1KULC7
Well-known member
First and formost, I want to pay the highest respects and compliments to the NCRS judging staff at the recent Mid-Atlantic Chapter (MAC) which I recently got judged.
Getting my 63 judged seemed to be a reflection of my actual life experiences. First let me state I got third flight and to me, under the circumstances when I do get Top Flight this third flight will actually mean more to me the achieving Top Flight. OK so here is the story.
After arriving home from an extended TDY I had a LONG list of items that still needed to be completed for the show 4 June. I worked away, and actually got all the major stuff done, but still needed to change the transmission as I purchased a new DATE Matching transi. So I trailered the car to my friends at Corvette Specialists in Maryland, who worked with me to get the car aligned, and change the transi. They worked through Wednesday night and got it installed, however I had now 2nd gear, appears a bad synco in the trans. But for NCRS 1st and all the rest of the gears were fine. Just I have to now send that out to be fixed. Got the car back late Thursday, and needed to be at the show site Friday by 3:00 PM. Of course we had rain and thuderstorms so I could not work on the car Thursday Night. Even then I could tell the fatigue of the trip, getting the car together, and the stress of the transmission and just the stress of the show all was catching up with me. As you read further on you will actually see what I am talking about, I did a stupid thing that cost me dearly.
Arrived on the site, car started up sounded GREAT, and I then had time to clean it up, put on the wheel covers, and just go over the car. It was ready to me judged.
I forgot to put on the battery cutoff switch
Remember this. Saturday came, I had a restless night thinking of this and that I still needed to do, but got up at 5:00 AM and finished the hardware in the glovebox and other misc hardware that needed to be installed.
Judging started at 8:00 AM, and the first judges were the interior. Well they judged away, had a small list of small items, but really did well. Second judges, Chasis Judges showed up and they needed the doors open.... Again few things but overall I did better on the Chassis. Finally around 10:40 AM the Operations Judge came by, and I was asked to start the car.....BATTERY WAS DEAD
The doors being open for almost three hours DRAINED the NEW FULLY CHARGED BATTERY.
Not to panic, although I did, I managed to have a friend jump start, but here is what happened...in the fog of the battle, my STUPIDITY rose to the occasion, I crossed the battery leads, AND FRIED MY ENGINE HARNESS
That's right, it melted....my car was dead....
I failed almost all of the operations, the Head Judge (Sam) asked me if I wanted to continue, and I said yes. I was devistated, I was angry with me, if was MY fault only. I told Sam this was my fault, and mine only, and I accept all responsibility to this mistake....He told me not to worry that things like this, especially your first time out, does happen.
I continued the judging process to the end. My reasoning was simple, at least I will have a punch list of items to do to improve for the next time....
At the end of the day, I actually did really well, and to my calculations if I passed operations, I would have top flighted, this was verified later by other judges.
My wife Meg talked me into going to the awards banquet that evening, I felt so miserable I just wanted to go home, but she told me that my friends worked just as hard as I did, and it was only fitting for me to be there to congradulate them on there accomplishements, so I went.
I sat at the table socializing, when the awards were announced. All of a sudden, my name was called, as I did accomplish third flight. The NCRS Membership also provided me two standing ovations
I truly was SHOCKED
, during the entire miserable day, even though I FAILED, I still managed enough points to squeeke out third flight.
After a while the I was told the reason I received such a warm reception for the award annoucement was I handle a bad situation with class and dignity. Not getting angry, blaming others or copping a negative attitude. I did earn the flight award based on the points earned. I told several this third fligh award means more to me then the top flight will ever be. The recognition of my fellow NCRS Members was truely a moment I will never ever forget. They lifted my spirits sky high.....I can not put in words the feeling that I had at the time
OK, I am now getting ready for the Boston Regional, I will go and will be all that much wiser and have the judging experience behind me. To me, it's hard to stand there and watch folks pick apart little items, but putting in perspective, the negative judging really helps you achieve the ultimate goal. I know have a punch list and am already working on it. New Engine harness goes in today....
To all the people who were there, especially the judges and organizes...thank you for you warmnest and understanding, it was an experience both negative and positive that I will never ever forget, and I will be back.
Of course there were items I disagreed with, and in one case I was correct and the judge did email me privately and tell me he was wrong, acknowledging his mistake. I appreciate that very much. In other cases I felt some was more subjective then objective, but that is part of the NCRS process.
It was very interesting, and I will tell you, this process is not for the weak of heart, if you are thinking about doing this, please use this as a learning experience....don't take it personally, and that is the hardest thing to do all day..... Sorry for being long, but think this story had to be told.....
Getting my 63 judged seemed to be a reflection of my actual life experiences. First let me state I got third flight and to me, under the circumstances when I do get Top Flight this third flight will actually mean more to me the achieving Top Flight. OK so here is the story.
After arriving home from an extended TDY I had a LONG list of items that still needed to be completed for the show 4 June. I worked away, and actually got all the major stuff done, but still needed to change the transmission as I purchased a new DATE Matching transi. So I trailered the car to my friends at Corvette Specialists in Maryland, who worked with me to get the car aligned, and change the transi. They worked through Wednesday night and got it installed, however I had now 2nd gear, appears a bad synco in the trans. But for NCRS 1st and all the rest of the gears were fine. Just I have to now send that out to be fixed. Got the car back late Thursday, and needed to be at the show site Friday by 3:00 PM. Of course we had rain and thuderstorms so I could not work on the car Thursday Night. Even then I could tell the fatigue of the trip, getting the car together, and the stress of the transmission and just the stress of the show all was catching up with me. As you read further on you will actually see what I am talking about, I did a stupid thing that cost me dearly.
Arrived on the site, car started up sounded GREAT, and I then had time to clean it up, put on the wheel covers, and just go over the car. It was ready to me judged.
I forgot to put on the battery cutoff switch
Judging started at 8:00 AM, and the first judges were the interior. Well they judged away, had a small list of small items, but really did well. Second judges, Chasis Judges showed up and they needed the doors open.... Again few things but overall I did better on the Chassis. Finally around 10:40 AM the Operations Judge came by, and I was asked to start the car.....BATTERY WAS DEAD
Not to panic, although I did, I managed to have a friend jump start, but here is what happened...in the fog of the battle, my STUPIDITY rose to the occasion, I crossed the battery leads, AND FRIED MY ENGINE HARNESS
I failed almost all of the operations, the Head Judge (Sam) asked me if I wanted to continue, and I said yes. I was devistated, I was angry with me, if was MY fault only. I told Sam this was my fault, and mine only, and I accept all responsibility to this mistake....He told me not to worry that things like this, especially your first time out, does happen.
I continued the judging process to the end. My reasoning was simple, at least I will have a punch list of items to do to improve for the next time....
At the end of the day, I actually did really well, and to my calculations if I passed operations, I would have top flighted, this was verified later by other judges.
My wife Meg talked me into going to the awards banquet that evening, I felt so miserable I just wanted to go home, but she told me that my friends worked just as hard as I did, and it was only fitting for me to be there to congradulate them on there accomplishements, so I went.
I sat at the table socializing, when the awards were announced. All of a sudden, my name was called, as I did accomplish third flight. The NCRS Membership also provided me two standing ovations
I truly was SHOCKED
After a while the I was told the reason I received such a warm reception for the award annoucement was I handle a bad situation with class and dignity. Not getting angry, blaming others or copping a negative attitude. I did earn the flight award based on the points earned. I told several this third fligh award means more to me then the top flight will ever be. The recognition of my fellow NCRS Members was truely a moment I will never ever forget. They lifted my spirits sky high.....I can not put in words the feeling that I had at the time
OK, I am now getting ready for the Boston Regional, I will go and will be all that much wiser and have the judging experience behind me. To me, it's hard to stand there and watch folks pick apart little items, but putting in perspective, the negative judging really helps you achieve the ultimate goal. I know have a punch list and am already working on it. New Engine harness goes in today....
To all the people who were there, especially the judges and organizes...thank you for you warmnest and understanding, it was an experience both negative and positive that I will never ever forget, and I will be back.
Of course there were items I disagreed with, and in one case I was correct and the judge did email me privately and tell me he was wrong, acknowledging his mistake. I appreciate that very much. In other cases I felt some was more subjective then objective, but that is part of the NCRS process.
It was very interesting, and I will tell you, this process is not for the weak of heart, if you are thinking about doing this, please use this as a learning experience....don't take it personally, and that is the hardest thing to do all day..... Sorry for being long, but think this story had to be told.....
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