Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post

zinistr · 07-29-2011, 06:19 AM

I hear ya, Kevin... In winter of '01 I prepped my '91 for San Antonio...full body tear-down and paint with new urethane body kit elements...($7000 all-in)...base coat, pearl coat, metallic 2nd pearl and 3 layers of clear coat...then $2200 in wheels with Pirello P-Zero rubber...new KYB/Eibachs, Stillen Sways, Kenwood KVT DVD/TV system...on-board integrated PC with keyboard mounted in glove-box, track-pad mouse integrated into center console where ashtray was...80 hours of engine-bay detailing...new tail lights, new exhaust, new Katzkin leather upholstery to the tune of $900... After all this drove to San Antonio, TX and lost out on 1st place by one point to a local Z owner that had (kid-you-not) eight people detailing his car prior to judging and likely only drove 2-4 hours to get there...versus my 22 hours. After getting judging sheets, I had lost two points on rock-chips I picked up on the drive down.

Next round (for NH convention in '03), I did what I hated (and I mean hated) to do...I ended up trailering the car. Before leaving, though, I had the chips fixed, spent two full weeks of time detailing and prepping the car. I also had several Z club friends "judge" my car to ascertain any flaws that I could address (and did so best I could)...low and behold, it helped...my score improved and ended up winning the Gold Cup. BTW - cars need to be 10 years old to be eligible for the Gold awards.

As to conflict of interest, there's always an angle for folks to complain about conflicts...even though they aren't justified. Let's say I keep my cars out of the show...but the winner's in my local Z club...conflict? How about if I'm friends personally with any of the winners...conflict? How about if one of the other ZCCA committee cars happens to place...conflict? This conspiracy B.S. is just that...B.S. There isn't any "let's give the trophy to this guy because he's a buddy" crap going on. I ran the '08 convention and was VP during the event for the ZCCA. My '94 convertible took 3rd in class (with three cars in the category)... In '10 I again chaired a convention...my Nismo was there, along with the same '94 and my GC '91. The '91 *could* have won a Gold Cup "Choice" award...it didn't (I barely had time to spray-wash the car, let alone detail it). The '94 came in 2nd (improvements from '08...better detailing, wheels, interior work, undercarriage cleaning, etc...). My '09 Nismo didn't take a first-place.

The theory that I or anyone on the judging team is conspiring to pick winners isn't supported.

There are three classes of "Modified" to help folks rank themselves against cars with similiar levels of modification. Street-Modified (<15-mods)...to Ultra-Modified (25+ mods). My Nismo (though stock looking) has the following "mods"...clear bra, oil cooler, intake, nismo shifter, braided brake lines, Sony DVD/Bluetooth Head-Unit, aftermarket oil cap, Nismo shift knob, short-shifter kit, Nismo tire valve caps, license plate cover, stainless engine bolts... Although not highly visible or obvious...each of these counts as a "modification" per the rules and pushes the car out of Stock class. Within "Stock" class, you're permitted up to 3 mods to stay in the class...even though you're still docked the up to 3 mods allowed. This whole thread is leading me to believe that your Z would have been better suited for either Nissan or Ultra modified class. I'd be happy to help you determine proper class for your Z...it's a simple question of counting visible modifications. This is the same approach of judging that many concourse shows follow...the ZCCA rules actually morphed out of other long-standing concourse judging criteria (think of any big concourse event...i.e. Pebble Beach, Huntington Beach, Amelia or the more local Glenmoor Gathering).

Agree on the cost...a six-day event like the convention can be pricey in of itself...my hotel bill was over $1,000 for the week and my registration fees were around $550 (wife, kids and I in attendance and registered). That doesn't include travel to/from the event or all the food/beer/etc. I paid these costs out of my own pocket like other attendees.

07-29-2011, 06:19 AM	#32 (permalink)
zinistr Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chardon, Ohio Posts: 127 Drives: 2009 Nismo - Silver Rep Power: 16	I hear ya, Kevin... In winter of '01 I prepped my '91 for San Antonio...full body tear-down and paint with new urethane body kit elements...($7000 all-in)...base coat, pearl coat, metallic 2nd pearl and 3 layers of clear coat...then $2200 in wheels with Pirello P-Zero rubber...new KYB/Eibachs, Stillen Sways, Kenwood KVT DVD/TV system...on-board integrated PC with keyboard mounted in glove-box, track-pad mouse integrated into center console where ashtray was...80 hours of engine-bay detailing...new tail lights, new exhaust, new Katzkin leather upholstery to the tune of $900... After all this drove to San Antonio, TX and lost out on 1st place by one point to a local Z owner that had (kid-you-not) eight people detailing his car prior to judging and likely only drove 2-4 hours to get there...versus my 22 hours. After getting judging sheets, I had lost two points on rock-chips I picked up on the drive down. Next round (for NH convention in '03), I did what I hated (and I mean hated) to do...I ended up trailering the car. Before leaving, though, I had the chips fixed, spent two full weeks of time detailing and prepping the car. I also had several Z club friends "judge" my car to ascertain any flaws that I could address (and did so best I could)...low and behold, it helped...my score improved and ended up winning the Gold Cup. BTW - cars need to be 10 years old to be eligible for the Gold awards. As to conflict of interest, there's always an angle for folks to complain about conflicts...even though they aren't justified. Let's say I keep my cars out of the show...but the winner's in my local Z club...conflict? How about if I'm friends personally with any of the winners...conflict? How about if one of the other ZCCA committee cars happens to place...conflict? This conspiracy B.S. is just that...B.S. There isn't any "let's give the trophy to this guy because he's a buddy" crap going on. I ran the '08 convention and was VP during the event for the ZCCA. My '94 convertible took 3rd in class (with three cars in the category)... In '10 I again chaired a convention...my Nismo was there, along with the same '94 and my GC '91. The '91 could have won a Gold Cup "Choice" award...it didn't (I barely had time to spray-wash the car, let alone detail it). The '94 came in 2nd (improvements from '08...better detailing, wheels, interior work, undercarriage cleaning, etc...). My '09 Nismo didn't take a first-place. The theory that I or anyone on the judging team is conspiring to pick winners isn't supported. There are three classes of "Modified" to help folks rank themselves against cars with similiar levels of modification. Street-Modified (<15-mods)...to Ultra-Modified (25+ mods). My Nismo (though stock looking) has the following "mods"...clear bra, oil cooler, intake, nismo shifter, braided brake lines, Sony DVD/Bluetooth Head-Unit, aftermarket oil cap, Nismo shift knob, short-shifter kit, Nismo tire valve caps, license plate cover, stainless engine bolts... Although not highly visible or obvious...each of these counts as a "modification" per the rules and pushes the car out of Stock class. Within "Stock" class, you're permitted up to 3 mods to stay in the class...even though you're still docked the up to 3 mods allowed. This whole thread is leading me to believe that your Z would have been better suited for either Nissan or Ultra modified class. I'd be happy to help you determine proper class for your Z...it's a simple question of counting visible modifications. This is the same approach of judging that many concourse shows follow...the ZCCA rules actually morphed out of other long-standing concourse judging criteria (think of any big concourse event...i.e. Pebble Beach, Huntington Beach, Amelia or the more local Glenmoor Gathering). Agree on the cost...a six-day event like the convention can be pricey in of itself...my hotel bill was over $1,000 for the week and my registration fees were around $550 (wife, kids and I in attendance and registered). That doesn't include travel to/from the event or all the food/beer/etc. I paid these costs out of my own pocket like other attendees. __________________ 1970 Datsun 240z (HLS #201) & '71 240z "Zuns Z" 1991 300zx TT 'ZINISTR' & '93 300zx Vert TT "MASTR" 1994 300zx Vert 'BREEZZY' & 1995 300zx Z32 Coupe 2009 NISMO Edition 370Z, Silver #196