Judging School

[Tony H.]

I am interested in getting more involved with NCRS judging. What's the best way to go about doing this? I have the judging reference manual which I will begin to read in my spare time. From my first meet this past weekend in Pittsburgh I found that it's nearly impossible to do much OJ on other cars while getting my own car judged. I tried to learn as much as I could about my own car and I succeeded. But to really get my hands dirty with judging other cars, I think I have to leave mine off the judging field a few times, right?

Also, where can I find out about judging schools? Are these held at various levels and who can participate? Is there a listing of various judging schools, dates, locations so I can plan attending those in my region. I will likely join a local NCRS Chapter, just have to decide which one and where and when those meetings take place.

Thanks for any insight.

Tony

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Judging School

Tony,

If you attend an NCRS Regional meet, there is usually 2 day judging, and most regional events host the NCRS Judging Seminar. You can usually have your car judged 1 day, and either be an observer judge the 2nd day or attend the judging school.

Another way is to join your local NCRS chapter and get involved. Most chapters hold a couple of judging schools and tech sessions throughout the year.

[Vinnie P.]

Re: Judging School

Tony,

If you attend an NCRS Regional meet, there is usually 2 day judging, and most regional events host the NCRS Judging Seminar. You can usually have your car judged 1 day, and either be an observer judge the 2nd day or attend the judging school.

Another way is to join your local NCRS chapter and get involved. Most chapters hold a couple of judging schools and tech sessions throughout the year.

[Jack H.]

Re: Judging School

Vinnie's advice is sound, Tom. Different NCRS chapters will have different schedules and agendas. But, as an active member you have a voice and can make an impact. Typically, judging schools vary too.

Some concentrate on correct paperwork proceedures, others focus on how to appropriately allocate originality/condition points. Some actually conduct a mock judging of a given car where other schools hit isolated 'high points'. The format is up to the local chapter judging chairman, but inputs from his membership and BoD (board of directors) always carry weight.

You're also right about the potential 'conflict' of having your car judged AND being involved in the judging process. Vinnie points out a potential solution path that needs a few more words.

As an OJ (observer judge), you can pick/choose what car division, judging team, and position (Operations, Chassis, Etc.) you want to request placement on. At Regional and National meets (think hard about attending a National) the period for Flight judging is longer. Typically, Chapter meets are a one day affair and all the 'action' comes at once.

Regionals are most always two day events with different car divisions staggered according to the meet's schedule defined by the judging chairman (how many cars are there, of what MY, how many judges are there) to balance the workload. The National Convention runs almost a full week and the full range of NCRS judging activity is reprensented -- Flight, BowTie, Founders.

So, at the bigger meets it's possible to have your car judged AND get active in the judging process on your 'off' day(s). If you want to concentrate on the division your car is in ('70-72), you're on the horns of a dilemma you're familiar with. But, '68-69 and '73-75 Sharks are very similar, so you CAN do both activities at a given meet....

Last, some look for a magic wand to wave and 'poof' turn 'em into an NCRS judge through some matriculation process. Isn't real. Doesn't happen....

The qualifications for being an NCRS judge are: (1) be a member in good standing of NCRS, (2) be selected to judge by the Team Leader for a given division, (3) agree to obey the published NCRS rules/standards. The process of judging is learned by experience. You simply toss your hat in the ring and get started as you have with your OJ experience. ATTABOY!

At meets there are judges and there are owners. As you saw, it IS possible to be both but it's time consuming. Bottom line, this is YOUR club and regardless of whether you're an owner or a judge, we're all NCRS MEMBERS in the end.

[Jack H.]

Re: Judging School

Vinnie's advice is sound, Tom. Different NCRS chapters will have different schedules and agendas. But, as an active member you have a voice and can make an impact. Typically, judging schools vary too.

Some concentrate on correct paperwork proceedures, others focus on how to appropriately allocate originality/condition points. Some actually conduct a mock judging of a given car where other schools hit isolated 'high points'. The format is up to the local chapter judging chairman, but inputs from his membership and BoD (board of directors) always carry weight.

You're also right about the potential 'conflict' of having your car judged AND being involved in the judging process. Vinnie points out a potential solution path that needs a few more words.

As an OJ (observer judge), you can pick/choose what car division, judging team, and position (Operations, Chassis, Etc.) you want to request placement on. At Regional and National meets (think hard about attending a National) the period for Flight judging is longer. Typically, Chapter meets are a one day affair and all the 'action' comes at once.

Regionals are most always two day events with different car divisions staggered according to the meet's schedule defined by the judging chairman (how many cars are there, of what MY, how many judges are there) to balance the workload. The National Convention runs almost a full week and the full range of NCRS judging activity is reprensented -- Flight, BowTie, Founders.

So, at the bigger meets it's possible to have your car judged AND get active in the judging process on your 'off' day(s). If you want to concentrate on the division your car is in ('70-72), you're on the horns of a dilemma you're familiar with. But, '68-69 and '73-75 Sharks are very similar, so you CAN do both activities at a given meet....

Last, some look for a magic wand to wave and 'poof' turn 'em into an NCRS judge through some matriculation process. Isn't real. Doesn't happen....

The qualifications for being an NCRS judge are: (1) be a member in good standing of NCRS, (2) be selected to judge by the Team Leader for a given division, (3) agree to obey the published NCRS rules/standards. The process of judging is learned by experience. You simply toss your hat in the ring and get started as you have with your OJ experience. ATTABOY!

At meets there are judges and there are owners. As you saw, it IS possible to be both but it's time consuming. Bottom line, this is YOUR club and regardless of whether you're an owner or a judge, we're all NCRS MEMBERS in the end.