Ventura Nationals, C10 Intervention one weekend. Or, why do I keep doing this ?

I have said and I cam sure will stay many times again. Ventura Nationals is my favorite west coast/California Show. As a Californian born and raised I have had the opportunity to hit quite a few and so I sa that with some authority. Why? Well like most things it's a mix of stuff that makes the whole so damned good. Let's start with location. Verntura Nationals is so close to the water you can hear the waves crashing. Well at certain locations of the show any way. That means no matter how hot it is there will likely be a cool sea breeze along shortly to help you out. Not a bad perk. The buildings at Ventura Nationals are old but in a charming way that fits in perfect with the cars on display. The theme is traditional Rods, Customs, Lowriders and the like. with a few oddballs thrown in. an occasional mini truck V dub or art car sneaks in and it's all good.

The Ventura Fairgrounds is the perfect size for a car show. While They over flow area is for us mere mortals, it's filled with great stuff. this is an established show. As such the theme is set and folks largely self police what they bring in so the car quality is high even in the overflow. The main part of the park. Cars in the buildings and the surrounding grass areas. Are largely club or curated so the quality is, for the most part even higher. Another reason this show is my favorite is the logical layout. Tons of vendors which is an anomaly at most west coast shows these days. With the show owners/promoters cutting into vender profits so deeply they don't even show up any more. Not Ventura Nationals. Plenty of vendors alomd the main drag/walk way and the food trucks are all in an alley in the middle. No matter where you're at in the show a cold beverage, taco, pizza or sammich is never far.

I have to be honest the town of Ventura is pretty great as well. Lots of decent not to spendy hotel options and cool restaurants are everywhere. I gotta admit I am a little afraid to heap so much praise on this show. For fear of it becoming over crowded or inundated with cars that shouldn't be there. I understand what a Herculean undertaking putting on a show off this type is. So I have averted interest in keeping a show I love so much alive.

C10 intervention.

While Ventura Nationals is my favorite show. I still bail on the early side to haul ass 7 hours back to Nor Cal so as not to miss C10 intervention. Held on Main Street woodland a small agricultural town with a largely intact Main Street. It's a great venue. however without the proximity to the coast Ventura has Woodland can get on the spicy side. Like the sun feels like it's leaning on you like you owe it money. luckily the buildings and trees offer just enough shade to make the difference. This is a one mark only show as the name suggests. Focusing on full size Chevrolet and GMC trucks basically GMS truck line from 1960 to 2002. though some s10/s15 and older trucks sneak in. It's a great show with tons of great trucks. While both shows give me the opportunity to meet up with folks and friends I normally don't get to see. The vibe of this show is decidedly relaxed and open. I find car guys in general to be pretty damned easy to get along with but truck guys in particular seem to be my people. The best way I can think to describe it is they are the right mix of chill and "hey y'all watch this!"

Despite the long drive and quick turn around, hitting both shows in one weekend is absolutely worth it. If you've got the time, will and the gas money. Why not do both? that said I think next year ill leave earlier and spend more time in Ventura. Only time will tell if I don't also burn back to Nor Ca, in time for C10 intervention. I guess we will have tvowait for next year to find out!

Thankfully Sonomair ran like a champ the whole weekend.

James

The Lowered HMFIC