It was just a year ago that the ownership of the National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show changed ownership from Ken Breslauer to an Indianapolis-based group headed by Bill Daniels and John Douglas.
Additional “Big News” keeps coming from this event. After twenty six years of operation in downtown Indianapolis, the 27th Annual Show will move to the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Also, because of the new schedule at IMS, the Show is now a THREE DAY EVENT.
Douglas commented, “We were presented with some big obstacles by the Speedway’s move of Carburetion Day. As we attempted to make adaptations, the downtown Indiana Convention Center announced a 25% rate increase. Our rooms were not available on Thursday. When we started to look at alternatives, we ‘bumped in to’ Tom Johnson- the promoter of The Hoosier Hundred race which is held at the Fairgrounds on Friday evening.”
“By teaming with the Hoosier Hundred, we will be able to promote and advertise our event like never before. Ads will be everywhere, in very large scale publications. Our location at the ISF is only 250 yards or so from the track,” Douglas continued.
The Show will be held in the Pioneer Our Land Pavilion. It will run Thursday from 4:00-8:00; Friday 2:00-7:00 and Saturday from 9:30-4:30. The Saturday hours are identical to last year. Dealers will enjoy free parking, compliments of the Show, and barring inclement weather, will actually be able to drive their merchandise in to the building and unload at their booths. The general public will no longer have to fight for convenient parking spots and will be charged a flat $3.00 rate.
Bill Daniels added, “There are 9-10,000 race fans who will walk past our main Show entrance. We have more room inside, and we’ll all be in one room. The move in for dealers should be terrific. Attendees will park within a nine iron shot of our entrance.”
The 2004 Show saw record attendance, the greatest number of exhibitors ever, the largest guest line-up and so many other notable accomplishments. Almost 90% of last year’s booth holders have renewed, plus several new dealers. An autograph guest roster is currently being put together and will be announced by May 1. “For this type of Show,” Douglas commented, “a $50 per day booth rental fee is a bargain.”
It’s not too late to sign up for booth space. Also, there will be ample room for those wishing to display their race cars, pace cars or collector cars. (Last year the event featured five cars on display.)
Updates can be reached by accessing the website billdaniels.com and clicking on the Show link. Douglas can be reached at: jd9@insightbb.com or (765) 482-3477.
Described by legend Andy Granatelli as, “The best kept secret of the Indy 500,”
The National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show is held each year just prior to the running of the 500 Mile Race.