Citroens at Carlisle 2021

Plans are underway for Citroens at Carlisle to be a part of the Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals at the Carlisle Fairgrounds, May 14-15, 2021.

After our absence from the 2020 show due to concerns of safety because of Covid, we hope to resume our presence, continuing our 30+ years of involvement.

Citroens at Carlisle will follow all PA Department of Health guidelines, as well as those of the CDC for social distancing, etc.

Initial thoughts are to continue our annual “People’s Choice” judging, as well as the possibility of seminar (s).   If we decide to offer a seminar (or 2 or ?) Carlisle Events assured me that there would be a venue available for the seminar allowing for social distancing.

We have the outside pavilion reserved at Fiddler’s Restaurant at Mayapple Golf Course for Saturday night.  Final plans for our dinner will be made as close to the event as possible, and will again follow the guidelines of the PA Department of Health and the CDC for social distancing, etc.  The type of meal we have will be dictated by the Health Department guidelines in effect at that time.  Be assured, that George will do whatever is necessary to make our evening memorable as ever.  Watch for details closer to the date, as I WILL need RSVP for Saturday night.

New hours are listed for the event, Friday 12 till 6 (with early shoppers allowed in the flea market at 8AM) and Saturday 7AM till 6PM.   There are no hours listed for Sunday.

Please see event details at                       https://www.carlisleevents.com/events/events-detail/index?id=import+and+performance+nationals

Early registration for the show field saves you 10% and also insures you will have your credentials mailed to you prior to the show, saving you from stopping at the gate on arrival.  Registration is on the website above.   When you register, if in advance thru the website, or when you arrive, please be sure to indicate that you are with Citroens at Carlisle as your club affiliation.

We understand that our planning has to be very flexible and might have to be changed at the last minute.  We ask everyone to consider participating.   For those who have never been to Citroens at Carlisle, most of the events are outdoors.  You can attend either or both days, you have the option of attending the dinner Saturday night if you like.   Normally the busiest day and most activity will be on Saturday.   For those who prefer not to stay overnight, you can arrive mid-morning Saturday and leave late afternoon.   Although there is a fee for attending the Import  & Performance Nationals, there is no fee to be a part of Citroens at Carlisle.

I ask that you contact me at citparts@gmail.com if you will consider attending.  A rough idea of how many might attend, as well as how many would be interested in attending the Saturday night dinner, would be appreciated.

If you would like to participate by being considered to present a seminar, please email me with thoughts of what your presentation would involve.    Seminars have to be approved, and planned for in advance.

Thanks in advance for considering attending Citroens at Carlisle.

Brad Nauss

Dave Burnham engine rebuilding seminar

Dave Agar and his DS displayt

the brochure and car that the display was modeled after

Citroens at Carlisle 2018

Citroens at Carlisle brought together a true group of enthusiastic Citroen owners and friends. In spite of the weather the group had a great time, and were a very important part of the Carlisle Import Show.
Citroens and enthusiasts began to arrive on Thursday. An impromptu dinner Thursday night at a local pub was enjoyed by all.
Friday saw yet more people and cars arriving, to an overcast and damp day. They enjoyed the cars which were on display, and searched the flea market for that elusive part. A group of 28 enjoyed dinner Friday night at the brand new Gilligan’s West Restaurant, where the food was delicious. Owned by local Citroen collector George Lois and his wife Leah, a visit to a Gilligan’s Restaurant is always the highlight of a stay in Central PA. Friday night overnight, the heaviest of the rain came.
Saturday morning, everyone awoke to steady but lighter rain, and started arriving on the show field by 9 AM. The weather certainly dampened the attendance, but at least 11 enthusiasts had their cars ready for the show field. The weather would persist, and varied from a light drizzle to light rain for the remainder of the day.
Dave Agar had manufactured a special display so that he could remove all the body panels from the driver’s side of the car, and display them beside the car. Many people enjoyed watching him remove the panels, and during the show this was one of the major attractions for “non Citroen” attendees. Dave’s car is a tribute to the “Sur Balloons” advertising car, which was produced for a short time in 1959. The display idea came from the Citroen advertising brochure.
At 1 PM, Dave Burnham gave a very informative and very interesting Seminar on engine rebuilding. He also had many engine parts on display, which he used to demonstrate what he discussed.
Brad Nauss gave a seminar on the Citroen DS, its innovations, and use of new materials to make these innovations possible. Brad also had articles on display for “show and tell”.
Dave Agar and Brad discussed Dave’s display, and explained how the body panels attach, then Dave reconstructed the car while many watched in awe about how the DS is assembled.
After the seminars were over, Paul Anderson led a small group of cars on the “Tour of the Valley”, and they had a fun time.
Saturday night, a cold and damp group of Citroen enthusiasts and friends arrived at Fiddler’s Restaurant for dinner. We were welcomed with nice warm outdoor heaters under the pavilion, and as always, a great selection of appetizers and main entrees. Nice cold beer was on tap, provided by Brad Nauss Automotive and George Lois from Fiddler’s Restaurant. Dinner was topped off with desert, provided by Brad Nauss Automotive. A special “Happy Retirement” cake was made to celebrate Judy Reiter’s retirement earlier this year. We were sorry that Judy could not attend at the last minute, but the group ate the cupcakes surrounding the cake, and left the cake to be delivered to Judy by a friend.
After dinner, it was time for the awards. Brad thanked everyone for attending. Special guests were introduced including some new faces in the crowd.
Dave Burnham and Dave Agar were recognized for their HUGE part in providing a seminar and the special display, and were presented with bottles of wine and other small tokens of appreciation by Brad.
Winners of the “People’s Choice Judging” were presented with their awards, as follows:
Best early D series Dave Agar, 1966 DS21
Best late D series Bruce Logan, 1973 DS20
Best series one CX Peter Kristensen, 1980 CX2400
Best Traction Avant 11CV Brad Nauss 1950 11BL
Best Traction Avant 15CV Carl Erb 1952 15/6
Best Citroen, special category Roland Sotello, 1987 BX
Best of Show Carl Erb 1952 15/6

Everyone enjoyed the evening, and certainly went home warm and full of good food. We all agreed, that Citroens at Carlisle is all about the FRIENDS…..which the cars are just a means to get us all together for the weekend.
Sunday morning some of us awoke to dry weather, some to light drizzle. By the time we arrived at breakfast at the Middlesex Diner, it was drizzling and raining lightly. A great breakfast was enjoyed by 20. Following breakfast, some said their goodbyes, and headed for home. A small group drove to the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, PA. We had a great time looking at the history of racing in Central PA and beyond. We got to see cars that we had seen in car magazines when we were younger, and some that we had actually seen racing. A special treat was meeting and talking with Lynn Paxton, local racing legend who is very involved in the museum. Lynn even showed Dave Agar upholstery in one of the race cars, which was done by Dave’s upholstery person in Ohio who had done Dave’s lovely leather interior. We ran into a group of four French tourists, who were there enjoying the museum, and were thrilled to see our Citroens and talk about the cars. Quite a great ending to a nice weekend of friendship and cars. By early afternoon, the weather had cleared, and it was a beautiful warm day.

I would like to thank all of those who came for Citroens at Carlisle. A special thanks to those who brought their cars in spite of the weeklong forecast of heavy rain.

I encourage everyone to put Citroens at Carlisle on your calendar to attend next year, when Citroens at Carlisle will be celebrating “100 Years of Citroen”

Citroens at Carlisle 2017

Click on the above link for the Citroens at Carlisle 2017 flier.   be sure to preregister your car with Carlisle Events by April 17 to save $$.

plan to attend, and be sure to RSVP for dinners prior to deadline.