Top Flight Question

[John H.]

I have a 63 that just got 98.4 at a recent judging event. Should I go to a regional meet to try for a higher mark after I correct a few of the judges issues.

[Jack H.]

Re: Top Flight Question

That's your personal decision to make... The question is intertwined with what your objectives are in 'campaigning' the car.

If the end goal is to obtain a Mark of Excellence Award, you've got a 3-year period to run the course and get a Performance Verification test executed sucessfully at a Regional/National meet, a Flight Judging of 97.0% or better at a Regional meet and then repeat the Flight Judging at a National meet with yet another 97.0% or better showing.

Another approach is collect all three Top Flight awards for the car (chapter, regional and national) and not pursue the Mark of Excellence award. That can be fun with a LOT less challenge.

You can decide to pursue a Founder's award with the car by actually driving/using it and participating in all the key facets of NCRS club activities. That's also a fun award/recognition category.

Bottom line, YOU need to define the end game for your car as we can't really tell you what you should do...

[Patrick H.]

Re: Top Flight Question

In addition, scores often go down when moving from a Chapter meet to a Regional meet because of more knowledgeable judges who find more inconsistent items.

[Pete B.]

Re: Top Flight Question

In addition, scores often go down when moving from a Chapter meet to a Regional meet because of more knowledgeable judges who find more inconsistent items.

Boy if that isn't the truth. At Waco I improved in all areas except the area that i recieved no deduct at a local event.
I got where i needed to be, but I got clobbered... but now at least i have a fresh list of things to "improve" on.... less swirl marks in black paint under metal halide lights.

[John D.]

Re: Top Flight Question

John, IF you scored that high at a chapter meet you must have a nice 63. The chapter shows are not a breeze like they used to be as the quality of the judging has improved. At our Pittsburgh chapter shows so often there are numerous master judges that don't miss much.
What I personally like is you are starting off in the right direction. Chapter first and then regional second. It's really hard on the judges when a car owner brings his Corvette to have it judged the first time at a regional. Hard on the car owner too.
Yes I would go for it as how else are you going to see my friend Carlton in action. .I really enjoyed having my 63 judged. Let us know what you need help on. Good luck, John D.

[Nick M.]

Re: Top Flight Question

John
That's funny, I don't seem to have the same recall about you having fun at the PA event when that cute little blond was eyeballing your interior with a maglite !

[Peter G.]

Re: Top Flight Question

I agree with John....

The natural procession is: Chapter, Regional and then National.

I see all the time new members to NCRS (and they have just joined because they had to to get their car judged) that have never had a car judged at a NCRS Meet bring the car they just bought and just get "Clobbered" in the judging.

It not only leaves a bad feeling between the owner and judges, but many times the owner has this as his first impression of NCRS!

As we in NCRS know, NCRS judging is not like NCCC or any People's Choice" Corvette Shows.

I have done much more judging than having my Corvette NCRS judged and after several Chapter meets 4 or 5 to be exact had so many many items to address. My car was a solid Chapter Second Flight when I bought it so it had some exposure to the NCRS way of life.

After my Top Flight at Chapter did I feel I was ready to take the car to the next level a Regional as I knew I would again be adding issues to address to the car that I thought I had completed.

I would still like to put at least one or maybe two Top Flight Regional Awards under my belt before I feel I am ready to move up to then next level.

Then my next step would be National and I know I still have plenty of work ahead of me to attain that level.

To any new members...we want to see your Corvettes, but we also want you to enjoy the experience and the comradiere of all the great people at NCRS.

[John D.]

Re: Top Flight Question

John
That's funny, I don't seem to have the same recall about you having fun at the PA event when that cute little blond was eyeballing your interior with a maglite !

Hi Stranger, That little blond can do anything she wants my friend. I just adore Kathy(Cathy?) and her boyfriend Rick. It's true though that she doesn't miss squat. But I take here comments seriously as she is good on interiors. Talk about two faithful NCRS members. They make a lovely couple and I look forward to seeing them and all my friends. So how's the 63 doing Nick? You've been MIA. JD

[Nick M.]

Re: Top Flight Question

John
Been busier than a one armed paper hanger and must confess that I miss the action here on the big board! The 63 has been waiting patiently for me to work through my judging sheets from the Silver Springs event in order to tidy up a few of the loose ends. As winter sets in I hope to make the time to return to the solitude of my garage and once again wade patiently through the judging punchlist of items which are in need of attention. Hope all is well.