so i'm going to my first NCRS show this weekend. anyone been through the judging with any tips? anything i should expect that maybe i wouldn't see coming?

 

going to Gettysburg? bring your rain gear. the biggest thing is to have fun and learn. you wont make friends with the judges if you are leaning over there shoulder the whole time arguing with them. just stay calm relax and watch and learn. and listen. but did I say have fun. I will see you there

 

does anyone know if i have to take the spare tire out? or do they just need to see it? also, what about the bonus points? i have the NCRS sticker i got when i joined, is that the one to put on my car? and where should i put it, do they care? any particular place for the fire extinguisher?

 

I can't help with the judging never been through one. I just wanted to wish you luck on the judging...and hope everything goes well..

 

Thanks!

 

just place the sticker on any where you would like on the glass that is obvious to the judge. a common place is the lower right hand of the windshield. I placed mine on the left front corner of the hatch glass. you will have to drop the spare tire. just place the fire extinguisher anywhere. you will have to remove it for judging

 

I just went to my first one as an Observer Judge (serious emphasis on observer).

Yes, that is the sticker. People had the NCRS Sticker on various places on their glass, some on the windshield, some on the side windows, and some on the back window.

The judge told me that the fire extinguisher could be mounted or just next to the car.

You also get points for having a battery cut-off.

The cars I saw being judged had the spare and jack behind the car.

Everything has to work, I mean everything. You can get the particular judging sheets from the NCRS Website and a book for what they are looking for your year car. I got one. They are great books.

One thing to look for is the RPO Sticker; do not quote me on the name. It is either in console or behind the passenger seat underneath the mat. If you do not have this, the judge, who literally wrote the book, said you can only make second flight.

I had a lot of fun. Good luck

 

Hmm. i'm pretty sure my RPO sticker is under my console lid. i'll have to check that later this morning.

i have the judging sheets and books. i mostly went through them and tested everything (i think) on my car last night.

i don't have a battery cut-off and didn't have time to get one before the show. that's something i'll have to add to my list.

i use to have a nice small chrome fire extinguisher, but i couldn't find it last night. so i guess i'll have to grab one of my other ones. so you're saying sitting outside the car will probably be ok?

i've never completely dropped the spare. i might need to do that this afternoon.

thanks for all the tips guys!

 

I thought NCRS judged based on original factory condition. I don't recall cars sold new with an extinguisher!

 

 

I had great expectations in attending this event as it is just an hour and one half drive, one way for me. But, I have been strickened with a lung infection, by digging in the back yard....(mildew, heavy pollen, etc.) If, anyone attends this great event, please post photo's....

Thanks, I am back to bed.


Stay in tune....

 

She had me worried about the sticker. I had taken console lid off to re-glue the cover, so I knew it was not there. I found it behind the seat.

The judges were very patient and went over everything on the checklist with me for each car they judged. He pointed at the extinguisher on the ground and told me to check it off on two different cars.

If you have not dropped your spare before it is probably pretty dirty. I take mine down every three or four months to check the pressure. I use a 1/2" ratchet wrench, because the wider arc is faster.

Good Luck

 

I've both been an NCRS judge and have taken my 67 through the process. It received a Top Flight some years back at a regional level (where the judges are the best). I plan to enter my 95 in a local chapter meet this year. Some advice:

1. Just relax.
2. The judges are volunteers, so don't treat them like they are some government employee. They 're there because they like Corvettes.
3. With respect to C4s, they are still in something of a learning phase. The C2s are still having their judging manuals changed as they learn more. They are just at the beginning of the knowledge trail for C4s.
4. The judging process is to compare the car to a theoretical car just off the end of the assembly line. As such, they compare with what is in the judging manual. If the judging manual is wrong (and you KNOW it is), please provide backup where you think you might have a case (not that it would definitely change your score, but your point may be investigated). If the event is a regional, these guys will listen to you.
5. Don't take any criticism personally. Again, the judges are just working from the manual. Note that there might be some C4 experts who also REALLY know their stuff. As one example from C2-land, a guy who posts in the C2 forum named JohnZ (actually John Hinkley) actually worked as a production engineer at St. Louis when the C2 were being produced. He is a frequent judge at for NCRS and Bloomington. If you're a C2 guy, and I don't care who, you don't know more than John. But he's very helpful to any and all who post requesting his advice. There may emerge a similar C4 guy and it's likely he'll end up working with the NCRS.
6. The idea behind the three non-production items that NCRS gives credit for: fire extinguisher, battery cut off, and NCRS sticker - safety, prevention of a lot of dead batteries, and a simple desire to advertise the organization.
7. If the car has a spare tire, for judging, the spare tire carrier is lowered and the tire is accessible.
8. Remember - For events up to the regional level - you get points for DRIVING to the event. The NCRS guys will tell you that while they appreciate the low mileage cars - they really want to see them driven.
9. If anything needs to happen to your car during the event, the judges will usually ask. For older cars this includes things like requesting you take the air cleaner off so they can check the carb numbers. Or even just getting in the car. You will asked to perform whatever is required for the operations check.
10. Bring a folding chair - you'll be doing a fair bit of sitting around.

 

"Checking Carb. numbers!" Not for me, I think NCRS judging is out of control.

 

Oh, so spinning a wing nut and pulling off an air cleaner cover is too much? Why would that simple request make them "out of control"?

 

It may also be a challenge on C4s.

 

 

Kind of weird/cool to actually see a thread in the C4 section about NCRS judging for C4s.

 

NCRS decal - Many folks put their NCRS decal in the lower right corner of the windshield. You can actually put it anywhere you wish, but make sure you do not cover up any of the window code lettering.

Fire extinguisher - This is a safety issue not an OEM issue. You will receive 4 extra points if you have one. At the regional and national levels many judges ask you to put your fire extinguisher flat on the ground just in front of the left rear wheel. This is a common placement for many automobile shows and seems to be somewhat of a standard position. This way, if there is a fire, everyone will know where to find the fire extinguisher.

Battery cut-off switch - This is a safety issue not an OEM issue. You will receive 4 extra points if you have one. Many NCRS judging events are actually held indoors. In most cities, the fire marshall will now allow automobiles to be parked indoors with out having the battery disconnected or a quick release battery cut-off device.

Spare Tire & Jack - These items are judged and checked for originality, condition & date codes. You will lose points if the items are not correct or are dirty. Many folks place an old blanket on the ground at the rear of the car & put the tire & jack on it.

Operations Judging - This is an often overlooked area and is critical in achieving a high score. You will lose 25 points for every item or accessory that does not work as originally designed. This includes all lights, blinkers, radio functionality, antennas, locks, alarms, etc., etc. Spend time here as just a few non-working items can sink your hopes of a Top Flight Award.

Engine, Paint & Interior - If you do not have the original engine in your car, or if the original paint color or interior color or material has been changed, you will receive major point deductions. If these items are not as the Corvette left the factory, you had best forget about achieving Top Flight Status with NCRS.

Exhaust & Tires - Tires, wheels and exhaust is where most folks lose their points. If you have the original wheels and can find some OEM tires on eBay or Craig's List you will avoid major point deductions. Same with OEM mufflers, pipes and hangers.

Even if you are a Corvette expert, participating in the NCRS judging process will increase your knowledge and understanfding of your Corvette.

Let us know how you make out. Have fun and good luck !

 

well i'm done with the show. GREAT experience. the judges were awesome. really knew their stuff and were extremely nice. being a first timer, they were all very helpful with not only giving me tips, but also pointing me to people on the showfield who could help me with things i might have questions on or need help with. originality trumps condition at here. so it's better to have the original part in not great shape than have an aftermarket part that isn't exactly correct. with the exception of my straight pipes, i have an all stock car. so this was a perfect show for me. and i had a blast! i know some of there are some people lurking who i met this weekend, so thanks for all of your help guys!

by the way, i have pics and i'll try to get them up as soon as i can.