Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

[Kirk M.]

Well, I finally top-flighted at our local chapter meet this past weekend (second time around). My car did real well considering my left headlight stopped opening at 5:00 the night before the meet. Worked on checking and re-checking all the electrical connections for a couple of hours and no luck. Eventually called a car buddy in Urbana and got verbal instructions for removal of the motor after we checked a couple of other options first. By 8:30, I was on my way from Columbus to Urbana (about an hour away). Took the motor to his garage at his house and we replaced a badly chewed up gear and cleaned the motor. Bench tested it and it ran like new. Drove home and messed around getting it back in the car for about an hour. Hit the switch and now the other headlight seems slow compared to newly restored side. Finally got to bed around 2:00 AM. Gotta love car guys who let you call them up on a Friday night and then invite you over for a few beers and a headlight motor fix. One of the best benefits of this hobby as far as I'm concerned - I've made some great friends. Anyway, scored a 96.8, which isn't bad considering I put a 1,000+ miles on my car every summer. As usual, I now have a new bucket list of items to correct, but many of them are getting down to the really picky stuff. Had a great meet and informative seminar and went home a satisfied man. Thanks to all the judges and members of the Heart of Ohio Club. On to regionals!!!!

Kirk

[Dale S.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Congratulations Kirk. Dale

[James W.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Congratulations Kirk. Dale

Congratulations, Kirk! We all know how much it takes to get there - or not. I've judged since 1984 and will have my first car judged at the Texas Regional in October.

Jim

[Tom H.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Nice job on the ribbon !!

[Jack H.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

In the end, it's NOT the ribbon or plaque that matters, it's the JOURNEY repleat with the learning and interpersonal contacts you make along the way that you remember...

Stories like this (a friend opened his home/shop to help me at the 11th hour), ARE what the restoration/preservation process is all about! Excellent job...

[Erik S.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

In the end, it's NOT the ribbon or plaque that matters, it's the JOURNEY repleat with the learning and interpersonal contacts you make along the way that you remember...

Stories like this (a friend opened his home/shop to help me at the 11th hour), ARE what the restoration/preservation process is all about! Excellent job...

i agree - never forget my first judging session (or should I say lesson) at LeMans of uncle... well you know who

[Jack H.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

You dog! That's a rather decent candid of me mulling how this/that aspect of Rob's engine should be scored...

Hey, that was a GREAT day we had north of the Loire Valley and south of the hot track at LeMans! I found it VERY unusual that a Dutch attorney would GET INTO the minor technical aspects of Flight Judging as you did, Erik. It was my PLEASURE to help you learn and work with you!!!

[Steven B.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

In the end, it's NOT the ribbon or plaque that matters, it's the JOURNEY repleat with the learning and interpersonal contacts you make along the way that you remember...

Stories like this (a friend opened his home/shop to help me at the 11th hour), ARE what the restoration/preservation process is all about! Excellent job...

Jack, that reminds me of a trip to Ohio 25+ years ago. My wife and I were looking at a Polo White car when I struck up a conversation with another NCRS member and he asked where we were staying. I told him there was a mix up at the hotel and he volunteered an extra bedroom at his house. Sam was a great guy.

Steve

[Ara G.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Kirk, CONGRATS. Nice to hear. I am taking my car to Kissimmee for the the first judging event and can only hope I post a similar post following the event. It's a tough journey, and the blue ribbon is only a secondary perk. The first is the good buddies you make along the way. I have met and befriended some of the nicest, most helpful guys out there since coming into this arena. Enjoy the beers with buds as you celebrate the ribbon....ARA

[James L.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Kirk

Congratulations. The chapter meet is the heart of the organization. The same folks who look at your car on Sunday will be there Monday to help you work on the list of improvements. This is where it started.

Jim

[Ridge K.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Congratulations Kirk on that top flight!
You said it right.....there are some good, good people in this club that will help till the cows come home.
Ridge.

[Kirk M.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Thanks everybody. Have already begun making the many small changes necessary to score even higher at regionals??? Looking forward to the process and growth that goes along with it. Great to have a hobby where you can learn something new almost every time you participate!

Kirk

[Jim C.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Good going Kirk!!!!!! Nice to know you're driving and enjoying your car.

Jim C.

[Kirk M.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Thanks. Wouldn't be much fun if I didn't drive it! Can't wait to head down to Bowling Green next week! Hope to see everyone there.

[Jim C.]

Re: Finally Won that Coveted Blue Ribbon

Kirk,

I totally agree that part of the fun is actually driving the car, but you know as well as I do that many Corvettes ride in/on trailers, and don't spend too much time on the road. Now I wouldn't drive mine in a rain storm or bad weather if I could avoid it, but I do drive it about 1,300 - 1,500 miles per year. I think people really do like seeing them driving down the street. I'm glad you're driving your car.

Jim C.