Car Show judges integrity

[68X426]

Should one bother to complain about a show with lack of integrity from the judges? The complaint I guess would be with the promoter and sponsors? Big prize money was awarded by the way. And I raise this question not on my behalf. Really. Full disclosure: I took home People's Choice and a check and I'm happy. 

Specifics: the winning car was owned by the son of one of the three judges. There were lots of upset owners afterwards. Over 100 cars, I didn't know anyone involved, but the locals sure knew who owned what and who judged.

The "winner" was good but #2 and #3 were incredible, which is besides the point. The results are tainted, so should one protest or just not show up the following year? I'm asking on behalf of about a dozen gearheads I met there and having gotten to know. Does the angry mob seek change or just let it go away?

What does the nation think on this one?

[bull]

I don't think I've ever seen total bliss during a car show awards ceremony. There's always someone who's pissed off. It is what it is, subjective opinions made by imperfect people so getting annoyed does nothing but raise your BP.

[ChgrSteve67]

The best way to deal with bad judging at car shows is to not participate in future events put on by that promoter and share that information with others in passing.

There is always going to be unfair and ignorant judging out there.

I don't think the judging in the Charger class at "Mopar Day in the Park" was right this year, the 68 Charger parked next to me was way better than anything else in that class that showed and they got nothing and the first gen Charger that got 2nd place was a joke. But hey I go to show not win $12 pieces of plastic. Events that offer cash awards can make bad judging even harder to swallow.

Just my 2 cents
Steve

[1969chargerrtse]

I used to do all the shows back in the 80's.  When I realized I had better judgement and experience with the type of cars I was bringing to the shows than the judges there themselves, I stopped allowing my cars to be judged.  I have been to several shows with my Charger and always say no thanks to the judging part.  I leave my hood up until they come around to judge. I don't need anyone to tell me how nice my car is.  Nobody knows my Charger better than me and it's not up for judging by anyone for any reason.   It's in my life for my enjoyment, and memory lane of a time back when.  I love to share my love about it to others and that's as far as it goes.  Keep your trophies.  I threw out all the ones I had back in the 80's.

[GN]

What qualifies one as a judge anyway?

[ChgrSteve67]

A lot of car shows I have gone to get people from the various sponcers of the event. Generally these are not car people and go for shock, awe and flash.

The bigger car shows that are more serious have members of the car club judge and the club members themselves are not allowed to have thier cars judged. As far as the really big shows like "Good Guys" and the "Autoramas" I have no idea. I figure they would have people that are heavy in the industry judge.

[Troy]

I tend to go to smaller shows where there are "amateur" judges (and the entry forms state that as well). I don't have my car judged. Ever. I give my dash plaques and stuff to kids who think they are neat or other participants who would like an extra for a trophy case or whatever.

I have seen the situation you described many times and at some rather large shows with "professional" judges. If the judging is blatantly biased then your best course of action is to avoid the show in the future. You have to remember that judges usually belong to the club sponsoring the show and they "know" certain cars better than the rest of the crowd. That's not an excuse of course for picking their favorite vs the best car in each class. In an ideal world a judge wouldn't be allowed to judge their own cars or cars belonging to friends.

They (shows) are generally fundraisers and participation is key - for car owners and spectators alike. A large drop in attendance - especially if the reasons are made known - is the best way to get attention. Around here we have plenty of shows so it's easy to choose the best environment. Let the club know why you will not be attending their show in the future but be prepared for the same thing to happen elsewhere.

Troy

[maxwellwedge]

I used to do all the shows back in the 80's.  When I realized I had better judgement and experience with the type of cars I was bringing to the shows than the judges there themselves, I stopped allowing my cars to be judged.  I have been to several shows with my Charger and always say no thanks to the judging part.  I leave my hood up until they come around to judge. I don't need anyone to tell me how nice my car is.  Nobody knows my Charger better than me and it's not up for judging by anyone for any reason.   It's in my life for my enjoyment, and memory lane of a time back when.  I love to share my love about it to others and that's as far as it goes.  Keep your trophies.  I threw out all the ones I had back in the 80's.

I do the same as you 100%

I was asked by a judge at a Mopar show why I didn't have my dash card filled out and gave the reasons above. I was there to exercise the car, meet up with "car friends" and go for a nice drive. Once I told a judge there was no point in entering the judging "because you wouldn't know a good car if it bit you on the ass". He wasn't pleased - too bad! 

[68X426]

Thank you everyone for the insights. There is a show coming up that has un-conventional judging. No official judges but a vote for Best of Show by the exhibiters only and you can't vote for yourself or a member of your club. Takes some extra effort at disclosure for the organizer. Still can be biased (would a Camaro owner vote for any Mopar?) but it's adifferent method. Comments?

[1969chargerrtse]

Thank you everyone for the insights. There is a show coming up that has un-conventional judging. No official judges but a vote for Best of Show by the exhibitors only and you can't vote for yourself or a member of your club. Takes some extra effort at disclosure for the organizer. Still can be biased (would a Camaro owner vote for any Mopar?) but it's adifferent method. Comments?

Good points there.  I went to one of those "people votes" cruise nights the other day.  Same thing, I handed back the slip I was handed and said no thanks, I don't need anyones opinion, I know what a great car it is"  One of the guys at the gate clapped and said " good for you ".  I understand that kind of thing is a better way to do things, but I just don't want to be a part of any "award" thing.  I feel the same way about the 10,000000000 awards given to actors, sickens me.  No one gave me an award for the elevators I fixed?

[maxwellwedge]

Is the elevator award a statue of Otis the drunk from the Andy Griffith show? That would be cool! 

[Alaskan_TA]

Car shows should do away with awards all together. Use the money for free hot dogs or ice cream until they run out instead. 

[TUFCAT]

I was in charge of car show judging at our Mopar club shows for two years. Prior to that my Dad, brother, and myself always participated as judges.

Then my Dad and I took over as the head judges because I knew I could make some much needed improvements to the process...(or lack thereof).

So I steamlined and reorganized the entire judging process (which I got kudo's for).... but it was the back lash and criticism from pissed off owners who couldn't get over the fact they didn't win that pissed me off.  I quit after two years.

[69bronzeT5]

I honestly love getting awards, it's cool for me. However, there will ALWAYS be another pissed off owner I've learned that from the 2 car shows we've won awards at. With my Duster, there was not so much the other Young Guns but the one dad was pissed. At this Camaro show we took my dad's friend's '71 RS Z/28 (which we restored) to and won 1st place back in 2000...as we were leaving my dad heard "there's that f*cking bastard who got 1st"...the guy said it in a really snotty way. My dad did a nice burnout and we left

[Todd Wilson]

It really depends on the car show as to how things will be.   At our Charger Fever show theres a participants choice award and thats it. People who enter their Chargers vote on the one they like. Its an honest count at the end of the day.   Theres 2 hotrod car clubs in town. One is ran by 2 guys that are buds.   They always rig thngs to where they win. To the point people just shake their heads and walk away.Their car show #'s have started to drop off. I've seen other shows where buddys are judges and guess who wins.

There are people out there though that build a car just for winning trophys. Guys get bent out of shape if their car doesnt win. They always have to stack all their trophys all around the front of their vehicles on the mirrors they lay down on the ground.


One thing I like about our antique truck club shows is theres no winner of the show. We all get together and enjoy the old iron and usually eat and tell lies and storys.


Todd

[ChgrSteve67]

I went to a car show today and they handed a slip of paper to each participant so they could write down the 10 cars they think should recieve a Top 10 award and the car with the most votes got best of show.

The car I felt should have got "Best of Show" was a 1935 REO Speedwagon pickup truck. Only 1935 REO truck known to exist (6 were built between 1934 and 1936) completely redone. He left for a bit because he lost a hub cap on the way to the show and went looking for it.

[Dans 68]

...The car I felt should have got "Best of Show" was a 1935 REO Speedwagon pickup truck....

You took a picture or two, right...? 

Dan

[ChgrSteve67]

...The car I felt should have got "Best of Show" was a 1935 REO Speedwagon pickup truck....

You took a picture or two, right...? 

Dan

I created a new topic for it.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,59500.msg663632.html#msg663632