Getting ready for a Regional

[Chris E.]

Ok, so I'm 3 weeks away from the Iowa Regional. Here's what I've done so far, I'm wondering if anyone has any other helpful suggestions.

My goal is to get higher than a 97% in preparation for the Duntov award.

• Had the car Chapter Flight Judged twice to create my "punch list"
• Scored 96.8% first time out, 97.2% second time out
• Spent the last few months eliminating things off that list (took it from 70 plus items down to about a dozen really small things at this point)
• Have started the car for the season already multiple times and run through a COMPLETE Ops check 3 times so far. (planning on at least 3-4 more before the event, and then one FINAL one the DAY prior) It ran great (yes, even the headlight motors and windshield washers worked)
• Cleaned the car thoroughly
• Filled the gas tank
• Made sure that I have the fire extinguisher, NCRS decal and the battery cut off to maximize my points
• Judged all sections of the car myself and come up with a score
• Compiled my documentation to help defend any questionable points on the car
• Compiled a list of things to bring along to the event (e.g. chairs, hat, judging guide, AIM, etc, etc, etc)

Other thoughts?

[Gene M.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Chris,
Always expect the regional judging to be a lot tuffer than local chapter. By theory it should be the same but it is not.

The reason being the judges on a regional should be more knowledgeable than local chapter judges. Yes, some could be the same people but over all they should be at a higher judging level that should yield more knowledge thus lower scores. More closer look at small details add up.

This is not always the case, but be prepared for deductions on items that passed previously.

[William C.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

It looks like you have prepared yourself well, enjoy your trip!

[Chris E.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Chris,
Always expect the regional judging to be a lot tuffer than local chapter. By theory it should be the same but it is not.

The reason being the judges on a regional should be more knowledgeable than local chapter judges. Yes, some could be the same people but over all they should be at a higher judging level that should yield more knowledge thus lower scores. More closer look at small details add up.

This is not always the case, but be prepared for deductions on items that passed previously.

Yup, my "punch list" includes things that the chapter judges caught and a few things they missed.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Use a rag with a small amount of armorall on it and wipe the wiper blade edges. This allows the wipers to function closer to a wet windshield and will show any misalignment of the wipers hitting the trim etc. Also bring a spray bottle of water to wet the windshield during that operation to eliminate possible blade chatter on a dry glass.

[William L.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Chris
Looks like your ready to go and you will do fine.. Just remember.... HAVE A GOOD TIME.
Bill

[Dan H.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Chris, you might want to get the PV book for your car, much good additional info in there! PV will be a Malox moment but book will be helpful now.
Dan

[Reba W.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

You mentioned a final ops check the day BEFORE the meet. Do another one after you have the car in place on the field if possible. I have seen wiring and bulbs jar loose when driving the car onto the show field.

[Terry M.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Ok, so I'm 3 weeks away from the Iowa Regional. Here's what I've done so far, I'm wondering if anyone has any other helpful suggestions.

My goal is to get higher than a 97% in preparation for the Duntov award.

• Had the car Chapter Flight Judged twice to create my "punch list"
• Scored 96.8% first time out, 97.2% second time out
• Spent the last few months eliminating things off that list (took it from 70 plus items down to about a dozen really small things at this point)
• Have started the car for the season already multiple times and run through a COMPLETE Ops check 3 times so far. (planning on at least 3-4 more before the event, and then one FINAL one the DAY prior) It ran great (yes, even the headlight motors and windshield washers worked)
• Cleaned the car thoroughly
• Filled the gas tank
• Made sure that I have the fire extinguisher, NCRS decal and the battery cut off to maximize my points
• Judged all sections of the car myself and come up with a score
• Compiled my documentation to help defend any questionable points on the car
• Compiled a list of things to bring along to the event (e.g. chairs, hat, judging guide, AIM, etc, etc, etc)

Other thoughts?

Not to state the obvious, but I will: Be sure you have with you proof of ownership and insurance -- NOT copies but the real deal.

[Chris E.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Use a rag with a small amount of armorall on it and wipe the wiper blade edges. This allows the wipers to function closer to a wet windshield and will show any misalignment of the wipers hitting the trim etc. Also bring a spray bottle of water to wet the windshield during that operation to eliminate possible blade chatter on a dry glass.

Steve, sorry maybe I did a poor job of being clear in my original post. I'm not PV'ing the car in Iowa, I'm Flight Judging.

Also, I have ran my wipers many times on both speeds, and they do not hit the side trim. Is that the main point you're trying to make?

I already have a spray bottle of water on my list.

[Chris E.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Chris
Looks like your ready to go and you will do fine.. Just remember.... HAVE A GOOD TIME.
Bill

Thanks Bill, once the car gets past Exterior and Ops, I will. I know, within 10 points or so, how the car will do in the other 3 sections.

[Chris E.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Chris, you might want to get the PV book for your car, much good additional info in there! PV will be a Malox moment but book will be helpful now.
Dan

Already have the book, and a "punch list" created for the September first try at PV. Believe me, I'm a LOT more nervous about PV than I am about my first Regional flight judging.

[Edward J.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Terry, is a registration card okay for proof of ownership? I mailed my proof of ins. when I sent my application in.

[Chris E.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

Not to state the obvious, but I will: Be sure you have with you proof of ownership and insurance -- NOT copies but the real deal.

Terry, I always carry my insurance card for the car in my wallet. I thought I mailed a copy of the title in with my registration form. Do I need a copy of the title when I check in?

[Terry M.]

Re: Getting ready for a Regional

I have used the tag registration card at all the meets I have done Sportsman at for the last two years, so I would expect the answer to that is YES.

I have been asked to show the original insurance card as proof of insurance -- even though I sent a color copy or a scan of the same, with my registration.

That was the point of my post -- Do NOT assUme what you sent with the meet registration is adequate. Bring the originals with you.