By Bob Pontiff
While there are pages
and pages that define VTCI’s judging events, criteria and processes, the
following simple tips can help you be a better individual judge.
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Know the Official
Factory Specifications for the section and models you will be judging.
A limited number of judges at some judging events sometimes forces a
situation where you may be asked to judge models e.g., 1955-57,
1958-60, 1961-63, etc. or sections e.g., undercarriage, engine
compartment, interior, etc. for which you are not familiar. To
mitigate this, ask the chief judge to provide your specific assignment
at least a day before the judging event, and then put in some homework
prior to judging.
-
Talk to only
the owner or team captain concerning questions of authenticity or
quality.
You should initiate these conversations when you have a question. The
team captain will bring in the chief judge if he cannot answer your
question. A typical question you may have to ask the owner about is
when the spare doesn’t match the other four tires. This would only be
allowed if the spare was the original. While the size, whitewall
width, brand and construction provides some clues, reproductions are
readily available, you would still have to ask the owner if the spare
was original.
-
Do not identify
deductions to other team members and do not accept unsolicited
identification of defects in the area for which you are judging.
Nobody, not the team captain, chief judge, owner of another car, or
another team member, should point out deductions to you. This is a
matter of fairness. Two people can find more defect than one and
clearly you would not have the same type of assistance on every car
you judge. When somebody points out a deduction to you, politely
inform the individual that his or her help is not allowed and then
deduct the points only if you would have identified the defect
yourself.
-
Fill out the
judging form properly.
Make sure the car and owner information is correct and print your name
in the place provided for the judge’s name. If the line item being
inspected is modified deduct one (-1) modification point, make no
entry if the item is not modified. The item is either modified or it
is not, no ½ points here. When assessing the quality points put the
total point awarded and not the points deducted, i.e., if you want to
deduct ½ point from a 5 point line, enter 4½ and not -1/2. Quality
points can be awarded in ½ point increments and cannot exceed the
defined maximum total for a line. Do not tally the points on the form.
-
Identify safety
concerns as you spot them to other team member and the team captain.
Items like gas leaks can be dangerous and immediate safety precautions
should be taken.
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