Special Interest

Another person who commented says that it is his belief that SPECIAL INTEREST is a class specifically for any car without a class. It need not be "special interest". "It's been done this way for years". Hm-m-m. Does that mean I can register my PT with the Camaros, because "Camaro" does not mean Camaro?

As for the suggestion that it has always been done this way: is it OK to abuse your kids today just because you have been doing it for years without getting caught? Of course not. Just because it has been done for years does not make it right.

The commenter is 100% WRONG! Special Interest means SPECIAL INTEREST, just like Mustangs means MUSTANGS. And Special Interest means the vehicle must have a "special" interest for the general public. The name of a class DESCRIBES what is to be in that class. The name of the class defines it.

Shows that want to include a class for every vehicle that is an "orphan" from all listed classes would typically have a class named, appropriately enough, ORPHANS. Some shows give it a more aesthetic name, such as GENERAL INTEREST or FIELD class. But Special Interest is a legitimate class, and needs to be treated as such if the show is to retain legitimacy.

Just because a lot of shows - and participants - have abused a class for years does not make it right.

I understand that Maine is not all that "up to snuff" with many things, including car shows. Mainers have a tendancy to do what is expedient, which is an admirable Yankee characteristic. But there comes a time when expediency must give way to what is honest and fair to all, and leave the slip-shod methods behind that leave some folks out in the cold. In most of the country, car shows are run in accordance with a somewhat strict set of standards, to insure fairness and honesty.

No, not all shows are the same - there are many TYPES of car shows. But regardless of type, the shows, themselves, are expected to follow certain standards, for the sake of legitimacy. The reason, of course, is simple: the value of a vehicle is often determined in part by its ability to win top honors - just like a dog or horse show. For those values to be legitimate, the winning must also be legitimate. It is fraudulent to increase the value of something based on false information. So, if trophies are not won by legitimate means, in a fair competition, it is crooked to use such awards as a means of placing a higher value on the vehicle.

Everyone should want to play on a level playing field. And it is in everyone's best interest to do so.