Message text written by "Arakelian, Peter"
>I would like to start a discussion that gets more people to participate in
events. It seems that I see fewer and fewer less than perfect cars at
shows, meetings, and driving events and I would like to try to encourage
owners with these cars to attend. Sure it's wonderful to see all the
restored cars, but the real fun of an event is talking with and helping
those who are either in the process of restoring or just plain like to
drive
their car in whatever condition it is. I have talked with many people who
don't want to take their cars to an event because they are sure they will
be
ridiculed, and that is sad because they usually never are! It's great to
see cars in any condition at events, the fun is in participating and if
someone does put down an owner of a daily driver or beater, they are the
ones that should be chastised.
It used to be that the fun of owning a sports car was meeting other sports
cars on the road. You'd look up ahead and see a TR or MG or Fiat or
whatever and you'd speed up a little and they'd slow down a little. You'd
wave at each other, maybe play along through the traffic for a little
while. There was a sense of camaraderie that is missing these days.
So, let's all try to encourage those we know to get their cars out to the
shows. If they're not sure about driving a distance, start some kind of
caravan with your club - that way everyone can watch out for each other.
Or
have some tech sessions around their car to get it in shape.
Hoping to see more of you this summer...
I'll be at VTR in Oregon and Triumphest in San Diego, and driving around
Southern CA the rest of the time with my top down, a big grin on my face,
and looking for you!
Peter Arakelian - 71 TR6 (Daily Driver)
<
Peter,
I agree with you 100%. I think that the main cause is the fact that at
these Brit car shows the the main or culminating event is the awarding of
the prettiest cars based (usually) on popular choice. Most small car shows
do just this. Every entrant gets a vote and the votes are talleyed and the
awards given out.
Even at the VTR where everyone expresses a wish to encourage the use of
these cars and a requirement is placed on concours entrants to participate
in a driving event, and awards are given for non-beauty-contest
considerations the culminating event, the climax, and the most important
prize is the concours awards. These are preceeded by popular choice.
The VTR does many things to reduce this prejuduce by hosting a TSD ralley,
an autocross, tours (gimmick ralleys) and a funkahna. But still the 500 lb
gorilla is the concours event. There's the Ken Richardson Trophy and Ted
S. gives out his annual sweat equity award. All these things call
attention to the fact that these are not just pretty cars.
And the smaller shows can't or won't produce these other, driving functions
to compete with the pop choice. What would happen if there was a car show
without a popular choice? What if they gave out awards like "widest
tires." Or "most leak proof top?" What if participants submitted their
cars to a "driving evaluator" who would judge their cars based on things
like ease of shifting and smoothness of clutch and effectiveness of brakes?
Or the subjective quality of the exhaust note. Or how many oil drips left
behind?
These are the things that really count to those of us who drive our cars
rather than show them. The beauty contests that predominate are, in my
opinion, superficial and although a good concours judge will look at
undercarriage and drivetrain components, one cannot really evaluate how
good the restoration (or original condition car) really is.
I think that car show organizers should de-emphasize the beauty bit and
give awards for the most $ spent on the restoration... no.. I mean other
aspects of the cars. Here are some ideas:
Why not an exhaust note contest. Set up a panel of judges on a specified
streach of road and let the participants drive by, in turn, and the judges
evaluate as do the diving judges at the olympics. And each make would have
it's own class.
How about a floor board contest where participants must pull up the carpet
and expose the floorboards.
Oil leak contest. Participants drive a fixed course (about two miles) and
park over a clean piece of cardboard. The winner leaves the least amount
of oil.
Gas milage. You know how that goes.
Oil milage. This one would be tough. 1000 mile circuit.
Longest distance traveled. VTR does this. Others should too. But it
should be verified that the car was actually driven the distance and not
trailered.
Hard luck.
How about a McGiver (sp?) award for the most resourceful improvised repair.
An award for the most car shows attended.
I apologize for my somewhat random musings but I thought I would throw out
my thoughts in an effort to stimulate the discussion. Thank you for your
indulgance.
Dave Massey
57 TR3
71 TR6 (since 1985)
80 TR8
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