Since
the birth of the SAOC in 1977 the Concours competition has been a
fundamental part of every National Meeting except one. Over these thirty
plus years the judging of the event has occasionally – but not frequently
- caused problems and controversy,
As
a result of some dissatisfaction regarding the 2008 National’s Concours,
the Committee discussed various ideas and options and eventually chose to
seek the membership’s views on specific issues and ideas raised by members
(including on the Forum) and within the Committee.
A questionnaire was created which gave members the opportunity to
agree or disagree with ideas on timing, classes and judging. We also provide
boxes for additional comments and suggestions.
We
got good responses from those attending the Warwick 2009 National Meeting
and those who filled in the questionnaire ‘on line’. We held to the advertised closing date of the end of
September and the results and analysis were presented to the Committee in
October.
Thankfully,
the membership has clear views on most of the ideas and suggestions included
in the questionnaire – either strongly for or strongly against.
These views have been distilled into the following summary: (Changes
from past practice are italicised)
The Membership wants a Concours Competition to be held on the
Saturday (daytime) of the National Meeting, but
with the time taken for judging limited, probably by a visual
‘pre-qual’.
Entries must be
taxed and MOT’d, and cars should not
be penalised for dirt resulting from driving to the event. Judging should
include functional checks. Originality is good, but period modifications
and accessories are fine. Period
style is important.
Judging should
be performed by invited guests, who may be guided but not instructed, and
whose opinions are final.
A prize should only be awarded
when there is an entrant of good standard
The classes are
OK as they are.
Chris
Barker
October
2009