...because I didn't want to start an argument. or say something in front of a lot of people that could cause bad feelings. Why you may ask. Because I don't agree with certain aspects of this controversy on Special Interest.
Now having had experience in organizing a very large Show for many years, including being the top dog in charge for 3 years running, I know that putting on a show is no easy task. Uptown Kruizah's did one hell of a job putting on the Show on Sunday past.
My opinion of Special Interest is this. Of the entries in that class technically only 2 belonged in it. The Fire Truck and the Federal Truck. On the logical side only the Crapo Van and Motorcycle should have been asked to leave completely and the drag truck (s-10) should have been put in Modified 2wd Trucks. The Mini Cooper back in Imports.
Oscar and the 62 Galaxie did not belong in a 60's class. The reason, Custom. It doesn't belong with stockers. A logical and reasonable result would be where it was, in Special Interest. RedSled, the 51 Ford, same reason with the same result. With other Cars running into trouble at other Shows, in the 50's class due to the Modifications made, they to need to be in Special Interest.
You see a Customized car does not belong in a stock class. If there is a custom class, then it belongs in that class. If there isn't a class for a fine specimen of craftsmanship, some would have us believe they should be turned away. I myself see room for latitude in the Special Interest category, because it is unique, because it is one of a kind and only one was built. No 2 Customs are identical. Talk to the Kings of the Lead Sleds, George Barris, Gene Winfield and Bo Huff and they'll tell you exactly that.
As far as the debate on Style or Theme its all semantics. Surf Woodie has a Theme but lacks style as so many PT's are readily available for customizing, whereas RedSled has style, IE a Lead Sled that is not readily available at the local used car lot and it does have a theme, The 1950's way of building a car or if you will allow me Old School.
The one thing we must remember is that car shows are supposed to be fun. As of late there seems to be less and less fun and way to much other crap, like focusing on the faults in the show and the organizers. If your style is to point fault and your theme is to cause hard feelings with controversy and a closed mind, then the whole argument lacks class.
We need to get back to the fun.
8/4/09
The 6 P's
Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance, and someone wasn't thinking about other shows on this one.
August 15 is a Clusterfuck. You see every year on this weekend the largest Rod Run in the State of Maine occurs in Hebron ME. Now I know that its geared toward the Street Rod Crowd, but they do allow up to 1972 on the field. So it is a niche event. The awards given are all hand made by different members and different clubs. It really starts on Thursday with Camping available. Its a Weekend event in the tradition of the Rod Runs of Old.
Enter Telstar, who disappeared and now reappears on the August 15th date. A new version of the old stuff with new faces and veterans (didn't I just say that about the New Balance Show).
The show was a mess when it went belly up due to Class Jumpers and Poachers, but now they want to judge it. Sounds like a great subject to write about after the fact.
Now into the mix enters the East Auburn Baptist Church, New Show, Great Venue and the Road in really Sucks. I don't know much about this one, but it is put on by a church, so show some respect.
So there you have it, 3 shows on a Saturday within 35 miles of each other. Nice, really nice
The bright spot is the Togus Run on Sunday. More on that later.
August 15 is a Clusterfuck. You see every year on this weekend the largest Rod Run in the State of Maine occurs in Hebron ME. Now I know that its geared toward the Street Rod Crowd, but they do allow up to 1972 on the field. So it is a niche event. The awards given are all hand made by different members and different clubs. It really starts on Thursday with Camping available. Its a Weekend event in the tradition of the Rod Runs of Old.
Enter Telstar, who disappeared and now reappears on the August 15th date. A new version of the old stuff with new faces and veterans (didn't I just say that about the New Balance Show).
The show was a mess when it went belly up due to Class Jumpers and Poachers, but now they want to judge it. Sounds like a great subject to write about after the fact.
Now into the mix enters the East Auburn Baptist Church, New Show, Great Venue and the Road in really Sucks. I don't know much about this one, but it is put on by a church, so show some respect.
So there you have it, 3 shows on a Saturday within 35 miles of each other. Nice, really nice
The bright spot is the Togus Run on Sunday. More on that later.
8/3/09
Just an Idea
How about we all just take a breath and think about this Special Interest Controversy that hangs over our heads like a wrecking ball.
Eliminate the Classification all together. Call it the "Whatever" Class, for Whatever Doesn't fit someplace else.
If one went by the "Theme" variation of special interest that has been proclaimed so loudly of late, IE Military, Firetruck, Alternative Energy and yes, even the Surf Woodie the class could grow to grotesque proportions. With such cars as the The Tweety Bird Nova, The SGT Rock Truck and the theme of my own car, having a legitimate way of getting into the class.
This controversy has gotten blown way out of proportion and needs to be put to rest. A body of people should not be held hostage by the fear of complaint after complaint after complaint from a class of vehicles that needs a babysitter.
Life is never fair, why would a hobby be any different. Getting in the organizers face and lodging a complaint the day of the show and expecting it cured instantly is both a fantasy and wrong.
I think everybody that was in yesterday's Special Interest Class, and I mean EVERYBODY, needs to think about one thing only.
Is Competeing for a $15.00 Cheap Ass Trophy worth becoming that big a "pain in ass" to the organizers, that may be thinking of not allowing special interest vehicles in at all because of the stink being raised.
After hearing the hammering on organizers about the misfortunes of Special Interest at many shows this year. The Subject is tired and needs a new perspective.
Drizzle Drazzle Druzzle Drone Time For This One To Go Home.
Eliminate the Classification all together. Call it the "Whatever" Class, for Whatever Doesn't fit someplace else.
If one went by the "Theme" variation of special interest that has been proclaimed so loudly of late, IE Military, Firetruck, Alternative Energy and yes, even the Surf Woodie the class could grow to grotesque proportions. With such cars as the The Tweety Bird Nova, The SGT Rock Truck and the theme of my own car, having a legitimate way of getting into the class.
This controversy has gotten blown way out of proportion and needs to be put to rest. A body of people should not be held hostage by the fear of complaint after complaint after complaint from a class of vehicles that needs a babysitter.
Life is never fair, why would a hobby be any different. Getting in the organizers face and lodging a complaint the day of the show and expecting it cured instantly is both a fantasy and wrong.
I think everybody that was in yesterday's Special Interest Class, and I mean EVERYBODY, needs to think about one thing only.
Is Competeing for a $15.00 Cheap Ass Trophy worth becoming that big a "pain in ass" to the organizers, that may be thinking of not allowing special interest vehicles in at all because of the stink being raised.
After hearing the hammering on organizers about the misfortunes of Special Interest at many shows this year. The Subject is tired and needs a new perspective.
Drizzle Drazzle Druzzle Drone Time For This One To Go Home.
8/2/09
New Balance Car Show
Well the weather was iffy, with mostly cloudy skies and fog. Somehow the Uptown Kruizah's had a connection with the man above and arranged for the skies to hold their load. Another great day broke out at some point and the Uptown Kruizah's put on a very good effort in their endeavor to put on their first Car Show.
Yes they had some complaints, with Special Interest being the Biggest and loudest of the areas in need of some work. They know, and are more than open to constructive opinions and ideas to improve the Show.
With this being a new club with a new show they did great and deserve a nod and a tip of the hat.
The glitches were to say the least normal for veteran shows and were handled with a good attitude. Next year will be better and input from the participants is wanted.
One comment I did hear was that this Show was a rehashed version of the old Lions Show. I told the guy that it wasn't because the dust wasn't present and I didn't think Russ Pratt would be any good as the Bean Lady, he agreed with the former and really agreed with the latter and said they'll be there next year if the club does it again.
Good Job. I had Fun. 2 Days in a row. Must finally be Summer
Yes they had some complaints, with Special Interest being the Biggest and loudest of the areas in need of some work. They know, and are more than open to constructive opinions and ideas to improve the Show.
With this being a new club with a new show they did great and deserve a nod and a tip of the hat.
The glitches were to say the least normal for veteran shows and were handled with a good attitude. Next year will be better and input from the participants is wanted.
One comment I did hear was that this Show was a rehashed version of the old Lions Show. I told the guy that it wasn't because the dust wasn't present and I didn't think Russ Pratt would be any good as the Bean Lady, he agreed with the former and really agreed with the latter and said they'll be there next year if the club does it again.
Good Job. I had Fun. 2 Days in a row. Must finally be Summer
8/1/09
Another Show That Was
So there I was at Andover when suddenly a great day broke out. The Western Maine Street Rodders again pulled out a great show. But like all things we have begun to see the dark side in all things and this had a spot, not side. Great Show, 200+ cars and a douche bag.
The person doing the imitation of a 40's Car with a 60's Car is a local hero, who has the charm of a used Condom and the personality of a plank. This guy thinks he is gods gift to something and we just think he is Something.
Other than that it was a great day
Tomorrow, Oxford rain or shine
It's supposed to be sunny
This next portion added at 10:50PM
From the Comments I'm getting, everybody had a good day, because we all had Fun and it doesn't really matter what I say or think as long as we had fun. A badly run show only takes away as much fun as you allow it to.
Tomorrow is a fairly new club with a brand new show and a few veterans thrown in for good measure. As long as its fun everybody will be fine.
The person doing the imitation of a 40's Car with a 60's Car is a local hero, who has the charm of a used Condom and the personality of a plank. This guy thinks he is gods gift to something and we just think he is Something.
Other than that it was a great day
Tomorrow, Oxford rain or shine
It's supposed to be sunny
This next portion added at 10:50PM
From the Comments I'm getting, everybody had a good day, because we all had Fun and it doesn't really matter what I say or think as long as we had fun. A badly run show only takes away as much fun as you allow it to.
Tomorrow is a fairly new club with a brand new show and a few veterans thrown in for good measure. As long as its fun everybody will be fine.
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