2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

Thu 01 Jul 10 14:03

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

OK, this also may be seen as controversial.....
I've been a member now for a few years and generally keep my views to myself, however, I can agree with some of the comments made here.

While it is great to see that some people can afford to lavish thousands on their pride and joy, and the work done by a particular company is without out doubt simply outstanding (credit where it's due guys, you do a great job, well done! ), quite a significant number of attendees cannot afford a £10+k makeover just in time for the Nationals.
Take for instance the best C5 winner, a magnificent deep purple/black?? car that had been completed less than 12 hours before it picked up the title! Yes it looked stunning , but it must have cost a small fortune, and had only been driven to the show since completion .

My point here is by all means have classes for best of a particular type C1 / C2 etc but make it in "original" or "restored to original" condition, and at least give us ordinary folk a chance by having something we can at least stand a chance of winning eg Best Daily Runner, for which entry must be backed up by having done at least say 5000~6000 miles between MOT's, and still have a class(s) for best "Modified / Custom / Paint etc".

I am very proud of the condition of my car which does get me to work and back every day come sun, rain, or even snow, and I would at least like the slim chance of winning something in recognition of the love and attention I lavish on my car as opposed to mega-bucks.
I think it is great to see these "custom" (I hate the word because it conjours up serious mods or body changes) vehicles, but can a line be drawn so that the potential for winning something is spread wider?

Please understand I am not bashing those who can afford to spend lots of money, but I would like to see perhaps a levelling, or at least a review, of the playing field to give more members the chance of winning something.

I've said my bit, shoot me if you wish, I've tried to be open and fair with my views.

Finally, a note to the organisers, well done for another good show, - vote counters etc - you do an awesome job under very tight time pressure, well done - sponsors, thanks for the goodies you provide for us to compete for, it is appreciated.

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Cheers
Allen
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50th Anniversary Convertible
NCM # 500458

Thu 01 Jul 10 15:31

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

Well said Allen.

I agree the prize winning cars were stunning & I'd love to see my C5 in that beautiful colour,

but we must also recognise those who spend hour upon hour laying under their cars in all weathers using ingenuity where funds are lacking to keep their P&J's looking & running the way they do.

Going slightly OT, following some of the restoration & problem threads on here we should probably have a Corvette widows trophy as well.

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If i'm going to hell, i'm going in a VETTE!!!!

www.kevvwrightelectrical.com

Thu 01 Jul 10 17:23

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

There is no doubt that the custom paint and engine bays are stunning and a credit to the workmanship and vision of the trademen and owners, but i would like to see the categories broken down a little more to reflect the fact that the car has either had £?k thrown at it for a custom shop to do the work or many hard hours of labour by the owner.

Maybe im bias having gone through the restoration process the past few years, but if my car had been beaten to a trophy by a car that had been sent away for work rather than the 3,000+ hours of hard work, problem solving and at times heartache i would have been a little pissed.

It would be nice to have a blank cheque for custom work, but hands on acheivement must also be recognised.

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Corvette 1977 coupe
She LIVES
Now 383ci

Thu 01 Jul 10 17:52

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

chevykevv wrote (View Post):


Going slightly OT, following some of the restoration & problem threads on here we should probably have a Corvette widows trophy as well.

As the Corvette widow of Allen, I whole heartedly agree!!

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Cheers
Allen
________________________
50th Anniversary Convertible
NCM # 500458

Thu 01 Jul 10 18:52

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

wev wrote (View Post):It would be nice to have a blank cheque for custom work, but hands on acheivement must also be recognised.
I said the same before last year's Nationals.

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Blue-with-white-stripes 1976 manual L82 since 1995
"A stiff upper lip is always well dressed when accompanied by mountains of torque and an indomitable will." -unsprung

Thu 01 Jul 10 21:37

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

666Vette wrote (View Post):........... Please understand I am not bashing those who can afford to spend lots of money, but I would like to see perhaps a levelling, or at least a review, of the playing field to give more members the chance of winning something................................

Exactly - nothing wrong with any car winning, but year on year seems a bit inequitable to me.

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Rich Rogers
CCCUK Lifetime Member
2008 LS3 Victory Red Coupe

Thu 01 Jul 10 21:57

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

I'm probably not helping much, but as I posted elsewhere, I really fancied my chances in the "Scruffiest 'Vette" category! Although it's not a cheap hobby - and some people spend more money than others - at the end of the day this is supposed to be fun, right?

...And then I realised there wasn't such a category...
...And then I saw the picture of the car covered in Bird Poo, and realised I wouldn't have won anyway!

There were some stunning cars there. Genuinely, just fabulous.

But we all do things differently. Some cars live in garages, and come out for special events only. Some only ever move with a trailer underneath. Some are "sunday cars". Some are working cars (me!). Some are in a garage, mid-restoration, waiting for the Big Day.

They're all lovely. And we all love our own. And they're all different.

The highpoint of my year so far (apart from learning I need to wear a hat on a sunny day with the roof off) was learning that if you're going to use the luggage rack on the back, put petrol in before you load up...

"You're not in the Mondeo now, you know!", said Mrs Jogger. I chuckled in the petrol station at my stupidity, while I unloaded, filled up, and then loaded again; the big queue behind me just swore, hurumphed, revved and grunted.

But they're not Corvette drivers. I win. We win. Even without trophies.

Regards,
FJ

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18 Cylinders...
10.7 Litres...
12 Tyres...
2 People...
1 House...
Perfect.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention... ...and 2 cats... ...and no kids...

Fri 02 Jul 10 22:09

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

As the person responsible for the actual vote count, I'd just like to make a few of quick points:

1: The vote counting sytem should not be confused with the voting/class system. The situation which has arisen is as a consequence of the latter and not the former, and until and unless the voting/class system is modified ( and there have been a number of ideas put forwards which have their merits) then this is going to continue to happen.

2. The vote counting system was devised and is actually run by my wife Janet (with what was described by one of the volunteer voters as "military precision") and that she:
a: Was a government systems adminstrator and professional auditor
b: Can't tell one Corvette from another unless it's a C4 or a C5 because we've had both
c: Couldn't care less who has won, or has had their nose put out of joint because they haven't, as long as the person who won got the most votes, and that she can prove it.

3: None of the voting slips have been discarded. They have all been retained in order to maintain a proper audit trail. Anyone who has any concerns can check them personally at any time. However, if any form of recount is required because it is felt there may be a flaw in the system, then logic demands that it can't be done either by her or any of the people who did the counting in order to ensure strict impartiality.
Bearing in mind that we were dealing with hundreds of voting books each with 13 categories which had to be sorted, counted, then the winners verifed, then the fact that we had this done in less than an hour is pretty good, but it took 10 of us to do it, so whoever wants the task of repeating it because they are unhappy is going to have to put in between 8 to 10 hours of their own work.

4: The system Janet created is written down and can be scrutinised by anyone, and if any flaws can be found in it we're only too happy to modify it

5: ( and this is not a "toys out of the pram moment") Anybody who can devise a more efficient system, and is prepared to put the time and effort into it that we do is perfectly welcome to do so at any time, without either of us taking any offence whatsoever. The voting system is not our ball, bat or wicket and we can be replaced at anytime, which is how it should be.

I hope that this lays to rest any concerns anyone may have, but if it doesn't then please feel free to come to my house at any time and we'll go through with you what we do and how we do it. It's your club, and you have a right to know that matters are being attended to in an appropriate fashion

Dave and Janet

Last edited by slipperywhenvette on Fri 02 Jul 10 22:19; edited 4 times in total. [17 %]
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Sat 03 Jul 10 08:55

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

As previously mentioned my comments were NOT accusing the vote count by any corvette members.
I just thought it odd that with what happened in 2009 and then in 2010.
I do realise that trophy prize giving should not be taken seriously.
For a business to make a clean sweep across the board would raise eyebrows anywhere.
The vote counting is not in question at all. Just wondered if the votes had been completed by anyone besides the public.

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jonjonny

Sat 03 Jul 10 09:05

Re: 2010 Nationals - list of trophy winners

The vote counting is not in question at all. Just wondered if the votes had been completed by anyone besides the public.[/quote]

Who do you mean? Other than the public and club members, there's no-one else!

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Johnny99