Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

[Marc S.]

Well folks, it is official. It has been for a couple of months now I have been engaging in this. I am in full throttle on getting my car judged.
After experiencing my first ncrs event and participating as an observer judge I am very motivated to attempt an award for my 1971 corvette.

I have had several folks look at my car and give me some pointers. My first thing I determined is to have realistic expectations. Any award would be great but if I can earn second flight on my first time I will be absolutely thrilled. It would be such an achievement to have a certificate with MY name on it and not someone elses.

I have a good idea what I need for my car and have been hunting for items and have had great success so far. I like to take my dream corvette to another level.

I know I will have many questions along the way, but any initial thoughts on how to approach this would be a great start. Thanks all.

[Carl N.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Aw Springtime - the stress of golf and flight judging - me I'd rather be out searching the barns and back roads for a new project. LOL - Marc, sounds like you have done your homework - best of luck with your first NCRS approved stress test -

[Reba W.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Marc, you are certainly approaching this experience with the right mindset--you do not believe that the car is perfect. Use the judging process to learn typical and non-typical things about the car. When the judges explain their deductions, make sure you understand the comments. Then decide how to proceed to the next meet. Good luck.

[Brian M.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Check Op's over and over, get the easy points NCRS sticker, battery cut, off fire ext. Bring your insurance card and both sets of keys. Relax and learn, and remember this is Fun.

[Paul D.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Reba is exactly right (as usual)! First time judging can be as stressful or enjoyable as YOU wish to make it. I have never subjected a car to the judging process, but have judged at the chapter level many times. You should consider the first time (or two) a learning experience. You will learn much about your car and the process. Familiarize yourself with the judging manual as well as the judging reference manual which outlines the process. Go through the operations chapter of your TJM and make sure that everything operates as it should. Those are some of the easiest points to lose if you are not prepared. To me, a car that loses points in operations tells a lot about the seriousness of its owner. If you happen upon a judge that is more interested in finding what's wrong instead of pointing out what's right, don't be discouraged. Just listen, make notes, and use his observations to make your car better. To me, the process of making your car the best it can be is what we are about. We need more members wishing to learn about their cars and to improve them. That is the only way our organization can continue to grow. Chip.

[Christopher R.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

1. Bring a clipboard, paper, and pen to take notes from the judges comments. Ask them to explain stuff to you as they judge and deduct points. Usually they will make notes on the judging score sheet for you when they deduct points. But you may want more detail. You can ask them to write more detail on the judging score sheets.

2. Ask lots of questions. Resist arguing with the judges. They will tend to shut down if you argue. If you ask questions, and time permits, the knowledge floodgates will open up.

3. Clean out your trunk, interior, and glove compartment. Put all the stuff you must carry into a box which can be removed for judging.

4. Go over your JG before the judging and be prepared to remove the parts that the JG requests. It can get a little hectic as the judging progresses. The judges will pull you one way then the next.

5. Wash the car and vacuum the interior. The judges don't respect dirty cars.

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Marc, you are certainly approaching this experience with the right mindset--you do not believe that the car is perfect. Use the judging process to learn typical and non-typical things about the car. When the judges explain their deductions, make sure you understand the comments. Then decide how to proceed to the next meet. Good luck.

Yes, my car is not perfect. In fact there was an owner getting judged (I was OJ in Kissimmee) who appeared to be disappointed that deductions were made for not typical factory production parts when he was he original owner of the car and to his knowledge that is how it came from the factory since he is the one that bought the car. Seeing that happen told me don't even think for one second that will have a perfect car. Thanks for the good luck!

[Reba W.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

[QUOTE= Bring a clipboard, paper, and pen to take notes from the judges comments. Ask them to explain stuff to you as they judge and deduct points. Usually they will make notes on the judging score sheet for you when they deduct points. But you may want more detail. You can ask them to write more detail on the judging score sheets.

2. Ask lots of questions. Resist arguing with the judges. They will tend to shut down if you argue. If you ask questions, and time permits, the knowledge floodgates will open up.


Do NOT interrupt the judges with questions while they are working. The time to do this is when they are going over the sheets with you. Owners hanging over my shoulder tend to irk me (and most other judges). You don't want to get on their wrong side. The JRM does explain an appeal process for something you feel is an unfair deduction. Read that.

Last year I had an owner who complained about his score AFTER I mailed the score sheets. When I asked why he did not appeal it at the meet, he didn't know the process.

As Chip stated so well, the organization needs more with your enthusiasm and attitude.

[Bob D.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Good luck Marc. It can be stressful but you may learn some new things about your car and make some new friends!

[Don H.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

1. Bring a clipboard, paper, and pen to take notes from the judges comments. Ask them to explain stuff to you as they judge and deduct points. Usually they will make notes on the judging score sheet for you when they deduct points. But you may want more detail. You can ask them to write more detail on the judging score sheets.

2. Ask lots of questions. Resist arguing with the judges. They will tend to shut down if you argue. If you ask questions, and time permits, the knowledge floodgates will open up.

3. Clean out your trunk, interior, and glove compartment. Put all the stuff you must carry into a box which can be removed for judging.

4. Go over your JG before the judging and be prepared to remove the parts that the JG requests. It can get a little hectic as the judging progresses. The judges will pull you one way then the next.

5. Wash the car and vacuum the interior. The judges don't respect dirty cars.

Chris, even with my very limited judging experience, I have to question this recommendation. I have had a couple occasions when an owner wanted to in effect be a co-judge, and found it really slows the process down. And given that there is usually a pretty tight time constraint for all aspects of judging in order to finish all cars and all tabulation before night falls, the judging must move along briskly. I have had to ask an owner to please wait until we finished and for the de-brief when the deductions would be explained. I have often clarified notes on the scoring lines to better detail issues, and made some changes during the de-brief. But, as for explaining deducts during the judging process, I must respectfully question that suggestion.

whoops, day late and dollar short on this covered above by Reba. Sorry.

[Reba W.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Never hurts to reinforce the message, Don.

[Marc S.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

[QUOTE=Reba Whittington (8804);702307]

= Bring a clipboard, paper, and pen to take notes from the judges comments. Ask them to explain stuff to you as they judge and deduct points. Usually they will make notes on the judging score sheet for you when they deduct points. But you may want more detail. You can ask them to write more detail on the judging score sheets.

2. Ask lots of questions. Resist arguing with the judges. They will tend to shut down if you argue. If you ask questions, and time permits, the knowledge floodgates will open up.


Do NOT interrupt the judges with questions while they are working. The time to do this is when they are going over the sheets with you. Owners hanging over my shoulder tend to irk me (and most other judges). You don't want to get on their wrong side. The JRM does explain an appeal process for something you feel is an unfair deduction. Read that.

Last year I had an owner who complained about his score AFTER I mailed the score sheets. When I asked why he did not appeal it at the meet, he didn't know the process.

As Chip stated so well, the organization needs more with your enthusiasm and attitude.

Being an OJ at Kissimmee was the best thing I could do. It showed me how I should conduct myself as an owner having their car judged. I was told from others as an OJ you should keep quiet at all times and ask questions later after judging is finished. I did exactly that and worked out very well. The same should be applied to the owner getting judged. I know exactly what you mean about having your shoulder looked over. That is over the top and understand why that would irk you. I know enough to bring some chairs and make this an enjoyable experience. There will not be a peep out of me to any judge, unless I am asked a question or a request is made of me. (open hood, turn on lights, wipers, etc etc etc.). If for some reason I don't agree with a judge I will follow the protocol.

In the meantime, what is so wonderful is that I am very pleased with how my car is in it's present condition. Any improvements for judging purposes in my mind is simply a big bonus to me and my car. Yes I am human and dissapointments can happen, but I do not think this is going to happen as I know what I am in for.

I have found several items (most small little ones) but my BIG SCORE so far was to find a nicely dated carburetor for my car. This is the 7041205 unit. My car currently has a 1970 LS5 carburetor in it right now. I knew when I purchased the car it was not correct but that was not important enough to be a deal killer. I was told the carburetor for my car in a correct date format would be extremely difficult to find and quite expensive. Well, fate had it and I found one in short order, albeit it was not in the best condition. I sent it out for evaluation and testing and learned it was rebuildable!!!!!! It is getting the finishing touches to it and should be ready soon. What a major find. And, when I do swap it out at least the 1970 LS5 carb is not worthless so I will be able to recoup a lot of the expense. I am ALMOST excited about finding 7041205 as I did with my dream car. There are other items on my list but boy did finding that carburetor motivate me a great deal!

[Roy V.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Way to go Marc, looking forward as you prepare for your next big achievement

[Michael J.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

There is a great deal of difference between "questioning" a judges' calls during judging, and asking for a full explanation after the judging is done. Make sure you fully understand why a deduction was made and what will make it right, if possible. Otherwise you will have some vague, half-baked comments that are of no help when you get home and start going through your punch list of items to correct. Take it from someone who was too timid at first judging to press for specific, detailed answers.

[Terry M.]

Re: Preparing for my car for my first judging meet!

Yes, my car is not perfect. In fact there was an owner getting judged (I was OJ in Kissimmee) who appeared to be disappointed that deductions were made for not typical factory production parts when he was he original owner of the car and to his knowledge that is how it came from the factory since he is the one that bought the car. Seeing that happen told me don't even think for one second that will have a perfect car. Thanks for the good luck!

Not ALL Corvettes that left Flint, St Louis, or Bowling Green had typical parts on them. so even with an original owner, who is absolutely certain his Corvette "came from the factory that way" there can be deductions because parts if the car are not typical. It doesn't happen often, I have been there and got that T-shirt. Not a big deal.