National Rally 2006 - Judging / Raffle

[Simon Linton]

Concours events (which is what the BKV is) are all about presentation; originality counts if the car is supposed to be standard, but over and above all is the quality of the bodywork, interior, engine bay, boot and trim in terms of looks.

This of course makes modifications secondary; that's why we have a performance section where modifications are NOT secondary!

The Club has to cater for all tastes and types of owner - I'm sure the caravan section would find certain aspects of the performance section difficult to understand, just as the performance section are unlikely to turn up to a meet towing a 5-berther.

Performance judging takes place on the move; dynamics rather than cosmetics rule.

[Chris Wickers]

Thank you for the suggestions on the raffle - Nordic Vouchers, and maybe something from Volvo.

With regard to the judging the subject of judges entering their own cars is a matter which can be debated from here to eternity. However what is not up for debate is that they should be judged fairly and not in any way more leniently, or by their owner! I, like Julie, do genuinely believe based on the score sheets I looked at that the cars in the BKV were marked to the best of the judges' ability, and importantly fairly.

As STE-MAL said in his post, all the judges except one, are active members of the Volvo Owners Club, and by definition we all have our own cars, and most of us do or have entered them in the BKV.

There are three options for next year:

a) No judges enter their own cars

b) No judges mark the class their own car is in

c) Judges mark their own class (in the case of register keepers etc.), but not their own vehicle

The problem with option b) is that it surely is best to have the most experienced person marking a class - i.e. Ian for the non-standard class?

The problem with no judges entering their own cars is that had this rule applied this year the number of judges would have been diminished on the day, and the results would have been considerably later. The knock on effect would be that the judges left may well have decided that next year they would be unable to offer the same commitment, and therefore be unwilling to judge.

Contrary to popular belief putting together a team of judges for the National is not as easy as it sounds - many members want to enter their cars and spend as much time as possible cleaning them. The judging itself can take around 4 hours maybe even more with the briefing, and of course restricts the member from other activities.

As per my earlier email if anyone would like to judge next year then please feel free to contact me.

Judging however is an extremely important issue, as are the extra few points available depending on the car's age and mileage - both these subjects will be discussed at length before the next National Rally (York 2007!) and any changes published in the Driver prior to the event.


Chris

[MissDMeanor]

I know it is just my opinion based on what I would do......for judges wishing to enter to do so and go through the motions without actually being judged.

I say this because this is exactly what I would do....but then I am unusual, obviously. I didn't want to, or expect to win anything this year but I thoroughly enjoyed prepping the car ready for the line-up. I find it hard to believe that voc staff are happy to walk away with awards which could've been awarded to a member because it is not something I would do. This is not intended to offend, it is just the way I am - unusual!

[STE-MAL]

Originally Posted by Fulcanelli

I think the "Pre-MOT" category should be done away with. I mean, how much effort does it take to keep a brand new car looking brand new?

It can take a lot of effort, if the car is used every day. This category should stay. The reason I say this is simple, if I could afford to buy a brand new V70 R, I would, and I would still want to enter the B.K.V. Not to win but to take part, and to show my car. I wouldn't want to watch everyone else have fun in the arena showing their cars, and have someone say to me, where is your car? Oh, It's way too new, I'm excluded. Too old, too new, no such thing!

[Pedro Fandango]

Originally Posted by clwickers

With regard to the judging the subject of judges entering their own cars is a matter which can be debated from here to eternity. However what is not up for debate is that they should be judged fairly and not in any way more leniently, or by their owner! I, like Julie, do genuinely believe based on the score sheets I looked at that the cars in the BKV were marked to the best of the judges' ability, and importantly fairly.

As STE-MAL said in his post, all the judges except one, are active members of the Volvo Owners Club, and by definition we all have our own cars, and most of us do or have entered them in the BKV.

There are three options for next year:

a) No judges enter their own cars

b) No judges mark the class their own car is in

c) Judges mark their own class (in the case of register keepers etc.), but not their own vehicle

The problem with option b) is that it surely is best to have the most experienced person marking a class - i.e. Ian for the non-standard class?

The problem with no judges entering their own cars is that had this rule applied this year the number of judges would have been diminished on the day, and the results would have been considerably later. The knock on effect would be that the judges left may well have decided that next year they would be unable to offer the same commitment, and therefore be unwilling to judge.

Contrary to popular belief putting together a team of judges for the National is not as easy as it sounds - many members want to enter their cars and spend as much time as possible cleaning them. The judging itself can take around 4 hours maybe even more with the briefing, and of course restricts the member from other activities.

As per my earlier email if anyone would like to judge next year then please feel free to contact me.

Judging however is an extremely important issue, as are the extra few points available depending on the car's age and mileage - both these subjects will be discussed at length before the next National Rally (York 2007!) and any changes published in the Driver prior to the event.

if there are enough people how about having a seperate staff section?

[MissDMeanor]

I've been thinking some more about the raffle and I see the problem you have with deciding what to raffle off. There is such a diversity of age and volvo interest (ie concourse as opposed to modded).

The only thing in common with everyone is Volvos. Is it possible to have Volvo dealer vouchers? That way, everyone could use vouchers for something.....

Or something like a red-letter day for the first prize (they get to choose which they'd prefer, and where).

Originally Posted by Pedro Fandango

if there are enough people how about having a seperate staff section?

Good idea, and then we can judge 'em

[Chris Wickers]

I will definitely look into putting some vouchers up as raffle prizes next year.

As soon as a definitive decision is made about next year's judging I will post it on the forums.

Many thanks to everyone who has posted on this thread.

Chris

[arcturus]

It might be a good idea if had our score sheets returned so that we were able to see where we could improve. George

[MissDMeanor]

Arcturus - I think you are able to have your score sheet but you'll need to ask someone (Chris?) for it.

My thoughts are continuing to dribble through I'm afraid. I'm a veteran of car shows from when I had old Fords. At the shows that I used to attend, every car was welcome to join in. There was a seperate section for concourse cars where a trophy/prize was won. The rest of us just in the show received a plague but weren't entered into anything and weren't judged by anyone.

Obviously, the BKV is different in that it caters for just one marque (although Ford Fair is a huge affair). I was surprised at how quiet it was when I'm used to thousands of people milling around - this is not a derrogatory statement, I really enjoyed the friendlier and more cosy atmosphere. Still, the BKV could still adopt the same style of having a specific concourse section as well as other cars on show.