posted
Went to a car show yesterday a local Camaro club sponsored it. The show was judged we found out after we paid the fees by "Participants". The last show we went to was judged by proper show judges, this show was just a popularity contest friends voting for friends so naturally we had "No Chance". Anyone else have this happen? It gets better as the Camaro Classes were eith modified or stock, no gen or year desigation so I was up against a first Gen Yenko and a Nickey car, plus a beautifully restored 68 RS/SS so I lost but not to be a sore loser don't you think the classes should be by Generation? Or am I wrong? Thanks for the input.
-------------------- 2002 SS LE Z4C, all options plus 12 disc Cd changer,ASR,Rear defogger,A-4 Trans. SLP Options: Cm Exhaust, 345 Airbox, Bilstein, Auburn, 35 Ann mats, 35 ann rear deck mat, 35 ann car cover, portfolio, birth certificate key fobs + dash plaque, special Camaro GM Portfolio. Autographed by FBODYFATHER Scott Settlemire, SSOA & WWCA Member! Slp owners Assoc. Posts: 184 | From: Chicago,IL. | Registered: Apr 2003
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Judging is always subjective, so I try not to put too much emphasis on it and focus more on the people and the event, and just having a good time.
I like looking at the nice cars and seeing what people have done to them to make them special. I appreciate the work that goes into a custom job, as well as a restoration, but I enjoy meeting the person behind the car the most.
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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At Camaro Superfest(the biggest all Camaro annual show in the U.S.) we hire Corvette club members to judge the 460 Camaros.That way we are out of question when it comes to judging and no one can say that we voted for friends Camaros. Posts: 5682 | From: Dearborn,Mi. | Registered: Feb 2002
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That is just about how every show around me is. Actually, there are judges, but they are all friends of the car show participants so when somebody new comes along, they aren't part of the so called clique. If you are going to car shows to win things, you are going for the wrong reasons.
The best part is those few people you get who actually appreciate what you have and understand it. Espically for me, I love when an older guy (I'm 23) comes up and asks, "this your car" and I say yes and see his eyes light up. Usually they go, I was about your age when I got my first z28 too.
Granted its nice to win, but when many judges don't know newer Camaros and Firebirds from imports, what can you do.
-------------------- 35th Anniversary T-top LE #545 SS #1814 Posts: 14 | From: Hammond, Indiana | Registered: Aug 2003
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Man. don't get me started....it's getting better tho, usually when car clubs put on shows, its mostly about that year or make...lately i have been seeing the Camaro class broken into 2 groups 67/82 and 82/02 which is better than grouping them all together...Heck its hard to even find events for late model cars sometimes.
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I've seen where some people get pretty chummy with the judges, but not that often.
I can't complain about the friends voting for friends thing. This is the first year I've ever shown my car, along with my husband and two friends. We all have 2002 Camaros (we have 2 SS's, our friends have 2 Z28's). In the four shows we've been at, I've won at three, and my husband won at one of them. My one friend won at 2 out of 3 (people's choice both times, 2nd and 3rd). At our very first show (GM Nationals - Camaros at Carlisle), my husband and I tied for 2nd in participant choice, and our friend tied with someone else for 3rd. I just won Best Camaro at the PRO Hotrod and Musclecar Nationals at Maple Grove this past weekend. We were total newbies at the show, and all Camaro years were grouped together. The judge even explained to me why he chose my car.
I haven't really seen where the regulars got more favors or attention from the judges, except at Super Chevy. The judges seemed to know quite a few of the people there, and didn't hide that fact.
For being unknowns at these shows, I have to say we've done pretty well. We go into the shows not expecting anything. That way you're not disappointed if you don't win, and it makes a win all that more special. It's more fun talking to other people about their cars than sitting and worrying about if you'll get a trophy at the end of the day. The positive comments from spectators means the most to us.
I will agree, though, that it's totally unfair for someone to win an award based on who they know, and not for the effort they put into their cars. I work very hard to get my car show ready, so anything I win, I feel I deserve. It wouldn't mean anything to me if I won only because I knew the most people.
Posts: 14 | From: Palmerton, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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Ive been showing my Dodge Avenger for the past 5 years. Ive noticed that car shows are no different then politics, unfortunately.
I remember a couple times specifically.. one time was a SEMA show where the guy that took 1st in our catagory was sponsored by a few sponsors that put on the show. His car had a LOT less mods and appearance then mine yet he still "ousted" me for 1st, I took second. Another one was at a SoCal local shop.. I took second to a Mustang that was owned by someone that was tied in with the shop that put on the show.
Both shows I drove 5+ hours to attend, 8 hours to the SEMA show.
Ive learned that doing car shows can be just as frustrating as they can be enjoyable. Over the years Ive learned not to expect anything and enjoy your time there hanging out with friends instead of worrying about what place youll take.
Ive also noticed that the majority of judges rather see shiney appearance stuff rather then hear and acknowledge the actuall performance of the car. I know its a car show but they should take into consideration the functionality of the car and its performance.
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Alot of local shows around here are that way and some even put all makes of cars in same class at open shows. I had a real surprize awhile back when I went to a modified car show in which all the cars were modified. Lots of rice there, well it cost $10.00 to get in or $15.00 to be in the show and I only went to see the show and the drags a burn-out contest but the parking was on dirt and the cars very close parked to each other so I paid to get in the show to get to park on pavement and no one close to my car which was like paying $5.00 for a good parking place, guess what I got a second place at the show in which all cars were grouped together and it was a 497 car show. You never know what judges will like
Posts: 737 | From: Siler City N.C. | Registered: Sep 2003
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