Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

[Chuck]

Wanted to get everyone's opinion on something that I ran into. I'm going to try my best to keep this as autonomous as possible. As you know there are many different types of judging cars at shows. My least favorite is the popularity contest to my favorite where you're judged against yourself awarding multiple 1st - 3rd place trophies based on a measuring system. I also get some folks don't go to the shows for the trophy (yet most that say that leave the judging form in their windshield). The topic of this thread is tie breakers.

Has anyone ever heard of having a fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit, the owners manual and a dealer brochure used as "tie breakers"? If Ford offered these things as options specifically for the car or they came with the car maybe. I'm good with the owner's manual as it came with the car.

My thought is that something else should be used, maybe the number of miles on a car? If there's a tie, the highest milage gets the nod. What about "add-ons" from Ford like the cargo net, luxury floor mats (the logoed ones), the rubber floor mats, the illustrious trunk mat or the trunk liner?

I do get back in the "old days" this stuff had the very real possibility of being used at shows and races - especially the fire extinguisher. But I'm thinking in 2015 probably not so much. Heck I still go to shows where having a fire extinguisher is a must - you can't get in without it.

[5bird7]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

Yes, the Yellow Rose Classic all-Ford show gives points for those that have a Fire extinguisher, oil can, gas can, water, tow rope, etc... showing with their car under the premise of it being there to help others they find stranded along side the road. I think it dates back to wanting to show the public that car club people do more than just hang out around cars and are willing to help stranded motorists. The Fire extinguisher is required, along with taping the gas filler tube shut which goes back to the days when people have been known to sabotage other cars in a show to eliminate competition.

I remember the days when someone would find hub caps missing or cigarette lighters missing from their car during a show.

[merlot4]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

In honesty, Chuck, I have never had an entry to a car show. My feeling is if the show is based upon originality,then I agree that something that wasn't available from Ford as stock shouldn't have any judging weight.

[DaddysT]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

The proper way is to rejudge the cars or to actually have a tie.

[carntz]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

There are so many different ways to judge.I guess it is just a matter of their choice of format from the Host running the show. Since 2007 I have had both my Mustangs in shows. The one I own now (2010) has never done less then second in over 2 dozen shows. It has won two shows that were definitely not popularity shows . Sturgis Mustang Rally and The Mustang International in 2012) I must agree that the method of tie breakers appears to me as silly(referring to what was previously said in this post, but after all it is their show, My 07 stang once came in as honorable mention( fancy word for 3rd.) The tie breaker on the 2007 was a decision based on the car and done by two of the hosting club's officers. The time my 2010 won in Sturgis, I came in second because my chassis was not detailed ( It is a daily driver) and I would not crawl under the car to sparkle up that stuff.I guess it depends on how serious the Host is. I guess it comes down to if you want to play , you have to play by their rules

[RustyFrye]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

How about this for a tie-breaker? Those involved in the tie must drive down a muddy or dusty rode. Whoever whines the least is the winner....

[Bruce]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

MCCNE requires a fire extinguisher (but they had a fire at a show). However, the tie breaker for points is mileage. If two or more cars in the class score the exact points then the car with the most mileage on the odometer wins.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

I think the owners of the car should settle it by arm wrestling.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

I think the owners of the car should settle it by arm wrestling.

Gene. ............... Wait, that might not be a bad idea.

[jayred1]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

Rock/Paper/Scissors is much more fair ...

[msutton1951]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

I read years ago that at a corvette judging the tie was broken by looking at the bottom of the radiator cap -- cleanest won.

[wcoates]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

Buy another trophy and ties each get one!

[redfire1]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

I have been entering car shows with my 1997 Thunderbird Limited Edition all original for 5 years. Most of the shows are Ford shows. I have found judging to be different at each show, specially depending on how many cars are entered. More cars, stricter judging. I don't know of having ever been involved in a tie, but have seen numerous times when a tie is a tie and both or all three have been given an award.
Best tips I can offer: think like a judge and detail the car accordingly.
After the car has been judged, I ask the judge what have they found and what can I do to make the car better.
These two tips work....my '97 has now won 43 awards including best original, best in class, numerous 1st place and best in show in class. It has been awarded 5 perfect scores that I know of, two of which were 300 points.
On the other hand, it has been docked points for some of the pickiest things you can imagine, mostly dirt in areas you can't even see, like behind the wheels.

[Chuck]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

... you have to play by their rules

I think this was another part of the concern, there really weren't any "rules" posted or mentioned in the flyer.


I've also been to shows by the same car club where 1 month a particular judge awards me a trophy and a different judge from the same club doesn't at the next show by that same club. I do need to ask the judge that has an issue with the car what it is, I usually do, that's how I found out about the fire extinguisher, First-Aid Kit and manual.


Umm arm wrestling - probably won't win many of them - would bring a little life to a few shows I've been to though

Dirt road and complaining - you win, take the trophy

[Rondor]

Re: Car Shows, Judging & Tie Breakers

Judging varies by organization and some do get a little too carried away. I like the multiple trophy concept. Early V 8 club used to be pretty good but some AACA judges were the worst. We talkin' 40 years ago.