Grand National show questions

[aroth28]

So, as time rapidly winds down towards the 2011 Grand National show in MD I have a few questions... I am really excited to attend a Grand National show so close to home (~120 miles).

I will attend from Friday AM to Sunday afternoon. Since I'm driving to the show and back and forth from the hotel I'd like to know the show agenda. Will there be any judging at all on Friday or will it all be done on Saturday? The car is detailed to the nines but probably not so much once I drive 120 miles to get there. If I spend Friday at the show detailing, etc then I have to drive to the hotel (5 miles) and back Saturday AM (5 more miles). Can I re-touch up specific areas early Saturday AM once at the show before judging? I can have the car up to standards on Friday but driving it 10+ miles round trip , the car will need re-touching up before judging to be up to par. What is a typical Saturday AM like at a Grand National? I'm concerned that I'll spend all day Friday getting the car ready only to have to drive it to the hotel and back Saturday AM for it to be less than perfect.

Any suggestions or help?

Thanks!

[kryptonite]

I typically drive my car, which is in the Daily Driver Class, back and forth from the hotel at all the National/Grand Nationals I've participated in.

Generally, judging doesn't start until Saturday around noon. You can clean your car if it needs it until judging starts (as you would at any car show). If necessary, there will be judging on Sunday morning.

[Travelin' Jim]

As above, Judging on Saturday starts at noon. Most folks roll in by 9:00 and have at least 3 hours to finish rubbing the paint off their cars.

[aroth28]

Thanks for the replies! I am less concerned now. My main issue is brake dust. Heck, if I even look at my calipers wrong they throw dust everywhere. After 10 miles my wheels will have a quarter inch thick coating of brake dust (well not really but you get the idea )

[FastDad]

Relax. I drove 180 miles to last years Virginia Beach National (through a rain storm, nonetheless) and had plenty of time to clean the car.

[Shelby6t5]

You could also leave the car @ the show site with a cover on it. If I understand it correctly, there will be shuttle buses to the hotels.

M.

[aroth28]

You could also leave the car @ the show site with a cover on it. If I understand it correctly, there will be shuttle buses to the hotels.

M.

Thanks Mike! I never even considered that. I'm not staying at a sponsor hotel but one less than a mile from one so that might be an option. Hmmm, that sounds like an idea.

Getting excited now!

[J_Speegle]

.......Will there be any judging at all on Friday or will it all be done on Saturday?

Depends on the class, judges and how many cars are in your class (work load for the judges) A number of classes have started to do judging on Friday, in the last couple of years, to reduce the chance of having to carry over into Sunday. Generally this benefits the car owner since it gets them done early so that can relax without the worry of when the team will judge their car and the never ending wiping of the car that (especially) first timers seem to practice

.........Can I re-touch up specific areas early Saturday AM once at the show before judging?

Yes you can but be aware that judges will be instructed to ignore "new dust" and such since show sites often bring with them pollen, leaves, bugs and dust. Judges can make the call as to what is new and what has been there for a while.

...What is a typical Saturday AM like at a Grand National?

Uncover or position your car....
empty (depending on class) the trunk and interior.......
wipe....
wait .....
talk to your neighbors.....
wipe......
answer a few questions.....
wait.....
meet some new friends.......
wipe......
wait........
meet the judging team...........
answer a couple of questions........
open and close doors and such (depending on class........
say good bye to judges..........
sit and relax ........
.
You get the idea. Enjoy and good luck

[aroth28]

Thanks Jeff. So I see a pattern here. I'm assuming I should expect hmmm, a lot of wiping and waiting? LOL. I feel more comfortable now at least knowing what to expect and that it may be a bit before judging. I've shown cars that were judged at Carlisle for years but that is a whole different animal and stress doesn't even come close to describing Saturday morning at Carlisle. Judging begins at 8AM so the car needs to be ready at 8 which means starting with flashlights at 5 AM (NOT fun!) .

It sounds like this show will be a blast and I can't wait to put faces with screen names.

You'll be able to recognize me by that "new guy-deer caught in the headlight stare" with a wiping cloth in each hand.

[kryptonite]

Yes you can but be aware that judges will be instructed to ignore "new dust" and such since show sites often bring with them pollen, leaves, bugs and dust. Judges can make the call as to what is new and what has been there for a while.

Ignore "new dust?" I've haven't seen this.