Hi Dave!
I too, have entered an ISCA event. Maybe they do it differently in
Dallas. I was in a class with about 8 other cars, and if I remember
correctly, there were only three trophies. I didn't place, and wasn't
expecting to -- I just entered for fun. The award presentation only
involved a couple of people on a stage with a pile of trophies, and
everyone gathered around on some folding chairs, chairs they brought, or
on the floor. It dragged on forever and a day, and they wouldn't let
anyone leave the building with their cars until it was over, well past 9
pm on a Sunday. (I managed to sneak out on a technicality -- I was
first in line and the security guard opened the door at 9 pm when she
was supposed to. I and the two cars behind me got out and management
came around and slammed the door back down. Whew!) They didn't want
the noise of all the cars interfering with their award presentation.
I was less than impressed by the whole thing, but I really enjoyed
talking with everyone who stopped by our area (I was there with SCCA
with my race Spit), and loved looking at all of the other stuff. They
had a burn-out contest outside that was fun, as well as a hydraulic
dancing car show.
I am glad you had such a good experience. Maybe they have different
event management in different parts of the country.
Keep Triumphing,
Susan Hensley :)
Dave Terrick wrote:
>
> O great masses of devotees of the scions of Lucas...the Lord of Car Shows
> will now Speak.....
>
> ha ha.... thought that'd get ya interested......
>
> Step into the rod and custom arena for a minute since nobody has referenced
> to it yet:
>
> The ISCA (International Show Car Association) stages the big indoor shows
> across N.America. You've all been to one but who has entered? I have,
> twice. Here's what happens.
>
> There is a rulebook which specifically dictates different categories, and
> then different levels of mods are subcategories in each category. Certain
> prep. points are assessed for each mod depending on degree of difficulty,
> etc. U've all seen the rods that show up.... in the national classes they
> are "forced" to run them to prove they actually function as cars. Then they
> rip off the headers and rechrome them because they've blued a bit, etc, etc,
> etc.
>
> Ultimately, the organizer's decision on classification is final. Strangely,
> there never seems to be more than 4 cars in a class. The show judges are
> given the power to reclassify any car that may "better fit" in another
> category. There are 4 trophies awarded in each category, given the entries
> to back that.
>
> Get the picture?!?!? Everybody ends up happy.
>
> People like to get their $10 trophy no matter what "class" they belong in.
> The ceremony was much like our banquet but without food or drink. There
> were also "outstanding" awards, much like our certificates, and club
> participation awards, but given to 3 cars in and more. There is an overall
> best of show as well as a public choice which is drawn from all entries,
> TQ's or drivers.
>
> If it were me, I would take the best of both systems. Why not use their
> book (or similar) to differentiate the levels of customization, and their
> approach of giving back at least a token to everybody?
>
> The VTR has a much superior judging criteria. ISCA uses a 100 pt scale,
> arbitrarily adjudicated. We have standards pertaining to TR's only (I know,
> ISCA can;t do that inter-marque). Why not develop our strength?
>
> At ISCA, one year I committed in "Late Conservative sports" against a
> Pantera and a Corvette. Guess who came 3rd? Guess who had less money
> invested in the whole car than the others' had in paint and polish alone?
>
> the next year, I mounted slicks and numbers and entered as a "Production
> Road Racer". 2nd of 4. Higher place, higher points. The Austin Healey
> 3000 (which, incidentally was the same AH that spun and instigated our 2 car
> totalfest last August) was called a "Vintage Road Racing Car" and came 1st
> out of 1. Yet, we compete on the track as vintage cars together.
>
> In closing (and hopefully to put this thread to rest for a while), let us
> first focus on what the VTR wishes to accomplish by the judging procedure.
> Let us also focus on why we go to these events. Is it for the fun and
> camaraderie of fellow psycho scions or for a plaque? Maybe it is both.
> Likely it is both as we all love our cars more than others' cars. That is
> why we are all different but the same.
>
> May I suggest to the VTR reps who may read this post that a note be
> circulated soliciting (directly, not on list) ideas for judging
> improvements? Said reps could then cull and sort the ideas and propose
> modifications if warranted for, say, the 2000 convention.
>
> Dave (Just call me Switzerland) Terrick
> Winterpeg
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