owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

[Keith B.]

While attending the Charlotte regional last week I felt really out of place and was upset with the most of the cars there. My view of a NCRS show should be a learning experience for the owners and spectators alike. How can you learn anything about a car with the hood shut and no one to talk too. And if this was not my first time at a major event I would never come back. It seemed to me if the car was not being judged the cars hoods were shut, doors locked and the owner disappeared. How can anyone enjoy and learn about these fine cars brought to a event like this. It seems to me my dad and I were the very few who stayed close by the car and left the hood up when not judged. If NCRS wants to keep moving forward and bring the younger generation in to the hobby then a lot needs to be done.

In spite of what I said above I really enjoyed my time at the event and the private showing at Hendricks.

[Michael J.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

It's unfortunate you felt that way. I think most NCRS members don't see NCRS meets as "car shows", where the owner sits by the car the whole time with everything open. They see it as very serious and tense judging, and some people have had experience with small rare parts disappearing, so they get cautious. I have had my car at two regionals and a national for PV. After my PV, the car is put in the field, and I decide to pull out my chair, sit down and talk to anyone who comes by, put the top down since it is a convertible (mine is usually the only convertible with the top down in the field), and open the hood, and since PV happens at the start of the meet I am there for the duration of the show. But that is just me, many other owners are judging or attending seminars and aren't available to be by the cars much of the time.

[Mark C.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

We were there for Flight Judging. Hood open all day and windows down. We were around the car all day, even Thursday when our Ops check was finished early in the am. We could have left and went home but we were there until 4. Only time we were gone for an extended period was Saturday when our guests wanted to go eat lunch. We went out to the Boulevard to eat because he is 86 and not big on burgers and hotdogs. Michael is right about parts disappearing. There was a show somewhere that every C-1 gas cap got taken from what I heard. We enjoy sitting around and talking to others about their cars and differences in the same models and unique things they have discovered when restoring one. The do have judging classes and seminars and many member do observer judging as well and many volunteer to help with the show. Don't let one bad experience ruin your next visit. Many are willing to discuss things. Just keep looking and asking questions. Lots of valuable information out there.

[Keith B.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

I understand about theft. But never heard about it a NCRS show. Only doing Corvettes at Carisle and other big show and shine events. But what's the big deal about leaving your prized cars hood open while your at the event There are words that can describe I how I feel but I think it's best not to say then here. Like I said if you want the younger generation to take over things need to change how events are ran

[Peter S.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

Hi Keith,

Lead by example, which you have done. I think the younger generation will be more prone to approach the young guys, like yourself. I do think recruitment is most successful at non-NCRS meets as that's where there is a higher volume of younger people will flock. It's not like you can drive by Charlotte motor speedway and see a bunch of old corvettes. But how many times do you drive by a cruise-in and see all the old classics sitting out?

[Ara G.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

Keith, Congrats on the Top Flight. When I took my Maroon 67 to the Boca Raton Concourse show, I got to the show field at 6:30am. Opened the hood and starting detailing/wiping down the car and doing general prep stuff. The organizer came over to me (very nice guy) and told me he "loved" my car, but I needed to keep my hood shut for the entire show. When I asked him why? I would think people would want to come to the show to see engines too - he replied that the "cars photograph better when the hoods are shut". Needless to say, my hood was OPEN for the entire show. I was asked to shut it twice, and my response wouldn't be appropriate to post on a public forum - but suffice to say I grew up in Boston, MA...
I take the younger kids in my neighborhood out for a ride in my silver car as often as I can. They need to know that turd sounds coming from a souped up KIA is NOT what a car should sound like. When I start the car, the sound coming the pipes puts a HUGE smile on all their faces. In this hobby, some guys are private. Some are nervous as heck (like Mike said - and I agree with him as I have had my car judged before many times). Some guys don't care. Some guys would rather go do errands after their car is judged (it's true, I know a couple of those guys). I sit with my car at every single show I go to. Bring some chairs and a cooler of beer and stay all day. I really enjoy talking with people when they come up to my car. It's half the fun of the show after all. Great job on your car....Congrats again...ARA

[Keith B.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

My dad brought his friend who bought his 65 brand new in Vietnam and still has it. He wanted to see what it was all about. He had the same feelings as I did. And if a younger person read about that show and decided to see what it was all about how do you think he would have felt about it.

[Bill W.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

Keith .Years ago I went the the national at 7 Springs Penn. There were two or three 396 cars there. It was an outdoor show and one of the 396 owners kept his car cover on (days) until he was judged. Maybe they should have an option that the judges do the judging inside the trailers so nobody sees the car . Myself I would keep the hood open whenever I could and talk to anyone who would listen . We should all be proud of our cars and want to share them with other people .

[Brady C.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

I stayed with my car visiting with fellow members, guest and answered many questions "Is this an original color", etc. etc at last week's Charlotte Regional. Every morning, opened the hood, rolled down the windows and set out the chairs.... I saw and met many around their cars so not quite sure where all the owners he is referring to went. Many were involved in judging activities when their car wasn't actually being judged. I didn't experience the issue he mentions nor have I at the 12 + years of attending Regionals at other venues.

Brady Como # 42793
70 Corvette Bronze Convt.

[Frank D.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

I understand about theft. But never heard about it a NCRS show. Only doing Corvettes at Carisle and other big show and shine events. But what's the big deal about leaving your prized cars hood open while your at the event There are words that can describe I how I feel but I think it's best not to say then here. Like I said if you want the younger generation to take over things need to change how events are ran

Are you kidding ? Original gas caps for C1s were flying off cars at the NCRS at Kissimmee, Fl a few years back. And it was similar at Carlisle a few years back. I offered up a light sensing alarm with a 9v battery anyone could make in minutes to hide under the gas flap if it was opened for the purpose of theft.

No takers.

[Joe R.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

You know the old saying! "You usually get out what you put into it!

The NCRS is not for everybody!

JR

[Richard L.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

Had my car on the judging field in Kissimmee the day before being judged. Hung around my car all day with hood up chatting with folks. Went to lunch and while away someone somehow wound up sitting in my car (the doors were not open). Luckily a buddy of mine got them out. Who knows what could have happened. Even when you do the right thing...

[Michael G.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

With the possible exception of the Kissimmee (er, Lankeland?) meet, most NCRS meets don't get the kind of foot traffic you'd see at a concours show. The ones I've had my car at really had very few non-owners or non-judges wandering about, for most of the show (compared to other shows). This could be because many show days are weekdays.

In any case, I think most guys open their hood and are very friendly - when they are there and not directly involved in judging of their car.

Personally, I think it gets a bit boring sitting by the car with nobody about and that's probably why there are also usually off-site things arranged for participants to do.

It probably wouldn't hurt, though, to have two or three hours one afternoon where every owner is required to be present, with their car's hood up. I'd guess that might be difficult to arrange.

[Wally A.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

you did find out one thing for sure... next time you know what to expect, or stay home

[Keith B.]

Re: owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

you did find out one thing for sure... next time you know what to expect, or stay home

Thats for sure they sure didn't do anything to disprove the stereotype.