Big Changes to Car Show Format

Lug_Nut

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
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Sterling, Massachusetts. USA
TDI
idi: 1988 Bolens DGT1700H, the other oil burner: 1967 Saab Sonett II two stroke
TDI Fest 2011 Show ' Shine event information

25 August, 2011: Show entry is limited to vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, etc.) presently powered by a diesel engine.

Show Classes:
Three Classes are available this year. Classes are separated into Stock, Modified, and Radical levels of change from original condition. The decision to use these classifications, which are based upon degree of modification instead of by chassis generation, was made to permit non VW diesel powered vehicles to compete on an more equal basis with the more customary VW vehicle entries, to reduce the number of classification sub-categories, and to simplify judging.

15 August, 2011: A fourth, non-judged, class has been added for those that want to be eligible for the People's Choice and Longevity awards but not have the pressure of fully preparing the car for the judged portion. Just specify when you arrive at the show registration tent that you wish for a non-judged entry form.

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Class selection:

The Exhibitor will choose the one class in which he or she wishes for their entry vehicle to compete when registering at the show area on the day of the show. This class choice is up to the entrant to decide. It is not for the judges or registration personnel to classify a vehicle. Any car could be entered in any of the three classes, but it will be judged to the criteria, and using the score sheet, of the class the exhibitor will have selected upon entry to the show arena.

An exhibitor may think that the modifications they have made are minor, would be at most a minimal deduction, and that they would do better overall if entered and competing in a 'stock' class, than if competing against the entries in the 'modified' class.
Or they may think that their class ranked score of their lightly modified car would be better if it were to be entered in the 'modified' class than if it were entered in the 'stock' class.
Or that the quality and execution of their less extensive modifications are enough to counter a more highly changed, but less well done, entry in the 'radical' class.
The entrant will need to consider in advance which class he or she thinks their entry vehicle will be a better competitor based on the guide or examples suggested in the Class Descriptions below.


Class descriptions:

Stock: As delivered new from the dealer, or as could have been delivered new from the original dealer. Only equipment, options and accessories offered through the manufacturer or original dealer for that vehicle in the year of the car’s manufacture are considered to be ‘stock’.
For example: A4 handbrake cup holders should be on a late A4 and would a deduction if not present, but would not be original to an early A4 and would be a deduction if they were installed.

Modified: Exchanges, upgrades or retrofitting of non-original items into the vehicle.
For example: other manufacturer's stereo systems, aftermarket wheels, added tint on windows, front mount intercoolers.
or installation of items intended for other model cars into the vehicle.
For example:
Exchanges between models: installing GTI seats in a TDI, or Jolf or Getta nose swaps.
Exchanges between brands: Audi wheels on a VW.
Exchanges between markets: Euro code lights on US cars or Euro badges.

Radical: much more extreme in scope than Modified, more than mere bolt on or swapping of like for like components, requiring engineering and fabrication of items.
For example:
Suicide doors, AWD installations, TDI Eos, or a gull-wing SL Mercedes with CDI engine swap.



Ranking for Recognition Awards

Each of the three classes is being judged to a different standard. To maintain equality between classes, the points earned by an entry in each class will be converted to a percent of that class's leader's score.
For example:
If the entry with the highest judged score points in the 'Stock' class earned 50 points, and another entry in that same class earned 45 points, that second entry earned 90% of that class leader's points.
If the highest judged score in the 'Radical' class were 80 points and an entry in 'Radical' earned 60 points, that is 75% of that class leader's points.
The 'Stock' entry earning 90% of the 'Stock' class leader points will be ranked higher in consideration of recognition than the 'Radical' entry earning 75% of that 'Radical' class leader's points.

Best in Show (one award):
Each of the class leading entries, as based on judged points earned, will be entered as nominees in a "run-off" to select a Best in Show. The selection of one entry from these three class leaders to earn this Best in Show award will be performed by a judge that hadn't judged any of the classes. This Best in Show selection is a non-scored selection. The selection criteria is simply: "Is this stock class nominee a better representation of 'stock', than this modified nominee is a representation of 'modified', or this radical nominee is a representation of 'radical'? The one entry selected from these three nominees will earn the recognition of “Best in Show”.

August 25 2011: Note that this Best in Show judging is an additional judging that will take place after all the cars are judged for class ranking. The top scoring vehicle in each of the three judged classes must be present for the three way run-off judging for best in show.
If a top score in class vehicle is not present at the time of the Best in Show judging, the selection for Best in Show will be from the remaining class leaders present. The missing vehicle(s) will still earn the best in class award for their class, but will not be eligible for the Best in Show.
Should none of the three class leader vehicles not be present for the Best in Show judging, the highest Longevity score of those three class leaders will be used to select the Best in Show recipient.


Best in Class (two awards):
The two remaining nominees in the run-off will each be declared “Best in Class” in recognition of earning the most points of all the entries in their chosen class.

Top Ten (seven awards):
The next seven highest percentage earning entries, regardless of class, will receive recognition for scoring well against their class leader. These recognition awards are based on the percentage of points an entry earned relative to that class's leader’s judged points. Doing well and being tougher competition for a class leader will gain recognition. Being a more distant second to the class leader in a class size of two entries isn't enough for recognition this year.

People's Choice (one award):
One selection, un-judged, un-pointed, based on a popular vote ballot, will be chosen.

Longevity (one award):
One show vehicle will receive recognition as a hard use survivor. The selection of the entry earning this recognition is based on a show vehicle's information and application of a formula to that data.

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The right to revise this information between now and the actual day of the show is reserved, but I don’t expect there will be any significant changes. Official information will be available at the show registration area on the morning of the show.

Lug_Nut
3 August, 2011

Update: 15 August, 2011: I've created a non-judged category to allow those that would prefer to not 'compete' for the judged points and those ten recognition award that the judges will be deciding, yet still wish to be entered for the voting for the "People's Choice" award and for the longevity award.
This declaration of "stock", "modified", "radical", or this newly added 'not judged' classification, needs to be made when the vehicle is entered.
Due to scoring tabulation requirements it will not be possible to change the classification later, so consider carefully before arriving to register for the show on Saturday.

Update 25 August, 2011: I've added a contingency action should one or more of the best in class vehicles not be present for the Best in Show judging. See the Best in Show section for details.
I've added an eligibility clause that the vehicle must be diesel powered. I know it's expected to be, but wasn't specified.
 
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Stealth TDI

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Very nice! "Winning" the A3 class a few years ago was a bit of a hollow victory since my only competitor was another A3 which clearly was not prepped for show. Good, reliable car, yes. Clean and show-worthy, no. These changes will make placement more of a challenge... perhaps even impossible for me since my car is not so pristine these days. :D

I suspect "Modified" will be the fullest class.
 

Stealth TDI

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Question on the Longevity award: Is this simply going to be the car with the most miles?
 

TDIDaveNH

Left Lane Coal Roller at Large
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Location
North Conway, NH
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1997 Passat TDI x2 1984 Buick Century 4.3 diesel
Longevity (one award):
One show vehicle will receive recognition as a hard use survivor. The selection of the entry earning this recognition is based on a show vehicle's information and application of a formula to that data.
Pray Tell,
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Having been in the vintage VW scene for many years, I almost have to laugh at the thought of a car show involving such infants*... but I understand this is 'what the people want' so I am cool with that. I'd still like to see an actual swap meet, though. I mean, if we are going to treat our new(ish) cars to shows, why not treat them to a swap meet to we can sell/buy/trade all our 'NOS' and used 'vintage' parts? :p

*sorry, but a guy polishing his 5 month old Jetta in a parking lot does not seem as trophy worthy as a guy polishing his painstakingly restored 1955 Beetle. :eek:

Don't get me wrong, I love all these cars, even the ones their owners seem to hate, just not sure about the competition aspect of the show. I much more enjoy the banter and such.
 

Stealth TDI

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Newport News, VA
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2017 GTI APR Stage 3 (395 hp/376 lb-ft)
OH,

I get your sentiment. But there's another view, too. My first show entered was in 1999 near Dallas, TX. I took first place from a guy who had been winning every year for a LONG time with his European 1989(?) GTI with 8400km (yes, 84 HUNDRED KMs). He was really pissed that the car he bought new, kept in a garage, and drove ONLY TO SHOWS lost to a much younger car despite the fact mine was daily driven and had over 45,000 miles on it. To add insult to injury, I also took "farthest traveled to show" from him. Driving up from Monterrey Mexico each year, he was accustomed to taking that award and was boasting about doing it again until I pointed out I had driven in from NM (650 miles to his 572). He went home empty handed for the first time in YEARS and was really peeved. :rolleyes: Don't get me wrong. I really liked his car/display and asked a lot of questions. I had no expectation of winning anything.

But I also had no idea anyone could get so cranky over a car show. The tirade solidified my position that I'd never get torqued over how a show went. I enter the shows to get a great parking spot where plenty are around to "watch" the car. If I win, great. If not, so what! But I do ask judges what I could have done to improve my score. The majority of folks who've been annoyed by me placing had nice cars. But they weren't CLEAN beyond just the paint. And they certainly weren't as "used" as mine. :p Again, I don't care if I win. But I also don't sympathize with someone who didn't win if they didn't bring a good show. ;)

BTW, living in NM meant my car usually looked like this the day before and the day after a show:



I'm very confident I put more work into polishing my "new" car, especially the wheel wells and engine bay, than the other guy put into driving his garaged-stored, hardly-driven beauty. :rolleyes: I don't think my car will be as much of a head-turner next month as it once was. But, however it looks, my efforts will be shown on the tail end of a 5000-mile summer vacation including a trip back to White Sands, NM. In other words, I will be CLEANING before I show. :cool: I think it's cool that TDIFest judges take the odometer into consideration at our shows. Not sure if that'll still be the case this year. But it's all good! :)

Take Care,

Scott
 

nicklockard

Torque Dorque
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Location
Arizona
TDI
SOLD 2010 Touareg Tdi w/factory Tow PCKG
Great job setting up the judging criteria. I like the score normalizing (like grading on a curve.) Well done. I hope the Fest members love this show.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
I think everyone who brings a TDI should be able to park in the 'show' area, regardless of your entrance into any said show.
 

Stealth TDI

Pre-Forum Veteran Member
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Location
Newport News, VA
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2017 GTI APR Stage 3 (395 hp/376 lb-ft)
:)

I think everyone who brings a TDI should be able to park in the 'show' area, regardless of your entrance into any said show.
Agreed. However, I can understand the logic behind segregating show cars from personal displays or parked cars if that's the direction they take. Segregation speeds up the judging and ensures none of the show cars are missed if parked in a fringe area. If the cars are intermingled, I would suggest the cars do something obvious to indicate their "status" such as hoods-up for show and hoods-down for parked. Yes, the show cars will likely have special tags in the windows. But the hoods would make it obvious from a distance. Of course, I'm sure the organizers are well ahead of us and already have a plan that makes this idea look really elementary. :)

Thanks for this....you just made up my mind! The car will sit in the parking lot and I will not bother
I don't understand this. Is this an "if I'm not guaranteed a trophy then I won't play" thing? I think any car that's special in one way or another (swaps, cool mods, unique color, super-clean, older than average, etc) should show with or without any appropriate amount of "show prep." Dirty or clean, a cool car will be appreciated if shown. Brand new stock cars? Sure, show them. I'm sure they'd need to be perfect to place. But our shows are too small to feature a lot of classes. Three trophies for a class with four cars is dumb. And buying three trophies for a class which winds up having just two cars is a waste for the club. This new format will elimate waste while ensuring the best are recognized... not just the really good cars, not just great cars... THE BEST (according to prescribed criteria).

We're there to see the cars, meet the people, and support the site. The best of the best will place. The rest of us can just show off. I'd be pleased to place at the show; but I'd respect the work and dedication of those who outshowed me if I leave empty handed. There's nothing wrong with not placing, especially if the competition is worthy. :)

Scott
 

PeterV

TDIClub Enthusiast, HO5G Doyen & Zen Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2000
Location
So, NH.
TDI
2000 Jetta 5 sp.
This format change is for this year. Lets try and accept change it might be for the good. My '00 TRed has been in every fest and every S&S. Sure I have many TDIclub awards perhaps I will not win any this year we shall see.

I sure would like to see a certain white 2 dr Golf here... And dog training driver.
 

Bonjonbart

Active member
Joined
Apr 19, 2008
Location
MA
TDI
2000 Golf GL
I sure would like to see a certain white 2 dr Golf here... And dog training driver.
:eek: Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!

I work every Labor Day Weekend. It's pre-arranged 10 months in advance.
You'll have to see a certain white 2 dr Golf in your neighborhood or you can stare at my profile picture until you're all "Golfed" out. :p
I'm not sharing it with anyone ... I can barely bring myself to share it with my spouse of 30 years.
 

tomo366

TDI Lifer, Member #68
Joined
Jun 30, 1997
Location
Kensington, Maryland USA
TDI
2015 Jetta SEL TDI
:)

I don't understand this. Is this an "if I'm not guaranteed a trophy then I won't play" thing? I think any car that's special in one way or another (swaps, cool mods, unique color, super-clean, older than average, etc) should show with or without any appropriate amount of "show prep." Dirty or clean, a cool car will be appreciated if shown. Brand new stock cars? Sure, show them. I'm sure they'd need to be perfect to place. But our shows are too small to feature a lot of classes. Three trophies for a class with four cars is dumb. And buying three trophies for a class which winds up having just two cars is a waste for the club. This new format will elimate waste while ensuring the best are recognized... not just the really good cars, not just great cars... THE BEST (according to prescribed criteria).

We're there to see the cars, meet the people, and support the site. The best of the best will place. The rest of us can just show off. I'd be pleased to place at the show; but I'd respect the work and dedication of those who outshowed me if I leave empty handed. There's nothing wrong with not placing, especially if the competition is worthy. :)

Scott
I could care less if I get a trophy.....and why are you putting in words I didn't say? I just don't care for the format...
They are telling me because I put vent shades on the car and tinted the windows and put split mirrors and a bra my car isn't stock......these changes do not make my car a modified car....
So I am not going to take the 2-3 days to clean and polish the car to get it ready for the show,
I will just look at everybody elses cars and not show it....not a problem and not upset.

Tom
 

paramedick

TDIClub Enthusiast, Vendor
Joined
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Location
Versailles, Kentucky
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2015 Audi Q5 TDI
They are telling me because I put vent shades on the car and tinted the windows and put split mirrors and a bra my car isn't stock......these changes do not make my car a modified car....

Tom
Are they VW accessories that the dealer could have installed at delivery? If so, they qualify as "stock". Something to think about....
 

Stealth TDI

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Newport News, VA
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Tom,

I didn't put words in your mouth. I asked if that's what drove your comments. I admit my choice of words was crude. But that's how your remarks read to the casual observer. Regarding your mods, the format clearly allows a car with mods to enter in stock. Entrants just have to accept a points deduction for out of class mods. I think a car with light mods prepped to the max can beat a completely stock car that's not as detailed. Just sayin'. ;)

Scott
 

Lug_Nut

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
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Location
Sterling, Massachusetts. USA
TDI
idi: 1988 Bolens DGT1700H, the other oil burner: 1967 Saab Sonett II two stroke
Tomo, The additions you described would be a deduction if the car were entered in a 'stock' class, but how much of a deduction? How well prepared are the other 'stock' entries?
If you're concerned about competing against other 100%, just-rolled-in-from-the-dealer entry, maybe 'modified' class would have your placing higher in that class if the other personalizations on other 'modifieds' weren't done as well, or maybe the 'radical' class would be where your car could be the best.
See? YOU choose your competition. If you choose first, entering the arena early, you could just as well be the dissuader to have others consider a class other than the one you've chosen so that THEY don't have to compete directly against you in your selected class.


Odometer numbers (miles or KM) are not presently a factor in judged scoring this year as we are introducing a special, and separate, award this year, specifically celebrating the many facets that are indicative of longevity. This award takes into account several things related to determining the appropriate recipient from among the entries into the show. Even if you don't think your car is in "show" condition, or you don't want to spend the morning cleaning it, bring it in, enter it in all its well used glory, and show those 'trailer queens' what a REAL car is meant to do!
 

Lug_Nut

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
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Location
Sterling, Massachusetts. USA
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idi: 1988 Bolens DGT1700H, the other oil burner: 1967 Saab Sonett II two stroke
Regarding the 'seriousness' of car shows: You bought and personalized your car because it's what YOU wanted, not what some idiot judge wanted. Unless that judge chooses your car, then the judge is obviously astute, and has a well respected eye for fine cars, right?

I entered my first Passat sedan in a show in Penn on some Saturday some years back. There were five in that class. There were three awards. I earned nothing.
I entered the Passat in a show in Conn on the next day. There were over 250 water cooled VWs in the show, (and another 250 or so air cooled). My same car that had been shut out of the first three places in a class of only five on Saturday, took Best Watercooled in Show out of 250+ entries the next day.

So please, keep this all in perspective.
 

The Ripster

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 4, 1999
Location
UP of Michigan
TDI
None at this time
Tomo I will bring a spare chair for you and we can set in the shade and watch all the work and sweat and then go around and see all the hard work.
Mine will be clean, but I might not have my gauges in by then and till then it
won't stand out from the next one.
 

The Ripster

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 4, 1999
Location
UP of Michigan
TDI
None at this time
So I go out and buy a VW after a two year pause, and feel bad all these years when I miss you and the Peter V show and now you are setting this one out, come on buddy, it will be a great time. You will regret not coming, and you don't want to ruin your streak of attendance. Its like school perfect attendance. So come on down, we need to catch up on things.
 

Metal Man

Vendor
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Sep 29, 2001
Location
Sunbury,PA 17801
TDI
1998 NB TDI, 2006 Jetta TDI, 2014 Tiguan gas, , 2019 E Golf X2
I'll have the Jeep Liberty CRD. It may be in close competition with Oilhammer's car. I'll make an attempt at cleaning it, but I'm not sure how that will go.
 

BRUSSELS BELGIAN

Old Whig
Joined
May 26, 1999
Location
Aston,Pa. USA
TDI
1997 Passat TDI
You Without Hope!

I could care less if I get a trophy.....and why are you putting in words I didn't say? I just don't care for the format...
They are telling me because I put vent shades on the car and tinted the windows and put split mirrors and a bra my car isn't stock......these changes do not make my car a modified car....
So I am not going to take the 2-3 days to clean and polish the car to get it ready for the show,
I will just look at everybody elses cars and not show it....not a problem and not upset.

Tom
Don't be mad TOMO, my MIGHTY MERCEDES would have KICKED YOUR A$$ anyway! After all, I have plenty of time to work on it, because I'm NOT GETTING LAID!:eek:
 

Lug_Nut

TDIClub Enthusiast, Pre-Forum Veteran Member
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Sterling, Massachusetts. USA
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idi: 1988 Bolens DGT1700H, the other oil burner: 1967 Saab Sonett II two stroke
Are the covers hiding torn and worn factory surfaces?
In "stock" the point deduction may be less than the lost points for torn seats that will remain undetected. If the seats are in good condition, then remove the covers and install them after the show to reduce the deduction.
But, choose "modified" class instead of "stock" and the covers, if the judge likes them, could gain points, Then again, if the covers look tacky might cost points in that class too.
You choose the metric by which you will be judged.
And you'll declare that one choice upon entry so consider in which of the three judged classes you think your vehicle would do best.
 
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