Toyota Nationals 2009

[Joshstix]

There are a few points here about the judging of the show that I find quite interesting and I will give some feedback that I hope is seen as contructive based on my experience judging ToyotaFest each year and the time I judged at the nationals.

No matter how legitimate it is if an organiser wins trophies people are going to be suspiscous of the result. I was very concerned about this with ToyotaFest so while I pay for entry and show one or two of my cars each year I do not judge them or have them available for any trophies other than entrants choice. I just don't want the hassle or possible smearing of the name of the event. I am not saying this is how the nationals should be run, that decision is not up to me, simply pointing out the decision I made on this topic.

From my experience of judging at the nationals I think there is a lot of room for results to come out that the judges do not agree with due to the way it is judged. I am not trying to have a go at anyone I just believe that the structure does not necessarily achieve what I believe it is intended to do. A lot of the problem is also in what people expect the different class trophies to mean.

A classic example would be a top original trophy. Lets say we have two cars one is a completely stock original extrmemely well preserved car and the other barely qualifies as it has a fair few modifications but it is also extremely well presented. When these two cars are judged the judges do not judge them on originality at all, it is just how it presents in the three different area's interior, exterior and engine bay. It is very possible that the car with modifications is going to score higher as people tend to pay mroe attention to the changes, and could then win the top original class. This is cool if people understand that the trophy is for the most presentable fairly standard car but if they expect the trophy is for the best and most original car then they will not understand the result.

This also leads to the judgement of the judges being questioned without any reason when they are doing the best job they can inside the guidelines of the show.

Again I'm not trying to have a go just trying to point out an area that could potentially be adjusted to improve the satisfaction of the attendants, since that's really what we're trying to achieve here.

[TheToyman75]

I haven't been to the Nats for a couple of years now due to financial and family responsibilities but to be honest if you have been to a few you will know that the after Nats review is always about the same.

Almost 100% of people rave about it being an awsome weekend and looking forward to the next one and at least 50% of these same people loudly or quietly discuss and critique the way it was run, the results of the judging and politics of the scene. Of the 100% who attend its generally NONE who actually man up (Or woman up ) and contribute with hours or effort for the next one.

No event will ever have a judging result that everyone agrees with and its no secret that I have strongly disagreed with results in the past. Its their event, they judge it how they see fit and the rest of us really just need to be thankful that it is even on. IF you have a genuine area of concern there is no harm in discussing it and all the Nationals organisers are actually approachable people. If you have comments tho, make them constructive and not a broad generalisation, just keep in mind the enormous effort in place to run the weekend.

The harsh fact is that a small number of dedicated people put a hell of a lot of effort in to events like this so everyone else can catch up, socialize and have fun. Thats they key and always has been.

[TheToyman75]

Damn,

It took me 45 minutes to write that last reply and now there is a little more I want to add.

I'll keep it breif tho. I don't generally agree with the judging process at the Nats at least in the format I last witnessed it, I can't comment on the last 2 years.

What I can say tho is that the integrity of the organisers would not at any stage allow for a rigged result. And I have never once questioned the ethic of the judges. Its the chosen format I dislike. I still love the event tho and am looking forward to the unfolding of 2010.

With the ToyotaFest show run by Toymods each October long weekend there was a HUGE amount of cocern over how best to judge cars and to keep things clear. The key difference is that cars are judged for each category they are elegible for, not just a mark as a whole. As yes most judges remove themselves from winning a class they are judging. Like the Nats the judging is also done in pairs to limit any bias a single judge may give to any particular vehicle.

Every class is shortlisted with the top contenders for each class re-assed to ensure we have done all we can to make sure the right cars get the right trophies. All scores and results must be justified by the judging pairs AND then buy the event organisers. And discourse or questions or discussed by ALL relevant judges (ie the class judging pair and the organisers).

To win the original class for example, it needs to be the best original. A late model car wont win the classic class and a modified car wont win most original. Sure people still question teh winners, that will always happen no matter what we or any one else does.

Not sure if you had one at Toyota Natinals this year, but Entrants choice is a prized Trophy at ToyotaFest, Each entrant only gets one voting form and I personally think its a huge honour for a car to crowned trophy worthy by your peers.

[Alchemist]

Yep there was an Entrants Choice, and it went to a very tidy Bathurst old school Celica.

Also, photos people. I've got photos from 3 people so far, I need more. Please PM me so I can get them on the website.

IB, I know you have tonnes, we need to talk so I can get them off your somehow.

Should have some very tasty ones online tomorrow night from Kory.

[TheToyman75]

It pulls around 100 cars?

YLD,

Last years Toyota fest was down on numbers by about 15% due to poor weather, A lot of possible entrants did not realise we had an undercover option for the show. ToyotaFest is Toymods main event promoted for the entire Toyota Community, there is no benefit to being a Toymodder and Toymods members do not mae up the bulk of the entrants. We are even planning on introducing a club orientated trophy now that Toymods is no longer the major entrant.

Toymods Memberships and events themselves and even the monthly meetings are well low on numbers. Hell this year we dont even have a full Toymods board as we had not a single new person run for a Board position. Its only with Stitts last 2 old style cruises that we have seen the return to any sort of attendance level. Dyno days and even Toyota fest run at close to cost or a loss, the big tun out of a few years ago are now spread over a multitude of amller groups and forums who runthere own events, outings and Dyno days.

For me the killer is simply that clubs are dying and being replaced by internet forums, Public liability insurance, incorporation, government paperwork and a required board structure all make running a club a huge effort. Toymods is doing what we can to attract new and retain old members but clubs just like events need people to support them, no support, no Club or Event. Hell even these forums are dangerously close to running at a financial loss.

But anyway, You can't really compare ToyotaFest and the Nationals. Eventualy we would like to have motorsport events to offer more to the guys and gals that travel to Sydney for the weekend but so far it hasn't been an option. We are reviewing the location for 2010 tho and do have a lot on our wish list . (It will still be in Sydney)

There was deffinatly no Toymods Boycott for the Nationals, in fact we deliberatly dont run an opposing Event each Easter as we want to encourage the Nationals growth and ongoing survival. ToyotaFest is just the next key event on the social Callender.

[YLD-16L]

The proposed format for 2010 looks unreal and I'll be keen to enter the old rolla in everything


I just can't believe I didn't pick up top engineered in the show and shine with my KE25 replica I had built from a converted VW bug Anyone who saw my spec sheet I had on display will know about all the hard work I had put in

[wagonist]

Hi all, here's the line up for Toyota Nationals 2010
Friday- welcome dinner at 6:30pm (that'll be 3 less beers for Rona)
Sat 9am-12pm Show'n'Shine
12pm-1pm- Lunch
1pm-7-ish- Motorkhana. Scrutineering will be hopefully done at S'n'S (looks at SA ). Daylight saving ends on this weekend so hopefully there'll be no need for lights.
Sunday- Drag racing all day
Sunday Night- Presentation Dinner where trophies for all 3 events will be handed out.

Dubbo City car Club seem to have sorted out the problem they had with Wellington Council, so fingers crossed it works out.
Costing is always an issue but our sponsors help out a hell of alot in these areas, so we'll endeavor to try and keep the costs down, so start saving people just in case!!

That'd be an awesome format I think.
7pm may be a little late though for the motorkhana finish. I think it was dark by 6, but if the course is set up in the morning, and without scrutineering or a lunch break, that would shorten the time required a lot.

[TA22 1MZ]

If the venue has provisions for lighting, the later the better I reckon.
How awesome would it be to see cars going around under lights with a dark back drop. Would certainly provide some great photo opportunities, with cars shooting out flames etc...

[JustenGT8]

If the venue has provisions for lighting, the later the better I reckon.
How awesome would it be to see cars going around under lights with a dark back drop. Would certainly provide some great photo opportunities, with cars shooting out flames etc...

Time to richen up the overrun tune on the GT8...and put the side pipe back on. I can promise big flames

[tomvale13]

very keen again for next year, one thing though - can we get about eleventy billion toilet ducks hung on the silo sized shit recepticle out back where we all eat pizza for next year?



Besides inhaling poo-particles whilst pizza-facing everything was sweet.

[Yojimbo]

7pm in dubbo will be fine, recall the sundown is later for them than us coastal folk.

[river]

Hi,

By approx 12minutes.

seeyuzz
river

[YLD-16L]

The later time slot might attract more red headed participants. Rangas hate sunshine.

Time to richen up the overrun tune on the GT8...and put the side pipe back on. I can promise big flames

Underbody neons might be the go to?

[RONA]

The later time slot might attract more red headed participants. Rangas hate sunshine.

The perm will be back. Just in time for Rod to rip on his brown Jacket .

[river]

Hi,

Good to hear about the night time, as that means riceburner can come along now.

seeyuzz
river