Inappropriate Driving in the Area Surrounding a Show

I was recently at a show where one of the participants decided to use the cones marking off the show area as a slalom course.  Well, 'monkey see, monkey do', a couple of his friends thought it would be fun too.  Before you knew it participants were leaving because they wanted no parts of this childish, immature, behavior.  Sadly, this was the clubs first attempt at having a show and the turnout was poor at best.  Do you think their next show is going to be any better?  According to some of those that left, they won't be back.

At one of the local 'cruises', one participant decided to do some drifting around the parking lot where the property management allowed the cruisers to congregate under certain conditions.  It was a shame because this property management knew all too well about problems experienced by some of the other lot owners in the area, but they thought they'd give this group a chance.  This kid committed suicide by drifting right into the concrete base of one of the parking lot lights.  Sorry for his family and friends but this idiot deserved it.  He not only endangered the lives and property of those there, but obviously didn't have any regard for his own safety.  Just like the drunk driver who runs off the road hits a tree, and kills only himself, I'm glad this one didn't kill anyone else in the process.  Do you think this group will be able to find another lot to use in the near future?

One sure fired way of cancelling next year's show, or even a show someone else might be trying to hold, is for the participants to tear through the surrounding neighborhoods going to and from a show.  Like I said before, one idiot can ruin any future shows just by upsetting the property management or host of a show. Some shows allow and even judge loudest exhaust, flamethrowing, and burnouts, and for those that do, hooray!  But for those that don't, there may be a very good reason, residences, shopping districts, hospitals, and areas where vehicles and pedesrians are just plain too close together.  Don't assume a show allows something.  If you don't see it in writing from the host of the show don't do it.

If the show sponsor or promoters request you not to do something, honor that request.  They may know more about the request than you.

Remember what I did for a living; do the local police know about car shows too ?  Do you think they'll be around when everybody is leaving ?

Hogging Space

This is a good time to bring up something that is brought up in the Advice to Promoters section.  Granted, you don't want to be right on top of each other.  But, if everybody take up two spaces, you may not have room for everybody.  For crowded shows, a good rule of thumb is 1 1/2 spaces for every vehicle, unless space permits more.  Naturally, there are times where the location will allow everybody to take two spaces, but then there are those where every space matters.  This should be pre-determined by the promoters and should be explained to the participants at registration and upon arrival.

This is also a factor when it comes to "camping-out".  If space isn't available, don't put your canopy up in a space for a vehicle.  Check to see if there will be room for your easy-up before you unpack it.  Some shows have areas away from the cars where people can set up their canopies.

Is it okay to hold space for friends or other club members?  It should be.  The show sponsor should provide and be prepared for clubs to be together.  Many shows even have awards for club participation in a show.  But in the same respect, clubs should notify show sponsors how many members they are going to have present.  It is important to be accurate.  Don't tell the sponsor that your club will have 12 cars there and then only 4 show up.  This is a sure-fired way of sponsors eliminating this courtesy.

The same goes for saving the space next to you for a friend.  Most car show sponsors don't object to you saving a space for a friend so long as the friend will be there shortly.  It is very impolite to hold a space and then the friend shows up a couple hours late.  Once again, this is the leading cause in some shows not allowing this.

Language

Remember, car shows are supposed to be fun for the whole family.  Inappropriate language around children and ladies needs to be avoided.  What might be said in the privacy of one's garage may not be appropriate out in public.

Alcohol and Drugs

Let's address these separately.  Some car shows are held at bars and clubs, where alcohol is allowed to be sold and consumed on the property.  From a legal standpoint, this may be fine.  But remember to do it in moderation and responsibly.  There are a lot of expensive vehicles, many of which cannot be replaced.  It would be tragic for someone that had too much alcohol to drink to wipe-out their own vehicle much less someone elses.

If alcohol isn't permitted by law or statute, or by mandate of the promoter of the event, don't do it.

As far as drugs go, forget them. 

Car Show vs. Cruise

This is one topic that really needs to be clarified.  If you are participating in a car show, then keep it a car show.  Even though some shows are called cruises, there is a significant, distinct, and important difference.  Car shows should not have participants driving in and out during the show.  Taking people for rides in your car while the show is in progress should not happen.  There is plenty of time after the show to take people for rides.  Most show fields simply do not have the room

Voting ( not to be confused with judging )

How awards are given out at a particular show is very important to the success or failure of that show.  Participant voting, if not done correctly, is the easiest way of handing out awards but is also the most unfair.  Unfortunately, there is no true correct way of doing participant voting. 

Even though the mojority of participants really don't care one way or the other if they get an award, everybody wants to make sure those getting the awards deserve them.  Just because they are a friend of yours does not mean they have the best car.  I have overheard participants who were all part of the same club get into arguments over who everyone was voting for. 

Think about this; some people travel many miles to attend some shows.  How does it look when only the locals vote for each other therefore only the locals get the awards?

The idea of car shows is to bring in as many participants as possible.  If you get people from other towns, counties, or states, that is a positive thing that could help promote future shows.  If those participants realize they aren't going to get a fair shake at the awards, do you think they are going to pass the word to their friends for next year's show?  Don't bet on it.

What about the owner of a certain type of car only voting for participants with the same type of car?  Most participants vote for their friends, which is human nature, but is it fair?  Club members often vote for their club president or whoever is designated by the members in attendance as to who gets the votes. 

One of the best awards I was ever given at a show was not the trophy or plaque, it was a comment from one of the other participants.  This man came over to me and said, "I don't ever vote for MOPARs.  I usually only vote for Corvettes.  But I'm making an exception for yours."  Even though I did win an award at that show, after a comment like his, that was all I needed. 

Shows that have over 100 cars and ask participants to vote on 5 or less cars need to think over their award strategy.  If a show has several classes, having the participants vote for 3 in each class may not be so bad.  Unfortunately most participant voting shows group all of the cars together and have the participants vote for 5 or 6 of those cars.  Participants that have street rods only vote for street rods.  Corvette owners only vote for Corvettes.  Mustang owners only vote for Mustangs.  MOPAR owners only vote for MOPARS. 

When voting in a participant voting show, try to be honest and objective.  By the time you vote for yourself, the guys on each side of you, your best friend, and the girl with the pink car showing all the leg, you're done. (Sorry ladies, for you the last vote would be a guy with the tight jeans cowboy boots and the 1 ton John Deere green pickup.)

Keep a check on this page.  More advice to come.