Charlotte Auto Fair 2000 By Roger C. Haynes Hey, where were all you folks when I was putting up the tent? This 20 x 20' tent has been a life saver more than once, shade when you need it and canopy from the rain, there are 32 feet of tables set up, covered with plates and auto related items. Old Glory waves proudly always... This photo was taken from standing against the wall in turn four looking out across the infield towards the back stretch. That enormous grandstand is coming out of turn two, The infield, despite a few vacant spots was a sell out. Normally you won't see the same type cars here that you do at Hershey, but a healthy crop of Model A's, T's and assorted non-fords show up. There is a great number of people who specialize in Mustangs and 55-57 Chevy parts at these shows. Everyone at one point in a visit to the Lowe's (Charlotte) Motor Speedway, has to get out and see if that bank is really as steep as it looks. This is the scene as you go into the first turn, it is steep, and the texture of the track a bit more rough than you would expect. What would a race car know about it, slamming into this banking and scooting around. The first two buildings right to left are Condos, where some people actually live year round with a fantastic view of the track. The third structure on the left is another grandstand Turn 4, The camera isn't made that can give you the feeling of standing here and looking around the track. It is awesome, the cars at this point enter the tri-oval part of the track or dog-leg. This is where you want to see the competition in your rear view mirrors and not ahead as you streak down to the finish line... The last big Auto Fair of the 2000 season has come and gone from The Lowes Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Just 6 miles away is the HQ of TNS, so if I seem especially fond of this show it is only that I can return home at night, check messages, and eat in places familiar to me. I may get tired doing the shows, but I'll never get tired of them. It runs from Thursday through Sunday, so of course, just like an ALPCA National, you want to get there the day before. In the parking lot on the Wednesday afternoon just six miles from the house I go and get in line about 1:30 to have a good chance to visit with Dave and Bettie Carmichael, who have just driven in from Raleigh 2 1/2 hours or so away. We will have precious little time to talk during the show, except shop. Dave sets up behind me, and while there are many plate dealers here, in NC plates we pack a pretty good one two punch. Dave is also an excellent locksmith and applies that trade to vintage locks at the show too. From the get-go Thursday the weather co-operated and setting up was only hampered by persons wanting to buy, so a slight rummage here and there would produce a sale long before I had the tent completely up and the goods on display. Thursday finally ended with a good supper at a local eatery and then back to the track to spend the night and await the Friday rush. They did not let me down. Gerald Strickland, Ted Cline Trent Culp, Richard Baucom, and Walter Vannoy were all early visitors to the tent Friday, more and more would come and go, many plates found new homes, some collector quality plates were also being snapped up from a recent find I made. Gerald added a nice original paint 29 NC to his collection from my stuff, while Richard Baucom laid claim to the nicest 23 NC I had seen in a long time. By Saturday the effects of the Friday sales were wearing me down a bit, it was warm but not like other years, there were people everywhere. Just then a familiar voice says "Well I made it,,," It was Denny Gray, my web master, showing up to spend the day. He had his friend Scotty with him, also another locksmith who actually caught a project that Dave couldn't help a guy with. Denny is also responsible for the photos you have seen on the opposite page, I never have time to go take photos like that, the spectacle of being inside one of the Fastest Race Tracks in the country made him forget plates, and just shoot the scenery, still he got some great shots. See'em in color at www.tagsnstuff.com He has also learned a lot doing the TNS Web Site and while I was busy with one customer, he sold two more guys a 68 plate they were admiring. His curiosity about plates is growing but won't pass his recent yen for Computers and a thirst for knowledge in them that I find admirable. Saturday was another excellent day. I retired to the house for the night. Denny met me here the next morning early and we went back out to the track. He helped me tear it all down and put it away the best he could, had to be packed just so for Hershey. By 1:30 I bid the Carmichaels good-bye, and we headed back to the house. I know many of you can't add this show to your schedule, but if you ever see the chance, give it a try, it is bigger every year, and no end in sight.