Carlisle Events set another record for attendance and show vehicles at this year’s Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals, July 8-10, with 45,962 attendees and 2,243 show cars. There were 1,323 vendors offering all sorts of DaimlerChrysler products.

Many activities entertained attendees. DaimlerChrysler had spectacular displays with interactive games for attendees. Concept cars from DaimlerChrysler, including the ME Four Twelve, Hot Rod Magnum, Chrysler 300 and Jeep Rescue, were displayed. Chrysler fans could test drive new vehicles such as the Dodge Charger, Chrysler Crossfire convertible, Dodge Magnum, convertible PT Cruiser, Dodge Dakota, Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Durango. The test drives were a huge hit; it seemed everyone wanted to get into the seat of the new Charger.

The Salvation Army Benefit Auction raised $35,572.50 for the local Salvation Army. Twenty-two vehicles were donated and auctioned, including a fire engine donated by Carlisle Borough.

Special exhibits celebrated the 35th anniversary of the AAR and T/A cars, Letter Series cars and a 1969-1/2 A12 Lift-off Hood Reunion also took place. The Mopar Survivors display featured original, unrestored Chrysler vehicles. Dodge, Chrysler and Plymouth were represented from the early years up to and including the newest models.

Special guests included Tom Hoover, “Godfather of the 426 Hemi”; Galen Govier, Mopar “numbers guy”; former Indy and Formula One racer Sam Posey; and drag racers Ted Struse, Butch Leal and Herb McCandless.

Many contests filled the weekend. The Standard of Mopar Excellence (SME), sponsored by Totally Auto, saw a 1967 GTX 440 four-speed built by Dickie Wolfe and owned by John Garnet score the most points with 98 out of 100. Bruce Hogson’s 1970 Plymouth Fury III produced the most smoke and even blew a tire to earn him the Best Burnout trophy and a gift certificate for Mancini Racing. Amber Gangi of Fredericksburg, Va., stunned the judges to win the beauty contest and $300.

The Northeast Hemi Owners Association won the Club Challenge with 112 vehicles on the show field. Mopar Mailing List came in second with 56, and in third place was the Viper Club with 47 members. The club with largest increase from previous year was Mopar Madness of Lehigh Valley with 44. Each club received cash prizes and a trophy.

In the Dyno Challenge sponsored by Year One, Scott Schwanger won on Saturday with his 2001 Ram 2500 pushing out 642 horsepower. Jerry Frederick won on Sunday by hitting 510 horsepower in his 1970 Dodge Charger.

Winners at the South Mountain Dragway included Walt Little’s ’69 Charger in the Super class, a 1971 Cuda owned by Rob Roberts Jr. in Heavy and Craig Meyer’s 1999 Chrysler in Trophy. In the Match Races, the 1969 Roadrunner (Ted Struse’s Project six pack car) driven by Louie Carbone overtook Allen Kohn in a 1968 Super Bee. Bob Karakashian drove a 1969 Super Bee to victory over Tom Cannon, driving a 1970 Challenger.

Robin Hall of Uniontown, Ohio, shoved down 25 wings the fastest, winning a gift certificate to the N. Hanover Grille. In the Cook-off contest, Barbara Engle of Clearfield, Pa., won over the judges with her tasty chocolate cake. Most Miles Traveled William Quellette of Lawrence, Calif. 1970 Chrysler Dodge Challenger T/A. The giveaway car, a 1983 Dodge Mirada CMX, was won by 16-year-old Tom Doyle of Williamstown, Pa.

Next year’s Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals takes place July 7-9, 2006. Visit www.carsatcarlisle.com for more information.