Four Steps For Better Competition - Competition Corner
by CAE, Oct 01, 2001
Step 3: Be a good sport. This can be difficult, especially under frustrating conditions. There is nothing worse that seeing competitors lose their cool when their car doesn't do as well as they expected. I've seen world champion competitors act like spoiled children when they didn't win, and this is never good for the sport. There is nothing fun (remember that word) about somebody having a temper tantrum on stage because their trophy doesn't have the right number on it. It's important to step back in these situations and remember that any type of car contest that contains subjective judging leaves room for interpretation on the judge's part. People's opinions about what they like vary, and this can easily affect your score sheet. Of course it's disappointing when your car doesn't do as well as you would like, but your conduct in these situations determines your character. Congratulate the winner, and then start thinking about how you are going to make your car better for the next show. If you feel like you have a legitimate complaint about your score, screaming at the nearest judge is no way to handle it. Take your score sheet to the head judge and calmly explain your situation. Sportsmanship is one of the most important steps to enjoying yourself during the show season.
Step 4: Don't be cocky or arrogant. Some successful competitors tend to get a big head when their cars do well. The most successful people in our sport are the ambassadors for the sport. New competitors look up to these guys, and their conduct is crucial to the image of the sport as a whole. Being proud of your car is a given, but remember that every car can be beaten. If you are open and honest with spectators, judges, and fellow competitors, then you are helping to assure that our sport will continue long into the future.
E-mail me your questions at: sbrown@alpine-USA.com and I'll be answering them in Competition Corner. See you in the lanes!
Step 1: Know your car. How many times have you asked someone a detail about their car or system only to have them give you a blank stare? This is no fun for spectators or judges at a show. Not everyone has the time or resources necessary to build their own system without some help, and there is definitely nothing wrong with that. If you're having your car done at a shop, it's important to know what they're doing to it. Try to spend some time in the installation facility if possible to watch some of the steps that go into building a car. Don't forget to have your installer take pictures of all of these steps so you can show judges and spectators just what makes your vehicle so special. The next time a judge or spectator asks you just how you got that amp to look like it's floating in your trunk, you will know how to answer them intelligently. You will be having more fun because you'll get more respect (not to mention more points) from everyone who looks at or judges your car.
Step 2: Have your car open. Remember, it's a car show, which means you should be there to put your car on display. It's amazing how many times I see cars at sound-off's or car shows that are closed, with spectators peering through the windows to try to get a glimpse of what's inside. The car that's open at a show will always draw a bigger crowd than the closed one next to it. Remember that shops hold contests to draw spectators (a.k.a. potential customers), so give them a reason to put on another show next year. Moreover, it's even better if the owner of the car is standing next to it, ready and able to answer any questions someone might have about their pride and joy. Put your photo book on display as well. You might be surprised how many people want to see how the system went together (just as much or more than the finished product). Many systems require more labor to construct the things underneath the panels that can't be seen, especially on stealth-type systems. Some competitors seem to worry about "giving up their secrets" when they leave their cars open. This is ridiculous. We're not talking about national security here, people. If someone "steals your ideas" they probably don't have the creativity or motivation to build a winning car anyway, so don't worry about it. The best cars are always unique in their own way, and nobody can copy that.
