[Shotimes] Gold Award, what do we need to do?

[Donald Mallinson]

Although I don't judge at our events because I am doing 
other things, I do help set the rules and try to help guide 
the judges.

The goal for a SHOw car is factory fresh.

It must be clean as new and look like new in all respects.

Dirt and wear/tear are what cost points.

A car can be a clean as possible and still lose points 
because of scratches, dents, rust, plain wear and tear.

We don't spend a lot of time looking at undercarriages 
(bottom of the car) because it is hard on judges and for the 
most part, all of our cars are daily drivers.  The few 
people that keep their cars stored and never drive them are 
few and far between these days.  But if all else is equal, I 
would expect a judge to look under a car and give the nod to 
the best and cleanest underside.

One convention the decision between best of SHOw and runner 
up came down to dirt between the A/C and regular radiators!

I have lost points at shows (with a Camaro) because of a 
spider web in the fuel filler area!  Might have been put 
there by a spider during the show for all I know.

We may have either a popular vote class or high miler class 
again at this convention, we are still tweaking the rules at 
this time, trying to make it different and more fun for more 
people.

SHOws are always subject to complaints and we get them every 
year.  The current system evolved because of trying to meet 
the needs of the most people, also to try to not overwork 
judges who are volunteers and do a great job IMO.

At this level (basically amatuer level of judging) the 
points you get on your car can vary quite a bit from year to 
  year.  It should not be so, but people are people and 
their "system" can vary.  I have judged in a lot of other 
types of shows, and what I try to do is at least be 
consistent from car to car, judging against the "perfect" 
standard.

Of course if you are in stock class with custom wheels, 
paint, motor mods etc, you will lose points.  Stock means 
stock in our group.

In the modified group, the amount of mods does not mean 
anything, we again try to judge against new/fresh and clean 
standards.

Don Mallinson
SHO Club

van Oss wrote:
> My son David (12) and I have been entering Car SHOws at conventions the last
> few years.  Last year in MD, our 92 fell from a state of grace.  For the
> first time, Abigail got a Silver Award instead of Gold.  David was bummed.
> 
> So any tips?  (I ask this partly for the benefit of others attending.)  Ye
> of much experience, what separates the Silver from the Gold?  Please answer
> in terms of specific parts.  Thanks.
> 
> Joseph van Oss
> 
> p.s.  David's goal is to drive the track day at the first convention after
> he becomes legal.  He owns his own 1992 Taurus LX.  So this is not a kid to
> diss.  Serious replies appreciated.   Love, Dad.   :-)