Why do some Car Shows require or give points for having a fire extinguisher?

[Bobby41909]

I am not much of a car show points guy but I've heard some shows require a fire extinguisher and others give extra points for having one.  Does this just seem stupid to me?  I've even heard of extra points for a first aid kit 

I couldn't imagine a show where a car beat an otherwise better quality car just because it had a fire extinguisher screwed to the console (looking stupid as hell).

Seems to me you should get extra points for having something cool like a full beer cooler or port-a-john in the trunk...like a portable Man Cave

[RallyeMike]

Seems to me you should get extra points for having something cool like a full beer cooler 

"Hey Judge. Be sure to look in the cooler, there may be some extra points in there. Nudge, nudge, know what I mean?"

[histoy]

I think that it's to promote the added safety of the participants.  Around 10 years ago I was at a show in Illinois where a car several rows ahead of us caught on fire.   The owner was a young kid who panicked and ran from the car.  The folks around him panicked and tried to start their cars and get them moved away.  That was a mess with lawn chairs, misc gear, and people in the way.   Finally a couple of guys with portable fire extinguishers came running up and put out the fire.   I've carried 1 or 2 fire extinguishers in my cars ever since that day.

[68X426]

I've run into several shows that require it this year. I'm guessing that their club's one day liability insurance package is requiring it.

What's the point, when you consider that the average person with the average extinguisher is clueless as to it's useage, and then half the time the extinguisher is useless due to being empty or expired (loss of pressure)?

Like so many things in modern life, the average person expects somebody else to put out their fire. 

[bill440rt]

I've run into several shows that require it this year. I'm guessing that their club's one day liability insurance package is requiring it.

What's the point, when you consider that the average person with the average extinguisher is clueless as to it's useage, and then half the time the extinguisher is useless due to being empty or expired (loss of pressure)?

Like so many things in modern life, the average person expects somebody else to put out their fire. 

Very true. 

Like others have mentioned, I think it boils down to insurance reg's at shows. I know the AACA requires you to have one in visible display at all times (usually in front of the driver's side front tire on the ground). I keep one in all my cars at all times anyway, it's just better safe than sorry.
Smaller shows probably enforce the vehicle owners to have one using the "points" thing as an enticement. Have an extinguisher, get more points on your scorecard.
I never fully understood the first aid kit thing, that's kinda stupid. 

[hatersaurusrex]

The most ironic is when the extinguisher is of the chemical variety, which pretty much destroys any metal you spray it on...

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I carry a Halon unit in the trunk at ALL times