The recent discussion about judging selection got me thinking about my own "career" as an NCRS judge.
I remember like it was yesterday my first judging experience at the 1986 Cypress Gardens Regional. I did exterior on 1956-1957 cars. Bert Lukens was leading the 56-57 team at that event, and I was truly blessed to start my career with Bert.
I still remember, and have repeated often, one statement that Bert made to his team that day. "In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, give the owner the benefit of the doubt." Thank you Bert, those words, and the many other lessons you imparted at that event have stuck with me.
I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to examine some truly spectacular cars, including numerous 1968-1968 L-88 cars, 1971 LS-6 cars, 1957 FI big brake cars, ...the list goes on. But I have to say that my absolute favorite came at the Cypress Gardens regional in the early 1990s, when I was part of the exterior judging team for 1968-1969, and one of the cars in the class was the yellow 1969 ZL-1 coupe, owned at that time by Ed Mueller. What a treat it was to judge that car.
In my judging career, I only found one car that received no deductions in my category. It was at one of the Bowling Green regional meets, and the car was a 1978 Pace Car with 12 miles on it. I was doing mechanical 1 (engine and compartment), and my team mate and I agreed that the car was worthy on zero deductions. Not only very low mileage, but well cared for over the years.
I have seen lots of amazing cars, and I have learned a tremendous amount over the years, but without a doubt the best part of judging was the wonderful friends that I made. Too many of them are now gone, and others are no longer active in the hobby, but I treasure those relationships.
My own judging career is most likely at an end, so I will not get a chance to complete the judging ladder badge (see attached photo). I started at Level 1, and progressed at a rate such that I got a new Level pendant every year or so. So, at 72 points, and with my old and decrepit body now telling me (along with my doctors) that my days of crawling around cars are over, I sadly accept the fact that it will end here.
But is has been one heck of a journey. And many thanks to all of you in NCRS that have made it such an amazing trip. I could not have asked for anything more.
I remember like it was yesterday my first judging experience at the 1986 Cypress Gardens Regional. I did exterior on 1956-1957 cars. Bert Lukens was leading the 56-57 team at that event, and I was truly blessed to start my career with Bert.
I still remember, and have repeated often, one statement that Bert made to his team that day. "In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, give the owner the benefit of the doubt." Thank you Bert, those words, and the many other lessons you imparted at that event have stuck with me.
I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to examine some truly spectacular cars, including numerous 1968-1968 L-88 cars, 1971 LS-6 cars, 1957 FI big brake cars, ...the list goes on. But I have to say that my absolute favorite came at the Cypress Gardens regional in the early 1990s, when I was part of the exterior judging team for 1968-1969, and one of the cars in the class was the yellow 1969 ZL-1 coupe, owned at that time by Ed Mueller. What a treat it was to judge that car.
In my judging career, I only found one car that received no deductions in my category. It was at one of the Bowling Green regional meets, and the car was a 1978 Pace Car with 12 miles on it. I was doing mechanical 1 (engine and compartment), and my team mate and I agreed that the car was worthy on zero deductions. Not only very low mileage, but well cared for over the years.
I have seen lots of amazing cars, and I have learned a tremendous amount over the years, but without a doubt the best part of judging was the wonderful friends that I made. Too many of them are now gone, and others are no longer active in the hobby, but I treasure those relationships.
My own judging career is most likely at an end, so I will not get a chance to complete the judging ladder badge (see attached photo). I started at Level 1, and progressed at a rate such that I got a new Level pendant every year or so. So, at 72 points, and with my old and decrepit body now telling me (along with my doctors) that my days of crawling around cars are over, I sadly accept the fact that it will end here.
But is has been one heck of a journey. And many thanks to all of you in NCRS that have made it such an amazing trip. I could not have asked for anything more.
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