Car Show Judging and Awards

[Denstang65]

I was just curious. How many people think it is important to have awards at car shows? Can there still be a great, fun car show without having awards and judging? I know my car is not really show material, nor do I care. I go for the fun of seeing cars, meeting new people and seeing friends. I know that is enough for me to have a good time. What about all of you?

[1sgt]

To tell you the truth we all spend hours be for a show and at the show and some times go 100's of miles to a show to win . Yes it's great to meet people and have fun but you know and I know we want our car to be the best and look the best . YES I like to win

[Wayne Grey]

Got enough dust collectors - I agree with Denstang65. I do keep all of our cars in show condition, but have long since enjoyed shows and do very few. I do show with the survivors (non judged) and at cruise-ins. I notice lately that too many owners show up, prep their car and then sit behind it for the rest of the show. If you don't like cars - why bother going to a show? You may catch me at my car, but very seldom. I love looking at other iron and making other owners happy by talking to them about their car and giving them compliments (better than a trophy - I think). People - remember - everyone loves their own car at a show - otherwise they wouldn't own it !!!

[mikeljgt500kr]

I go to about two dozen car shows and/or judged events a year. I enjoy rigorous standards based judging, such as NCRS and some MCA events. There, it is not car against car, but car against a standard, that is when winning is important to me, as I work hard to meet the standards, if they are published/available before hand, and not held secret like some (that drives me nuts, so some venues I don't go to). In the typical show and shine event, where it is car against car, the judging criteria and categories are so vague and silly, and the judges so biased and inexperienced many times, I would prefer they just skip the "awards", they don't really mean much anyway.

Edited September 3, 2013 by mikeljgt500kr

[3ponies]

I could care less about car shows awards, I go to have fun, see friends, meet folks, enjoy the drive and most of the time I don't even vote if given a ballot. Only time I cared about it was when I had a classic and I only did it once to get a benchmark on what need work on the car. I also learn a lot about what you can mod on a car at car sows.

 

I drive em hard, get em real dirty and then clean them. Not interested in a trophy, just a smile.

[MY500SS]

Got enough dust collectors - I agree with Denstang65. I do keep all of our cars in show condition, but have long since enjoyed shows and do very few. I do show with the survivors (non judged) and at cruise-ins. I notice lately that too many owners show up, prep their car and then sit behind it for the rest of the show. If you don't like cars - why bother going to a show? You may catch me at my car, but very seldom. I love looking at other iron and making other owners happy by talking to them about their car and giving them compliments (better than a trophy - I think). People - remember - everyone loves their own car at a show - otherwise they wouldn't own it !!!

 

 

.I do enjoy going to car shows but for me it's about visiting with friends and meeting new people. Sure, the awards are fun but not my reason for going.

[Doug_GT350]

Got enough dust collectors - I agree with Denstang65.

 

I could care less about car shows awards, I go to have fun, see friends, meet folks, enjoy the drive and most of the time I don't even vote if given a ballot. Not interested in a trophy, just a smile.

 

 

I do enjoy going to car shows but for me it's about visiting with friends and meeting new people. Sure, the awards are fun but not my reason for going.

I agree with you guys.... I did the show circuit with my van in the 70's and 80's threw away more trophies than I kept. I do enjoy cruises, both the driving and the gathering type. I would rather drive for four hours then sit at a show for the same amount of time.

[Wayne Grey]

Mike you are right about standards. We do have 2 national winning MOPAR's and have had judges in the national MOPAR shows ask us why we put that brand of tire on the car (bought the car new in 74 and these are the tires that the factory put on it), "I've seen that interior before, but why did you put that carpet in it" (Show them the book that shows that is the way I got it from the factory) - I could go on and on with judges that don't know what they are looking at - even had one judge say "the next time you paint it" - the car has 10,000 original miles - all original including carpet, tires, paint etc. The non judged events are less aggravating at my age. - The trophies that we have that mean the most to get (in the past) are Sponsor's Choice & Club's Pick.

[ShelbyEra08]

I really don't care for awards at shows, it seems like some ppl only go to show for the awards, and if they don't get one they get all pissy and complain swearing their car deserves the award........those type of people ruin the show

 

if I get one SWEET, I will add it to my "trophy case", if I don't get one, I really don't give a hoot

[3ponies]

 

 

 

 

I agree with you guys.... I did the show circuit with my van in the 70's and 80's threw away more trophies than I kept. I do enjoy cruises, both the driving and the gathering type. I would rather drive for four hours then sit at a show for the same amount of time.

Doug, you would love the Hot Rod Power Tour if you like to drive. 4500 cars for thousands of miles! It is a blast!

[mikeljgt500kr]

The judges can be erratic as it regards their knowledge of the cars, you are correct Wayne. When my '70 AAR was at Mopar Nationals, they were very knowledgeable judges and could appreciate all the small details I had worked so hard for, also the case at NCRS judged events. MCA, not so much, and SAAC very opaque standards to say the least.

[David Hawkins]

I usually win Trophies. 1st Place if I really work at detailing my Car, 2nd Place if I do a decent job detailing my Car and a 3rd Place if I do a halfass job detailing my Car. If they Charge $20.00 or more to enter, they BETTER Judge and hand out awards. More Shows should offer a "Display Only" Class and charge only half of the Registration Fee.

[rdrawkit]

I only go to DISPLAY my RIDE.. I pay the entrance fee BUT never enter my car... I biggest JOY is when regular non car people come by and TAKE PICTURES OF MY SHELBY.. That to me is the BEST REWARD

[IngotSilverSnake]

I "judge" my car every day when I see it in the garage. It always gets first place (now has 24 coats of Liquid Glass and never driven in the rain). I don't care what anyone else thinks.

[Torch Red Texan]

I really don't care for awards at shows, it seems like some ppl only go to show for the awards, and if they don't get one they get all pissy and complain swearing their car deserves the award........those type of people ruin the show

 

if I get one SWEET, I will add it to my "trophy case", if I don't get one, I really don't give a hoot

I agree. I enjoy going to Cars and Coffee to look at other cars. I have learned a lot from a buddy that goes with me. Got to see my first Buick nail head at C&C. Can't take the wife. She gets bored and walks fast.

I have entered a few shows where you pay. Don't like the way their judged. Letting everyone in the show judge. Car clubs pick their member's cars. Took my wife and her 2002 Tbird to two shows and she won both times. She has the attitude that if she doesn't win she gets all pissy and complains. If I win great, if not I had fun talking to everyone. My church is having one this month and yes I will enter. Only because the $20 goes to the food basket that feeds 3000 people in our area.

[2+2]

I enjoy the show and shines the best. You can come and go as you please. Many judged show I go to are fundraisers, so I mark it as a contribution. I can understand why those working and putting on the show might be getting some preferance. I do know it seems like you win when you least expect it.

[07gt500conv]

I go to certain shows. It seems if I go to a show when I "would like to win" because I like the trophy, I dont win. When I dont give a Sh$t and there to hang out and have fun is when I win...

 

Go Figure.....

[kryptonite]

I do a few car shows every year. Money generally goes to a worthy charity. If I win something, great, if I don't I get to see a lot of nice cars and meet people.

[bmezz]

I hit 3-4 shows a year allways enter. It's almost always for a good cause,love looking at all the cars and talking to all the "Car Guys" get lots of good advice, and most of all you can't find a better place to park while checking out the show.

 

P.S. it's also nice to win or place once in a while.

[Frank S]

The reality is likely somewhere around, "No matter how hard you try to make judging standards rational and consistent, it isn't possible; beyond that, some people can't be pleased on some days, and there isn't much use in trying to please everyone all the time."

Eventually it becomes clear that each judgement by each individual, be he/she a normal person viewing a car show; an entrant with a HUGE investment of money, time, and identification; or an official judge with obligations to his organizations at several levels, his self-image, and his ethics, is at any moment the result of myriad forces plus a blossom of whimsy. And therefor not dependable in a value context.

In the words of the poet, (his infamous cop-out mode) "It is what it is", which I believe should be engraved on every award ever awarded on the basis of judgement. Even the ones I have won. Especially those.

Don't get me started on "Ice Dancing", or "Synchronized Swimming".

[Jason Hoverson 36737]

I go to shows but the most memorable ones are the ones with home made trophies or at super cars and coffee (a once of year event that really brings out the cool cars). Like this years winner which was a HRG (1 of 4).

 

The best part is talking to others whether they are participating or spectators.

 

By the way the awards at this years Super cars and coffee was a beer mug with the shows name and date engraved on it. So it's something you can actually use.

[REDTAIL]

the thing that gets me is the ones that go to the car show and turn on the alarm and walk away next thing ya know its goes off

[1sgt]

I'm sorry to say I stay buy my car because some of the spectator take the capes at $100 each +hard to get and they put there hands on the car .

[Coachmoe]

I go to a lot of shows because:

 

1. I LOVE to compete.

2. I like hanging out and talking about cars.

3. My anal OCD nature is satisfied.

4. It gets me out of the house.

 

Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose. SOMETIMES, it rains!

 

True story: Today I went to a participant judged show. My car was registered in two class, Mustang and 2000 up. We had window cards showing our number and classes. Mine were under my wipers as usual. While I was walking around picking my choices, SOMEBODY took my Mustang class sheet and removed it from the windshield and dropped it in my interior between the passenger door and seat. Obviously not very happy because I thought I had a chance to win that class. Turns out I won the 2000 up class. Very happy and grateful for the win but irritated that someone would stoop so low. The Mayor's Choice and the Chairperson's Choice both went to two Camaros, a 2012, and 2012, both bone stock but they were local residents and buddies of the Mayor. Didn't see THAT coming!

 

A buddy of mine has a GORGEOUS 67 SS 396 and he has won at least 3 best of show awards at judged shows this year and today he walked out empty. Doesn't matter what kind of show you go to, judging is a funny thing simply because it is USUALLY so subjective in nature. ( Unless you are at an MCA or SAAC show ) But to coin a phrase, " It is what it is! "

Edited September 8, 2013 by Coachmoe

[ingram4868]

When I take my car to display, I am the guy sitting behind my car in my comfy chair with umbrella, iPod music, lots of reading material with drinks and snacks. I have seen young people climb on the hoods to take pictures, people will try to open the doors to sit in it, my club has had parts stolen and one owner was keyed when he was out looking around. For me this is akin to fishing, no kids, no wife, just peaceful relaxing in the shade.

 

Now, when I want to see a car show I take my family car, park it wherever I can and admire the displayed cars.

[UK PONY]

When I attend small, local shows I don't have any expectations of winning. It's always a hot rod that wins or a piece of junk that belongs to one of the locals.

 

When I attend a larger show such as the International Mustang Meet I let my competitive side come out to play. My car won her class in 2008, placed in 2009 (then the CS6 conversion happened), won in 2010, 2011 (didn't attend in 2012) & 2013.

 

In all cases I have a quick look around while someone I trust watches over my car but then spend the rest of the show by my ride. As has already been stated you, sadly, have to watch people. One time I had my lug nuts loosened by a jealous competitor, thankfully my MG Midget overheated on the way home before the wheel had a chance to fall off (this was back in the UK). Another time I watched a child walk up the hood of a Lamborghini while the parents stood by and did nothing (I lifted the child off by the scruff of his neck & kept them all there until the owner came back to his vehicle).

[HARALD KELLEY]

I go to shows on occasion. I enjoy all cars. The trophy aspect does not really matter. I love when the general public looking at the cars come and ask questions. Then say "nice car" or similar. That's makes me feel good.

 

That said, a trophy or other trinket is just an added bonus.

[James Harman]

Trophies are always nice to get, but not a big deal for me, Like almost everyone here has stated. I like to go to have a good time with friends,

make new ones and see some really nice cars. B)

Edited September 16, 2013 by YorbaRaptor

[verlyn12]

Our car is bone stock with a few pieces of chrome added. Being one of those types that believe we bought it to drive it, I do not even attempt to get it in show condition BUT I love going to the shows and appreciate the people who do go to all the work that is required to show. I really enjoy talking to the people and if the owner is by the car asking them the questions.

For the people that are serious competitors, they want appropriate judges and they will know what type of show they are entering. I don't mind paying the entry fees especially for charity to be able to be part of the event.

I guess there is something for everybody and that's what makes it fun.