Where to get your car judged the first time?

[Paul C.]

I live in central Illinois and the local clubs do not do any judging--just social activities, road trips, and shows. The car has never been judged before and I don't want to start at a big event where I will look like a neophyte if there's alot wrong. Where would I start my judging process? I thought it was usually a local event, then a regional/state event, and then national NCRS. Can someone please give me some guidance in this process. Thank YOU!! 1971 Corvette

[Bill W.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

St Louis has a small Chapter show in the spring and fall .

[Reba W.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Glad to see that you want to join the judging process, Paul.

The only venue that demands a prerequisite judging is the national. For those who are new to the judging process, it is generally better to start with a chapter meet. They are lower key and everyone knows everyone. This is not to say that the evaluation process is not first rate. The Illinois Chapter has many extremely experienced judges who work at regional and national levels.

You could also offer to host a judging school and let judges do a practice on your car. That would point out potential areas that need attention and let you sample what the process is like before you jump into larger events.

Good luck and maybe we'll meet somewhere as I usually judge 1970-72s.

[Ed N.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

I did not know any better, I started at a regional and Top Flighted.

[Alan S.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Hi Paul,
It appears the Illinois Chapter has both a Judging School and Chapter Meet each year. Are those scheduled events with in traveling distance for you?
Perhaps you could talk to the judging chairman about having a Judging School using your car as Reba described, or, you bring your car to the chapter Judging Event.
A Chapter Meet is generally quite a low key event and thus a good place for someone to have their car judged for the first time.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

[Michael H.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

I live in central Illinois and the local clubs do not do any judging--just social activities, road trips, and shows. The car has never been judged before and I don't want to start at a big event where I will look like a neophyte if there's alot wrong. Where would I start my judging process? I thought it was usually a local event, then a regional/state event, and then national NCRS. Can someone please give me some guidance in this process. Thank YOU!! 1971 Corvette

Paul,

We would be glad to have you, our St.Louis Chapter judging meet is in April I don't remember the exact date but I can get it for you. We normally limit the judging event to 4 cars and we have a free lunch of grilled burgers, brats and other goodies as well. Send me a PM and I''ll send you my information.

Mike
NCRS St.Louis Chapter
Vice-Chairman

[Brian D.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

The IL chapter typically holds a chapter-level meet in Sept each year. Galena has been the location each time, in recent memory at least.
You might ask this gentleman:

Jay Stahl - Chairman
5229 High St
Roscoe, IL 61073-9423
Phone: 815-623-7562
E-mail: JAY65L84NO3@AOL.COM
Web: http://www.ilncrs.org

[Leif A.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Paul,
You can start the judging process yourself. If you have not already done so, buy the TIM&JG for your '71 from the NCRS store. There is pretty much everything in there you will need to know about your car and getting it ready for judging. I wouldn't concern myself too much about what event you enter to start the actual judging process on your car...they're all a great learning process full of comradery and extremely knowledgeable fellow enthusiasts.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Where in IL? Lots of members in that state who may be of help.

There is a Regional coming up in Auburn, IN next spring. If you get a bit of assistance in preparing the car that would also be a reasonable meet to bring it to.

[Larry E.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Paul: I am also from Central Illinois (Up by Starve Rock State Park) and would recommend going to Galena to get judged by the ILL-NCRS group.
Can't beat the people in this group for knowledge and having fun. Chesnut Mtn. is not the easiest place to get to with a trailer but have done it several times and w/o problems. Judges are very tough but fair. When you get a Top Flight with this group you have earned it. Larry

[Loren L.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Everyone's a neophyte for the first time, regardless of how well you know your car. Be glad that there are Chapters & even Regionals. My first time out involved 900 miles one way to San Mateo in my '62, failure of Lucas to have 4 repo Firestones to match my original spare, bodywork on the front valence from a flattened can on the showfield and being judged by ALL teams at the same time. Some adjustments in the process have been made for the better. I'm still here.

[Don H.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Paul, Besides having the Judging Reference Manual, you can download the judging sheets that will be used from this site. Good luck and have fun. Don H.

[Joe R.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

Paul,

If the judging chairman is doing his job like he is paid to do there should not be a lot of difference in chapter and regional meets. Using the same Judging Manual and judging sheets should have a neophyte looking good.
Now we'll see won't we!!!

JR

[Paul C.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

I plan on working on the car this winter again and then try a local chapter event in the spring or early summer. There are some things I will take a hit on like my tires--B. F. Goodrich radials--they are in to good on shape to replace for the points. The things I'm worried about are the details I don't know are wrong. I will be happy with whatever score I get the first time. I have done everything myself including gutting the interior and replacing the carpet. My car may not be perfect but all the errors were done by me. I like the challenge of figuring things out--of course that's with alot of help and guidance from members of the NCRS forum.

One additional question: if Bairs powder coats the A arms is that a point deduction--I assume it is. Can you request that they just paint them with semi-gloss paint?

[Mark D.]

Re: Where to get your car judged the first time?

When someone gets Top Flight who did nothing more than pay someone else thousands of dollars to do the restoration---what does that mean???? My car may not be perfect but all the errors were done by me.

It always helps to validate your point when you can insult others.