Saturday, September 20, 2008

Two Trails Show, Part II

Can you believe it? Some folks don't read Hotkarz. And two of them were seen sitting in an empty parking lot in Limington this morning, waiting for the show to start :o)

I have been waiting for the TT show for quite some time, primarily because a) it was a rebuilding of another show, and b) HotKarz was "tapped" for suggestions, and I was anxious to see the result.

I gotta say, I was pleased with this show. Very pleased. Was it perfect? Hell, no. But it came about as close as I've seen.

I will run through the problems that I noted, or those that were brought to my attention. Relax, TT - they are all pretty minor.

The day began waiting in line out in the street - but not for very long. The gate opened on time - we were early. But I hate waiting! I am about as impatient as a living person can be. But that is just me.

Some folks mentioned that they felt a bit cramped - vehicles parked a bit too close for their comfort. A lot of owners like to have doors open, so folks can look in, like what they see, and vote for them. But if two vehicles side-by-side opened their doors, there was no room for spectators to squeeze in. A valid complaint, I suppose, but considering the turnout, it was probably the best they could do, not knowing just how big a class would get.

Of course, I had to check on my pet peeve - Special Interest. Of all the entrants (about 10), only half should have been in that class. The other half simply were not Special Interest - at least, not to the general audience, which is the key.

And that's about it for notable problems.

Now for the good stuff. Two Trails Cruisers did a pretty darn good job of enforcing the classes (except for SI). In some cases, they even asked folks to move into a more appropriate class. And that is key - all vehicles should be in the most appropriate class, and not just any class it might technically fit into. This is for the sake of fairness and respect to other entrants, and helps keep a level playing field.

Two Trails Cruisers did an exceptional job of organizing this show, and insuring orderliness. Everything was well laid out, and posted. This helped things go smoothly.

Even the awards ceremony was organized well, allowing for all winners to get photographed, which I thought was great! I do not normally have the opportunity to get all the winners, due to limited web space. Two Trails found a solution to that, for which many are grateful.

There is one more thing, but before I get to it, I would like to share a comment I heard from a "regular" show goer, which was restated in other ways by a couple of other folks. They mentioned there were some "upsets" today. Some folks who normally placed did not find themselves in the winner's circle, while others who rarely win were surprised to find themselves with award in hand. And most of those folks attributed this to one simple thing - the ballots were split, which is an idea I have been advocating for some time. The split ballot tends to prevent "bloc" voting, and the "buddy system" which has ruled car shows for nearly 20 years. By breaking up these "buddy" systems, the cream tends to rise to the top. Now, I know some folks won't like that - but they are the ones who have been the beneficiaries of the buddy system style of voting. Most of us, however, can appreciate the value of giving everyone a fair chance to win in an honest competition. And, for the most part, that is what we saw today.

My wife did notice that there is a distinct "problem" with being recognized as the "HotKarz" guy. It took us about an hour to get across the lot to go to McD's for breakfast. It seems I got stopped every couple of feet by folks who wanted to talk about HotKarz. And I liked that! But a person could starve to death trying to get to the trough...

To all the great folks who organized and ran this show, and all the wonderful volunteers and staff, I say "Kudos to you!" A job very well done. And a special thanks to Mr. Ken Matthews, whose tireless efforts guaranteed the results we saw today.

And a special thanks to WalMart - their generosity was an integral part of this show's success. Next time you see Tina (the WalMart manager), don't forget to say "Thank You".

I wonder if those two guys are still sittin' in that Limington parking lot....

The Two Trails/WalMart Show

As you might guess, I have a lot to say about this show. But my feet are killin' me, and I KNOW the organizer's are anxious to hear how others thought it went. So, I think I'll let 'em sweat a little while I go kick off the Nike's and rest my weary old bones a little.

Be back in a bit...

Friday, September 19, 2008

Here's Your Sign

Bill Engval makes a good living with "Here's Your Sign" comedy. Here are a few of my own..

Guy with his hood up, tinkering with something. Someone comes by and says, "Having car trouble?" No, I'm just feeding the hampster. Here's your sign...

A man tells a friend that he's going to the funeral of another friend. The friend asks, "Did he die?" No, he just thought he'd have his funeral first, and die later. Here's your sign...

Overheard at a car show, as a gentleman was looking at my lambo doors: "Can doors really open like that?" Nope - they're just broken. Here's your sign...

My surf wagon has a surfboard on the roof. A guy comes by and asks, "Is that a surfboard?" Naw, that's just a giant snowboard - I always bring it with me in the summer. Here's your sign...

Overheard at a recent cruise-in. The husband won the 50/50, goes back to the wife, counting the money. "Did you win", she asks? Heck no - but I mugged the guy who did. Here's your sign...

Walked into the dentist's office. The receptionist says, "Can I have your name?" Why, don't you have one of your own? Here's your sign...

I would add a few more, but I have to go make up some more signs...

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Electric Cars...

Well, it seems all the auto makers are jumping on the "electric car" bandwagon. They are all busting their necks trying to get some out there. Chevy is coming out with the "Volt" for 2010. But it's not because electric cars will help the environment - they won't. Instead, their rush is strictly founded in the word "profit".

Let's take a closer look at these things. But first, keep in mind a simple, indisputable law of physics: whenever you convert from one energy source to another, some energy is lost. So, whenever one energy source is used to create another, you end up with a net loss.

That said, the next step that any sane and reasonable person would take is to ask, "Where does the electricity for these cars come from?" Well, electricity is a source of energy that, for the most part, is created from another source of energy. In America, about 75% of all electricity is generated by burning some sort of fossil fuel - mostly coal, but some oil, as well.

Now, if you take that, and recall that turning fossil fuel into electricity results in a net loss, that means more, not less, fossil fuels are burned in order to run the cars.

Call me dumb, but if we burn more fossil fuels to get the same result, I don't see how that helps the environment. I don't see that as being "green".

Well, CHOP had their final cruise-in of the season on Tuesday, and I hear the Low's cruise is all washed up. Two Trails Diner in Standish has one more to go next Wednesday - so don't miss it. They have been getting a good turnout lately. And next Thursday will be the final cruise for the folks at Buffalo Wings n' Things, in Westbrook.

So, the cruises are winding down for another year, here in Northern New England. But the shows are still going strong. This Saturday is the Two Trails show in Windham, and Sunday is the great show in Durham. And there are still a few shows later this month, and through October. Check the HotKarz calendar for details.

Tomorrow I figure we'll be at Blast From The Past in Waterboro for the cruise. If we don't see ya there, I hope to see you at one (or both) of the shows this weekend.

Later!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Car Show Book

As you already know if you have been reading the blog, HotKarz has been working on a book that details all the inner workings of a car show, including planning, organizing, judging and even winning.

With sources like the International Car Show Association, Classic Car Club, National Custom Car Association and the American Muscle Car Association, and with input from show organizers, participants, judges and car builders, I am happy to say the book is nearly finished.

But I would really like to include more stuff that you, the folks, provide. If you send in your tips, ideas, know-how and/or suggestions in the next couple of weeks, I can get you into the book, and list you as a contributor.

Just so you know, this book will be marketed throughout North America, so you and/or your business could get a lot of great exposure. And, of course, you would receive a free copy of the book.

So get your contributions over to me ASAP. You do not need to be a writer. We can edit, if necessary. Just jot down your thoughts in an email and send it off to me at ptwoodycrew@aol.com. Please state that you grant permission for me to use the info in the book, and to give you credit for it.

I have already received several. Please bear in mind: if you wish to be a part of this great project, I have to have your contributions no later than the end of September. The book gets marketed in October because most show organizers start their planning in the winter.

Thanks! Hope to hear from you.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Drawing To A Close

It's mid-September, and though we had a short, wet season, it is almost over. C.H.O.P. held their final cruise this evening (though they will host one more at the Cumberland Fair on the 25th), and many others will come to an end in the next two weeks.

There will still be shows, right through October. But October is almost here.

It's strange - as spring approached, we were anxious for the season to begin. And as we grow a bit weary of the hectic pace, we are now almost anxious for the season to close.

This weekend will be full - the Two Trails show at Windham WalMart on Saturday, and the Yankee Cruisers show in Durham on Sunday. If you have never been to the Durham show, you owe it to yourself to go - it's one of the best! And if you have been disappointed in previous Two Trails shows, you are in for a pleasant suprise on Saturday - the entire show has been revamped.

Meanwhile, here is something that has plaqued me for years - what is it about old, ugly guys that seems to attract all the pretty young girls?

Well, I'm no spring chicken, so maybe I will soon get the chance to find out for myself (^.-)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Overlap

It appears HotKarz is making a difference - now when someone walks up and asks, "Hey, aren't you the guy from HotKarz" my new response is, "That depends - are you armed?"

There has been discussion concerning the class placement of certain vehicles. This discussion occurs because the genre of classes sometimes overlap. A classic example of this would be the overlappiong of the following two classes:

Street Rod —A motor vehicle, or a reproduction thereof, with a model year of 1948 or older which has been materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts and with a gross weight or registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.

Custom Car - a factory-built vehicle that has been modified either to improve its performance, often by altering or replacing the engine and transmission, or it may be a personal design by the builder, making the car look unique and unlike any car that might have been factory built. Though distinct from hot rods there is debate among customizers and rodders as to where the line should be drawn. A Custom Car cannot be a kit car, as a kit car is not a factory-built vehicle that has been modified from the original configuration.

As you can see, both are modified vehicles (in fact, many shows replace Custom with Modified, as being interchangeable, since they mean the same thing). The only difference between Street Rods and Customs/Modifieds seems to be the age of the vehicle, and that Street Rods can be a reproduction (kit car) when there is no classs for kit cars.

Let us look at a prime example, a vehicle that most of us are familiar with, which can be either custom/modified or street rod - Jim Peacock's "Ol' Blue". It is obviously a modified truck - the cab has been chopped, the engine replaced etc. So, it is a modified or custom truck. However, being a 1938, it was manufactured before 1949, so it also qualifies as a Street Rod - a modified vehicle older than 1949 and under 9000 pounds.

In such a case, these two classes overlap, and can cause some confusion. This truck could easily register as a modified or custom. And it could just as easily register as a street rod. If he registers in Street Rods, some will complain that it belongs in trucks. If he registers in trucks, some will complain it belongs in street rods. And they are both right.

Because of its pre-49 manufacture date, it may be a little more of a street rod than a custom or modified truck, because it meets that extra qualification. But the fact remains that it does meet the definition of either, so it would seem it could register in either class.

This sort of overlapping can occur in many other classes, as well. And when it does, we need to accept the fact that a vehicle could be either this or that. Only in cases where a vehicle distinguishes itself as more suited to one than the other should the owner make an effort to register in the most appropriate class.

An example of this would be a custom 1956 Chevy. Yes, it is a Chevy, and could register in 1950's Chevy class. Or in the 1950's class. Or in the Custom class, or the 1950's Custom class. So, let us assume the show offers all four classes - where should(not could) he register?

Obviously, he should register in the class most appropriate - he is a Chevy, a 50's, and a custom. Therefore, the most appropriate class is 1950's Customs. However, if that class is not available, he should then register in the Customs class (genre is more important than age or make, as a rule). And if Customs is not offered, he should register in 1950's Chevy, because his vehicle is both 50's and Chevy. The only time he should register in 1950's is when the show does not offer any of the other classes (which was the problem at OOB).

With few exceptions, genre is the leading and most important part of a class description, followed by make/model, or age, depending on how the classes are set up.

A genre would be any qualifier, such as Custom, Modified, Rod, Truck, Muscle, Foreign etc. So, regardless of make or age, all foreign vehicles should register in Foreign, unless there is another class that is even more specific, such as VW, in which all VW's should register.

All trucks should register in an appropriate truck class, unless the truck has additional qualifications that would or could place it elsewhere, such as Special Interest (a fire truck), or Street Rods (Ol'Blue).

When all is said and done, we should all make an effort to register in the most appropriate class. Sometimes, as shown above, the distinctions are so muted as to cause legitimate overlapping. And we need to accept that as a consequence of an imperfect system.

But what we do not, nor should not accept are those instances where the vehicle is obviously out of the most appropriate class, such as a stock GMC Jimmy in Special Interest, or a kit car in with 50's classics, or a foreign car in with American cars if there is a foreign class.

Some shows are attempting to take out some of the overlapping by stating specifically what they want. I have seen shows say "All Trucks Must Register in a Truck Class", and "Foreign (except VW)", and "American Muscle Cars". Shows can help, simply by giving more thought to their class descriptions, to help eliminate overlapping. They can most effectively do this by inserting one word, such as "except..." or "American" or some other qualifier. And we should be asking show organizers to do just that. It doesn't cost anything, and does not take much time at all. But the rewards are great - a show that is more fair to all.