In the March, 2005 issue of Hot VWs, R.K. Smith's editorial under the "Semaphore" title is sub-titled by the statement "Promoters Who Compete At Their Own Event" I want to copy the last two paragraphs.
" Many moons ago when I covered a VW Bug-In style event, at trophy presentation, the show's head judge won Best of Show with his restored car? I attended a non-VW event eight years ago, the host owned twelve cars (all entered in various classes), and every one of his cars became winners! I've also seen some drag racers, at their own race, compete against their guests, if you will. In my opinion, I think promoters should take care of their paying customers - he or she needs to handle public relations before, during and after his or her event, and "play" at someone else's show,, race, or other get-together. Taking up your customer's time by competing at your own event, for personal satisfaction, is not good PR. It's all about being fair, and keeping integrity intact.
On the other side of the coin, I've been to many events hosted by car clubs, whose members park their rides in the show area, are not registered in a particular class, and are there for "display only". In our VW arena, where lots of events happen across the continent, or all around the world for that matter, there's always another place for a "promoter" to compete, at another promoters event. Every event host needs their guest participants to make a return trip to their show, year after year, so that event, and our hobby, grows. The main idea here, is that a few select promoters (partners, event staff, and club members), who contemplate competing at their own events, should really think twice about "biting the hand that feeds you." "
It is ironic this should appear just a couple of months before our show. The decision had already been made prior to this that members of the Scenic City Volks Folks would NOT be competing at Bug-A-Paluza 7 but will have our respective vehicles on display. All of the judging will be handled by the club membership this year and, striving to maintain fairness to our guests, we could not have our own cars judged along with everyone else's.
We want Bug-A-Paluza to grow and become THE show NOT to miss in the whole United States and not just in the East.
Comments welcomed.
