Concours Naming Survey Q

[Tony S.]

The purpose of the survey is to give members an opportunity to give input on the name of the program and the two categories of cars. Cast your vote. The results will be published in a couple of weeks. The Constant Contact program does not permit a write-in choice. Just click your choices and submit.

Joe Scafidi and his team are working at redeveloping a re-imagined "Concours" program. The NCRS intends to provide a home for ALL Corvettes regardless of year of manufacture.

[Owen L.]

So, back to my opening question... It sounds like Mary Barra is not involved in the NCRS and her inclusion here is merely giving props to the current GM CEO.

True Mark, there is a huge pool of Corvettes and Corvette owners out there that are not NCRS members. But then again, of the 10,000+ members we have, how many attend Chapter, Regional, and National judging meets? I think that is also a very small % of the 10,000+. What is holding all those back from entering cars for judging?

My interest in Corvettes is along the lines of historical preservation while keeping them enjoyable cars to own and drive. To enter judging would require a substantial financial outlay to the cars and attendance at events; it would impose added stress in my life; and would limit my use and enjoyment of the cars. For example, while I avoid puddles and dusty roads, I don't want to spend hours under the cars to get them back to judging levels. I have a minor oil pan drip... maybe some day I'll address it, just because I've got nothing else to do at the moment, not because it's going to get scrutinized.

I enjoy the Restorer tech articles and component-use studies and I appreciate the stories of discovering a long-lost diamond. The forum is usually a decent source for a question-of-the-moment.

That's where I sit as a member.

[Tony S.]

I thought this survey had been taken and the results were to keep it Concurs Stock and Concours Modified. Why is there resistance to the name Concours?

We all know that the NCRS Concours class is not the same as a Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. For years we have said we need to grow our membership and this is the way to get people who have beautiful, expensive hotrods or other wise modified Corvettes to feel welcome at our events. I think we need to spend the time on advertising NCRS Concours divisions before we concentrate on trying to find a different name which won't result in any different judging standards--just a name change.

Sherri. I reported the Region VII survey results to the Board. Mike Ingham and the Board wanted to give everyone in the Society an opportunity to cast a vote. What was sent out on April 15th only went to Region VII. What was sent out on May 15th was sent to ALL NCRS members.

Tony

[Michael J.]

That's where I sit as a member.

I think you are much more common of a member than I am. I don't think I would be a member without the judging component of the society. I joined other Corvette Clubs, local and NCCC types, and wanted more than lunches, parties, and cruises. And yes, after having taken 13 different Corvettes through chapter, regional, and national judging (and lots of judging myself) over my 16 years, it is very expensive and very time consuming. I can understand why few do that, but luckily we all have different priorities and enjoyment factors in NCRS. I would hope having this new modified class being more accepted and visible would provide some additional reasons for people to get into judging and attending meets.

[Sherri D.]

Sherri. I reported the Region VII survey results to the Board. Mike Ingham and the Board wanted to give everyone in the Society an opportunity to cast a vote. What was sent out on April 15th only went to Region VII. What was sent out on May 15th was sent to ALL NCRS members.

Tony

Tony,

Thanks for the clarification.

Sherri

[Larry E.]

I look at a Blue Ribbon in the concours class the same way I look at a 1st place plastic trophy from a show and shine JMHO

Brian: Your not looking hard enough. There are cars out there that are all original that
would have a Top Flight from the past that can not be judged in the Flight class no more
due to the rule that states if the the car has rare options(that have the GM Paper work) it can not be judged in the Flight
class now unless the GM paperwork is given to the NCRS. My car is one of these. I will not give
the NCRS my paperwork due for various reason. Main reason is privacy.
BOTTOM LINE: ALL CARS THAT ENTER THE COUCOURS CLASS ARE NOT ALL MODIFIED. JMHO-Larry

[Larry E.]

Here is the bottom line as I see it. If the name is changed to indicate that all cars in this
class are somewhat modified you will eliminate the very rare ORIGINAL cars that have rare options
THAT THE NCRS WILL NOT JUDGE THAT have the GM/Chevy original paperwork that DO NOT WISH TO SHARE WITH THE NCRS
FOR VARIOUS REASONS(PRIVACY BEING ONE). THEN THESE CARS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO TO GET
JUDGED AND NO REASON TO BELONG TO THE NCRS. OF COURSE-JMHO-LARRY

[Mark F.]

Hi Larry,

Sounds like you might have a COPO, or at least a very rare car with documentation ? Great ! Would love to know more !

But, I disagree with your assertion...THESE CARS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO TO GET JUDGED AND NO REASON TO BELONG TO THE NCRS.

Totally the opposite...if your car is a very rare "one-off", we have a lot to learn from it -
and if sometime in the future you'd be willing to share some of the details about it (or have it judged - BTW NCRS does not exclude rare options from judging) - so be it.

Sounds like that's not what you want to do...and I'm fine with that...to each his own.
Possibly another "secret" withheld by many NCRS members from the hobby.

Also, with all due respect to you, I believe "very rare ORIGINAL cars that have rare options" has little to do with the topic of possibly renaming the "Concourse" Program to something else...

[Tom R.]

Kevin, I understand your stance and opinion as a purist of original and restored cars. If you give me time and accept my/our thoughts I think you will agree all Corvettes belong in NCRS. Yes, NCRS has built a fabulous reputation as the GO TO organization for Restoration and Preservation of Corvettes. Regards, Joe

Three classes for NCRS judging; original, restored and customized! Customized is our current, debated Concours class. Call it what it is; body and/or paint modifications, powerteam modifications, other

[Larry E.]

Mark: Thanks much for your input. I'll answer some of your remarks below them:

Hi Larry,

Sounds like you might have a COPO, or at least a very rare car with documentation ? Great ! Would love to know more !
NO COPO; ALL RPO-THANKS

But, I disagree with your assertion...THESE CARS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO TO GET JUDGED AND NO REASON TO BELONG TO THE NCRS.
NCRS HAS A LAW THAT WAS IN THE DRIVELINE/RESTORER FROM THE HEAD JUDGE THAT NCRS
WILL NOT JUDGE ANY CAR(WITH RARE OPTIONS) THAT HAS NOT GIVEN THE GM/CHEVY DOCUMENTATION TO THE NCRS
TO VARIFY. PLEASE LOOK THIS UP TO SATISFY YOURSELF.

Totally the opposite...if your car is a very rare "one-off", we have a lot to learn from it -
and if sometime in the future you'd be willing to share some of the details about it (or have it judged - BTW NCRS does not exclude rare options from judging) - so be it.
FALSE ON YOUR LAST STATEMENT.

Sounds like that's not what you want to do...and I'm fine with that...to each his own.
Possibly another "secret" withheld by many NCRS members from the hobby.
VERY TRUE; THERE ARE OTHER CARS SIMILAR TO MINE

Also, with all due respect to you, I believe "very rare ORIGINAL cars that have rare options" has little to do with the topic of possibly renaming the "Concourse" Program to something else...

I THINK THEY DO IF THE NAME IS CHANGED TO INDICATE THAT ALL CARS IN THIS PROGRAM ARE
MODIFIED. THE CHANGE OF NAMING OF THE CONCOURS CLASS WAS BROUGHT UP BEFORE AND
VOTED DOWN. WHY IS THIS BEING BROUGHT UP AGAIN? DON'T WE HAVE OTHER MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO THINK AND CHANGE? OF COURSE JMHO>LARRY

[Wes S.]

Conceptually the idea of the concours class was an effort to expand the reach and increase membership in NCRS. Attempting to reach those who were into corvettes but not members. When telling someone from the outside world I am a member of NCRS the immediate comment is your one of those nuts. Concours, on the other hand conjures up Pebble Beach and Amelia Island representing perfection. The heartbeat of NCRS is Preservation and Restoration of Corvettes. So to an outsider they are trying to figure out how to fit their square peg into a round hole takes too much effort. A more appealing class name is required as well as a team lead.

[Joseph S.]

As you all can see, this seems to be a bit of a controversial topic. I know this is a small group that participates on this forum, but you are all obviously passionate about NCRS & this topic. I'm glad we can all keep it on topic and get some thoughts and ideas out there. For clarification, I will be the final decision maker on whether or not the name is changed since it is my job. That decision will be made once we have the judging system ironed out and ready to roll out. There is more to work on besides the name. The program needs to be retooled to be something that holds weight and is beneficial to the car owner. I do feel that the program needs work and backing from the NCRS and its members.
While Tony completes the Name Survey, I have been reaching out to other clubs and also the members of Corvette Forum to see what a program for cars that do not fit into our Flight or Star programs might look like. As you might think, that turned into an NCRS bashing thread, even from current NCRS members. Some people did give some good ideas and input. We have limited resources to reach people and get feedback, this TDB, Corvette Forum, Facebook, all of which are limited to those who subscribe. The best chance we have to promote this program is to develop it to something that works, whatever the name is. I don't think this is a National level issue. I think it's up to the Chapters to promote and build this. We all need to reach out to non members and show them why NCRS is a great organization and full of passionate Corvette owners. Then we need a judging program that will fit their car.
This will take some time to develop. I do have help and welcome anyone who also wants to contribute. So please keep the ideas coming, not just on the name, but also on the program.

Joe

[Dave P.]

Meh. 5, 7, 8

[Owen L.]

So, 72,786 have been members, but we have 10,000 current members? That means that 62,786 individuals have concluded that NCRS was not for them and have left.

Members who have died certainly left but we don't know their feelings about NCRS at that moment. 🙃 With over 50 years of membership, I'd say a good percentage of them left the organization via that route. I've no idea how to quantify how many of the rest left for other reasons...

[Brian M.]

Brian: Your not looking hard enough. There are cars out there that are all original that
would have a Top Flight from the past that can not be judged in the Flight class no more
due to the rule that states if the the car has rare options(that have the GM Paper work) it can not be judged in the Flight
class now unless the GM paperwork is given to the NCRS. My car is one of these. I will not give
the NCRS my paperwork due for various reason. Main reason is privacy.
BOTTOM LINE: ALL CARS THAT ENTER THE COUCOURS CLASS ARE NOT ALL MODIFIED. JMHO-Larry

So you have a car with a very rare option with paperwork to prove it came that way and are unwilling to show that proof ? That's just Crazy