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Can you help us understand the procedure for judging - ie; do circuit cars get a head start? Is it a complimentary 1st place in order to ensure they get the money award to offset their travel costs? How does the second place car win 2x the amount of 1st place detail awards (interior, engine, paint...) but then not win 1st place overall? It's just confusing, and when questioned, those in charge duck the questions by telling people to write a letter! This show can't be a traveling circuit - and - a local show.
From the turnout of cars at the P-burgh WoW show, it's not just these 7 owners who have had enough with it. When they have a new tri-axle dump truck in there to take up space - that should be a really big warning sign. (it wasn't customized either, unless the excavator/owner's name counts!).
I liked the museum tour that Benjamin and I went to, all about P-burgh sports and history.
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Absolutely. I spent 8 years as an ISCA Judge and was directly involved in Judging at the Detroit and Grand Rapids Autorama's along with several other shows.
First off, there is absolutely no rule, written or otherwise giving preferance to "Circuit" cars. What happens is that those who are involved on a regular basis showing the "ISCA Way" know how to play the game and they adjust accordingly in order to win the cash, as you mentioned with your friend who showed his GTO.
As far as staff ducking questions, did you talk to Show Chairman Bob Ulanowicz or Co-Chairman Sean Ulanowicz? Not trying to make excuses, but I know these guys and it is not their style to blow anyone off or tell someone to write a letter.
The ISCA Judging procedure clearly is not set up to accommodate properly restored cars. In fact, a car that is truly restored to as born status would not do well at all on the ISCA circuit. Cars with factory "flaws", as in orange peel or low gloss in paint, runs, etc and everything else that truly represents the way they really were, would mean lost points. Since the basis for the judging is cleanliness and attention to detail, restoring a car to true "as born" status would obviously go against what the ISCA rulebook calls for.
Since it is virtually impossible to put together a judging staff that would be truly knowledgable in all of the potential makes shown, this is how the ISCA judges all vehicles. Indexed bolts, ultra shiny (as in far better then ever left the factory) paint, lack of factory undercoating etc etc would be pluses under ISCA judging. Obviously, this is not the case with properly restored cars and any type of concours or similiar judging procedures.
As far as the Tri-Axle Dump truck...hmmm, since I didnt see it, I am not sure what was up with that. The Pittsburg show has always been a good show for us and when I was there several years ago, a great show.
Sorry to highjack this thread and as always, in the interest of having a long lasting career in this field, I am always open to comments good or bad, as I strive to improve our shows, whether I am physically there or not. There is no future for my job if we don't have shows to produce!
It is indeed a dufferant way of judging and as I often say, not for everyone. I personally feel there is a bit too much subjectivity, I mean, maybe you like red and I like purple...so which one is better?
Thanks/BA