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Concours Thinking of entering concours in 2011?
What the judges are looking for...
The task of the Judges is a thankless one. The organizers have recruited a fantastic team of experienced Judges who work tirelessly during the day.
They know exactly what they are looking for as they compete at the very highest levels in concours themselves. They will be looking for cleanliness and condition. So whether you want to be competitive or just want a great way to show your car off, here are a few pointers for you:
The exterior...
Paintwork should be in good condition and well polished. Damage, rust, touch-ups bits of missed polish, mud etc will loose points. However, even if the body work is not perfect good points can still be scored for a clean and highly polished finish.
The interior and boot...
Vacuumed out, clean carpets, mats etc not only on top but also underneath. Seats will be clean. Dashboards, dials, headlining and door panels will be in good condition. The interior will be as empty as possible. No rubbish, no full ashtrays, picnic items or the dog! However, easy points are available for the presence of the correct spare wheel, tool kit and handbook
The engine bay...
Should be as clean as possible. Should be cleaned to the maximum and all wiring should be neat and tidy, hoses will be in good condition and clean. If your engine bay is very grubby, it’s amazing how much you can achieve with a wipe around on the day!
The underside...
Will be as clean as can be possible. The exhaust will be in good condition, the underwing , underbody and inside arches areas should be clean. Wheels should be clean and in good condition. Tyres should be clean and within the law.
Presentation
It’s always nice to see effort put into presentation, so points will be awarded for things like photos, sales brochures, and anything else that makes up a pleasing and interesting display. Be careful not to clutter the car up with too much presentation material though – this can begin to detract from the car itself.
A note from the judges...
Don't let this frighten you off - anyone with a bit of patience can do it - why not have a go? It is not the prize to be won but the sense of achievement when you get a prize - this is what gets you hooked and keeps you going! Feel free to chat to the judges and ask for advice. You can also get your judging sheet back after the awards have been given out, so you can see where you gained and lost points. This will help you to focus your efforts next time!
Many thanks to our concours manager and lead judge Tracey Lippett for compiling this factpage. For more information about entering concours for the first time or for any general concours queries Tracey has kindly offered to give advice via email. Contact Reddimini@aol.com