Hello everyone- There is a group of SoCal Mustangs, from a number of Clubs, planning on attending The Old Pueblo Mustang Club Show next March in Tucson, AZ. I know it's a ways off yet, but if your interested in joining us please check the link below for all the info about the Show and a Flyer you can print out.
Looks like 7/8 cars committing to the Road Trip as of now, with a hand full of "maybes" also. Again, I know it's a wasy off. Planning ahead, heard of it? Sure you have.
Disclaimer: The contents of the following reflect the views of myself & not the views of any car club or organization.
I'm from the Phoenix area and two years ago I went to this show.
First let me say, since it is in March, expect anything to happen with the weather. Especially wind. So, since it is Tucson, and since it is a "dust bowl" already expect to keep you duster handy. When I was there last, the wind was gusting to 60 m.p.h.. Of all the shows I've been to, this was the "worst" show ever as far as the elements are concerned.
Next, if you do go, go to be judged under class and not people's choice. The Tucson club has "their friends from N.M." come over and the "blood letting" begins. It is one sided for the cause of their friends and slightly unfriendly (snooty). *Of course with the wind and the dirt swirling everywhere it made it miserable.*
Speaking of which,they have their awards given out at a banquet. This was my first awards banquet & my last. I felt like I force to attend this banquet to see if my car won. Not only was it long & boring, It was expensive for the quality and a great self esteem boaster for "their club" (believe me it was mentioned over and over again with the host club member's cars) during the awards. *Of course I'm a firm believer that a host club should "never" have it's members cars in the show competing.*
This is not to say that I will never go back. I believe maybe someday I will. After all I do have a personal score to settle against another car that shows there (since I've "slicked up" a few areas on mine). But, the weather conditions will need to be right and that won't be determined until the day of show. Plus, when I do go back, the host club will need to make arrangements with me to forward my award (if my car eeks out a win at this show) to me. No more boring banquet for me.
Oh well, there's no pleasing everyone at a car show. The one thing that a club never has any control over is the weather. To contradict the elitist sentiments of a Phoenix-dweller, Tucson is not a dust bowl--it is far from it. Two years ago, a very unusual weather system came through just as our show was running. Tornados and massive dust storms are not common phenomena in our area, but unfortunately, they hit the day of the show. The year before, we had absolutely glorious weather.
As for the insinuations that the Participant's Choice classes are fixed, they are far from it! Every car entered (not every person) receives one ballot. With approximately 55 cars that year--of which about 8 were from New Mexico--our friends from that state hardly controlled the voting. In fact, we had more cars that year from Phoenix than anywhere else. Very few of our own club members have a chance to cast a vote, we're working too hard running the show.
Furthermore, as show chairman, I have always maintained that all our trophies should be given out and that it is more important for all participants to receive a trophy rather than storing them for future use. Everyone who attended the show two years ago received a trophy, as they did last year, also. I will split classes appropriately to make it fair for everyone and to spread the trophies around. BTW, it is clearly stated on the registration form that trophies will not be mailed. That is not going to change in the future.
Sorry Zonie didn't enjoy the banquet...funny thing is he's the first person I've ever heard of who hasn't. Our club has a longstanding reputation for being friendly, outgoing, and fun. We work hard to make that reputation well-deserved and next March's show won't be any different.
I can't predict or control the weather, but then, who can?
Late edit: In observing the link to VM , you already have me convinced the direction this has taken.
Chances are that I'll be there....in person (minus car) to, at the very least,observe.
Nothing more.
Late edit:
Btw "your friends from NM?" Between host club members voting along with your" friends" doesn't 390 believe that will tweak voting favorites?
Regarding the accusations that a voting block occurs because we dare to allow members of our own club vote at our own show, very few of our members enter the Participant's Choice classes. There never has been a "group vote" at our shows that would allow our own members to take all the top awards. Also, of the eight cars that normally come from the Albuquerque club, seven go in the judged classes.
Furthermore, when cars are within three points or three votes of each other we declare a tie. If anyone goes home unhappy from our show then they need to take a closer look at their car rather than trying to focus blame on the host club and everyone else. Participant's Choice classes are a crap shoot. If people like what your car looks like (e.g., red convertible), then the car will get a vote. If you think that's unfair, then enter a judged class. But be prepared for it. Our show is an MCA Regional, and we follow MCA rules.
My Mustang's Award List:
2 Best of Show Awards
22 First Place Awards
11 Second Place Awards
3 Third Place Awards
8 Top Five
11 Top Ten
11 Specialty Awards (Marine's Choice, Best Cruiser, Etc., Etc.)
And I take it in the shorts behind a road worned 66 fastback and her friend with a nice 65 vert. from NM? (The vert was nice. I'm man enough to admit that - but it could have went either way!) (edit: There was a real nice AZ 65 fastback - nothing - and a real nice AZ 80's something vert -again nothing - for awards)(can we spell r. u. n. in the voting that day?). Tell me are you mixing 64 1/2 to 2003 again? How fair is that? Pitting a 65 vert. against a nice 73? *Ummm, well let's see I wonder who is going to win? Duh!* Hmmmm? Can't help but wonder about the voting that day?
As far as judged is concerned - same story - different set of people (from the club?). Again, I seen people with nice cars in their classes take nothing that night.
*Incidently, don't talk to me in third person and be person enough to place a signature - if you comment again 390!*
Still will say if you want to do this right, have the opmc members abstain from the show. Have them do a display only. Host clubs should never show at their own shows. Otherwise, this show will have the same reputation as those held in Prescott! My two cents n' trying to help!
Yes, the years are grouped on the registration form. No, they are not grouped when it comes to the ballots and the classes. Vintage Mustangs will never compete in the same class as newer Mustangs at our show. The participant's choice classes also were broken down by year categories so a 1965 was not competing with a 1973.
Furthermore, there were 58 cars registered at that show. I bought 60 trophies. I gave an extra one away for the Long Distance award and still have one left over. Every car that was registered at that show received a trophy. We had several cars that were display only. They did not receive a trophy.
And, if you want to compare trophies and results in Participant's Choice classes, I also have a 1968 coupe with almost 100 trophies, including multiple Best of Shows, Golds, Firsts, etc. I've never won, and only rarely received, a second or third, in a Participant's Choice class. People are attracted to certain things in a voting class, and it's rarely a coupe. That's why I tend to stay out of those classes, it's not fun to always lose to a tired fastback or a dirty convertible. Been there, done that many times.
Laurie V. Slawson
MCA National Director
Chairman, Mustang Mania 2004
Old Pueblo Mustang Club
Tucson, Arizona
ZoNiE- There's a saying you may have heard up there on your porch. It goes something like, "If you can't hunt with the big dogs", I think you know the rest.
I hope you and your car decide to make the Show, but then again, leaving your car home may be a good idea for you. That way you won't have to sit through another dinner you don't want to go to and you won't be dissapointed again. Just my 2 cents.
__________________
Mark
1986 5.0 Modified - 03/00 SUPER FORD
1970 BOSS 302 - 04/03 Mustang Monthly
Cover Car:
"MUSTANG FORTY YEARS"
"MUSTANG RED BOOK"
What does "hunting with big dogs" got to do with going to a good show??? Frankly, the show in Tucson does very little for me! I've stated my points (which some issues were not addressed) and that's all! If the "big dogs" from Southern Cali want to come over here, then have at it. No skin off my nose! *Besides I know the "close ties" that exists between opmc and San Diego noted on the other boards. But enough about that! *
Please note, what it says on the flyer and the classes on the registration and decide for yourself after you attend this show. Think long and hard about what I stated. Then if you think I'm blowing smoke then I'm blowing smoke. Nothing else will matter and that will be the end of that.
Late Newsflash!
Now, while you "big dogs" *that kills me!!!!* in Tucson are perhaps hitting the duster on your cars for the second or third time I'll stay in Phoenix - hopefully to support another Mustang Show with my car. *Seems another local club is considering something around that date!* At the very least they will have the class it takes to place my car in and enjoy the day with this club's friendly members. BTW I'm "not" a member of this club since I'm current president of another. While you wait for the banquet to begin I'll be finishing up with their award presentations. While your cars are spending another night in some motel parking lot in Tucson, mine will be tucked away under the car cover in my garage. Lastly, while you're spending more money for the trip all, hopefully, for a little wood and plastic I'll be tucked away in the creature comforts of home. Understand, this is just my point of view. It's not that I don't take my car to selected shows outside my zip code. I have done so in the past and will in the future. But, only "selected shows" with some thought behind it and zero collaboration.
But, hey --- Have fun in Tucson!
Enough said!
Oh yeah! Mark, I'm glad you decided to post again on AFM forums instead of griping about the "post nazi's". LOL! But, hey! It's not my fight and the mods decision was correct!
LMAO... Yes, the OPMC has had 3 or 4 cars at our show the past couple years so some of us from SoCal wanted to return the favor. There are members from a few clubs, who aren't afraid to travel and compete, making the trip, not just cars from SDMC. We get together and do a Out-of-Town Show maybe once a year when possible. Only requirement is that the show must be at least two tanks away. That would be quite a few zip codes, and in this case a State Line and I'm pretty sure one time zone.
I'm sorry you misunderstood- By "big dogs", I ment nicer cars. I guess you haven't heard that one. I was in no way referring to just our group.
Yes, we'll still be out enjoying our cars and supporting the Mustang Hobby while your at home with your car parked and covered up, and no doubt crying about not getting the "little piece of wood and plastic" you thought you should have.
Which by the way is how this little feud got started isn't it?
As far as the AFM Post Nazi goes, only one to chime in from the other post is you and all that skin on your nose. Too bad, there may have been some grown ups over there that would have like to join us.
Yes, I'll continue to post here on this thread until the event or until it's also removed. I finish what I start, which sounds like something you haven't done with your car. Ouch, I'm sorry, that was mean, but you have a nice day anyway.
__________________
Mark
1986 5.0 Modified - 03/00 SUPER FORD
1970 BOSS 302 - 04/03 Mustang Monthly
Cover Car:
"MUSTANG FORTY YEARS"
"MUSTANG RED BOOK"
The Great SoCal/Tucson Run 
