44 days to Carlisle!
I've been getting asked a few questions about the weekend and thought I better answer them here for everyone to read:
1. Do I have to be a member of a club or organization to attend the events/activities?
No. The Speedsters Meet Spyders (SMS) gathering is open to any and all who own or are interested in owning a 356 or 550 replica. Information and updates will be posted om www.speedsterowners.com. 2. Is there an entry fee?
The SMS gathering is an event within an event. On the same weekend, Carlisle holds a LARGE import and replica meet at the fairgrounds that we participate in as much as possible. This year the weekend is called the “Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals”. The weekend registration fee is $40 and you can qualify for a 10% registration discount if you register prior to April 18, 2016 at midnight EST. Carlisle will have a large turnout of import cars of many different makes as well as many replicas and replica manufacturers. In addition, there is a swap meet, live music, cars for sale, new product releases, great food, automotive displays, free seminars, autocrossing and more. The Carlisle registration fee gets you, your car and a friend in the gate all weekend. If you register early you will receive your sticker in the mail before the weekend. Also, the earlier and the more registrations submitted under our group (Speedster Owners) insures we have a free tent erected on the show field for our group to use all weekend. More information on Carlisle can be found here:
3. Is there an entry fee to participate in the SMS meet?
No. There is no entry or registration fee for the SMS weekend.. We cover expenses via a raffle that is held Saturday evening after the awards dinner in the hospitality suite of the Marriott host hotel. We ask all attendees to contribute items for the raffle such as car care products, related auto memorabilia, books, new parts, car art, etc.
4. Do I have to sign up for the whole weekend and get a hotel room or can I just attend one or two days, maybe even commute from home? What about SMS activities?
Everyone can spend one day or all four days. If you are just coming for one day and want a nametag printed and ready, please send me your full name and state. If you plan to participate in any cruises, the Friday morning tour of the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center and/or the Saturday Evening Awards dinner you need to complete an RSVP form and email it to “bstumpp at Comcast dot net” or snail mail it to Bruce Stumpp, PO Box 12, Phoenix, Maryland 21131. Seating is limited for these activities so it is important we know in advance if you are participating. The RSVP form can be found at the top of this thread. Of these activities the Army Heritage and Education Center tour is free and the Thursday dinner is pay-as-you-go. The Saturday Evening Awards dinner is $41 per person (check or money order) and must be mailed to me by May1.
5. My car is not finished and is not perfect, I'm not sure about parking it on a “show field”.
This is a fun gathering and is not meant to be a “beauty contest”. In fact, Carlisle makes a point of calling the field the “fun field”. Our motto every year is - “Drive ‘em, trailer ‘em, tow 'em but get them there somehow”!! So come out, participate and have a good time.
6. Are there awards?
Every year we strive to recognize people who travel the farthest. This year we will present three awards at the Saturday Evening Awards dinner: (1) the longest distance traveled by a 356, (2) the longest distance distance traveled by a 550 and (3) the longest distance distance traveled by an MG. The rules are: To be considered for one of these awards you must have driven or trailered your ride contiguous days on your trip to Carlisle no matter what route you take to get there. You may stop no more than one night at a time to rest during the trip – one two-day stop will be allowed for mechanical issues. Total accumulated miles will be used. If you stop longer than one night than your total mileage will only be calculated from where you started to Carlisle. Finally, you may only win the award two years in a row. As an example, if someone in Iowa decides to leave on their trip to Carlisle by driving to California first, their total miles – Iowa to Caliornia to Carlisle - will be considered IF they stop no more than one night at a time. If they stop longer than one night – other than for mechanical issues - than their total mileage will only be calculated from where they started, in this case, from Iowa to Carlisle.
7. Can I participate in the autocross?
8. What is the schedule for allthe activities?
For the Carlisle activities, check their website or when you enter the fairgrounds you will receive a program with a schedule of all of their weekend activities. For the SMS activities, people who RSVP will be emailed a weekend schedule a few days before the meet. SMS schedules will also be posted at the hotel and in the showfield tent.
9. I heard MG replicas are being invited to join the SMS weekend activities, is that true?
Yes. Lacking an established group, MG replica owners have joined us the past few years until their group gets organized. They are participating in all activities and registering with Carlisle as “Speedster Owners” club.
10. Must I have a 356, 550 or MG to participate?
It's understood some people may not be able to bring their car or are in the process of considering purchasing one so not required. There may be open right seats available or you can drive your daily driver on the cruises but keep in mind the most fun really is in having your car there.
11. Where do we meet on the Carlisle show field?
Every year the SMS has its own large tent to gather in and around. Enter the fairgrounds through Gate 3 and just keep following the access road – you can't miss our tent and the rows of 356/550/MG replicas.
12. Will there be facilities to wash my car?
There will be a “live” hose behind the Marriott host hotel for everyone's use, Also, just inside Gate 3 at the Carlisle fairgrounds there are several free car washing stations for everyone's use.
13. Is there socializing in the evening?
The Marriott has reserved the hospitality suite for our use. Many of the participants will gather in the suite every evening – starting early and running late. Bring along your snacks and something to drink and make some new friends. .
14. Should I bring anything along for our time at the fairgrounds?
We do a lot of socializing under the group tent, particularly all day Saturday. We order quite a few chairs from Carlisle but if you have room, consider bringing folding chairs for you and/or your guest. You might also bring snacks and/or a cooler with your favorite beverages. Also consider lawn games such as bocce ball, bean bags etc.
I hope I answered everyone's questions. If not, please post it on this thread or send me an email and we'll get you an answer.
just saying, I guess this is one that you really are better to enjoy as a garage queen or just going around the block for a purist. 
