I've been thinking of another type of competition at FRC, something that takes place at many auto events worldwide called "Concours d’Elegance". Basically, its a prize for the best looking participating car at the event. Aside from recognising the best turned-out car, it will help keep the fact that we race models of real cars alive and help keep our racing a bit more realistic. Here are the proposed details:
CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE RULES AND PROCEDURES
The Concours d’Elegance competition is a competition to determine the best looking cars that compete in a racing event. Before any entry may receive a Concours d’Elegance, it must also be an entry for the appropriate racing class and comply with all requirements of technical inspection for the class.
Each Concours d’Elegance entry shall compete during qualifying and racing in the same configuration as presented for Concours d’Elegance judging. A separate race body is specifically not allowed. If a car fails to compete in at least one race for the class, it becomes ineligible for the Concours d’Elegance.
Concours d’Elegance judges shall be chosen at the time of the event and will usually comprise some or all of the drivers at that event. The maximum possible score per judge per car is 35 points. A driver judge cannot judge any of the cars he will drive or has driven at the event.
In the case of a tie after judging, the racer’s finishing position in his or her class shall be used as the tie breaker. If a tie still exists, then the racer’s qualifying position in his or her class shall be used as the tie breaker.
The winning car will have one class championship point added to its total for the class in which it competed. If there's a tie, all cars in the tie will get the additional point.
Judges shall use the following points system to determine Concours d’Elegance placing:
Exterior Detail - Areas to be considered include numbering, lettering, decals, stripes, multi-coloured areas, etc. - Max 10 points.
Interior Detail - General appearance, neatness, realism of driver, roll cage or bar, and dashboard along with any other interior details must be considered here. If the windscreen is tinted so as not to reveal the interior, zero points must be assigned- Max 5 points.
Paint and Finish - Quality of the paint, neatness of the application of the paint to the body and evenness of the coat will be considered here - Max 5 points.
Overall Impression - The general aesthetic quality of the car will be considered here - Max 5 points.
Era/Realistic Accuracy - Must take into consideration realism in relation to the era represented and accuracy with the real car. Wheels and tyres for the particular car should be as accurate to the era as possible (style and dimensions). Tyres overly exposed beyond bodywork should reduce points awarded - Max 10 points.
The Concours d’Elegance judging for each class will take place before qualifying for that class.
Hi Gordon,
I like the idea a lot as it should lead to racers trying and get their cars to not only perform, but to look good while doing so. My one concern would be the length of time after races that the judging would take if judging was to be taken seriously. I wouls also suggest that for the winning car to get the extra point, some minimum points(say 70% of available points) should be attained, otherwise there could be a class with a grid full of not so good looking cars with the winner being just the least bad of the bunch.
Steve
Steve, if I lose a potential point l will improve the look of my car to try to get the extra point next time. I believe most drivers will do the same, so I don't think we need the winner to attain a percentage of the available points in order to improve the finish of the cars.
Also, I have to rethink the dropping of lowest/highest scores. It probably is not a good idea.
Mornin guys. Q. This sounds like we have to paint. & stripe & decal the cars , our selves. Set up rims tires for thatt era. Am I t not correct Gordon. Sounds like fun
boo wrote:Mornin guys. Q. This sounds like we have to paint. & stripe & decal the cars , our selves. Set up rims tires for thatt era. Am I t not correct Gordon. Sounds like fun
Not bound to, but yes, that's the general idea. It doesn't mean that cars with the manufacturer's original finish/livery won't be eligible (most of them are beautiful out-the-box and will be hard to beat), but it would be nice to see all our cars looking more like models of real cars or what a real car can look like rather than plain plastic toys. As you said, it will be fun prepping them for this too - another aspect of our great hobby.
And remember... there's a potential point available!
Now noticing that judging will take place before qualifying for each class (I mistakenly thought that it was after the racing for the class). I'm anxious to see how it goes later !
Steve, it was supposed to be after the races, but I changed it to before qualifying since this is more practical (it can be done during the open practice) and will add a level of interest before the races begin.
