Every Carlisle Events show page has a “what’s fresh” activity listing.  This is done to indicate the new and fresh happenings for each of the 10 shows in the Carlisle Events season schedule.  For 2019, the events aren’t the only thing sporting something fresh, as Carlisle Events is pleased to announce some changes to its staffing structure as well as its concession options.

The biggest staffing change at Carlisle comes in the form of Scott Amig being named General Manager & Operations Manager of Carlisle Events.  Scott has been with Carlisle Events since 2011 and much like every other staffer in the office, he wears and has worn many hats.  He’s been a building manager, an event manager, still oversees the maintenance and facilities team and now, with years of leadership experience under his belt, will also direct day to day operations on behalf of Bill Miller, Jr. and Lance Miller.

Additional management level changes include Ed Scholly being tapped as Director of Event Development and Associate Sponsorship Development.  Scholly has been with Carlisle Events since 2000, working as an event manager for the former Carlisle Bike Fest, York Open House and numerous other past events as well as his current role in the regionally popular Carlisle Truck Nationals.  In addition, his role with sponsorship development aides in securing high-end industry leaders as part of the Manufactures Midway not only at the truck show, but at all events on the Carlisle schedule.  For 2019, Scholly will also oversee each event manager, while continuing to work hand in hand with the marketing team to assure that all aspects of the event, from promotion to execution run smoothly.

One other management role that changed for 2019 is that Tami DeMark is the new Director of Customer Relations.  DeMark has transitioned into this roll following the retirement of long-time Carlisle Events staffer Diane Vaughn.  In addition, DeMark also oversees bookings, logistics and overall management of the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center. 

Speaking of events, two staffers have seen increased event planning roles for this season.  Ed Buczeskie, who historically has been the event manager for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals and Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals adds Spring and Fall Carlisle to his resume as well as being the one to oversee the Hurst Showcase which happens in conjunction with the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals.  Down the hall and around the corner from Buczeskie is Jodi Morrison.  Jodi was hired in 2011 and over the past eight seasons has transitioned from just the Assistant to Ownership to the Executive Assistant, Concessions Manager as well as the event manager for Corvettes at Carlisle and Winter AutoFest in Lakeland, Florida.

Finally on the staffing front, Carlisle Events will be naming a new Director of Marketing in the near future.  This position, once filled, will oversee all marketing efforts for the company and its events.  The position will also oversee a staff of four who bring more than 30 years of combined service to the table. 

Staff changes aren’t the only thing fresh for Carlisle Events in 2019.  Through the efforts of Jodi Morrison, yet another 501c group is joining the already impressive list of vendors in the concession area.  The Big Spring High School Band Boosters join groups like the Boy Scouts, Carlisle High School Band and Carlisle High School Football as local non-profits who earn support via the car community each summer.  This connection, plus other local businesses like Horner’s Corner BBQ, Marcellos Ristorante & Pizzeria, Brusters Ice Cream, Market Cross Pub and Desperate Times Brewery continue to spotlight Carlisle Events’ desire to do business locally first, helping a community that’s helped us since 1974! 

All the fun starts with Spring Carlisle on April 24 and continues through the final day of Fall Carlisle on October 6.  Complete details about the season can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855. 

A staple of the Carlisle Truck Nationals, presented by A&A Auto Stores is monster truck action!  Annually, a pair of trucks, plus some additional thrill-based action comes to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and offers guests edge of their seat excitement.  Those trucks and whatever is accompanying them, join forces with the Virginia Giant ride truck to give Truck Nationals guests the thrill of a lifetime.  In 2019, the fun includes Over Bored, Miss Over Bored and Transaurus.  

The show itself starts early on Friday, August 2, with Monster truck shows taking place Friday, twice Saturday and once more Sunday.  Hosted by Diehl Wilson, owner of the on-site Virginia Giant ride truck, Over Bored and Miss Over Bored will square off to the delight of enthusiasts of all ages.  Since year one of the truck show in 1991, trucks have been THE form of entertainment and with these monster truck shows, event excitement is taken to a whole new level.  So…let’s meet the participants!

Over Bored & Miss Over Bored:  Monster Jam trucks Over Bored and Miss Over Bored come to Carlisle for the first time ever.  These mid-western based trucks are a husband and wife team.  Their time at Carlisle is either entertainment for guests or matrimonial bragging rights for them…not sure which yet.  

Virginia Giant Ride Truck:  As mentioned above, this truck is owned by former Monster Jam regular Diehl Wilson.  It’s cool because it’s interactive.  It’s interactive because guests can climb aboard the iconic truck and go for a heart pounding, car crushing, no holds barred edge of their seat ride.  Ride, crush, enjoy and repeat!

Additional fun features include the return of the metal eating, car crushing, fire breathing Transaurus.  Transaurus is the world's ONLY jet powered, transforming, car eating dinosaur.  This beast is hungry and needs fed and that will happen on Saturday ONLY of truck weekend.  The problem is, it’s only powered by a steady diet of sub-compact cars.  We plan on having a full buffet available so as to appease this monster!  Before, during and after its feast, it just might belch fire too!  Transaurus will perform twice on Saturday only of the show, so don’t miss out!

A ticket for the Carlisle Truck Nationals is just $15 with kids 12 and under free.  All monster truck shows are FREE with an admission to the grounds, though a nominal fee does apply for rides on the Virginia Giant.  Seating goes quickly for each show, so guests are encouraged to arrive early, enjoy all that the truck show has to offer and then find a spot.  Complete details on truck weekend including how to show a truck or BUY TICKETS can also be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Fully redesigned for 2019, the Volvo S60 uptweaks its styling, adds a hybrid and more powerful engine choices, includes a long list of standard and available safety equipment, and connects with Sensus – Volvo’s connectivity and infotainment system that uses an intuitive touch screen interface that combines car functions, navigation, connected services and in-car entertainment applications such as Spotify, Pandora, Baidu or TuneIn. 

Now in its third generation, S60 is a mid-size luxury sedan that Volvo introduced in 2000 for the 2001 model year. Built at Volvo’s first American manufacturing plant, a facility outside Charleston, South Carolina, the company’s president and chief executive, Håkan Samuelsson, promoted the sedan saying, “The new S60 is one of the most exciting Volvo cars we’ve ever made. It is a true driver’s car that gives us a strong position in the US and China sedan markets.”

Borrowing design cues, power setups and amenities from its larger S90 sibling, S60 is built on Volvo’s Scalable Product Architecture modular platform that also underpins the S90. I tested the base S60 trim called Momentum, and I found that the 4-door mid-size focuses on the signature face of Volvo’s design language that includes elegant Euro lines, classic Volvo styling cues, sculpted hood creases, iconic “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlight design, a dignified honeycomb hexagonal grille, lower and bolder stance than before, long front end, curved and lower-looking roofline, angular shoulders and artistic tailllamp graphics. Aesthetically, S60 uses its grille and lower skid plate, sculpted hood creases, contoured lower shoulders and curved inset rear to create a sensually pleasing demeanor.

The elegant exterior combines lavishness with aggressiveness at 56.3 inches high (4.3 inches lower than the previous generation), 72.8 inches wide and 187.4 inches long (a gain of 5 inches) on a four-inch longer wheelbase (113.1 inches). Ground clearance is only 5.8 inches and curbweight for my test Momentum trim was 3913 lbs. 

Inside, the quiet cabin plays off the clean, minimal Scandinavian influence that also fills Volvo’s 90 Series. Volvo’s orthopedic-designed seats really are comfortable and supporting, and they are heated, power-adjustable and Nappa leather-trimmed. An 8.0-inch instrument cluster display, 9.0-inch multimedia touch screen, Smartphone integration, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity add to the versatility of the interior.

The S60 cabin is pampering and accommodating, though over-6-footers may feel a bit confined with 37.9 inches of front headroom with a sunroof, and 37.5 inches in the rear. Legroom is 42.3 inches up front and only 35.2 inches in row two, and shoulder room is a comfortable 56.1 and 54.5.

In keeping with Volvo's reputation for safety, the new S60 comes with a complete suite of advanced safety features. You can also add Volvo's Pilot Assist semi-automated drive system for an extra layer of protection. And Volvo’s City Safety technology, standard on all Volvo models, combines automatic braking functionality and collision avoidance systems to cover a range of potential accident scenarios and help keep you safe. City Safety is the only system on the market that detects pedestrians, cyclists and large animals such as moose and deer.

The S60 offers four gasoline powertrains and is the first Volvo car to be sold without a diesel. Options include a T5 4-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-liter engine (250 hp/258 lb-ft) and theT6 AWD in-line 4 2.0-liter, supercharged and turbocharged engine (316 hp/295 lb-ft) that powered my test ride. There are also a T8 Twin Engine AWD in-line 4 2.0 supercharged and turbocharged engine (313 hp/295 lb-ft) and the T8 Polestar 2.0 supercharged and turbocharged plant (328 hp and 317 lb-ft). With quick and supple acceleration, my T6 powered up for a 5.9-second zero-to-60mph dash during a 14.4-second quarter-mile run. My week of mixed-use driving averaged 29.1 mpg, and I found the ride, quiet, controlled, but a bit rough over road imperfections. Handling responsively, the S60 steers predictably and handles curves in auto-cross fashion.

The 2019 Volvo S60 starts at $35,800 for the Momentum trim with the 250-hp T5 engine and 18-inch Momentum Alloy wheels. The R-Design trim starts at $42,545 and the Inscription level is $42,900. I tested the Momentum and upgraded to the T6 AWD and 316hp, to start the build at $40,300. Fusion Red Metallic exterior paint added $645 and was mated to a Charcoal (Black) Leatherette interior. A rear diffuser with split end pipes added $595. Inside, the cabin added the Premium Package ($2050) for automatically dimmed exterior mirrors, Blind Spot Information System and Cross Traffic Alert with auto brake, compass in rear view mirror, HomeLink™, keyless entry with illuminated door handles and hands-free trunklid, retractable side view mirrors, and
front and rear Park Assist. The Multimedia Package added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a Harmon Kardon Premium Sound system and Sensus Navigation Pro, for $2500. The Advanced Package added Active Bending Lights (as you steer, the headlights turn to illuminate the curve ahead), Graphical Head-up Display, Headlight High Pressure Cleaning, LED Front Fog Lights with Cornering Function, Pilot Assist - Driver Assistance System with Adaptive Cruise Control and Visual Park Assist + 360° Camera, for $2500, and the heated rear seats and heated steering package added $750. Rear mudflaps added $85 destination fees added $995, for a sticker-as-tested of $50,420.
 
<I> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The Infiniti Q60 is a 2-door sport luxury 4-seater coupe, not to be confused with the cross-over QX60. The Q60 is the successor to the Infiniti G Coupe and convertible, and began as a rebadged “G” for the 2013 model year. Unlike other alpha-numeric nomenclature in which the number is directly related to engine size (e.g. the old G37 stood for a 3.7-liter engine), the “Q” stands for sedan-class and the “60” is for the proposed relative ranking in the “Q” universe, where the entry-level Q is the Q50, the sporty convertible is called the Q60, the luxury Q is the Q70 and the cross-over is the QX with its own number placements.

For 2019, the third year of its second generation, Infiniti has eliminated its old 2.0-liter turbo engine and has replaced it with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo setup, available in two power ranges. This year’s Q60 is offered in three grade levels – PURE, LUXE and RED SPORT 400 – the RED SPORT 400 gets its name from the traditional power production – a 400hp engine, as opposed to 300 horses for the other trims. And a few cosmetic packages have been renamed, while several previous options are now standard on the various trims, including standard automatic emergency braking on the uplevel offerings.

Building on Infiniti's luxury-sports sedan design, performance and technology, the Q60 delivers an in-motion appearance with its aggressive stance, low and wide proportions and muscular lines. Its low center of gravity enhances driving dynamics, and is augmented by trapezoidal, honey-comb grille and crescent-shaped C-pillars that arc forward. Signature LED headlights, employ light guide technology to spread light evenly on the road ahead, and are designed to emulate the shape of the human eyelid, providing an alluring face to the car. The deep grille is inset from the high-strength steel corrosion-resistant body and aluminum hood. The 2019 Q60 measures 184.4 inches long, 54.5 inches high and 72.8 inches long on a 112.2-inch wheelbase. 

The well-appointed interior is cramped up top and in the rear, and the backseats are difficult to access, but the cockpit is tailored to meet a driver’s needs. The layout includes natural contour ergonomic-design front seats for enhanced comfort, premium leatherette seating surfaces, available semi-aniline leather-appointed seating, 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with manual lumbar support (power available), 8-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, available power torso bolsters (driver's side), Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, touch unlock door function, available heated front seats and heated steering wheel, Fine Vision electroluminescent instrumentation, premium 13-speaker Bose® sound system, Infiniti InTuition™ – a customizable digital environment for storing and providing various driver settings and driving characteristics to Intelligent Key, and much more. But as mentioned, interior dimensions are a bit tight north and south and in the rear, with 37.9 inches of front headroom and 34.5 inches in row two; legroom is comfortable at 43.1 inches in row one, but a child-worthy 32.4 in the rear; and shoulder room measures 54.6 and 52.0.  

Available in rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive, Q60 delivers power with its standard 3.0-liter longitudinal V-6 twin-turbo that provides 300-hp. 295-lb-ft of torque. The uptweaked Q60 Red Sport 400 model gets its numerics from a 400-hp, 350 lb-ft 3.0-liter V-6. The engines are teamed exclusively to a 7-speed automatic transmission, and the vehicle delivers when called upon. While inclement weather forced test track closures, my test LUXE trim should complete a zero-to-60mph dash in about 6 seconds, with a quarter-mile accomplished on about 14.5. Fuelwise, I averaged 22.8mpg during mixed-use tests.

Handling is quick-turn worthy and the power-assisted, vehicle-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering is predictable, while the independent double-wishbone front suspension with a stabilizer bar, works well with a multi-link independent rear with a stabilizer bar for good road-feel without a harsh ride.

From a safety perspective, Q60 is outfitted with six airbags, LATCH connectors for child safety seats, brake assist, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, advanced vehicle dynamic control and traction control, tire-pressure monitoring and an emergency inside trunk release. Optional safety features include backup-collision intervention, blind spot monitoring, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot intervention, lane-departure warning and lane-departure intervention with active lane control and front-seat pre-crash seat belts.

The 2019 Infiniti Q60 is available in three trims in RWD and AWD configurations, with the AWD adding $2000 to the base. The 3.0t PURE starts at $40,750. The 3.0t LUXE that I tested, started at $44,900 and the 400hp RED SPORT starts at $54,900. My test LUXE added AWD for that $2000 increase, and upgraded with the Essential Package ($3200) for Navigation with voice guidance, voice recognition, Lane Guidance and 3D building graphics, heated front seats and steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering column, dual-occupant memory system for driver's seat, steering column, and outside mirrors, driver's seat power lumbar and side bolsters, auto-dimming outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature and remote engine start system. A carbon fiber rear decklid spoiler added $870; carbon fiber look rear bumper protector added $50; remote engine start added $328; trunk protector added $120; Infiniti WiFi added $495; and destination and handling fees added $995 for a sticker-as-tested $52,958.


> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

As the 19^th edition of the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals takes shape, one thing is for sure.  The weekend of June 21-22 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds will be unlike anything ever seen before at this annual summertime gathering.  If cars were stars, which to the thousands of guests at Carlisle they are, then this year’s event is star-studded to say the least.  From special displays to guests, activities and more, being a part of the Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals is a MUST for any tried and true fan of the brand.

Gates open at 7 a.m. for this two-day event.  Once on grounds, showgoers will immediately be taken back to a time when Detroit and Chevrolet (as well as other products under the GM umbrella) were king.  From Pontiac to Buick, Cadillac to Oldsmobile, Camaro to GTO Judge, El Camino to Chevy Trucks and so much more, the National Parts Depot Showfield has it all!

While there are many great highlights to the event, THE highlight of the entire weekend happens on the back half of its final day.  At 1 p.m. on June 22, guests can enjoy the Bandit Jump.  This is the first event of its type ANYWHERE in 2019 and the first time it’s ever happened at Carlisle.  Join the Northeast Ohio Dukes as they honor the late great Burt Reynolds and Smokey and the Bandit with this jump on the south side of the grounds.  The jump is free for all on-site, but for prime viewing, a VIP ticket is required.  The VIP ticket pack is available now at www.carlisletickets.com. 

Other great celebration features in 2019 include a judged Showfield specific to Chevy and GMC trucks spanning the era of 1947 to 1987.  In addition, the Chevy Blazer gets a nod with a display spotlighting 50 years, while El Camino lovers honor 60 years of their beloved coupé utility.  Another 50^th showcase includes the GTO Judge while Carlisle Events as a company also invites enthusiasts to help honor the iconic Summer of ’69 with a 50-year focus of cars and trucks from that era.

50 and 60-year old honors aren’t all that will come out of Chevrolet weekend, as the Nova Nationals invade the fairgrounds, plus the Solid Lifter Showroom returns to Building Y.  A judged Showfield of nearly 1,000 cars plus a strong automotive flea market and midway help make this event one of the best of its type in the region.

Chevrolet weekend also plays host to a two-day dedicated Hurst Showcase.  This display, located under a tent, features dozens of top of the line Hurst branded cars.  There will also be Hurst engineers and others associated with the early years of Hurst.  In addition, Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, Linda Vaughn is scheduled to appear at the event for the first time in more than a decade.

But wait, there’s more!  In keeping with the theme of Chevrolet Nationals weekend being bigger and better, guests should also plan a stopover at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center for a full day of collector and classic car auction excitement.  Backed by Carlisle Auctions, the Summer Sale spans a good portion of Saturday and will host over 200+ consignments.  A free shuttle will transport guests between venues to best quench their automotive appetites too.

Judging, competitions like burnouts and autocross, awards, an awards parade, seminars and so much more.  Register today or by single day/weekend tickets at www.CarlisleEvents.com.  To learn more about the auction, visit www.CarlisleAuctions.com or call 717-960-6400.