If you were there, you know.
The only thing that kept the OOB show from being one of the better shows was just one thing - a complete and total lack of proper organization. After 16 years, it seems they still do not know the first thing about cars, or how to plan and organize properly.
Other than that, it really was a very good show, with lots of great cars - many from parts unknown - and lots of great folks. But the problems were just far too plentiful, and resulted in no less than 56 people lodging complaints.
Among those problems - OOB organizers, please take note, as many of these folks have expressed they will not return:
1) VERY poor class structure. Over 30 vehicles in some classes, while others only had two.
2) Classes overlapped, such as FACTORY MUSCLE and MOPAR.
3) Non-muscle Mustang was in FACTORY MUSCLE
4) Muscle SS, complete with drag tires and wheelie wheels was in Best of 60's instead of muscle
5) Everyone knows the legal definition of Street Rod - it cannot be newer than 1948. Even the DMV laws concerning registering a street rod states that. Yet, a 1950 Ford was in Street Rods, and the organizers REFUSED to do anything about it.
6) All 2x and 4x trucks lumped together, divided only by MODIFIED or STOCK. Only exception was ANTIQUE TRUCKS.
7) 2 classes for a total of 3 years of Chevy, involving only 7 vehicles.
8) Although there was a class for "60's GM" and another for all other 60's, a 60's GM was found among the "non-GM 60's". Organizers again refused to do anything about it.
9) The 70's were split, with many on the street, and the overflow of about 8 cars was shuffled out into left field. Folks voted on the street without seeing the rest of the class until too late.
10) Of the 11 vehicles in Special Interest, only two were legitimate Special Interest. Also in that class were (2) kit Cobras, one kit Jaguar, a '67 Falcon, and '83 El Camino, a stock motorcycle, a stock 2007 Saturn, a 1979 Nova and a stock Simpca - a foreign car that belonged, obviously, in FOREIGN. Duh!
11) Only one class for 56 years of Corvettes, only one class, through '79 only, for Mustangs and only one class for Street Rods. Hello!
OOB organizers could learn a lot by actually attending a couple of car shows that know what they are doing, such as Andover, Settler's Green & Durham.
And then one of the usual malcontents came up and asked me "How many of these are Special Interest according to your definition?"
So, to be as clear as clear can be, for the sake of such people who obviously have no clue, I will say this just once more - IT IS NOT MY DEFINITION! I do not come up with the definitions for classes. The national organizations and associations, such as NSRA, Classic Car Club of America and the National Car Show Association do that. All I do is try to educate folks as to what the definitions are, by reproducing them for everyone to see and learn. Just because someone does not want to accept the standards does not undo those standards or render them irrelevant.
Street Rods end with the year 1948. Period. And Special Interest must either have been built for a specific function OR built to a recurring theme. And if a person does not understand what a theme is, they should look it up before putting their vehicle in Special Interest.
He also infered that, according to the definition for SI, there would only be two entries. My response to that - if the organizers and class-jumpers would stop screwing over the real SI vehicles, maybe more of them would attend the shows. There are a LOT of SI out there. But many do not go to shows because the class keeps getting abused. You can screw someone just so often.
OOB organizers should take the above issues seriously. Many folks have already abandoned OOB because of the high fee. Many more today expressed they will not return next year if these issues are not taken care of.
But I doubt they will be taken care of - several folks complained to the organizers about the '50 Ford in Street Rods, and why it could not be allowed to remain there. Yet, the organizers did nothing at all. And by not taking action, they actively and intentionally cheated every other street rod in the class - any votes that car got would have gone to other vehicles, and could have changed the results.
OOB, if you are going to have a show, and if you are going to hit us for $15.00, then you have an OBLIGATION to provide a fair venue. You have an obligation to understand the classes, and develop a fair class structure. And you have an obligation to ENFORCE them.
But as I said early on, although the organizers refused to do their job, the CAR FOLKS at the show made it a very, very good and enjoyable day. In spite of the lack of organization and effort by OOB.
/
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
OOB Cruise And...
The weather was nearly perfect, and so was the OOB Cruise-in, as usual. Hundreds of great vehicles to check out; hundreds of good friends to visit. Will post the pix tomorrow evening - right now, I gotta get caught up on some other stuff.
Meanwhile, good news - Maine Coastal Cruisers' September cruise at 5 points shopping center in Biddeford got washed out. However, it has beren rescheduled for October 3rd, 4-7 pm. $3.00 donation per vehicle, lots of giveaways and 50/50. It's a great cruise, so if there is any way you can make it, please do so. Here's hopoin' it doesn't get snowed out.
And as much as I hate to think about it, once again it is time to think about stringin' the outside Christmas lights - I like to get it done before it gets so cold that my hands freeze. But this may be the last year we will put on a big show, if the government passes the Cap & Trade bill - that would increase electricity cost far, far too much, and will likely kill most Christmas displays everywhere in the future. But this year, they will be ON!
/
Meanwhile, good news - Maine Coastal Cruisers' September cruise at 5 points shopping center in Biddeford got washed out. However, it has beren rescheduled for October 3rd, 4-7 pm. $3.00 donation per vehicle, lots of giveaways and 50/50. It's a great cruise, so if there is any way you can make it, please do so. Here's hopoin' it doesn't get snowed out.
And as much as I hate to think about it, once again it is time to think about stringin' the outside Christmas lights - I like to get it done before it gets so cold that my hands freeze. But this may be the last year we will put on a big show, if the government passes the Cap & Trade bill - that would increase electricity cost far, far too much, and will likely kill most Christmas displays everywhere in the future. But this year, they will be ON!
/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
OOB
Was looking over the classes for OOB. And I must say, I am sorely disappointed in the organizers of this show. After 16 years you would think they would have figured some things out.
Like having a class for just 3 YEARS of STOCK Chevys, and another class for THE SAME 3 YEARS of MODIFIED Chevys, (that's TWO CLASSES for just THREE YEARS of ONE MAKE of vehicle) but only one class for almost 30 years of Street Rods - and with Street Rods so plentiful and popular. That is absurd! All I can think is that OOB organizers' favorite participants must own 55-57 Chevys.
Only one Mustang class, and it only goes through '79? What about the other 30 years of Mustangs? And just one class for ALL 56 years of Corvettes - how in the heck is a new Vette going to compete with a classic '53?
But they have FACTORY MUSCLE and a separate class for MOPAR - I'm sure this will be interesting, since many MOPAR are factory muscle! I can see the sparks flying now when a Charger enters in Factory Muscle.
It really is a shame that some show organizers just do not get it - they have NO clue as to how they should develop their classes to be FAIR to all, and to avoid overlapping. Makes one wonder if the organizers even know anything at all about cars, other than how to put gas in them.
Wake up, OOB! Get with the program. If you are going to milk the folks with a whopping $15.00 fee to get in, just so YOU can make money off of us, the least you can do is put in an effort to have a decent and fair class structure.
/
Like having a class for just 3 YEARS of STOCK Chevys, and another class for THE SAME 3 YEARS of MODIFIED Chevys, (that's TWO CLASSES for just THREE YEARS of ONE MAKE of vehicle) but only one class for almost 30 years of Street Rods - and with Street Rods so plentiful and popular. That is absurd! All I can think is that OOB organizers' favorite participants must own 55-57 Chevys.
Only one Mustang class, and it only goes through '79? What about the other 30 years of Mustangs? And just one class for ALL 56 years of Corvettes - how in the heck is a new Vette going to compete with a classic '53?
But they have FACTORY MUSCLE and a separate class for MOPAR - I'm sure this will be interesting, since many MOPAR are factory muscle! I can see the sparks flying now when a Charger enters in Factory Muscle.
It really is a shame that some show organizers just do not get it - they have NO clue as to how they should develop their classes to be FAIR to all, and to avoid overlapping. Makes one wonder if the organizers even know anything at all about cars, other than how to put gas in them.
Wake up, OOB! Get with the program. If you are going to milk the folks with a whopping $15.00 fee to get in, just so YOU can make money off of us, the least you can do is put in an effort to have a decent and fair class structure.
/
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
They're Here
The galleries are up for Springfield, Bangor and Calais, all courtesy of James Smith. He also emailed his take on each show, as follows:
SPRINGFIELD
"Bill:
The good and the bad of the Springfield Car Show in no particular order. The well intentioned organizers were perhaps overwhelmed by the turnout, as over 50 participants showed, many having driven as far away as Moncton, New Brunswick. Though staffed well, the classifications offered only best of pre-‘50s, ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and up, muscle cars, street (perhaps the catch all?), 2x4 and 4x4 trucks. Few true customized cars were present, with clean too perfection original cars the rule of the day. Some very impressive cars were on display, only to gather dust that no one could keep ahead of as the venue was the clay track in front of the Springfield Fairground’s grandstand.
Aside from the constant dusting, the failure to stage the cars in like classes made participant judging near impossible as one had to walk the entire single row of cars lined up, several times to view cars in the same class.
Lest you think the show was a flop, it was not. All the entrants appeared to enjoy themselves, especially with all the offerings of a traditional country fair concurrently running. Tired of just sitting and watching the spectators study your dust latten ride? No problem, become a spectator yourself and watch the horse/truck pulls, feed yourself on all the midway food or partake in the games and rides. But for the side activities, as car shows go it would have been like many others. A nice change of pace, however, and I’ll likely add it to my list of shows to attend for next year."
BANGOR
"You missed a good show this past Saturday (09-12-09). The 2009 Bangor Car Show – Wheels on the Waterfront, with ample sunshine, brought out just shy 350 quality cars and trucks. Participants and spectators were welcomed with a well staffed and organized group from the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau. A great venue, live music and food offerings by local charities only added to the top notch condition of the participants’ cars that drew from northern and southern Maine and New Brunswick.
Judging appeared to be centered on condition of the vehicles with judges provided with score sheets to follow to arrive at 1st through 3rd place in each of 24 classes. With forethought the organizers had three judges per team and enough bodies to limit each team to judging only two classes, and speed the tallying to permit an early presentation of awards.
The second year of the event did have a few glitches. A few mis-classifications were noted (though they did not factor in the final awards), public address system could not reach the outer areas of the venue and dogs were present on the grounds even with ample notice to restrict their presences.
Speaking to organizers of the event, plans on next year’s is already in the works for the same weekend in September. Given the location with ample room, growth in the show is anticipated. This show is one to watch."
CALAIS
"The first car show hosted by the Down-East Cruisers was held on this Sunday past (09-13-09) at the town square lawn in Calais, Maine. Attended by 40 plus cars and trucks, the show certainly was an unqualified success with participants enjoying the efforts of the enthusiastic local group of car people. A first at least for me, it was the first event where I did not see block voting (participant judged show, organizer’s cars were not judged), nor class jumping or trophy hounds. Perhaps being a small show, perhaps being their first show or more likely the sincerity of the organizers and participants, no miss steps down that road were seen.
A good mix of interesting cars and a desire to put on quality event, add better advancing notice and a good dose of black fly control, and next year’s show should grow greatly"
/
SPRINGFIELD
"Bill:
The good and the bad of the Springfield Car Show in no particular order. The well intentioned organizers were perhaps overwhelmed by the turnout, as over 50 participants showed, many having driven as far away as Moncton, New Brunswick. Though staffed well, the classifications offered only best of pre-‘50s, ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s and up, muscle cars, street (perhaps the catch all?), 2x4 and 4x4 trucks. Few true customized cars were present, with clean too perfection original cars the rule of the day. Some very impressive cars were on display, only to gather dust that no one could keep ahead of as the venue was the clay track in front of the Springfield Fairground’s grandstand.
Aside from the constant dusting, the failure to stage the cars in like classes made participant judging near impossible as one had to walk the entire single row of cars lined up, several times to view cars in the same class.
Lest you think the show was a flop, it was not. All the entrants appeared to enjoy themselves, especially with all the offerings of a traditional country fair concurrently running. Tired of just sitting and watching the spectators study your dust latten ride? No problem, become a spectator yourself and watch the horse/truck pulls, feed yourself on all the midway food or partake in the games and rides. But for the side activities, as car shows go it would have been like many others. A nice change of pace, however, and I’ll likely add it to my list of shows to attend for next year."
BANGOR
"You missed a good show this past Saturday (09-12-09). The 2009 Bangor Car Show – Wheels on the Waterfront, with ample sunshine, brought out just shy 350 quality cars and trucks. Participants and spectators were welcomed with a well staffed and organized group from the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau. A great venue, live music and food offerings by local charities only added to the top notch condition of the participants’ cars that drew from northern and southern Maine and New Brunswick.
Judging appeared to be centered on condition of the vehicles with judges provided with score sheets to follow to arrive at 1st through 3rd place in each of 24 classes. With forethought the organizers had three judges per team and enough bodies to limit each team to judging only two classes, and speed the tallying to permit an early presentation of awards.
The second year of the event did have a few glitches. A few mis-classifications were noted (though they did not factor in the final awards), public address system could not reach the outer areas of the venue and dogs were present on the grounds even with ample notice to restrict their presences.
Speaking to organizers of the event, plans on next year’s is already in the works for the same weekend in September. Given the location with ample room, growth in the show is anticipated. This show is one to watch."
CALAIS
"The first car show hosted by the Down-East Cruisers was held on this Sunday past (09-13-09) at the town square lawn in Calais, Maine. Attended by 40 plus cars and trucks, the show certainly was an unqualified success with participants enjoying the efforts of the enthusiastic local group of car people. A first at least for me, it was the first event where I did not see block voting (participant judged show, organizer’s cars were not judged), nor class jumping or trophy hounds. Perhaps being a small show, perhaps being their first show or more likely the sincerity of the organizers and participants, no miss steps down that road were seen.
A good mix of interesting cars and a desire to put on quality event, add better advancing notice and a good dose of black fly control
/
Coming Soon
James Smith has been good enough to provide write-ups and pix of the northern shows at Calais, Bangor and Springfield. I will try to get them all posted soon.
/
/
Monday, September 14, 2009
Flower Power
OK, folks, here's the deal...
In the early spring, we'll be giving away a couple thousand dollars worth of perennial flowers. These come from necessary dividing due to over-crowding. I usually sell 'em, but I am not going to bother next year - I expect to be busy.
If you are interested in getting some, you can send your email address to ptwoodycrew@aol.com and when they are ready, I'll email you. Put FLOWERS in the subject line, please. If you have preferences, let me know and I will try to accommodate as best I can.
Here are a few of the perennials available...
/
In the early spring, we'll be giving away a couple thousand dollars worth of perennial flowers. These come from necessary dividing due to over-crowding. I usually sell 'em, but I am not going to bother next year - I expect to be busy.
If you are interested in getting some, you can send your email address to ptwoodycrew@aol.com and when they are ready, I'll email you. Put FLOWERS in the subject line, please. If you have preferences, let me know and I will try to accommodate as best I can.
Here are a few of the perennials available...
/
Best of...Settler's Green
The Best of the Best pix are up for Settler's Green - feel free to vote your favorites. Some great rides to choose from.
The Best of the Best Awards are being given out at the Durham (ME) show September 27th. To date, there have been 1,522 votes cast for 43 vehicles. Judging from the content of the mail (and the addresses), it appears that about 90% of all votes are from non-local internet vistors that found the site on Google or Yahoo. Sorry - can't give any hints as to which vehicles are in the lead :o)
We are really impressed with these results, so far. Only a couple more shows to go...good luck, all!
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The Best of the Best Awards are being given out at the Durham (ME) show September 27th. To date, there have been 1,522 votes cast for 43 vehicles. Judging from the content of the mail (and the addresses), it appears that about 90% of all votes are from non-local internet vistors that found the site on Google or Yahoo. Sorry - can't give any hints as to which vehicles are in the lead :o)
We are really impressed with these results, so far. Only a couple more shows to go...good luck, all!
/
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