GAYDON 2015 COMPETITION CLASS CHANGES.

[truckerash]

All:- After numerous models were "withdrawn on the day" from competitions this year, we ended up with quite a few "spare" trophies and in some cases NO ENTRIES what so ever in more than 1 class! Therefore I have decided to re-vamp the competition classes for next year.
Gaydon 2015 is a long way off, but I feel it is only right to announce the changes at this time, to give modellers plenty of time to plan their work.
You will notice that some classes have been completely withdrawn, while others have been amalgamated.
Everyone who attends Gaydon will receive the new details in due course (January 2015), but in the meantime, here is the "new" list of competition classes and rules.

SMALL & MID SCLAES
1: BEST SCANIA
2: BEST VOLVO
3: BEST OTHER MAKES
4: BEST HEAVY HAULAGE OUTIFT
5: BEST REPLICA OF A REAL TRUCK

1:24 & 1:25 SCALE
6: BEST CONVERSION
7: BEST SCRATCHBUILT
8: BEST SCANIA
9: BEST VOLVO
10: BEST DAF
11: BEST MERCEDES
12: BEST OTHER MAKES
13: BEST BRITISH
14: BEST TRAILER
15: BEST CUSTOM TRUCK
16: BEST RESIN TRANSKIT / KIT
17: BEST REPLICA OF A REAL TRUCK

18: BEST ODD SCALES MODEL

19: BEST RADIO CONTROLLED OUTFIT

THE FOLLOWING CLASSES ARE FOR ANY SCALE OF MODEL.
20: BEST DIARAMA
21: BEST VINTAGE TRUCK (PRE 1985)
22: BEST SHOWROOM PAINT
23: BEST WEATHERED
24: BEST US/AUSTRALIAN

COMPETITION RULES;
YOU MAY ENTER AS MANY MODELS AS YOU WISH, BUT EACH MODEL CAN ONLY BE ENTERED INTO TWO CLASSES.

IF A MODEL HAS BEEN ENTERED BEFORE (AT GAYDON) AND HAS WON EITHER A 1st, 2nd or 3rd PRIZE, THEN IT CANNOT BE ENTERED AGAIN.

Most classes are self-explanatory, but some need clarifying:

Class 3: BEST OTHER MAKES.
This includes RENAULT, MERCEDES, DAF, MAN, FIAT, ETC AND ANY BRITISH TRUCK.

Class 5: REPLICA OF A REAL TRUCK.
A minimum of 3 photographs showing different views of the “real” truck must be provided. The images must be clearly displayed alongside the model.

Class 6: BEST CONVERSION.
Major modifications must be made to a standard kit. ie; changing a 4x2 kit to a 6x2 or 6x4. Stretching a tractor unit to a rigid. The additions of new fuel tanks, wheels, right hand drive dashboard or simply fitting a low roof will not constitute a “conversion”.

Class 7: SCRATCH BUILT.
99% of the model must be scratch built. The use of kit wheels, axles and engines will be permitted.

Class 16: BEST RESIN TRANSKIT / KIT.
This class now amalgamates any KFS transkit with any other make of resin kit or transkit.

Class 17: REPLICA OF A REAL TRUCK.
A minimum of 3 photographs showing different views of the “real” truck must be provided. The images must be clearly displayed alongside the model.

Class 18: BEST ODD SCALES.
This class is for any other scale of model not mentioned above. ie; 1;35 1;16 etc.

Class 19: BEST RADIO CONTROLLED OUTFIT.
The judge will need to witness the complete outfit being driven, controlled and manoeuvred around the course.

Class 21: BEST VINTAGE TRUCK.
The model must represent something built before 1985.

[modeller]

Thank you for the update Ash 

[voyager]

Hopefully fewer classes will bring in more entries. I know it's catch 22 but I personally would prefer if previous winners were allowed to enter again. My view is - it's a competition and I wouldn't want to win if the "best" models were not allowed in a class, just because they had won before as I would not be sure I had the best model, perhaps just the best of those allowed to enter.

I understand that some people may be reluctant to enter thinking they have no chance against xyz from previous years but that is my view.....and I do plan to enter (in fact actually bring models!) next year

[neilc69]

Andrew
I think what Ashley is trying to say is that if a model has won in a particular class then it cannot be entered into that class again.
I would tend to agree with that, otherwise you might get "serial" winners walking off with the same trophy year after year.

[voyager]

I understand Neil, but if that is the best model, why should it NOT win? If I enter a model and win but the first, second and third from the previous year are not allowed to enter, how do I know I have the best model at the show? So does that trophy then actually have any real meaning? It is like Wimbledon without Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray - is the winner really the number one player in the World?

As I say, I know it is catch 22 as Ash is trying to get more people to enter the competitions, particularly those who have not entered before.

[truckerash]

To clarify: IF A MODEL HAS BEEN ENTERED BEFORE (AT GAYDON) AND HAS WON EITHER A 1st, 2nd or 3rd PRIZE, THEN IT CANNOT BE ENTERED AGAIN......

It means the model cannot be entered into ANY classes again !

There have been cases in the past, where a model has won a prize, then that same model has been entered into a different class the following year and again it has taken a prize. It has then been entered for the 3rd year and yet again has taken a prize!

We are now trying to keep the competitions "fresh" so we see "new" models entered each year. When entrants see the same model winning year after year, they tend to get somewhat disheartened....
OK, the model which keeps winning year on year is obviously catching the judges attention, and is obviously good enough to keep winning, but while other modellers are working flat out to improve their skills and hopefully win something, the modeller who keeps presenting the same model, is just sitting back waiting for his trophy.... A little unfair some may say....

[neilc69]

Thanks for the clarification Ash.

Might it be worth re-wording the rule slightly so as to make it absolutely clear?
I'm thinking of something like.....

IF A MODEL HAS BEEN ENTERED BEFORE (AT GAYDON) AND HAS WON EITHER A 1st, 2nd or 3rd PRIZE, THEN IT CANNOT BE ENTERED AGAIN IN ANY CLASS

Please don't think that I'm being picky, it's just that it might save you a few arguments at some point
Thanks
Neil

[v8alan73]

i don't know if it would also be possible to enter models on the Saturday of the show? as when I decide what models to enter in January they are sometimes not ready for june and then that means an entry lost. as for the re-entering of models in competitions I agree about them not being allowed in the same competition for example best scania 2 years in a row but as somebody who only make s 2-3 models a year I have in the past entered the same model into another competition the next year this just means I will have less models to enter with for example if gaydon was next week  I would have nothing ready to enter I suppose I better get cracking and get something built .
but at the end of the day Ashley does a fantastic job organising gaydon and deserves a medal

alan

[truckerash]

Neil: Very good point and one which I have already noted. Thanks. When I send all the info out for the 2015 show, it will be clearly addressed.

Alan: When I mentioned the same model was entered in consecutive years, I didn't mean "best Scania for two years in a row"... I meant the model was entered into different classes each year.
For example:  Scania 141, 1st place Best Scania 2010. Scania 141, 2nd place Best Conversion 2011. Scania 141, 1st place Best Custom Truck 2012....

As for entering on the Saturday morning. We used to do that many years ago and it caused chaos!!!
We had modellers queuing round the block and we were still writing the entries down at 2pm!

There are two reasons why I insist on "pre booing" entries nowadays.
1: So I can gauge how many models are being entered (on paper) and work out the amount of trophies we need.
2: To make Saturday so much smoother and easier! We can get judging started on Saturday afternoon.

I understand that some people do not build models like a "production line" and I understand that they may only get one or two new ones built each year, but we just cant start taking on "new" entries on Saturday or we will be back to square one!
It's bad enough to have to sit there and take out all the "no shows"......

Regards ASH

[v8alan73]

Alan: When I mentioned the same model was entered in consecutive years, I didn't mean "best Scania for two years in a row"... I meant the model was entered into different classes each year.
For example:  Scania 141, 1st place Best Scania 2010. Scania 141, 2nd place Best Conversion 2011. Scania 141, 1st place Best Custom Truck 2012....

thats what I meant to say ash must be losing my marbles I know in the past that it has been allowed to enter one in best scania then best custom the next year. I always aim to have at least one new model each gaydon but normally manage 2 if things go to plan this next year I should have 3 ready 

alan

[peterjune]

ash mate can i enter my scania astran model next year please.... pmsl...   

[voyager]

Well, agreeing to disagree over this  what about letting models be entered in more than two classes then? I "get" that you may have one model sweeping the board in a year (but again, if it's the best model then why not?) but it may help entries and also give that model the chance to compete in more classes that it is eligible for?

[truckerash]

Well, agreeing to disagree over this  what about letting models be entered in more than two classes then?

Andrew:- We used to do this, it was "unlimited". Trouble was, someone would enter a Scania model in say.....6 classes. - Best Scania, Best Conversion, Best Custom, Best Replica, Best Showroom paint, Heavy Haulage.... and then not get the model finished and withdraw it. Same old thing I'm afraid..... £6 down.
Entering into unlimited classes also discouraged modellers to make models. If they could enter say 6 classes with just 2 models, why bother to build anymore than 2?

To everyone:- Whilst I'm always up for ideas and your thoughts, I think we now have the "system" pretty much as good as we are gonna get it.With the latest "tweaks" I think next year may be the best ever for competition entries!

By all means, keep your ideas coming.....Regards Ash.

[voyager]

Fairy snuff

I am determined to have some models done for next year and enter some competitions! Now that the ERF B Series is almost done.......

[mixxy]

ash mate can i enter my scania astran model next year please.... pmsl... 

Behave this is a serious thread