[PICS] The 2019 NCRS Winter Regional and Carlisle Winter AutoFest

Mar 5, 2019

1700

[PICS] The 2019 NCRS Winter Regional and Carlisle Winter AutoFest

Last weekend we had the convergence of two of our favorite shows in Florida at the Sun ‘N Fun complex at Lakeland’s regional airport.

One of our favorite Corvette shows has always been the NCRS Winter Regional. It was the first Corvette show I started attending regularly going back to the early 2000s but in recent years, competition with Mecum’s gigantic Kissimmee auction, as well as declining attendance and a dwindling number of vendors has threatened the show’s viability following its move to Lakeland in 2015.

Things changed this year as the NCRS joined forces with Carlisle Events, who for the last several years has put on the Winter AutoFest show at the same location. With Carlisle Events handling the promotion, the extra boost of publicity, as well as great weather, made this NCRS Winter Regional one of the best since the show left the confines of Kissimmee’s Old Town several years ago.

Carlisle’s Winter AutoFest brought in an eclectic mix of vendors who sell everything from tools to vintage Americana items. Many well-known Corvette vendors were set up under the Florida sunshine with friends like Corvette America, NCM Insurance Agency and Van Steel in attendance.

One of the big draws for the event was the Carlisle auto auction and the viewing area was packed all Friday afternoon as we were wandering around the complex, and a full slate of Corvettes was lined up for the auction’s “Corvette Hour” on Saturday.

Finally, Carlisle Events also brought in some well-known Corvette personalities for the weekend. Paul Koerner discussed the mechanical aspects of Corvettes and other GM cars. The Corvette Mechanic also performed diagnostic services on attendee’s Corvettes including a Red 1965 Sting Ray Coupe. Corvette restoration expert Kevin Mackay was also on hand and his seminar featured many of the rare and unique Corvettes discussed in his new book The Corvette Hunter.

We have to think that both the NCRS and Carlisle Events were happy with the show’s overall attendance. The Corvette parking lots were full, plenty of vendors were set up with their wares, and our final confirmation came from the several people we knew who agreed that the combination of the two shows over the same weekend was a great idea.

We will be interested to see how the NCRS Winter Regional does moving forward and we can only imagine great things are ahead should the collaboration with Carlisle Events continue on.

Check out our photos from the 2019 NCRS Winter Regional and Carlisle Winter AutoFest at Lakeland’s Sun ‘N Fun: