Touching Vehicles

There is no reason to touch the vehicles on display.  Remember it is a Car "Show", not a Car "Touch".  Most of the owners have taken a lot of time and effort to keep their own fingerprints off the car, they sure don't want someone elses on there instead.  And especially don't go opening up the door and  see how it feels to sit behind the wheel.  That is a sure fired way to see how short tempered the owner is.  And especially, do not lean on or into the vehicles. 

I saw a guy lean inside a drivers window of a car at one show this past year just to see the instrument panel.  The car had one of the "real flame" paint jobs.  The guy's belt buckle put about a 2 inch gouge in the paint and then couldn't understand why the owner of the car slugged him.

If for some reason you really have to touch someone's car, truck, bike, etc., ask the owner first.

Children

I like kids, and I especially like when they go to shows and really show an interest in certain cars.  Most of the cars at shows these kids have never seen on the road.  They are the future of car shows and building and collecting cars.   After all, car shows are supposed to be fun for the whole family.

But parents or guardians must be especially responsible when taking them to car shows.  Kids learn by touching, but as stated in the previous topic, touching is a no no.  Kids like getting dirty.  If their hands are dirty and they go touching cars they are going to scratch the finish.  And, like so many owners, I don't go along with the excuse, "they're only children".  If they are "only children" and they won't listen when mom or dad tells them not to touch, leave them home.  I hate to bring this up, mom and dad, but being responsible for them also means that you are liable for their actions.  If they damage a vehicle, you may find yourself paying for a very expensive repair.

Also remember, even though the cars in the show are supposed to be stationary, parked, there are times they move.  Even at just a couple miles per hour, a car striking a kid or even a kid running into a parked car can cause injury to that child.  Make sure they don't go running around the showfield.  And especially, there should be no skateboards, scooters, bicycles, or any other riding toys around the showfield.

Pets

It seems like most pets at car shows are better behaved than some of the children, so it's probably good to keep them together.  Most shows have very specific rules about pets.  Some shows forbid pets.  And I'll bet the reason pets are not allowed is because owners weren't being responsible when they were allowed.  I often wonder why on hot summer days, people have to take their dogs out on hot concrete and asphalt.  It's almost to the point of cruel.   Of course, I've seen people who take their dogs to drag races, and then they wonder why the dog seems to be deaf.  No fooling, he probably is.  The dogs don't get any enjoyment out of seeing these vehicles, they really really don't know what they are.  All they know is that there are a whole bunch of these big things they like to chase and wouldn't know what to do with it if they caught it.  Leave them home where they can be comfortable.  If you have to bring your dog, if it's allowed, keep them on a short leash and away from the cars.  And most importantly, clean up after them.

But regardless of the size of the show, the promoters, sponsors, and judges appreciate the considerate participant.  They don't like it when someone gets to the show after the registration time ends and still wants to be judged.  Of course this irritates the other participants as well, especially when it becomes obvious that the person showing up late has already been guaranteed an award.  (See more on this in the Advice for Judges section.)

It's very important to get to the show early.  First, it benefits you, the participant.  You usually beat the rush, and get a choice spot.  Secondly, for judged shows, it allows the judges to have more time to look over the cars. 

Trash

Most show promoters, and I know not all do, provide trash cans for the spectators and participants.  I've seen some show locations that look like a tornado went through after everybody left.  And the promoters wonder why so many property managers now want security deposits when they use the location for a show.  It's not fair to the promoter or the property owner to have to clean up after a show.  As participants, we have a responsibility to leave the property in the same shape we found it when we got there.  If there aren't enough trash cans around, take your trash with you.  "But I don't have room to take it with me."  You most likely got it there.

Music vs. Noise

Just about every show I have attended has entertainment provided.  Whether it's a live band or a D.J. with a "ghettoblaster", most show promoters paid to give everybody some music and have a rule about participants not providing their own.  Nothing, NOTHING, is more irritating at a show than a war between 6 tuners fighting to see who has the loudest, most powerful stereo and can play the most obnoxious music.  Nothing gets on the nerves of your fellow participants quicker than playing your own music too loud, or in some cases, playing it at all.