Waterfest 15

[2004NBTURBOS]

Hey Hollywood. You gonna make it down to H20? Would love to see the Ruffster.

[Hollywood]

Was totally planing on it, but unfortunately some "work stuff" that couldn't be re-scheduled got in the way!!

[SMG]

WTF is the point of all of those ridiculous displays? You can't even see the cars through all the heaps of crap laying on / around them.

When I show my car it's fully detailed but just parked normally as it would sit in a parking lot.

[GINA]

Originally Posted by SMG

WTF is the point of all of those ridiculous displays? You can't even see the cars through all the heaps of crap laying on / around them.

When I show my car it's fully detailed but just parked normally as it would sit in a parking lot.

That's why I usually just bring out a few trophies - you can still see the car, but you also get points for having a "display". I dunno, to each their own.

[Hollywood]

Originally Posted by SMG

WTF is the point of all of those ridiculous displays? You can't even see the cars through all the heaps of crap laying on / around them.

When I show my car it's fully detailed but just parked normally as it would sit in a parking lot.

I can't tell you how glad I am that someone finally had the nerve to bring this up.

I totally agree! It sort of reminds me of someone coming out on stage to accept a Grammy, and carrying all of their previously won awards. How silly.........and TACKY!!

Let the car SPEAK FOR ITSELF!!

And then there's all the ridiculous displays of models, stuffed animals and the like. And we wonder why people don't take the New Beetle seriously!!

[FastAndFurious]

waterfest is a very picky show if you look at their judging , interior exterior etc then comes the display.

if you look at judging sheets you will see that most cars score very close so a good display is a place you can earn some points that might put u ahead of the other in ur class.

over the years based on scores, cars score very close from one another so in some cases the better car might have the best mods etc but other second has a display and it will loose.

its sad but thats the truth, you must have a complete package

if your car is closed up, you will get the most media coverage because who wants to take pics of cars with open hoods and open doors? nobody

[Hollywood]

A "Complete Package" should be the CAR, i.e. preparation of the paint, fit, finish, exterior, interior, tires, wheels, wheel wells, mods, theme and execution, etc., etc.

If part of the "judging" involves setting up stuffed animals, models, tropheys or a kiddie car display around the car, then that's just silly, and one more reason more people probably aren't getting involved in "showing" their cars. I remember all the discussion about the dwindling constituent of New Beetles at shows. Perhaps this is one of the reasons?

I can understand having a mod display sheet explaining what's been done to the car, or perhaps some mirrors to show off the undercarriage, but the rest just seems to me like it belongs somewhere else. JMHO.

I agree the "social" aspect of these events is the real reason one should participate, however for people that are serious about preparing and showing their cars and being judged, it's always struck me as being odd, all the other "fluff" that people do to try and bring attention to their cars.

Hope I haven't offended anyone!

[SMG]

That explains how those completely average cars have won a bunch of meaningless trophies then. Extra points or not those displays look like crap and I hope we see less and less of it as time goes on.

[VW Lady Bug]

Originally Posted by Hollywood

A "Complete Package" should be the CAR, i.e. preparation of the paint, fit, finish, exterior, interior, tires, wheels, wheel wells, mods, theme and execution, etc., etc.

If part of the "judging" involves setting up stuffed animals, models, tropheys or a kiddie car display around the car, then that's just silly, and one more reason more people probably aren't getting involved in "showing" their cars. I remember all the discussion about the dwindling constituent of New Beetles at shows. Perhaps this is one of the reasons?

I can understand having a mod display sheet explaining what's been done to the car, or perhaps some mirrors to show off the undercarriage, but the rest just seems to me like it belongs somewhere else. JMHO.

I agree the "social" aspect of these events is the real reason one should participate, however for people that are serious about preparing and showing their cars and being judged, it's always struck me as being odd, all the other "fluff" that people do to try and bring attention to their cars.

Hope I haven't offended anyone!

No offense taken - as Gina mentioned before - to each their own. And I have to speak as someone who's taken 3 best of show categories this year...

I've taken best display twice - so the display does count at certain locations - primarily the spectator judged events, where not everyone who attends is a car enthusiast, so the little things will get them to pause and talk to you to learn a little bit more.

My other best of award was awarded by event judges for best female presenter - and the clincher was actually a part of my display - the scrapbook that I have photodocumenting my working on the car, and performing the modifications to it myself (the award was to go to the best female owned car with a female owner who worked on the car primarily herself rather than having one built and designed by the boyfriend/hubby/father/whoever...) - if I didn't have that sort of "evidence" for the judges to prove that I just didn't memorize some spec sheet.

At most events the display aspect is simply extra - but as someone who does attend many, many shows - there are places and categories for it.

(And my $0.02 is that it gives people a chance to do something a little different and inexpensive every once in a while - especially when we've all recognized it seems to be the same few cars that are coming out at each show... I don't know about you guys but I'm still making payments on the car, and can't afford a lot of the higher-end modifications just yet).

[Hollywood]

First, props to you on the awards/wins, and also for doing a lot of the work
yourself!

I too am speaking as someone who's won several awards, not only with my Beetle, but also with a Porsche 1980 911SC, which won First in it's Class at the very prestigious Porsche Parade in Lake Placid NY. I'm hardly a novice when it comes to preparing and showing "Concours Level Winning" cars.

I would however like to explain where I'm coming from, just so my comments aren't taken the wrong way.

I began showing cars (Porsches) at many local and national "Concours". These were very strictly judged events, held to the highest standards and set of criteria.

Things were explicitly spelled out as far as what areas of the "Car" would be judged: (Exterior, Interior, Engine Compartment, Tires & Wheels, Wheel Wells, and Undercarriage).

When I got involved with the "RUF BUG", I began attending several "Import" shows, and for the most part found them to be quite similar, with the exception of the "MODS", which were very much frowned upon at the "Concours" events, where "originiality" is the gold standard.

At many of these import shows, cars would have a mod "display sheet", or as you mentioned a scrap book / photo documentation of the work performed to the car. I thought was kind of cool and helpful. Some also had mirrors showing off the work done on the undercarriage. OK, I get it.

It wasn't until I began focusing on the New Beetle's in particular, primarily at VW events, that I noticed all the "silliness" with models, stuffed animals, trophy's, etc., etc., and couldn't believe this was allowed. True, "to each his or her own", but seriously it really did "Distract" from the car. Maybe that was the owners intention. To disguise the fact that there wasn't that much done to their car to make it unique, so they'd just cover it up with toys?? I don't know. Just another observation. (But then again, if you didn't do that much to the car, what on earth was it doing at a car show???)

In any event, I think it's true that everyone has a right to say and do what they like, and if a "display" is part of what's being judged at these shows, then I stand corrected.

However, if that is the case, then I do stand by what I said in an earlier post about that perhaps being the reason a lot more of the "serious" New Beetle show people, aren't attending and supporting these events!

And lastly, to quote SMG: "That explains how those completely average cars have won a bunch of meaningless trophies then." I have to agree!

[GINA]

^ I think you put that very, very well.

[VW Lady Bug]

Originally Posted by Hollywood

First, props to you on the awards/wins, and also for doing a lot of the work
yourself!

I too am speaking as someone who's won several awards, not only with my Beetle, but also with a Porsche 1980 911SC, which won First in it's Class at the very prestigious Porsche Parade in Lake Placid NY. I'm hardly a novice when it comes to preparing and showing "Concours Level Winning" cars.

I would however like to explain where I'm coming from, just so my comments aren't taken the wrong way.

I began showing cars (Porsches) at many local and national "Concours". These were very strictly judged events, held to the highest standards and set of criteria.

Things were explicitly spelled out as far as what areas of the "Car" would be judged: (Exterior, Interior, Engine Compartment, Tires & Wheels, Wheel Wells, and Undercarriage).

When I got involved with the "RUF BUG", I began attending several "Import" shows, and for the most part found them to be quite similar, with the exception of the "MODS", which were very much frowned upon at the "Concours" events, where "originiality" is the gold standard.

At many of these import shows, cars would have a mod "display sheet", or as you mentioned a scrap book / photo documentation of the work performed to the car. I thought was kind of cool and helpful. Some also had mirrors showing off the work done on the undercarriage. OK, I get it.

It wasn't until I began focusing on the New Beetle's in particular, primarily at VW events, that I noticed all the "silliness" with models, stuffed animals, trophy's, etc., etc., and couldn't believe this was allowed. True, "to each his or her own", but seriously it really did "Distract" from the car. Maybe that was the owners intention. To disguise the fact that there wasn't that much done to their car to make it unique, so they'd just cover it up with toys?? I don't know. Just another observation. (But then again, if you didn't do that much to the car, what on earth was it doing at a car show???)

In any event, I think it's true that everyone has a right to say and do what they like, and if a "display" is part of what's being judged at these shows, then I stand corrected.

However, if that is the case, then I do stand by what I said in an earlier post about that perhaps being the reason a lot more of the "serious" New Beetle show people, aren't attending and supporting these events!

And lastly, to quote SMG: "That explains how those completely average cars have won a bunch of meaningless trophies then." I have to agree!

Very well put. I'd love to see VW shows come up with a consistent standard of judging.

I've also been involved with (not as an owner) - the Z car shows for Nissan and Datsun - and they are nationally sponsored for car shows and the judging criteria remain the same for every event, as well as the car classifications. This way you can see the progress that you are making with your car, and continually be making improvements and additional modifications. And then of course, you hit a certain point and are bumped up into a more modified class and get to start all over again within that class - it makes it much more of a learning experience for the enthusiast who is really into showing the car.

I'm not trying to be argumentative or anything - just enjoying the conversation that we've gotten into here - but it seems that the statement about "average" cars winning "meaningless" trophies seems to indicate a distaste for stock classes.

Curious as to what your opinions are on this subject... I have the Turbo S - a more rare edition - and therefore have a harder time being able to do modifications (body kits don't fit on it, it already had the top-of-the-line stock engine and tranny, and interior accents, etc.) And then there's certainly the conversation to be had about daily-driven cars that are also kept clean enough to show (big props to Gina on her accomplishments with Pepper on this one)...

[GINA]

Originally Posted by VW Lady Bug

I'm not trying to be argumentative or anything - just enjoying the conversation that we've gotten into here - but it seems that the statement about "average" cars winning "meaningless" trophies seems to indicate a distaste for stock classes.

Ehh this has always been a sore spot for me - and others I'm sure. I showed in stock for a little while before moving to mod, so I have the experience, but the stock class for Beetles is pretty lame. Here's why --

NBs are still new, so it's easy for someone to buy a Beetle and drive it over to a show, brand spankin new. Since stock class is basically judged on cleanliness, basically the newest car is going to win. I've seen it happen too often. Now a stock class for a car like the Scirocco is a little more accepted since you can't buy them new anymore, they've all had time to age, and having a clean, stock car is pretty cool. That's how I think of it, anyway.

[FastAndFurious]

why dont you guys quit the bs on the internet and actually go to waterfest


if waterfest, h20 etc are not cool enough for you then your in the wrong brand

thats what we have here on the east coast and i cant stand people just bitching about everything all the time

[VW Lady Bug]

Originally Posted by GINA

Ehh this has always been a sore spot for me - and others I'm sure. I showed in stock for a little while before moving to mod, so I have the experience, but the stock class for Beetles is pretty lame. Here's why --

NBs are still new, so it's easy for someone to buy a Beetle and drive it over to a show, brand spankin new. Since stock class is basically judged on cleanliness, basically the newest car is going to win. I've seen it happen too often. Now a stock class for a car like the Scirocco is a little more accepted since you can't buy them new anymore, they've all had time to age, and having a clean, stock car is pretty cool. That's how I think of it, anyway.

Great points G - I hear ya - and moved out of stock for that reason as well (remember the guy who pulled his 2009 NB with 200 miles on it to Waterama in 2008 just to sell it?

The other cars at least have the MK categories to help divide them up so that the older cars are with comparable years for stock classes... whereas the NBs are similar enough (only us true enthusiasts know the differences between model years) and only a few enough to be lumped together...

Having a 98 NB up against an 09 NB does seem a little ridiculous (basically a mid-MKIII against a late model MKV in another car)...

[VW Lady Bug]

Originally Posted by FastAndFurious

why dont you guys quit the bs on the internet and actually go to waterfest


if waterfest, h20 etc are not cool enough for you then your in the wrong brand

thats what we have here on the east coast and i cant stand people just bitching about everything all the time

I'm always there! - you know something's wrong if I'm not...

[SMG]

Our local shows don't even have stock classes for new cars. If your car isn't modified, and isn't a classic car it belongs in the parking lot with all the other stock cars. That's how it should be done and no amount of stuffed animals or queer air fresheners/ toys hanging off of everything are going to change that.

I just looked through 10 pages of Waterfest 15 pics and I didn't see a single other car with a display like the ones above In fact the only display type object I saw was a blow up sex doll hanging out of a sunroof.

The other classes seem focused on the CARS and not how much money you can spend at Toys R Us on your way there.