Bloomington Gold Questions

[Garry Barnes]

I am looking for experienced insight into the "things you can only learn after you get there" catagory from you guys that have had your cars judged at Bloomington. I am not so concerned about my car as much as I am about the logistics of the Sunday event and "what they forgot to tell you" stuff. For instance:
1. Are there deductions for have an NCRS sticker in the windshield?
2. Should the gas cap be taped on?
3. Where is the best place to park and unload? I am local so I chose not to pay $125 for secured parking.
4. Where and when are the operations checks done?
5. "Wish they had told me that before I got here" insight.
I will be calling their office today to ask these same questions, but would really appreciate learning from some of the stories I am sure you guys have.
Thanks.
Garry

[Harmon C.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Questions

Gary
1+2 NO 3 They will tell you. 4 when the judges arrive they do the whole thing at the same time,ops is last. 5 You need a window sticker to pick up 35 points. Ask for the judging sheets and judge your car yourself for a better chance at the Gold.

Lyle

[Terry M.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Questions

1) Depending on the class the answer is yes or no. According to their rules the answer should be yes, but soime judges don't see the NCRS sticker.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Bloomington Gold Questions

Window sticker huh? Does this apply to a 1956? Thanks for your contribution.
Garry

[Jack H.]

No..

manufacturer's list price disclosure wasn't legislated into existence until approx 1959. Window sticker is also called the Maroney sticker based on the senator from Tennessee who sponsored the bill into law.

Last, if you're getting a sticker for Bloomington judging, remember their objective is to see the car as it left the factory (vs. NCRS whose objective is as it was delivered to the original owner). That means a window sticker enclosed in clear plastic fails the originality yardstick. It also means stickers affixed with double sided Scotch tape don't 'get it' either...

[Garry Barnes]

Re: No..

Thanks Jack. I didn't think so on the window sticker. Will I get a deduct on having an NCRS sticker in the windshield? Also, I assume that any type of license plates would be a deduct correct?

[Jack H.]

Re: No..

"Will I get a deduct on having an NCRS sticker in the windshield?"

Technically speaking, you could/should as the rules at this concours are to present the car as shipped from the factory. BUT, understand roughly half of the judges at Bloomington are fellow NCRS members who seem to 'miss' the presense of an NCRS window sticker...

I didn't take deductions for the presense of my NCRS window sticker, my Duntov sticker or Duntov front license plate. But, strictly speaking, I should have fully played by their rules and removed these things...

Also, eventhough their rules are as shipped from the factory, they routinely overlook items that were installed as part of dealer prep like wheel covers being on the wheels, license plates on the car, Etc.

I think you'll have fun and enjoy the Bloomington process (I did). It's a little different than NCRS Flight Judging but VERY similar. What HURTS there is when you're MISSING an item since they have more individual line items on their score sheets and they don't allocate points when making deduction(s).

[Donald O.]

Re: No..

IF the car is to be presented "as it left the factory"...where are the seat cover protectors? the paper carpet protectors? The hubcaps were shipped to the dealer NOT installed, but in the trunk. These are all spelled out in the AIM.

not trying to stir the pot too much

Don

[Richard L.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Questions

Garry,

Relax...

I took my '65 to Bloomington last year and with the exception of adding a window sticker to the side glass, I did nothing extra that you wouldn't do for an NCRS judging event...I had my license plates on the car and my NCRS sticker in the side vent window and I didn't get dinged on either issue...As Jack has stated, most of the judges are NCRS folks anyway...

What I discovered was that if your car has an NCRS Top Flight award (and the original engine for Bloomington Gold) you have pretty much shaken down the car for the Bloomington Gold judging process...

They will explain where to be in detail at the Owners Meeting the day before judging...The judges went out of their way to make the process a pleasant one for the owners...The judging was pretty much over in about 3 hours, and they were very efficient with their judging teams and work processes...

Good Luck with having your car judged at Bloomington...

Rick

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Bloomington Gold Questions

Rick, thanks for the head check. Still have a lot to do to have it put back together and all things working, so while I have a little time here at work I thought I would ask the questions that I would most likely forget until it was too late. My '56 has Top Flighted three times at chapter events, but with regional level judges for the most part. Just like to have all things in their place ya know.

You say that the owners meeting is on Saturday? I hadn't planned on going on Saturday because I figured that I would still be doing last minute stuff. Sounds like that is going to change.
Thanks again.
Garry

[John H.]

Re: Bloomington Gold Questions

Garry -

They should have already sent you a package which includes the "Owner's Advisory", which answers all your logistics/schedule/timing/judging procedure/protocol questions. If you haven't received it, give them a call.

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Bloomington Gold Questions

John,
When the sent out the questionaire they included a note saying that the Owner Advisory information was not available at that time and that it would be sent at a later date. As of today I do not have it. I will give them a call tomorrow. Thanks.
Garry