Listers,
After many years, many shows, witnessing many controversies and hearing
zillions of opinions, I am resigned to the fact that there will ALWAYS be
controversy surrounding car shows and judging.
Popularity shows are just that. One Healey owner from the Northeast used to
stand around his car and hand out beers hoping for votes (and it often
worked), in other cases popularity judging concerned voting for (or against)
the owner and not the car, other shows include multiple models (Big and
Small Healeys for example) in the same class resulting in inequities. Got
lots of friends = Lots of votes, good car or bad. Got lots of chrome = Lots
of votes. I have seen some owners become abusive towards their children when
they lose (Yeh, I've seen it happen), and non-first-place owners verbally
abuse the first-place owner after the show. I will never forget a certain
National Healey Meet at which the first place Concours entrant, literally,
almost hyperventilated at the podium. At another show,, I was witness to the
most extreme example of cruelty and over-reaction which some would say
deserves entry into a behavioral science textbook. I've seen it all.
If necessary, give each entrant a trophy at registration and stop the
bitchin'. Or as an alternative, how about this. Create categories for awards
such as the best white 1960 Sprite, best white 1960 Sprite with black
interior, best unrestored white 1960 Sprite with carpets, best white 1960
Sprite with 1275, best white 1960 Sprite with extra chrome, etc. etc. etc.
etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.
Bottom line. Own and enjoy the type of car you want to own and enjoy. Don't
own or build a car to win a $10.00 trophy. Don't build a car to win a show
and don't attend a show just to win an award.
IMHO, ultimately, car show competition and trophies are meaningless.
Let the opinions fly.
Jay Fishbein, CT
AN-5
HAN-6
Innocenti-S
Lotus 7
Frank Clarici wrote:
> wizardz wrote:
>
> > I truely fear if we do not promote the 'average daily driver' at
> > events. You'll slowly see most clubs fall apart as the years go by
> > and is already evident by the participation at some events.
>
> Very well put!
> Paul is right in what he said.
> I can't be bothered with car shows anymore (parts swap meets and my own
> club show aside) primarily for what I hear in the background.
> "Oh that's wrong" or "They never came from the dealer with those"
> And clubs that do put on shows should not favor other club members cars.
> My own club included. At our show this summer, I won a first place award
> with a well driven 11 year old restored Sprite. Parked next to me was
> Biff's perfect 1700 mile unrestored example. Biff should have won first
> hands down. My Sprite should not have place.
> If a car wins first at a show one year they should be grouped together
> the next year in a class called "best of the best" give someone else a
> chance the second year.
> Why not start a new trend, no more 1at, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. From
> now on give awards like Paul said, Rusty Rocker award, Shabbiest
> interior, grease Monkey award, Diamond in the rough, etc.
>
> --
> Frank
> Drive it or give it to somebody that will
> http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/
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