Last year I posted up these notes on scoring well in Judged glasses. I thought, while I wait for the coffee pot to brew, it would be helpful to post them up again...but with a little more time before the show so everyone had a chance to see them. In the pre-reg for the show there is also an option of "non-judged", which allows you to park your car in the show without being judged. This was added last year at the request of a number of people. Here are my notes about the judging criteria we use each year at the show, to help everyone score better on August 17th.
Step one: Make sure you entered the correct class!Stock class means stock. If your vehicle has been lowered, you've changed the wheels, painted the car a non-stock color, changed the tire size or other modifications...you should be in the custom version of your class. Perhaps as the show grows (and we build a larger base of volunteer judges) we'll move to "Stock, Mild and Wild" custom classes, but for now we use a two-class system. Stock is for bone-stock vehicles, custom is for vehicles with modifications...
even a single modification like wheels. Accessories Period correct accessories, on an otherwise stock vehicle, will still
move the car into Custom Class. The spirit of Stock class is showroom-stock vehicles, exactly how they sat at the dealer.
If you think you've registered for the wrong class please email us using
prereg@gcvws.com, and list the class you registered in and the class your car should be in.
Step Two: ShowingThe judging sheet has sections for interior, trunk & engine compartment...but not everyone likes to display their car all day with everything wide open. Judging typically starts around 11am, so you have two choices: 1) You can wait around your car for judges to pass, and open up the various sections of the car you wish them to see. Or 2) write a note on your class paper (front side) that says "Judges, open engine lid", "Judges open everything" or similar. Something to say it's okay for Judges to open the car up.
BodyScored out of 15.
Stock Classes - Judges are looking for fit and finish of the panels, and overall quality. Is the body even left-to-right, is the trim in good shape, are the panel gaps even? Are the bumpers on straight, etc. Glass squeaky clean? The condition of the factory lighting (lenses, housings, hardware) is also evaluated.
Custom Classes - In addition to the above, the judges will also evaluate any custom work done to the body. Was it done well? Additional lighting is scored in this section as well.
PaintScored out of 15.
Stock Classes - What is the quality of the paint? Is the finish just shiny or deep and lustrous? Is the paint smooth or orange peeled? Any overspray, runs, ripples, etc.? Dents? Chips? All cars should have a perfect cleaning and waxing.
Custom Classes - In addition to the above, the judges will also evaluate any custom paintwork (color, pearl, metallic, etc.). A factory car may have some light orange peel (buses did from the factory) but a custom paint job scoring top points should be flawless.
InteriorScored out of 15.
Stock Classes - We're looking for cleanliness and quality of the interior components. Are the seat covers, floor covering & door panels correct for the period? Is the fit and finish showroom fresh? Are the door-jams, sunroof track and other areas cleaned?
Custom Classes - In addition to the above, the judges will also evaluate any custom upholstery, gauges, safety additions (belts/cage/etc), and whether the custom theme is consistent or not.
Engine CompartmentScored out of 15. (Zero for a closed engine lid, or no notes saying we can open it up)
Stock Classes - We're looking for clean, all stock components installed and in good shape. Are the original decals in place? etc.
Custom Classes - Points for motor swap, custom induction, modifications, etc. Cleanliness, level of detailing and work involved all add to the points.
TrunkScored out of 5. (Zero for a closed trunk, or no notes saying we can open it up)
Stock Classes - We're looking for clean, all stock components installed and in good shape. Are the original decals in place? Spare tire and wheel condition, etc.
Custom Classes - Cleanliness, detailing and custom work all add to the points.
ChassisScored out of 15.
Stock Classes - We're looking for clean, all stock chassis in factory-fresh condition. A stock vehicle essentially starts with ten full points. Paint overspray, oily leaks, rusty components and chassis damage all remove from the points. A detailed chassis looking factory fresh may earn points above 10.
Custom Classes - Cleanliness, detailing and custom modifications all add to the points. The same issues above will lower the points, while modifications and custom work will raise the point count. Brake modifications are included in the chassis evaluation.
Wheels and TiresScored out of 10.
Stock Classes - Are the wheels and tires appropriate to the vehicle? Are the wheels coated in brake dust? Is the finish of the wheels perfect or are the wheels scuffed? Do the tires shine or are they scuffed and dirty? Are the hubcaps perfect, or dented/pitted/damaged?
Custom Classes - All of the above, but with the added question of whether the wheels and tires are appropriate for the suspension, vehicle and theme.
Style and ThemeScored out of 5.
Stock Classes - Not typically used for stock classes.
Custom Classes - Is there a theme to the car (Motorsport, Euro, OEM, Cal-Look etc.) - If so, how consistent is the car from front to back with the theme?
SafetyScored out of 5.
Stock Classes - Not typically used for stock classes.
Custom Classes - With the custom vehicles, we also score any safety additions to the car. This could include belts, roll bars/cages, fire extinguishers and other safety improvements.
-Dave
