Car show vent
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I never go to a show expecting to win anything. I like to go to "charity" event type shows if possible. They make it worth while for sure. I also just like to go to hang around other car guys/gals like myself and check out some of the great custom cars.
I very often loose to car's that are bone stock, with flags hanging, neon, flashing lights, 20" wheels, still at stock height, interior accents that make me want to puke.
Its not my thing, but some seem to enjoy being tacky.
I choose mods that "blend" with the parts around my car. Not mods that stand out and scream "LOOK AT ME". I find that the typical car show attendee choose mods that try to really get your attention.
If you choose mods like I do (Clean/blending in mods) then that's what you get with participant judging.
They never notice your well thought out mods. I made a show poster that shows my mods just in case someone really wanted to know that I have almost $20K in mods in my car. I prefer performance mods over visual mods.
If I happen to win something its cool, but no big deal. My 6 yr old son likes to put the trophies in his room. I have no use for them, and I certainly am not the type to go to shows and put them around my car showing off, like I see others do......
Toque
I very often loose to car's that are bone stock, with flags hanging, neon, flashing lights, 20" wheels, still at stock height, interior accents that make me want to puke.
Its not my thing, but some seem to enjoy being tacky.I choose mods that "blend" with the parts around my car. Not mods that stand out and scream "LOOK AT ME". I find that the typical car show attendee choose mods that try to really get your attention.
If you choose mods like I do (Clean/blending in mods) then that's what you get with participant judging.
They never notice your well thought out mods. I made a show poster that shows my mods just in case someone really wanted to know that I have almost $20K in mods in my car. I prefer performance mods over visual mods. If I happen to win something its cool, but no big deal. My 6 yr old son likes to put the trophies in his room. I have no use for them, and I certainly am not the type to go to shows and put them around my car showing off, like I see others do......
Toque
I've seen very subtle and classy modded Corvettes lose to those with SS everything and stick-on maple like interiors. Many times it's simply club bias or a popularity contest. Mod your car to your tastes and if you take home a trophy now and then, great. In the end, you're the person enjoying your mods more than anyone else.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 17
From: Bartlett Tennessee
Hence my attitude toward car shows.
I do go to several. I enjoy the "show and shine" events a little more, mainly due to the people that seem to frequent these shows.
I always go for the fellowship. I love to hang out with other "car people" and to show my AE. I always meet some really neat people, sometimes even make a new friend.
Though I do what I can to present my car in its best shape, I never assume that I will be chosen for anything. I go to meet new people and see some really cool cars, and at the end of the day, if the judges like mine, GREAT, and if not GREAT TOO.
Don't take it personally. We all have stories such as yours. Just go to have a good time and not get a trophy.
Wave on !!
I do go to several. I enjoy the "show and shine" events a little more, mainly due to the people that seem to frequent these shows.
I always go for the fellowship. I love to hang out with other "car people" and to show my AE. I always meet some really neat people, sometimes even make a new friend.
Though I do what I can to present my car in its best shape, I never assume that I will be chosen for anything. I go to meet new people and see some really cool cars, and at the end of the day, if the judges like mine, GREAT, and if not GREAT TOO.
Don't take it personally. We all have stories such as yours. Just go to have a good time and not get a trophy.
Wave on !!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,760
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From: Broward County Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Not necessarily true...been showing since 1979 and have been to too many shows where mine was the cleanest car, hands down, and not even honorable mention. Depends on the show and how its judged. If you are worried about clean, then do an NCCC concours show. If its peoples choice, it's chrome and paint (I won't enter those) and even if they have your class, you never know, many times at participant judged events it becomes a popularity contest of the owners, not the cars. My two cents.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 53
From: Warrington Pa.
Our club has a show every year, members judge non members cars and non members judge members cars. This seems to work so people can't say that club members win everything. I'd like to see real judging with judging sheets but it's hard to get qualified judges
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
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From: Pasco WA
I went to a nice sized out of town show that was sponsored by a Corvette club, which put all Corvettes in one class. The "Corvette" trophy, as well as the "Best of Show" were won by a guy in their local club that bought the car 5 days previous to the show! An off the showroom floor car won the major trophy, and the Corvette one, by being a brand new car! My buddies, some of whom had fantastic cars, laughed at the absurdity of it, and I too, was miffed that all my detailing, and DIY mods went for naught. BTW, the car that won, was an '03 AE cpe. that we all thought was beautiful, but hell, it was a new car. Ironically, 5 years later, my best friend was in the market for an AE, and he ended up with the very same car, that was on consignment at a dealers lot, in the same town as the show. It was still stock, except for Borla Touring catback, and was still gorgeous.
Last edited by zeevette; Jul 5, 2011 at 04:41 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Well, it's obvious you need something to bring attention to your car.....
Might I suggest one of these nifty dolls....
Or if you really want to win at shows....perhaps a different kind of car show doll.....
Might I suggest one of these nifty dolls....
Or if you really want to win at shows....perhaps a different kind of car show doll.....
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
