Car show etiquette

[TheJDMan]

OK, Dust Off had been setting in the garage for 25 years and was drag raced for 10 years before that. So basically I have not had a car that was interesting enough to drive to a local car show for 35+ years. Now that it is operational and I have some miles on it and have most of the mechanical bugs worked out, I'm thinking about revealing it to the local car guys. The local Chevy dealership is hosting a HotRod & Custom Car show this coming weekend so I have some basic car show etiquette questions for you guys. The flyer says that registration is from 9am to Noon, should I arrive earlier or later? Any general car show do's and don'ts?

[MyFriendScott]

Your spot at the show will depend on what time you arrive. Get there earlier to get the better locations obviously. Registration probably closes at noon so give yourself time to arrive, get a parking spot, fill out the registration form and return it to the main tent before the cutoff point. If you're interested in trying to win an award, it's better to get there earlier than later so the voters have time to look over the car. HTH

[vanzuuk1]

Show up late. Leave early. Do a huge burnout.

[BonzoHansen]

Show up late. Leave early. Do a huge burnout.

that is what I do, except the burn out part. I'm not a big cruise night/car show fan, it just gives me a place to point the front bumper for a day of cruising

[rchaskin]

" Show up late. Leave early. Do a huge burnout. "


HAHAHAHA!!!

Drift in....Burn out!!!

[hifi875]

Show up late. Leave early. Do a huge burnout.

Same here, went to a little show the other day, i knew it would be boring and it was. The only shows i like are gg's because they are so damn big and they have autocross to watch and participate.

[SLO_Z28]

sLboIDL_1ms

[ace_xp2]

Holy crap, supercar sunday is on at 6am? What for?

[Vegas69]

Go in there with low expectations. Many car shows are rigged with mercy votes among the attendies.

[CFster]

sLboIDL_1ms

Somebody has a hair across his ass.

[srt1010]

If you don't care about getting an award, just show up before it's over. I don't usually register unless the money is going to a charity. If a club is getting it, I keep my money. Plus if your not registered, you don't feel obligated to stay. As stated by Vegas69, most are rigged anyway. I've been to a few where I have more in my interior, than cars getting awards.

[Tony_SS]

How are shows rigged? lol.. Does the club just give the awards to themselves or what?

Shows are boring? I like to drive like anyone else but I think they're a great way to relax and do nothing.. sure you have all sorts of people there.. but sometimes sitting in a chair underneath a tent with a bunch of gearheads makes for a good day. And the money usually goes for a good cause.

[vanzuuk1]

Lighten up Francis.

[LeighP]

I once took my custom bike to a "Custom Bike" show...parked next to guy who hand built his rigid frame chopper...everything except the engine was one off.
We both watched a guy with a new HD with a couple of Screaming Eagle chrome parts on it win "Best Custom of Show"....why? he was a friend of the organiser. So, yeah....some shows are "fixed" for people who seem to need to get an award they don't really rate.

Doesn't stop me going to shows...I have a great time talking with people, some of whom I've known from car shows for 30 years......just don't get too wrapped up in chasing a trophy. :)

[6D9 Matt]

Show up late. Leave early. Do a huge burnout.

That gave me a good laugh for sure.

Im usually the same way... usually show up later and leave early, but thats bc I dont have any intentions of putting my car in a show right now. Maybe next year after I complete the first couple rounds of mods.

[vanzuuk1]

"not at supercar SUNDAY!!!"

[Oramac]

How you treat the show depends on how much you care. If you care a lot, and want to go for a trophy (which can be difficult, as has been said), show up very early, get a really good spot, detail your car like you're on NCIS looking for clues, then detail it again, and above all, have fun.

If you don't care, show late, leave early and just try to have a good time talking to people and seeing everyones cars. Personally, this is what I do, because it gives me a chance to see what other people are doing and start forming plans/ideas for my own car. The WIP (Work In Progress) section, if they have one, is great for this.

As for actual etiquette, the golden rule is a good rule of thumb. If you were truly showing your car, would you want people touching it? Would you lean over the engine holding your coffee cup? Would you lean on the fender while talking to the owner? Simple little things, but they make a big difference.

[BonzoHansen]

Somebody has a hair across his ass.

but he is dead on about what doesn't fly and gets local shows and cruise nights cancelled.

[andrewb70]

Somebody has a hair across his ass.

And some sand in his hooha...

Andrew

[trapin]

Be prepared for groupies to ask you too many questions.

I know because I'm a car groupie and that's usually what I do. :)

[Ripped]

As long as you are happy with your car, take the shows for what they are, an opportunity to meet people.

I found most shows are won, by showing up early, getting a good spot and knowing a lot of people, or having good friends, that show up to vote for you.
Of course having a pure show car, that does not get driven much, helps too.

Personally I get really bored, sitting in a chair, beside my car, for more than about 15 minutes. If you really want a trophy, then I personally think it would be better to buy yourself one, and then go out and have fun with your car.

I can't imagine spending all week polishing lug nuts, and laying on your back, cleaning up grease nipples for a $5 trophy. I'd rather drive.

[Joey_H]

Do you have to pay to enter this show? If so you can't show up after the registration period and expect to be in the show. You'll wind up in the spectator parking area no matter how long you spent cleaning the car. And most shows would rather not have the cars leave early, not with spectators walking around.

[Scott Parkhurst]

I don't really like car shows. The fact my car isn't super nice is part of that. I built it to beat on, so I don't expect trophies at shows. Track trophies are cooler anyway.

But sometimes it's fun to go hang with your local car pals, check out the scene, and laugh at cars built with no taste, since my pals and I are the ultimate authorities on everything cool. Just ask us. We are the automotive fashion police, and it's hilarious.

There are worse ways to spend a day.