I didn't win a thing but got quite a few freebies and bought several shirts. I sat in the LoudLander or whatever the Rockford Fosgate stereo truck was called...good times. My son was being shy about it and wouldn't get in but I finally talked him into it and he liked it too.

 

Arguably, it was boring because he got there an hour before it finished, rather than when it started. It's like showing up at a concert just as the band is starting an encore performance. It'll be "okay", but nothing like the opening set. Or something. I have no idea, I'm full of bad metaphors today.

My concern was the lack of activities. Those of us who have come out in the past have done the plant tour. Interesting the first time you see it, but then...well, you've seen it. There's always talk of a dyno competition, but that never seems to materialize. They have acres of empty parking lot (some of which actually has pole-free contiguous space) which just screams for partnering up with an area autocross club to help operate an event.

I don't think they've quite figured out the demographic they're attracting to these events; it's generally younger folks (ie. =< 25; I feel old at most meets ), and they get restless easily. Give them something to do, preferably something involving adrenaline. Set up a few PS3s with GT5:Prologue running, a DDR machine, an autox course, rent some go-karts, etc. Get people moving.

Getting the old classics out there was a nice bone to throw to people like me; I have a strong urge to buy an early 70's Colt now and start hacking and welding. But that's a walk-through-once attraction, and the event ran for five hours. The band was a good touch, but again, it's background music. What are the event participants doing while listening to them?

That being said: as I understand it, Normal's MOD is a volunteer-driven activity over at the plant, without much in the way of budget. Given that, it was a pretty good for what basically constituted a large-scale DSM, Evo, 3/S, and "other" diamond-star meet. The last DSM or Evo meets I went to didn't have free grub and a live band.

 

A well thought out comment with some good ideas for improvement.

Auto X, go karting,video games comp, sound off, show and shine, display team driving, radio control cars, MOD babe of the year, Mitsubishi Evo WRC /Dakar Rally display stands.... meet and greet with Pro Mitsu race drivers, rally car simulators, dyno comp, tune tent (there you go Melon), diagnostics, more vendors, autojumble etc are some suggestions I could throw out there (off the top of my head).

Yeah it could be better, but this all takes a lot of time, effort and $.

 

I was bored with in the first 5 minutes.
Buttttt did anyone catch the guy in the red mitsu jump suit....WOWwwww classic

 

yeah we talked to that guy for a few minutes to ask him about his red jump suit aparatus

 

MOD was ok this year, maybe because every year is pretty much the same (I really care less what i got in the beg or, free give aways) I go there to check out the cars, meet new people, see prototypes, eg: old colt was pretty bad ***, and formula kit car, evo x was nice where you could touch it and sit in it, mitsu prototype truck was nice too. and on top of that live band and free food im not asking for anything else. What i can see, people just get tired from walking around and waiting for the raffle. hmm bring maybe more prototypes where you can sit in them? last year there was more, have someone to talk about the car? I bet some people are wondering what mitsu will bring in a couple of years. forget about free give aways, or bags, just drop some mitsu tshirt in the bag at the gate thats all, with vendor flayers inside of them.

AutoX event is another great idea, since they got huuuuge parking lot, but i belive they care about the safety, if not autoX how about GOkarts? and 2-3 playstation machines with racing games big screens, so kids can have fun and maybe win something?

The guy in red mistsu mechanic? suit? was pretty funny, hahah. I thought he just walked out of the factory after taking a nap.

 

I have to agree with all of you about the extra activities. I know it would be expensive but if they charge maybe $50 a dyno run or $10 for AutoX then I'm pretty sure everyone would be down for that. I definitely would!

 

did you park next to a blue x? that was mine if you did. we shook hands.

 

Ah yes we did meet John. Nice to meet you again.

 

the guy in the red mitsu jump suit...did you hear him during the raffle? omg lol...

they were trying to say the numbers and the guy gets this phone call and hes yelling "WHAT, WHAT?"

oh and, how did you guys get so many raffle tickets? i had 10 and i look over and this lady and her daughter have like atleast 100...

 

yes john i introduced you to karl.

i go to effingham once a year for the VW aircooled show and the MOD organizers could definitely pick up a few pointers. activity activity activity, maybe a bonfire at night? give out discounts to OEM accessory items? cough cough aero kit!

i am sure i will offend someone but i will still go ahead and say it cuz its not fair when someone drives over whether late or not and not get anything and some folks walking around with freakin 500 tickets on hand or maybe he or she just brought 50 cars? next time try to be a little more discreet.

 

They (event organizer lady) were giving out all the tickets 30 minutes before they announced the winners. That's how some people had so many tickets.

I personally think that was a very bad idea.

 

That was classic - We were all talking and I stopped him in his tracks and started asking him about the jumpsuit. I am not gonna lie, I want one of them to work on the car...would be cool!

 

ok so whats his story?

 

idk what his history is but he looked funny as hell!

all around i believe it was a great experience! i do think tho they need to have more 2 do. like everyone has said a auto x event or a playstation showdown or something would really give you more to do.

i think a much larger vendor area would also be good so we can all see the new products for our cars. maybe a swap meet to so you can bring all ur old **** and maybe pick up some stuff u want 2. i think a better larger more organized car show n shine would b good. like if they separated us not just by model but maybe by submodel or gen of car. it would also b cool if they gave more then just best of show. like best in each catagory.

i think the plant tour would have been cool if the plant was actually up and running. i went to the GM plant and saw them while in process ant it was cool as hell!

if they added other things id definately not mind paying to get in. even if it was like $20 for entry i wouldnt mind.

just my opinions tho. i think with some improvement it would b a much better event.