Pre-register before April 16th, 2012 to get your window sticker early and drive right in when you get to the gate!

• Gate-N-Go
• Register Now

Alex Dearborn, designer and builder of the Deserter is coming to Carlisle. The Deserters were born in the late '60s with the Series One model and ran through the GT version in '72. Alex’s car career started during his military days in the 1960’s. It wasn't long before he was working for Ray Caldwell at Autodynamics. There, Alex designed the Deserter, a series of cars uniquely blending sports car and dune buggy with VW underpinnings. The original Deserter GS raced Pikes Peak in 1971, and examples were sold thereafter as kits. Because there is still a strong following for Deserters to this day having Alex at Carlisle makes perfect sense.

• Dearnborn Auto

Teen drivers are accident prone, not because they are bad drivers, but because they lack the experience needed to properly avoid danger. Because of that, and the staggering statistics associated with teen driving fatalities, local "young drivers" will have a FREE opportunity to better themselves behind the wheel in 2012.

The free driving school will take place during Import & Kit Weekend on Sunday (May 20) only and it’s anticipated that the “class” will be limited to approximately 50 students. Drivers who have been recently licensed or simply have a learner’s permit will learn skills in lost traction situations; including braking, turning, braking when turning and get a real life, controlled feel for scenarios that are often only learned “the hard way.” The school driving sessions will be low speed with an instructor in the car and include a classroom presentation and car care covering routine maintenance checks and more.

Registration is available online. For more information, contact Bill Sangrey or Ed Buczeskie via e-mail.

An annual part of the Import & Kit Nationals is the ability to drive your car around the Autocross track. Why do you do this? We suspect the answers will vary, but either way, you compete against the clock and the elements. During the 2011 event, 31 cars took a trip around the course. The top five times are listed below and the entire results list is available by clicking the link below. How did you do?

1) Ben Kaplan - (87 Volvo 240 - 76.947)
2) Steve Landersman - (00 BMW M Roadster - 80.786)
3) Michael Towery - (87 Volvo 240 - 77.739)
4) Jonathan Muffley - (87 BMW 325 - 79.222)
5) Dan Ciota - (98 Volvo V70 - 88.180)

• Autocross Results

The 2012 Import & Kit Nationals car corral will provide classic to late-model imported vehicles in all varieties of make, model and condition. Thousands can browse, compare and made deals directly with the owner. As always, notary services including temporary tags are available in the car corral allowing would be buyers to drive their purchase off the grounds. Car corral rules dictate that all vehicles in the corral must be for sale, in running condition and cannot be displayed on trailers. For more information or to purchase a car corral space, please contact us at (717) 243-7855.

2012 will feature Italian cars in Building Y and to have your Italian ride considered for the Invitational Display, click here for the Invitational application.

• Register Online

In 2012, you can take a trip around the world - at Carlisle that is. As part of your FREE event directory, you'll get a passport style insert. Take it and do what you already do, walk the grounds and browse the amazing display of cars. At the same time, get your booklet stamped for great prizes, including a grand prize of free lodging and showfield registration for 2013.

Not everyone was fortunate enough to get their hands on an original Cobra; however, thanks in part to some amazing kit manufacturers, the Cobra lives on. In 2012, the primary kit feature will showcase Cobras of all types. Whether you own a Cobra or simply want to admire the display, don't miss a chance to do so during the event.

Building Y was the place to see the best of the best in imports and kit cars. Many Invitational cars are featured in national magazines as a result of being on display. To have your car considered for the 2012 Invitational Display, click here for the Invitational application.

The Import & Kit Nationals Swap Meet is the perfect opportunity to sell the parts and accessories that have been collecting dust in your garage. The swap meet is also the place for the parts you need to finish a job. Parts, memorabilia, collectibles and literature –you’ll find it all in the Import & Kit Nationals Swap Meet.

For more information or to purchase space, please contact us at 717-243-7855 or email info@carlisleevents.com.

• Register Online

The Import & Kit Nationals Race Car Paddock is a highlight area of the Showfield each year and is located just inside of Gate 3. The Race Car Paddock is reserved exclusively for imports and kits that are set up for racing. All race cars are eligible – from road racers and autocross to drag and rally cars. Many show off their race car and hang out with fellow drivers and race enthusiasts in this featured area.

For those that have the urge to get some track time in, they are able to do so by taking a few laps on our on-site autocross. Call us at (717) 243-7855 to register. Save $10 by registering for the event by April 16th. Call us at (717) 243-7855 or register online today!

• Register Online

This year’s special guest for the Kit side of the Import & Kit Nationals was Bruce Meyers, father of the modern day Dune Buggy. During this year's Import & Kit Nationals event, many came out to meet Bruce and get an autograph.

Meyers has a long history with Dune Buggies, dating back to the original water pumpers of Southern California. Meyers took it upon himself to re-design the crude, heavy vehicles into the lightweight version that we are accustomed to today. After being featured on the cover of national automotive magazines like Hot Rod and Car and Driver, The Meyers Manx’s popularity took off across the country. Over the years, Meyers produced over 7,000 kits stemming from the Manx.

• Meyers Manx
• Built by Denmat

Annually you can take part in scenic cruises as part of the Import & Kit Nationals. We’ll provide the directions that will allow you to take a self-guided tour of south central Pennsylvania. The tour will take you off the beaten path and allow you to get a real taste of the Cumberland Valley. You do not need to be registered for the Showfield; all show guests are welcome to participate. Directions will be available at Guest Services.

Each year at the Improt & Kit Nationals you can show us what your car can do by taking your turn on our on-site autocross track! The autocross track is located in the North Field. The track has the feel of a road course and features six turns as well as elevation changes. If you’re not ready to get behind the wheel we offer a viewing deck above the track where you can safely watch the action. If you have any questions or want to learn more about autocross competition, members of the Susquehanna Region of the SCCA and its chapter club, the Appalachian Sports Car Club are present throughout the event.

For those of you who have taken your car to the next level and want validation for that effort, make sure to enter the Standard of Excellence Judging. Annually, owners compete against a set of criteria on the judging sheets rather than against other vehicles. Our qualified judging team consists of knowledgeable automotive enthusiasts and industry professionals. Classes are available for imports, kits and unrestored originals.

• Register Online

Each year at the Import & Kit Nationals you can tune up your automotive knowledge with free seminars taking place all weekend and open to all show attendees. Topics have ranged from power tuning to building an entire kit car. Seminars are typically informal with plenty of opportunities for interaction with the seminar presenters. All presenters are very knowledgeable in their areas of expertise and most are available during the weekend for further discussion.

The Carlisle Import & Kit National is fun for the entire family and we have not forgotten the kids. We have crafts for kids and parents to enjoy together during this and many of our events. We also have lots of play activities that we think will “wow” the young ones. Come and check it out!

• Kids at Carlisle

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow is a high school level engine build competition. Students compete for time and accuracy as they tear down an engine and rebuild it. Schools in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions are eligible to compete in the regional battle. Finals for each regional winner are held during the 2012 SEMA show in Las Vegas. This is a great program with a lot of automotive industry support.

Over 1 million dollars in scholarship money was made available in 2011, including money simply for participating. Don't miss out. Registration is NOW open and spots ARE available. Get your school registered early. Visit hotroddersoftomorrow.com for more information.

At the 2011 SEMA Finals, the University of Northwest Ohio, the School of Automotive Machinists and the Ohio Technical College teamed up to offer nearly $1,000,000 in scholarship money, with $10,000 going to each student on the first place team.

Finals Financial Breakdown
1ST Place - $10,000 per student
2ND Place - $9,000 per student
3RD Place - $8,000 per student
4TH Place - $7,000 per student
5TH Place - $6,000 per student
6TH – 10th Place - $5,000 per student

• Hot Rodders of Tomorrow
• Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Wants You!