CORSA 2012: Draft Schedule

[Lacki, Allan V]

Let me attempt to reinforce Ken Schifftner's position on this.

The CORSA Concours rulebook states, "Entrants are advised that the conduct of all phases of the event is controlled by the CORSA Concours Chair and by judging committees."

As Ken Schifftner pointed out in his email below, he is the Local Concours Liaison.  He is not the Concours Chair.  He is not the chair of any of the judging committees.  Therefore, he does not have the authority to override decisions made by them with respect to the conduct of the Concours.

Let me explain further:  The CORSA Concours rulebook further states, "Entrants make application for the Concours event by using registration event information and paying the entry fee before the published registration deadline.  Pre-registration is for the purpose of early determination of the number and classes of vehicles that will be entered.  Entrants may also register on-site, but should realize that on-site registration places an additional work load on convention workers.  Concours registration at the International Convention must be made by 5 pm the day prior to the event."

In addition, the rulebook states,  "These Concours d'Elegance rules must be used at all CORSA International Conventions, and sanctioned regional conventions.  There are to be no local option exceptions to these rules, no different interpretations nor innovations at CORSA Concours."

I agree with many of you that some of the CORSA rules are rigid and therefore leave a lot to be desired in terms of marketing the Corvair hobby to potential members.  But it was our choice to host a convention for CORSA.

We could have just as easily decided to run an NECC convention, much like the Springfest, Virginia Vair Fair, or the Detroit Homecoming.  And if we chose that course, we could do everything the way we wanted to, without interference.  But we volunteered to host the CORSA Convention, and in fairness to the CORSA Board, we should follow their rules.

This is not to say we are obligated to comply with any and all directives enunciated by CORSA officials.  We have received plenty of advice based on personal opinions, and where warranted, we have successfully challenged them.  But to the extent directives are dictated by the CORSA rule books, I think we need to honor them and move on.

Al Lacki



-----Original Message-----
From: conv-2012-bounces at corvair.org [mailto:conv-2012-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of Ken Schifftner
Sent: Thursday, February 16, 2012 9:14 PM
To: Vairtec Corporation
Cc: conv-2012 at corvair.org
Subject: Re: CORSA 2012: Draft Schedule

Bob:

Thanks but I must disagree.

The Concours is a CORSA event that must be conducted according to the Rules, it is not a Club event.  In fact the Rules do not allow for any changes.  The CORSA folks have been very cooperative in letting us make some adjustments however and that is one reason why I want to schedule it as I proposed.  I am just the Liason.

In order to participate in the Concours the day of, one must be pre-registered. Time is needed for preparation of the supporting documents. A packet needs to be prepared with the scoring sheets, the "Judge" or "Owner" cards for access, the car info and vehicle number must be entered into the computer along with the owner info.  If the vehicles wins an award, that computer info is used for the trophy content.  The packet is given to the owner when they register and that info is logged into the computer.  That data is used to estimate the number of vehicles, set up the judging field, create judging groups, arrange for the flashlights and carpets etc. for undercarriage, etc..  It cannot, except in hardship cases, be left to the last minute.

The vehicles are arranged by classification on the field so that the judges see vehicles of similar quality.  That, CORSA has found, provides the best uniformity of scoring and that is the way they want it run. The Senior vehicles are grouped and are judged versus eachother. The Concours must be run the way CORSA wants it.  In reality, your or my opinions quite literally don't matter.

For the Thursday Classification, if this is unclear, we could have Non-Rally Classification and Unit 6 1:00PM-5:00 PM.  We could have Rally Participant Classification and Unit #6 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.  I do not see why folks would not run the Rally, however if they knew they had ample time after the Rally for Classification and Unit 6.

We don't want and cannot tolerate chaos Friday AM, whether it is well intentioned to expand partcipation or not.  If one is serious enough to want to participate in the Concours, one should be willing to follow the Rules.  We've compressed the Convention and a critical part is to have hopefully al of the vehicles in place Thursday afternoon, and the owners sitting at the tent enjoying the Clam Bake in eye sight of all of these outstanding examples of vehicles we all enjoy.


Ken Schifftner


-----Original Message-----
>From: Vairtec Corporation <vairtec at comcast.net>
>Sent: Feb 16, 2012 8:30 PM
>To: Ken Schifftner <scrubbr at ix.netcom.com>
>Cc: Brian <bmoneill at juno.com>, conv-2012 at corvair.org
>Subject: Re: CORSA 2012: Draft Schedule
>
>Hi, Ken.  Remember, I am speaking only for me.  Brian will endorse or
>shoot down what I say as he sees fit.  But while you are approaching the
>subject from the standpoint of organization and execution, I am
>approaching it from a publicity and promotional standpoint.
>
>The concours should have classification available before the rally is
>over, just as you wish.  This is, as you noted, the benefit of those
>persons not participating on the rally and to help the concours
>organizers stay ahead of things.  But in our published schedule we
>should not list such an overlap, lest the concours classification
>"cannibalize" the rally.
>
>At your participants' meeting you can advise entrants that they need not
>wait until the rally is over.  This can be included in the printed
>packets, too.  This will permit you to get started on classification
>without encouraging anyone to skip the rally.
>
>I am confident that the rally organizers will be happy to ensure that
>Larry Claypool, or anyone else needed for the classification process,
>gets directed onto the rally route relatively early.
>
>As for the "day trippers," I believe that we need to cater to the
>broadest cross-section of Corvair owners, and not limit the concours to
>those who are able to be on-site one or two days before.  I believe that
>anyone who shows up Friday morning "at 8:00 or 8:30" should be welcomed
>into the concours if that's what they wish to do.  It will require extra
>effort on the part of registration personnel and extra effort on the
>part of the concours personnel, but I have long advocated for our being
>inclusive not exclusive.
>
>Yes, there needs to be a practical cut-off time, but the region is thick
>with Corvair owners and there is a real possibility that a good number
>of them may roll in Friday morning.  Let's try to be as accommodating to
>them as possible.  They're our customers!
>
>We will definiately get word of the availability of advance placement
>out there, via the Communique and the blog and the web site and the
>online forums (fora?).  My point on the schedule is to just keep the
>basic schedule simple, and fill in the details elsewhere as appropriate.
>
>Don't think for a second that I don't appreciate the level of thought,
>preparation, and effort you are putting into the concours.  The concours
>is the convention's traditional centerpiece, and it needs to be done
>right, as you are doing.  But it also needs to be done within the
>context of the overall convention and, in my view at least, in a manner
>that makes it an event accessible to everyone who wishes to participate.
>
>Now, let me point out that I am not wholly opposed to making the
>concours "exclusive" by requiring early registration and early arrival,
>if that is what you and rest of the committee prefers.  But if we are to
>do this then our publicity and promotion must make it well known that
>morning-of arrival is not acceptable for this particular event.  Either
>way, you and I need to make sure that we are on the same page.  I prefer
>a more open event, but what I really prefer is to promote the event with
>accuracy and fairness.
>
>Your thoughts?
>
>--Bob
>
>

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