Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

[Ron N.]

Thanks,
Ron

[Tom H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Hi Ron !

I've never seen your car, but I would say once you have addressed the issues at hand that were deducted on your car, you should stand a good chance at the Gold.

Pick up a set of BG judging sheets and do a test run on your car. I'd say you'll be pleased with the results you come up with. Sounds like you have a nice high quality car.

[Terry M.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

One of the differences between Bloomington Gold and NCRS judging is that Bloomington Gold judges the window sticker (Maroney(sp?) Label). Be sure to have it, or a fair facsimile, for judging there.

[Jack H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Following up on what Terry said, in 'general' cars score in a similar fashion at Bloomington (NCCB--National Corvette Certification Board) as they do at NCRS. But, my take has been to expect about 1% less than the NCRS score IF you do nothing to the car due to the sublte differences in judging standards.

Terry's point is spot on. To elaborate, the NCRS standard is as the car was originally built by Chevrolet and delivered to the original owner repleat with then current dealer prep. Bloomington's standard is as the car was built by Chevrolet. The difference(s) are slender but real.

For example, typical dealer prep would have removed the window sticker for driver visibility. Bloomington expects it to be in place and as affixed by the factory (no use of double sided Scotch tape, no plastic lamination, Etc.).

There are other issues too like the steel rings on the keys, the coded key punch-outs being in place, key envelope(s), wheel covers, license frames, Etc. But, most Bloomington judges cut some slack here recognizing that some cars are actually driven/used. In that case, they have to have license plates affixed instead of not being present and frames being packed inside the car. The same goes for wheel covers.

Bottom line, it's often these 'tiny' differences in judging objective that result in scoring differences between NCRS and NCCB.

Another difference is Bloomington holds certain areas of the car 'sacred' and indicates same by a 'box' on that line item. Sacred items include the engine block and certain body parts. If a given car fails inspection on a 'boxed' line item, it's 'boxed out' meaning it can't receive Gold Certification regardless of its actual score.

The only thing NCRS has that's similar is the authentication of the trim tag. Otherwise, the award flows from the NCRS bottom line score.

Last, there's no such thing as mileage driven credits at Bloomington. Cars stand on their own merit which is similar to how NCRS evaluates when a car vies for the Mark of Excellence Award.

But, I think you'll like your Bloomington experience. I know I did!

[Terry M.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Thank you Jack -- I used the broad brush, and you filled in the details.

One other point: The Bloomington Gold folks like to see the frame stencil. Be sure at least part of it is visible even if a mirror is required.

[Jean C.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Jack/Terry,
How much time to the Bloomington judges allot to each car? I was told that the entire judging process takes place in relatively short order when compared to NCRS Top Flight judging but I do not recall the length of time that was mentioned.
Cheers,

[Ted S.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Where can I get a copy of the judging sheets? I was thinking about going for the gold on the '58.

[John H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Jack/Terry,
How much time to the Bloomington judges allot to each car? I was told that the entire judging process takes place in relatively short order when compared to NCRS Top Flight judging but I do not recall the length of time that was mentioned.
Cheers,

At Bloomington Gold, the 4-person judging team (one judge each for Exterior, Interior, Mechanical, and Chassis) spends about 23 minutes judging the car, reviews with the owner, and moves on.

[Terry M.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

36 or 32 (I forget which) total minutes per car, regardless of how many cars are in the class. That includes the four areas, operations, and review with the owner. In fairness Charlie, as you know, there is only one judge per area -- four judges total -- so there is no one to debate with, nor does any training take place on the field. Those two features, along with score sheets with no numbers for points, streamlines the process a lot.

The judges all approach the car at the same time, and all finish the car at the same time. The judges' movements around the car are choreographed with the flow of the score sheets so that they are not in each other's way.

[John H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Where can I get a copy of the judging sheets? I was thinking about going for the gold on the '58.

Ted -

There are no published judging sheets, although a '58-'60 Bloomington Gold judge might have some from previous events.

[Ted S.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

John, I just emailed them and this is what they sent back. It took all of 5 minutes end to end. You can't beat that for a process. I assume these are what they use. I did notice also that they say once you register they send a set of sheets. Hope this helps those thinking about going for the gold.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

WOW!!! Those Bloomington Gold Judges must be "super" judges to be able to inspect the car totally AND to know all the details of a range of cars...in just 32 minutes each!!!!

Sort of like the AACA judging... judge a model T Ford and then proceed to a Hurst Olds or a Corvette or a Super Bee or all of the above.....

[John H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

John, I just emailed them and this is what they sent back. It took all of 5 minutes end to end. You can't beat that for a process. I assume these are what they use.

Ted -

Yup, that's a complete set of the sheets we use on the field. You'll note there are no deduction points decisions to be made by the judges - all the math is done in the Tab Room. Note the "silver" column on the numbers and body sheets - those items can "box" the car out of qualifying for "Gold".

[Dick W.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Not quite like AACA Steve, for instance C-1 is broken down similar to NCRS. 53-55, 56-57, etc. There is a 4 member team for each breakdown. Another thing, which can be good or bad, is that the judge does not have to figure the point deduction. It has it's good points and bad. 10 cars is too many for this old phart to have to judge in one day

[Stuart F.]

Re: Bloomington Gold / NCRS Top Flight

Now that you've digested all this about BG, what will happen to the triple crown Gold Spinner Award now that that event is cut back to once a year?

BG judges are very competent. Several joined the judging forces at a "Route 66" event in Berwyn, IL a few years back and gave mine "Best in Class". They REALLY go for originality!

Stu Fox