Judging
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INTRODUCTION TO MUSTANGS NORTHWEST JUDGED SHOWS
The Mustangs Northwest (MNW) Judging Committee would like to welcome you to our Mustang club. The Judging Committee is responsible for organizing and running technical sessions and two judged Mustang shows each year. The tech sessions are normally held in the early Spring, and are designed to help Mustang owners prepare their cars and score as well as possible in the judged shows. The two judged shows are held each year in May and July. Refer to the calendar on our website at www.mustangsnorthwest.com for the date, time, and location for these shows, as well as other club activities. MNW considers itself unique, being the only Mustang club known to host two judged car shows each year.
If you have never had your Mustang judged before, you are encouraged to learn about the entire process, from an explanation of what is a judged show, to how scoring works, to the many levels of competitiveness. Even beginners can be competitive, and this article is intended to explain how MNW runs judged shows so that every Mustang owner can get the most out of their cars. We know that having your Mustang judged for the first time can be intimidating, but it doesn't need to be this way. Armed with the necessary knowledge beforehand, any Mustang owner can be competitive and perform well at a judged show. First-timers are also encouraged to check out the Spring judged show, since it is specifically designed to accommodate them. And don't forget about the trophies! Yes, you can be more competitive that you realize. You could even help with judging, as new people willing to learn judging are always welcome. It's always done in teams, and it's easier than you might think.
These events are highly social, and they are designed to ensure that everyone has a good time. The people who regularly attend these activities are very friendly, knowledgeable, and inviting of all Mustang owners who have an interest in the same. In fact, it is most exciting to see different Mustangs being judged for the first time. The best way to get the most out of your Mustang is to join a local club. The Mustang clubs in Washington and Canada are socially very close, and all are very good at communicating with each other as well as hosting their own shows at various locations. There's nothing quite like a caravan of Mustangs on the highway, heading to another club's show. It turns a lot of heads. Other Mustang-related activities occur throughout the year, so there is always something going on.
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Early each year, the Judging Committee holds free technical sessions, timed to take place shortly before the two judged Mustang shows. While the topics change with each session, they are always relevant to judged shows. These seminars are a perfect time to ask questions, especially for someone who has never entered a judged Mustang show before. Mustangs from all generations, early and late, are profiled. The focus is on defining a judged show, and an explanation of how it is different from the more common "popular choice" show. Also explained are the differences between judging classes and how a Mustang might fit best in a given judging class. Of course, every judged show needs judges, so there is also an explanation from this standpoint of how to judge cars, what judges look for, fairness in judging, and how various items are scored on a judging sheet. Remember, this is the place to ask lots of questions, and the seminars are free to all who attend.
Representatives from Griot's Garage, a company that specializes in car care products, have also helped us with our seminars. These guys are awesome, and in the past they have shown product history, tools, techniques, new products, and tricks of the trade that everyone can use. Even those of us who think we know it all can learn something from the Griot's staff.
MNW is a regional member of the Mustang Club of America (MCA), which is the national club that maintains the judging rules, categories, and procedures that we strive to follow. This ensures that Mustangs all across the country are judged by the same nationally-established set of rules. MCA's website is www.mustang.org. Members of MCA can download judging rules for all generations of Mustangs, including the categories of Concours, Unrestored, Thoroughbred, Occasional Driver, and Daily Driver. There are also judging rules specifically designed for Shelby, Boss, SVT Cobra, Saleen, and Roush.
SPRING-INTO-SUMMER JUDGED MUSTANG SHOW
This judged show is held every Spring in the month of May. This judged show is designed to accommodate first-time entrants in a judged show and is also designed for training and warm-up for the main judged show in July. Best of all, this show has a low entry fee. Check our calendar for show date and location. Rain or shine, this show goes on.
ROUNDUP JUDGED SHOW
Each year MNW holds an annual Mustang Roundup which consists of an incredible 4-day weekend. There is a different event planned for each day. Our typical schedule of events is as follows:
Thursday: Driving Event (Track Day at Pacific Raceways) Friday: Pony Trails Saturday: Roundup Judged Show using Mustang Club of America (MCA) judging classes and rules Saturday Evening: MNW Roundup Banquet Sunday: Roundup People's Choice Show (this is the "Big One") this show averages over 1,000 Mustangs
There are so many events during these four days that there is something for everyone. Please refer to our club's calendar for specific details regarding each of these events. Mustangs Northwest is a regional club of the Mustang Club of America (MCA). MCA's website is www.mustang.org.
The Roundup Judged Show is much larger than Spring-Into-Summer, attracting many Mustangs from outside the Puget Sound region. This Judged show takes place on Saturday morning and afternoon, as outlined in the above schedule. These cars will also remain in place for the Sunday People's Choice show, but are not eligible for a People's Choice trophy (they are uniquely eligible for the Judged Show trophies). The trophy ceremony is held on Sunday afternoon, for both the Judged and People's Choice shows.
Thank you for showing an interest in MNW and our two annual judged Mustang shows. See What You Missed @ the Judges Seminar..
"Mustangs Northwest is a car club in the Seattle, Washington area that is dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar automobiles. Club activities and benefits are: restoration tips, tech sessions, raffles, tours, parades, car shows, trophies, parts sources, social activities, and a monthly newsletter." |
