What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

[Marc S.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Wow! glad you replied in my thread. I almost forgot about the entire event.......
.
.
.
.
.
.
j/k I am teaming up with another member for the drive up who is getting his car judged. see you all there!

[Ron L.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

In all seriousness and all joking aside I really need to learn what the NCRS is all about. It will be this trip that will utimately decide my goal of my 1971 corvette I just purchased. I was so very careful in finding my classic car. My long search yielded me a car with so much potential. I have learned from others via success stories and disasters. I refused to be a victim to the latter. There is so much riding on making such a purchase.

For me, when it comes to these older cars I favor originality. Although to my knowledge my car has never been judged (i do wonder as it does have a NCRS sticker on the rear window and a battery cut off switch) that account for bonus points at a judging meet???? I think maybe I would like to take it in that direction one day.

This meet in Kissimmee is very important. One goal is of this meeting is to see the people of the NCRS and see what this family is like and how well everyone interacts.
Then of course are the events (judging schools, etc). Then see how the judging process works (OJ). And of course to park my car in the Sportsman lot and network and make connections and show off my pride and joy.

Right now I am enjoying the heck out of my 1971 car. It is being driven regularly (not as a daily driver) but quite often and she is a keeper. Based on what I see and experience in Kissimmee will really help me decide how to go forward. There are many scenarios. Perhaps, I will get it judged at a chapter meet to experience the judging process as an owner and then decided where to go from there. Time will only tell. No matter what, one thing is certain, I found my dream car and I want to decide where to take her! Thank you all for your input these past several weeks. It has really helped a lot.

heres what hat I can tell you first hand. Mind you this was 15 yrs ago but I'm sure it's still applies. I bought a SWC and took it to a ncrs event in our hometown. I didn't know squat about ncrs but I figured I'd sign up have it judged and learn. I took a beating on my scorecards, but I learned a ton. People were nice but firm on what's right and what's not. Jump ahead a year.... I fixed all the dings or most of them on the scoresheets and got a top flight at a regional. It ain't easy but it's easy to get addicted. My judging manual was so dogeared from practically sleeping with it for a year. I got so into it I OJ,d at a national and after I pointed out a couple things they missed I actually got asked opinions after that. It's been a long time since I was into this but I'll never forget it. Here's another pointer....it's going to cost you a lot of money to go from say a 85 pt car to a 94. Now if you go from 94 to 98 pts or so, you're going to need a suitcase full of money. I don't mean that as a negative it's just the truth.
also finally and my wife just reminded me.... I got myself so sick from worry during the judging after I spent a year living in my garage I couldn't enjoy myself. Don't do that....if you follow the book you'll do fine. It's a car not life threatening surgery. Have fun, don't get offended at judges, just shut your yap and listen so you can improve your car if you want.

[Marc S.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

heres what hat I can tell you first hand. Mind you this was 15 yrs ago but I'm sure it's still applies. I bought a SWC and took it to a ncrs event in our hometown. I didn't know squat about ncrs but I figured I'd sign up have it judged and learn. I took a beating on my scorecards, but I learned a ton. People were nice but firm on what's right and what's not. Jump ahead a year.... I fixed all the dings or most of them on the scoresheets and got a top flight at a regional. It ain't easy but it's easy to get addicted. My judging manual was so dogeared from practically sleeping with it for a year. I got so into it I OJ,d at a national and after I pointed out a couple things they missed I actually got asked opinions after that. It's been a long time since I was into this but I'll never forget it. Here's another pointer....it's going to cost you a lot of money to go from say a 85 pt car to a 94. Now if you go from 94 to 98 pts or so, you're going to need a suitcase full of money. I don't mean that as a negative it's just the truth.
also finally and my wife just reminded me.... I got myself so sick from worry during the judging after I spent a year living in my garage I couldn't enjoy myself. Don't do that....if you follow the book you'll do fine. It's a car not life threatening surgery. Have fun, don't get offended at judges, just shut your yap and listen so you can improve your car if you want.

Thank you sir for that great write up! Going to a couple of local shows doing a dry run before next week. The nerves are beginning to wake up as I will be driving the furthest ever with my car. Looking very forward to it!

[Marc S.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Ok folks I am so ready for this weekend!!!!!

Here is an update. Car is ready for the trip to Kissimmee. All systems working perfectly.

Over the weekend a friend told me about this annual local corvette show in fort lauderdale.
It one of those shows where you pay to enter and see if you can win an award. I
There were dozens and dozens of corvettes there. I
decided to show up at the last minute for ha ha ha ha laughs and have fun. I knew the corvettes there would be
great!!!!! There were SEVERAL previous judged NCRS cars there showing off there awards
and all as they should be. They deserve it. I expected nothing and would leave home with a smile. Winning
any award was the absolute last thing on my mind.

I did nothing to prepare for this show except to just drive it there. I was there for hours and again expected NOTHING for me
car. I enjoyed the company and seeing all the beautiful corvettes and learning more.

The highlight of the show was that my friend who got me to go won a second place award at the show.
I KNEW he would win something. His car is outstanding. So I am standing there laughing and goofing
around and they announced there was a tie for second place. I heard my name. I'm like "WHAT?" hahahaha
I can't believe it! I just show up and win my first award at this big corvette event. I didn't
even take a terry cloth to my car ONCE the entire day. Others were buffing it every five minutes.

Not that I am bragging (okay just a whittle ) but it makes me really even more motivated to bring my
car to Kissimmee. It appears it is indeed special. And now my car has "CREDENTIALS" now hahahaha

I am riding alongside another ncrs member. He is VERY new to this and corvettes. Got is first
corvette around the same time I did. He is having it judged!!!!!! I am so proud of him and
he is prepared to take what gets dished out of him. He wants to learn the experience and
went right onto judging. Talk about jumping right in. Me I am taking baby steps.

Looking forward to seeing and meeting others. Cheers.

[Shannon U.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Marc has received cruel and unusual punishment by many from this post! Nobody has told him to most importantly just relax and enjoy the experience. The senior members of your 70-72 team have a TON of information to impart to you (just as they have to me.) And like Terry stated, as long as you don't arrive "naked" the whole experience will be awesome! It will be great to meet you this weekend! Hope you enjoy!!!

[Reba W.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

"I got so into it I OJ,d at a national and after I pointed out a couple things they missed."

Just a reminder that OJs are not supposed to contribute to the judges' discussion or decision. They can make comments after the fact.

[Marc S.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Mr Shorts is more communally known as "the real deal" and words can not describe him. Have no fear; you will know him when you see him.

At the risk of tooting my own horn: On the day that 1970-72s are not being judged you might consider attending the Advanced Judging Seminar. Don't let the word "advanced" throw you. Come and see.

I was looking to see what times and days the Advanced Judging Seminar is given. I tried the ncrs site calendar but I don't see the times out there.

I would like to try to put this in my schedule. thanks.

[Reba W.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

It is offered both Friday and Saturday. Check the final schedule in your registration packet when you arrive. This event occurs simultaneously with Flight judging so you cannot attend it and act as an OJ on the same day.

[Marc S.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

It is offered both Friday and Saturday. Check the final schedule in your registration packet when you arrive. These two events occur simultaneously so you cannot attend it and act as an OJ on the same day.

Okay....i did find the times on the fla ncrs site. I would have to go on friday. I am not registered for it so I guess I will have to go "stand by" and try to get in.
Looks like there is a 60 member limit. Thanks for the reply!

[Patrick H.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Marc has received cruel and unusual punishment by many from this post! Nobody has told him to most importantly just relax and enjoy the experience.

Read back about 3 pages. I know I told him that but since this is "the thread that will never die" you probably didn't read back that far.

[Patrick H.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

I am not registered for it so I guess I will have to go "stand by" and try to get in. Looks like there is a 60 member limit.

Terry could answer this far better than anyone, but I would suspect it is rare that the limit is reached at a Regional, even Florida.

[Terry M.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Okay....i did find the times on the fla ncrs site. I would have to go on friday. I am not registered for it so I guess I will have to go "stand by" and try to get in.
Looks like there is a 60 member limit. Thanks for the reply!

The purpose of the Advanced Judging Seminar is education. It is hard to educate those who are turned away. Most people check all the "no charge" boxes on the meet registration form because at the time of registration they don't know if they will be chosen to judge or if their SWMBO wants to go somewhere besides cars. End result is we don't know who will attend until the fat lady sings. Y'all come.

[Marc S.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Well I will plan on just showing up and see if I can attend. I didn't originally check it off to attend because the "advanced" made me feel like I needed more credentials to attend. If there is room, wonderful, if not that is okay. There is always next year. I will be sure to check it off next go around. Thanks!

The purpose of the Advanced Judging Seminar is education. It is hard to educate those who are turned away. Most people check all the "no charge" boxes on the meet registration form because at the time of registration they don't know if they will be chosen to judge or if their SWMBO wants to go somewhere besides cars. End result is we don't know who will attend until the fat lady sings. Y'all come.

[Terry M.]

Re: What can I expect being an Observer Judge at a NCRS event?

Well I will plan on just showing up and see if I can attend. I didn't originally check it off to attend because the "advanced" made me feel like I needed more credentials to attend. If there is room, wonderful, if not that is okay. There is always next year. I will be sure to check it off next go around. Thanks!

Yea, that word [b]Advanced[b] has given me and others issues because it really doesn't always (often) fit -- but we are too far down the road to change it. Or at least so I am told.

[Michael J.]