owners at regionals what do they have to hide?

[Patrick H.]

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

When bringing my car to events I usually am near it the day of the judging. However, on the day it's not being judged I'm usually over at the Advanced Judging Seminar, or doing some judging myself. As a result I will close and lock my car, because a $150 radiator cap or $50 wing nut isn't worth losing. I suspect that others do the same.

The best time to look at cars is the day they are being judged. Thankfully the schedule is printed so you can determine ahead of time what cars to visit on what day. I don't really expect access to a car on a day it is not being judged.

Patrick

[Jeff M.]

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

We were there with my 63 SWC survivor and had the hood open Thursday - Saturday. except for doing the judging school, which my dad sat with the car, and walking around looking at other cars I was there talking with people the whole meet. I met a lot of other car owners and enjoyed their cars and stories. We had a great time and took a Top Flight home to boot. With getting to see the Hendrick Corvette Collection, it was one of my favorite meets.

[Edward S.]

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

Was on vacation - have now had the opportunity to catch up on what i missed. Keith I was very sorry that you were upset with fellow members who locked their cars and took off. I always had this silly idea that if you spend your time & money to be at the show you and your family should be allowed to do what ever you and your family would like to do with your free time. My membership # is in the ten thousands - which means I have had the opportunity to attend many regionals and nationals in my time. I have many times too hear about the missing valuable parts taken from unattended and unlocked cars - what better time to go shopping when you know the odds of parts being correct.
One thing I have not heard is that these shows are held once a year, if you go often enough you make new friends - that you would see once per year. You get to look forward to see old friends and you begin to make plans with your family to do things when you have free time. It is one of the best parts I like - but I would think some people have other ideas. I have had Duntov cars that I was allowed to put on display at various regional shows, my 65 Duntov Coupe was selected to being included in the 2009 Carlisle Display Building - hope you spent time looking and getting info from those members. Rather then hear your getting upset I would suggest you do one or all of the following - Take your car to local Corvette shows, go to as many cruise nights you can get to always plenty of vettes, join a local NCRS Chapter and get involved in being a judge/everyone learns much about different models from all the members. Hope you get to the point where things are not so upsetting - if not quit. It's only an expensive hobby. Good luck.

[Keith B.]

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

this is not my first rodeo at this sort of thing. I have been going to my local chapter meets for the last ten years, and many other type of shows. I guess I had my hopes up thinking everyone would be friendly, talkative, and willing to share "war" stories on there car. and allowing people to take pictures of there car. a couple times I saw a car open with a hood open and as soon as I walked over with my camera the owner quickly shut the hood and walked away. I am glad my dad and I got the award we were after because as fair as I am concerned I wont be attending any more shows besides the chapter shows

[Tracy C.]

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

this is not my first rodeo at this sort of thing. I have been going to my local chapter meets for the last ten years, and many other type of shows. I guess I had my hopes up thinking everyone would be friendly, talkative, and willing to share "war" stories on there car. and allowing people to take pictures of there car. a couple times I saw a car open with a hood open and as soon as I walked over with my camera the owner quickly shut the hood and walked away. I am glad my dad and I got the award we were after because as fair as I am concerned I wont be attending any more shows besides the chapter shows

Keith,

Sorry you are disappointed, but give your fellow members a break. Already mentioned here, some folks are pretty stressed out. They've invested a lot of money in restoring their car (in some cases, paying someone else to do it), money for the transport and the privilege to have it judged and they want the blue ribbon to validate their expenditure.

Everyone handles stress differently.

This may sound odd, but some may be concerned about judges "prejudging" their car before the judging event even begins. Given enough time, judges will find something incorrect. Judges are not supposed to prejudge, but it happens. Bring a camera into the equation, and you might very well get the response from a nervous owner you describe.

For guys like you and your dad who do the restoration yourselves, you have confidence in your work and are eager to talk about it. For the owners who just write checks, they may be intimidated by questions they cannot really answer. Nobody wants to look uninformed, so the easy way out is to lock up the car and do something else available at the meet.

Hope you reconsider and come back soon and often.
tc

[Chuck M.]

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

Keith,
It was good to finally meet you, sounds like your car did well. I understand your frustration, I have been a part of this organization since 1998 and have felt the same way at times. In fact I actually had an individual (not the owner) push my shoulder because he thought I was leaning on the car during the advance judging school. My point in saying all of this is to tell you to not get get discouraged by the few individuals that came off unwelcoming and focus on the majority that would be happy to answer your questons and talk to you about their car. This is a great organization with plenty of good people and the fact of the matter is this club needs young people in order to survive. I implore you to reconsider and give this thing another chance, you guys worked hard on that car and you cant let the actions of a few deter you from enjoying this hobby.
Chuck

[John H.]

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

Keith,

Sorry you had a negative experince. I think Joe Ray nailed it. You get out of the NCRS what you put into it. I bought my first Vette as a teenager and have owned them for 30 years now. I atteneded a NCRS event in the 90s when I was in my 30s and it wasn't a good fit. I took some of the feedback personal and walked away feeling a little like I suspect you did. For some this is about the cars. For me its about the cars and the people. Cars don't drive theirselves. I can tell you that not joining years ago was my loss. Today I am an active member of my chapter, write the newsletter and attend as many events as I can. The friendships I have forged here are great ones. Members have inspected cars for me in other states; helped me make intelleigent purchasing decisons and saved me thousands. I hope you stick with it and get involved. My largest concern is this is an older group with a wealth of knowledge and I hope it all gets passed down. You are the future of our hobby.