Author Topic: Hershey  (Read 16667 times)

maroman

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Hershey
« on: September 30, 2008, 09:39:01 PM »
Is anyone headed to Hershey? Showing on Saturday? Class?
Doug  '67 RS/SS 396 auto I know the car since new

Camaro Billy

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2008, 02:38:17 PM »
I will be showing on Sat. Class 36-b, Factory High Performance - 1957 - 1969 Chevrolet and Oldsmobile.
It will be my 1st AACA national meet and am trying for my 1st Junior.
Billy
1969 RS/SS 350/300 Rallye Green . Black Vinyl Top

lakeholme

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2008, 01:00:10 PM »
Let us know how you do...
I'll be interested in what you think about the experience.  The economy is impacting even at Hersey.  They were short of judges earlier, but I was told at Cleveland, TN that the recent letter of appeal brought in more judges.
Won't be there this year... gotta stay home and work to pay for parts and paint.
Don't forget the AACA season starts in 09 at the national meet in Charlotte!
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

Camaro Billy

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2008, 06:29:07 PM »
I will post back and let everyone know what I think of the experience. I joined the AACA national and local chapters this spring. I worked all winter on getting my car completely back to original condition and am curious to see how I will fare with their judging.
Billy
1969 RS/SS 350/300 Rallye Green . Black Vinyl Top

lakeholme

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2008, 07:22:00 PM »
I figure you already know about the guidelines, but in case you do not, look here:

http://www.aaca.org/publications/manuals/judges/default.aspx

Also, I couldn't find it in the schedule, but if they offer it, make sure you go to the owner's forum before the judging.  Also, consider going to one of the judging schools.  Lots of restorers go to the schools even if they never plan to judge, so they will know what the guidelines are.
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

Camaro Billy

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2008, 07:35:57 PM »
I've read the judge's manual and I did sign up for judge's school. I'm looking forward to learning their judging system.
I've judged for three years now in the Heartbeat class at Carlisle for the Camaro Nationals and really enjoy it. One of the reasons I joined the AACA.
Billy
1969 RS/SS 350/300 Rallye Green . Black Vinyl Top

maroman

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2008, 10:15:22 PM »
Camaro Billy, which judging class?  I think there is one Thur. and another fri.  Don't forget to be in the stadium for the race car certification Fri. at 11:00 AM . The race cars do not have to drive onto the show field Sat. so they have to prove they run by making 2 laps on Fri. If you've never seen it it pretty cool. Last year Bruce Larson had to make laps with Tommy Ivo's dragster.
Doug  '67 RS/SS 396 auto I know the car since new

maroman

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2008, 10:58:05 PM »
Almost forgot, make sure you see the 3 turbine Firebirds at the AACA museum. And GM and the other Co. are bringing special displays for the Orange field. The HArley Earl Le Sabre and the '02 Cadillac believed to be the first Caddy ever built will be in the good display. The other guys will have a Model T birthday party. McGuire's and other manufacturers will also be set up for the first time.
Doug  '67 RS/SS 396 auto I know the car since new

Camaro Billy

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2008, 02:53:51 PM »
Thanks Maroman,
I am attending the Thurs judging class. Even though it will be my 1st time attending, everything you mentioned is on my itinerary. I just hope I can squeeze it all in.
Billy
1969 RS/SS 350/300 Rallye Green . Black Vinyl Top

maroman

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2008, 08:39:20 PM »
I'll look for you Sat.  I'm in class 17A at the other end of the field, but I always go for a walk.
Doug  '67 RS/SS 396 auto I know the car since new

SSJunkie68-69

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2008, 05:56:40 PM »
Billy.....How did it go?

Good seeing you at Taste of the Town a few weeks back and congrats on your First Place award there~

Tom
1968 SS L34 Convertible Work in Process
1968 SS/RS L34 Convertible Restored
1969 SS L89 Coupe Vintage Certifed

Camaro Billy

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2008, 03:46:13 PM »
Tom,
Thanks, it was fun at the Bethesda show, good talking to you about your car.
Sorry I didn't post back about Hershey yet, still trying to catch up.
My wife and I had a great time at Hershey. Being our first national AACA meet we didn't know exactly what to expect. We drove up Thurs. AM unhooked the trailer and went to have lunch on the patio of the Hershey Hotel. It was a beautiful day and we had a pleasant lunch. Afterwards my wife went to the spa and I attended my 1st judging school. I would urge any car owner who is entering a national meet to attend at least one school. It really lays out the procedure for a first timer like me. In the future I would like to Judge at a national meet, but being my first time I wanted to be with my car while it was judged. After the spa and school we returned to the Hershey Lodge where we were staying and had a couple of cocktails and dinner. That was about it for the first day.
 Fri. morning we had breakfast and then walked around the flea market for a while. Not much for cars like my '69 , but some cool old stuff. At about 10:30 we went to the stadium for the race car conditioning. even at 20-30 mph it was neat watching all types of old racers out on the track. Next was lunch and then off to the AACA Museum. What a classy place ! My wife can tire easily looking at old cars, but the variety of the perm. displays and the temp. ones kept us both interested for hours. My wife especially liked the old dinner that had been transported to the museum complete with all the contents of a working dinner. After the museum we walked the car corral for a while then drove about 20 min. the  Penn National horse track and Casino to play the slots a while and have dinner. We returned to the hotel fairly early as Sat. was the big day. I awoke at 5:30 AM before our wake up call, and after a quick shower and two cups of coffee we were at the trailer at 6:30 and unloaded in the dark. We had heard the horror stories about the traffic last year to enter the show field and wanted to make an early start of it. The AACA volunteers had all the problems worked out and we were on the show field and parked by about 10 min. to 7:00. Even though I had detailed my car before loading it in the trailer, I spent about another two hours on it at the show field. I was really nervous about the judging as I was really trying for my First Junior award the first time out. For anyone not familiar with AACA national judging I'll try to lay it out a little for you. First time you attend an AACA national meet you are going for a Junior award. The cars are judged on a 400 point system based on originality, condition and workmanship. The goal being to appear exactly as it was delivered to the dealer from the factory. In my class there were about 25 cars, 8 of us going for our First Junior award. The Junior car scoring the highest Receives their "First Junior' award. Any Junior cars scoring within 10 points of the highest scoring car also receives a "First Junior" award. If you are not within 10 points you can get a second junior or third junior, I don't remember the exact point spread for these awards. The other cars in my class had already received First Junior or higher awards and were going for Senior or Preservation awards. Judging started at 10AM and at about 10:15 the five judge team was at my car. The Team Captain introduced herself to me and thanked me for bringing my car to the show. There was one judge each for body, interior, chassis and engine. They poked around my car for about 10 min. and were on to the next car. Normally at this point I would have relaxed a little, but after scoping out the other  Juniors, I knew it would be tough. There was a beautiful Chevelle just off a long nut and bolt restoration that was obviously going to be the car that set the mark. I was just hoping to be within 10 points. The weather was just perfect and we spent the rest of the day talking to people at my car and walking the show field taking in all the amazing vehicles that were showing. At 3 pm the show concluded and drove the short distance to the trailer and loaded up and returned to our hotel.
 The results were to be announced at the awards banquet that evening at our hotel. We dressed for dinner and went to the cocktail reception before the banquet. We meet up with  a nice couple who had a senior car in our class and shared a table with them and some other very nice folks for dinner. Dinner service was quick and the food was good. Then they made some brief announcements and got right on with the awards. I was in class 36 and it took about and hour to get to it. They announced the Juniors first and mine was the first name to be called !  I was on cloud nine. I rushed to the stage and received my trophy. Our new friend at the table was awarded his Senior so it was a great night for all. We awoke early the next AM and were home in time for football.
 In less than a week I received my  National Winner medallion with I will display proudly on my front grill. The AACA put on a great event and I can’t wait for the next meet and a chance to go for my Senior award.
Billy
1969 RS/SS 350/300 Rallye Green . Black Vinyl Top

maroman

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2008, 09:04:48 PM »
Camaro Billy, that's about the best explanation of an introduction to AACA that I have ever read. Sure am sorry I didn't get to see you and your car, the show day goes TOO fast. Next Hershey's only about 49 weeks away.
Doug  '67 RS/SS 396 auto I know the car since new

SSJunkie68-69

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #13 on: October 23, 2008, 03:22:47 AM »
Billy, congrats on the 1st Junior....I know how tough that can be. Good job and an excellent write up too~ Your car is sweet~

Hope to see ya around ~

Tom
1968 SS L34 Convertible Work in Process
1968 SS/RS L34 Convertible Restored
1969 SS L89 Coupe Vintage Certifed

lakeholme

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Re: Hershey
« Reply #14 on: October 23, 2008, 12:46:36 PM »
Yes, congratulations!
I agree with Maroman, that's a great desciption of your experience and it sounds like it went exactly like it should.
If you don't want to wait till next Fall to try for your Senior, come to Charlotte in April.  I'd love to see more Camaros here and meet you.
As to juding while showing at a National Meet. .. Obviously, it is done, but it does put you in a time bind in getting your car on the show field.  Then, exactly as you said, you'd like to be with your car when it is judged.  My AACA aquaintances who judge seem split 50/50 on that.  But if you have info. that needs documentation you can leave it in the driver's seat and tell the chief judge that's what you are doing.  After you get your Senior, if you put the car in for judging that would be a Preservation, which by that time you can feel fairly secure and go ahead and judge, as well.
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director