Mechanical checks

Someone started to talk about mechanical checks so I am going to take the opportunity to start a new thread, that first one is getting WAY to long!. I do believe the discussion on C-16 and the proposal for a driven modified class has stirred more interest than any topic in a long time. Obviously C-16 is a hot button issue for many and I hope we get some feedback from the JCRC soon.

But, back to mechanicals. A few years ago Tulsa started performing mechanical checks on all cars as they entered the show field. This eliminated missing mechanical checks and entrants waiting for checks to be done. Here is how we did it:
1. Each car was stopped at the field entrance and the checks were made by teams of 2 judges and recorded on the proper sheet and returned to the entrant. This insures entrants have their packets before they get on the field.

2. The car was held at this stop until the person(s) doing the parking signaled for the car to proceed to its assigned position.

Using this method did a couple of things; first it gets all the cars checked in a timely fashion. Since the cars have to be driven 300-400 yards it is pretty hard to fake a non running car. It controls traffic coming onto the field and makes it a little easier for the person doing the parking.
This system helps us and while we all have different conditions at our show sites other clubs could try something like it. Just a suggestion.

Someone suggested judging the undercarriage of the cars. Wow! That could really start some controversy. But if there are people who really do want to take it that far maybe we need a class for that. Perhaps we could offer 2 shows a year where this type of judging will be available for those who want to compete in this category. These shows could be used as preparation for the ôBig Oneö, the Challenge Championship where they would be judged against each other. This would pick a true champion. But, in order to have qualified judges for these events JCNA might need to kick in some bucks to provide those ôqualified judgesö to designated shows. Maybe we could call it the ôGolden Garage Queen Sweepsö.

Personally I would never push ôNice 1ö to those heights; I enjoy driving the car to much. But for those who wish to have a true 100 point car, this could be the answer.

Linda Young
Jaguar Club of Tulsa

Submitted by Mfulton412@aol.com on Sun, 06/08/2003 - 21:37

Mike,
Believe it or not, it is not uncommom to see a beautifully restored car pull on and off the field smoking and sputtering.

Mike Fulton

1938 SS Jaguar 1.5 Litre Saloon
More affectionately known as PEACHES

Submitted by mikealewis49@c… on Sun, 06/08/2003 - 13:50

My above question may have sounded open ended. The discussion has really spurred my interest in the rules for both divisions. Hopefully this will clarify my thoughts.
My thought about Champion Division restorations is that the restorations are thorough, and not merely cosmetic.
Given that a successful Driven entry is encouraged to compete in Champion Division, a Driven entrant in moving to Champion Division could possibly face risks of having to repair damage to previously restored exterior work if bringing the mechanicals up to competitive level involved significant disassembly and reassembly of major components.
Is or could mechanical inspection and judging be coordinated in some way to mitigate or remove potential deterrents to making the transition?

Mike Lewis
'66 Mark 10

Submitted by mikealewis49@c… on Sat, 06/07/2003 - 21:15

More new member perspective
Is my feeling correct, that Champion Division entries, if they were tested and driven, would on the whole perform better mechanically (compression up to spec, carbs set up properly, etc.)than Driven Division entries with current rules?

Mike Lewis
'66 Mark 10

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Sat, 06/07/2003 - 08:58

That system works well and I just used it. An additional benefit is that the full 15 min. can be used for the harder calls. On potential problem that we have to tackle is that these seperate teams are not the judging teams. We need to change that. As far as the class 16 you are correct my dear- very hot button but the JCRC is working. Once again your reply will have to come from the boss not the members. Please forget (for now) all of the undercarrage comments. I don't disagree with you but let's walk first. If I had my way all cars would be driven 4-10 miles prior to judging but that is me. Trailor queens please do not go into shock.

George Camp

Submitted by SW03-09811 on Sat, 06/07/2003 - 01:00

Linda and others,
This note is just to let you know that JCRC is listening. It's impossible to respond to each and every new idea that gets posted and,
of course, I can't respond in the name of JCRC when some of these topics have yet to be fully discussed or resolved by our committee.
We fully appreciate the need for change and will try to keep all of your inputs in mind when the applicable portions of the rules are updated.

Dick Cavicke
Chairman JCRC