Showdown At Lincoln

Well, I wouldn't call it a showdown. A couple of folks connected with the club that put on the Lincoln show told me not to expect too much. They were right.

Oh, the folks were friendly, as usual, and George Giroux (Prez of ECCC) was gracious and a fine gentleman. I like him. The problems were a couple of the "usual suspects", which were allowed to happen because of either a lack of planning, or a lack of interest. I doubt these problems exist very much in the bigger shows they put on "down south". Personally, I feel if you are going to put on a show, give it your best, even if it's a small show. Otherwise you are telling the participants that they are not as important as the folks in the bigger metro areas. If it's not good in your "big" shows, it's not good for the little ones, either. A little respect, please.

One person found it questionable that a Camaro took Best of Show at a show run by a Camaro club. I just chalked it up to the fact that 1/3 of the participants owned a Camaro, so it stood to reason that 1/3 of all votes would go for a Camaro. Simple human nature - you vote for what you like. These folks like Camaros. No one could expect any other outcome. Show me the largest single class in a show, and 9 times out of 10 I can tell you which class will produce Best of Show - unless the spectators vote, or it is a "judged" show.

The first problem was the now-famous "Sanford Debacle". There were classes, but no one could find you because everyone was told to park wherever they wished. This, as you know, makes voting both difficult and frustrating. Again I had folks tell me they were not going to bother to vote because they did not want to have to spend the morning "hunting" for the vehicles in 20 different classes (I gave up after just 6 classes). One man told me he was just going to vote for the first car he saw in each class. As you can easily see, this method of "park where you please" creates an unfair voting system for all, and tells the participants that the host is not concerned with their needs.

The second "problem" isn't really a problem, because participants were aware of the strange "classing" at this show. What does a Mustang, an AMX Javelin and a Camaro SS have in common? Other than the fact they are all cars, not much. But at this show, they all were assigned - by intent - to the same class. Strange, yes. Fair? Probably not. But it is the way the classes were set up, so participants really have no gripe if they chose to participate. Even on HotKarz.com, our listing of this show specifically stated "Please check classes - all vehicles not included". If you are told to expect this, then you have no right to complain when you find it is true. But I can certainly empathize with those who got caught in this sort of classing.

The third problem, as usual, concerns those unscrupulous "trophy poachers" who jump over the fence, registering in classes where they do not belong, all for the sake of stealing a trophy they do not deserve. This problem is growing in scope because WE, the people, not only allow it, but encourage it by voting for those cheats. Every time someone votes for a vehicle that is out of its class, that person encourages that bad behaviour. And it WILL come back and bite you - sooner or later, someone will pirate YOUR class, and steal the accolades for YOUR accomplishments. And who will you blame?

Well, you can certainly blame the jerk who jumps the fence, like the guy who owns a certain custom Ford - he jumps the fence in almost every show he enters. Certainly, he has a remarkable car - a '51 Red & White Custom Ford. A real winner - as a CUSTOM. But it belongs with all the other custom Fords, and not in Special Interest. By registering in Special Interest, that '51 Ford finds easy pickin's, since most Special Interest vehicles are not very imposing when it comes to beauty. And even though there is nothing "Special Interest" about a custom Ford, he wins 1st place handily, because many voters vote by their eyes, and not their heads. They do not stop to realize that the vehicle is in the wrong class, and therefore is not entitled to ANY votes in that class. None! If I enter a righteous Mustang in the Camaro class, it would be a travesty if anyone voted for my Mustang, no matter how perfect it is, because they are supposed to be voting for a Camaro! It's the Camaro class!

EXAMPLE: A stock truck, fresh off the showroom floor - did not enter in "Stock Trucks". Entered in "Special Interest". A custom, shaved Chevy did not enter in "CUSTOMS - ALL". Entered in "Special Interest". A custom '51 FORD did not enter in "CUSTOMS-ALL". Entered in - you guessed it - "Special Interest". One more time for old times sake: SPECIAL INTEREST is NOT just a catch-all class for everyone who is either an orphan, or who cannot compete in their own class. This is as much a class as any other, and deserves the same consideration. I did not try to enter my Woody in Customs, or Trucks. So please show me the same respect by keeping your vehicles in their own class. I'm sorry, but it irks me when a car with class is owned by someone who doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Don't forget that everyone who has ever voted for a vehicle out of its class is just as guilty as the person who jumps the fence. When a person votes for a vehicle that obviously does not belong in that class, that person does a disservice to everyone in the show. That person is saying, "It's OK to cheat - as long as you don't do it in MY class!"

Even though the show in Lincoln was very small - about 50 vehicles - there were at least (7) instances where owners jumped the fence for the express purpose of trying to poach a trophy that really was earned by someone else. And most succeeded, which effectively cheated (7) deserving entrants. And again I say, if those cheats need trophies so bad, come by my house - I have (4) tubs in the shed filled with trophies - take your pick! After all, you obviously do not care how you get your trophies!

I would like to make a very strong recommendation here. If you care about honesty and integrity of shows, and about the right people winning the praise they (YOU) deserve, then simply follow this little rule of integrity:

When you vote in a class, vote only for a vehicle that legitimately belongs in that class. Do not encourage the cheats and trophy poachers by voting for them. Let them know we do not appreciate having anyone being the prositute in the neighborhood. Let them know that if they jump the fence, they will lose, as they should. Finding a vehicle that is obviously in the wrong class is just the same as finding someone's spouse in the wrong bed. It does not deserve praise, nor awards. It deserves only disdain.

If we do not follow that simple rule, understand that the shows, and the awards, will be meaningless. And I, for one, am not interested in winning a meaningless award. You can buy awards, and they would have as much meaning as those that are not honestly earned.

It takes a lifetime to earn respect. It only takes one case of cheating to throw it all away!

That said, I am now preparing to be "Banned in Lincoln" :o)

Bill