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

[Marc S.]

Hello, I decided to jump right in and be an observer judge. I signed up for the one in Kissimmee.

I was wondering what my expectations should be?

I signed up for the 1970-1972 group.

Is it just a matter of standing there and "watching" from the sidelines?

How close can I get to the cars? Do I assist the judges in any way?

I am totally fine with whatever gets dealt to me. Even if it means I have to make
a coffee run or get a mop to clean up a spill.

Any input would be appreciated. I want to know if I need to bring any specific items (eg flashlight, etc)
or just show up with a pair of eyes? Thanks!

[Joe R.]

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

Marc,

Welcome to the Greatest Regional Meet you will ever attend! I have only missed one since it's first and that's only because my wife wanted me here for our first child.
Please contact your Team Leader for the 70-72 which would be Stan Falenski at 1 717 676-6383 or rowdyrat@aol.com
Obtain the newest judging manual and learn it!
Looking forward to seeing you in Kissimmee next month!

JR

[Harry S.]

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

Marc, there will be an OJ meeting each morning prior to judging. The instructions will esentially be that you are not judging the car so be as quiet as possible. Some if not most will ask you to hold the juging sheets and write the comments on each item/line that is judged. The judges will create the comments and the deductions.

If you have the sheets listen intently and write as crisp and clear as you can. If you have any questions about what happened on a line item wait until you are out of earshot of the owner and ask the judge what/why/etc.

When the judges go over the sheets with the owner, stand close, listen and don't comment.

I suggest you grab a set of judging sheets, read them over and become familiar with what is being judged.

Also, understand CDCIF!

It's painless, just jump in like the rest of us did.

Good Luck......

[Reba W.]

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

Great advice from Harry. He has told you all you need. You can get sample judging sheets at https://www.ncrs.org/membership/scoresheets.html

[Bill W.]

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

Marc most important have fun . Bring a good flashlight , knee pads and large towel or soft fender cover incase you need them Ask questions as to why points were given or deducted . Dont touch the owners car without asking first . Dont be afraid to make comments . Remember the car is the owners baby never say anything bad about it . And my personal peeve dont lay on the owners fenders .

[Michael J.]

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

Great advice here, also it would be good to learn the comment shorthand to put on the judging sheets, like S/B for "Should Be", etc. Also, didn't I hear that new observer judges are assigned to deal with irate owners about engine stamp pad and color/paint, "over-restored" issues???? Or no?

[Marc S.]

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

Marc, there will be an OJ meeting each morning prior to judging. The instructions will esentially be that you are not judging the car so be as quiet as possible. Some if not most will ask you to hold the juging sheets and write the comments on each item/line that is judged. The judges will create the comments and the deductions.

If you have the sheets listen intently and write as crisp and clear as you can. If you have any questions about what happened on a line item wait until you are out of earshot of the owner and ask the judge what/why/etc.

When the judges go over the sheets with the owner, stand close, listen and don't comment.

I suggest you grab a set of judging sheets, read them over and become familiar with what is being judged.

Also, understand CDCIF!

It's painless, just jump in like the rest of us did.

Good Luck......

I had to google CDCIF. Is that a really bad sign? LOL

[Gary B.]

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

Marc,

I would add a word of caution about making comments or asking questions as an OJ. I've always been told that the OJ should not offer any critique that amounts to being a 3rd judge. There are supposed to be 2 judges per category, not 3. For example, once when OJ'ing I noticed that the retainer cups on the rear spring were not swaged over and the real judges didn't catch that issue. Now I easily could have asked one or both judges if that was correct, but just asking that question would have called that item to their attention and they might then have taken a deduct. In which case the owner would have lost a point because of my asking an innocent question. Since then, I've kept my questions and comments to myself during the judging process and then asked my questions or made comments to the judges or the owner only after the judging sheets have been signed off by all.

Gary

[Marc S.]

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

Great advice here, also it would be good to learn the comment shorthand to put on the judging sheets, like S/B for "Should Be", etc. Also, didn't I hear that new observer judges are assigned to deal with irate owners about engine stamp pad and color/paint, "over-restored" issues???? Or no?

Marc most important have fun . Bring a good flashlight , knee pads and large towel or soft fender cover incase you need them Ask questions as to why points were given or deducted . Dont touch the owners car without asking first . Dont be afraid to make comments . Remember the car is the owners baby never say anything bad about it . And my personal peeve dont lay on the owners fenders .

Okay note to self. When a judge whispers something quietly to me, don't yell out, "FAKE TRIM TAG?"

[Marc S.]

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

Great advice here, also it would be good to learn the comment shorthand to put on the judging sheets, like S/B for "Should Be", etc. Also, didn't I hear that new observer judges are assigned to deal with irate owners about engine stamp pad and color/paint, "over-restored" issues???? Or no?

Marc most important have fun . Bring a good flashlight , knee pads and large towel or soft fender cover incase you need them Ask questions as to why points were given or deducted . Dont touch the owners car without asking first . Dont be afraid to make comments . Remember the car is the owners baby never say anything bad about it . And my personal peeve dont lay on the owners fenders .

Marc,

I would add a word of caution about making comments or asking questions as an OJ. I've always been told that the OJ should not offer any critique that amounts to being a 3rd judge. There are supposed to be 2 judges per category, not 3. For example, once when OJ'ing I noticed that the retainer cups on the rear spring were not swaged over and the real judges didn't catch that issue. Now I easily could have asked one or both judges if that was correct, but just asking that question would have called that item to their attention and they might then have taken a deduct. In which case the owner would have lost a point because of my asking an innocent question. Since then, I've kept my questions and comments to myself during the judging process and then asked my questions or made comments to the judges or the owner only after the judging sheets have been signed off by all.

Gary

I am starting to get the hint to keep my mouth shut while judging takes place. I will make a note if I see something strange that I didn't understand. I will ask afterwards why that black painted 1971 got full points on paint?

[Michael W.]

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

I am starting to get the hint to keep my mouth shut while judging takes place. I will make a note if I see something strange that I didn't understand. I will ask afterwards why that black painted 1971 got full points on paint?

That's the way to do it Marc. The judges have got X cars to do in a given period of time, although they don't rush through it, and the owner frequently will be as nervous an expectant father. This is not the best time or place to interject.

You, on the other hand being that it's your first time, will be overwhelmed by everything that's going on at what appears to be a very mysterious process. Remember that learning how the judging system works and is applied consistently from car to car, team to team and meet to meet is just as important as technical knowledge of the cars.

Never forget that if you're not having fun, you're not doing it right.

[Harry S.]

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

C - Configuration
D - Date
C - Completeness
I - Installation
F - Finish

Hope my memory still works. In the Originality area each of these is worthe 20% of the points. Example. if your looking at a Voltage requlator and everything is good except it it installed incorrectly and the line item is 10 points, you deduct 2 points (20%).

[Carl N.]

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

All of the advise given is excellent. First time out as an Observer Judge is to be OBSERVE only no comments. Depending on how many cars in your class and how fast your team is moving I would suggest finishing a couple of cars before asking your team any questions. About the only comment you might make when finished with a car would be to the owner "we really appreciated the opportunity to judge your car" if the judges fail to do so. Be very careful around the cars as to not trip over the air cleaner, spare tire or anything else near the car.

[Steven B.]

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

Marc, excellent advice on learning all you can before hand (judging sheets, manuals, search this site, etc.). The pair of judges you are teamed with will likely tell you what they expect (fill in the judging sheets, etc.). Regional judges have a lot of experience and have seen many correct, and incorrect, cars. Pay close attention to what they say. I owned my car for about 45 years before I OJ'd and was able to transfer a lot of observations which you will also. Study your car in depth before you go. It is a great experience. You will see some great cars and even greater people. (I overheard a bit of advice given to a new OJ a couple of years ago. He was told to keep his eyes and ears open and his mouth shut---then the judge grinned.) Steve

[Marc S.]

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

Wow I am getting some great advice in here. I hit the jackpot. Thanks, all.
But I think I am going to end up with nightmares. I can see it now. Me not looking
where I am going and knocking off one of those heavy p02 wheel covers and all of us
chasing it to catch it while it rolls down the judging field and then I wake up. I'm sweating already. haha
Okay, I need to read up on the judging manual, judging sheets, understand scoring, bring towel, flashlight,
kneepads, keep my mouth shut, look and listen, don't step on anything, and thank the owner. I think I got it.