or write it down. Every space at Carlisle has a disk to designate the space. Look down and you’ll see the space marker. Write down the letter and number. Don’t try to remember the space or the surrounding area. You’ll spend the rest of the day looking for it.
5. COME EARLY - Rare parts and great deals typically happen for the first person to find them. Set up day(s) and the first day of the event are for the serious shoppers.
6. ACT FAST - If you see a great deal, grab it. If you plan to come back later, it will probably be gone.
7. NEGOTIATE - It’s a flea market so don’t be afraid to make a REASONABLE offer.
8. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED - Chances are good that you will find something you weren’t planning to find, so keep your eyes open.
9. LOOK EVERYWHERE - Even if you are looking for parts for your brand of vehicle, don’t walk past the vendor selling parts for other models or generations just because you assume there’s no way the vendor has what you want. Give their space a look too. They might not only have it, it may be cheap since it’s not what they typically sell.
10. USE THE CARLISLE EVENTS APP - Use the FREE Carlisle Events app to easily find your way back to a vendor (if you know the row and space). You can also use it to check activity schedules, register for other events, connect with fellow enthusiasts via social media, browse a digital copy of the event guide and more.
11. STAY LATE – There are always deals at Carlisle, but sometimes the best ones happen early on day 1 of a show, or late on its final day. Vendors are typically more willing to negotiate when they are packing up – especially large items.
12. BRING A SHOPPING LIST - Our memories aren’t as good as we think. Write it down. You can even make a list on your phone. Take pictures of what you need.
13. BRING A BAG, CART, ETC. - Parts will get heavy so have a way to carry your purchases. Ask the seller if you can leave heavy parts until later.
14. HAVE IT HAULED - Carlisle Events offers FREE* parts hauling. Keep that in mind if you’re looking at an engine, transmission, truck bed, etc.
15. FREE TAXI SERVICE – Need to get from point A to point B but don’t feel like walking it? Carlisle Events offers a FREE* taxi service. Dial 717-960-6429 to secure a ride. 
16. ASK! - If someone has parts for a vehicle but not the ones you need, ask if the seller has it. It might still be in his truck or at home. Even if he doesn’t, he might know someone who does.
17. KNOW THE VALUE - Do some homework on the parts you’re looking for so you know if the price is a good deal.
18. AVOID THE CROWDS - When you arrive, go to an out-of-the-way area to start rather than following the herd.
19. WALK IT ALL - Don’t miss any rows. The Carlisle Fairgrounds isn’t a perfect grid so make sure you hit every row and space.
20. ADVERTISE - Wear a hat, shirt or signboard that spotlights what you’re looking for.  It just might create a conversation, especially if what you’re searching for is obscure and/or rare. 

*While parts hauling and taxi service are free, donations are graciously accepted.  Donated money goes directly to the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation. 

 

Are you looking for some items that you may have seen at the event? Well, we may have you covered on our eBay store, Carlisle Overstock! Here we list any "extras" that were available at the events. Items range from special display banners and license plates to unique show diecast and stickers! You never know what you may find...

Carlisle Overstock eBay Store