How many of you participate in contests ?

[Craig Irwin]

I attend 4 or more shows a year, we are lucky to have 3 each year right in Indianapolis and 1 just south in Columbus. I also try to get to Cincinnati each spring.

I go for the swap meet and for inspiration at the contest table, and to see old friends. I havent entered a contest in years and rarely stay untill awards are givin.

[raildogg]

I don't handle rejection well, not the competitor kind I guess.

[charlie8575]

It was nice meeting you at LIARS Charlie! I saw a guy sitting at a table loading real film into a camera. I said to myself, "That has to be Charlie!" and introduced myself!

I do kinda give myself away, don't I?

It was very nice to meet you, too, Tom. I hope your job interview went well and you'll hear something good.

I'll look forward to seeing you in April at NNL, unless you decide to venture up north for MassCar's show (March 15-16).

Charlie Larkin

[gtx6970]

I hae only entered in one contest in the past 10 plus years and that was just this past spring, even then the only reason I did was because my daughter wanted to enter her 1st one but wouldn't do it unless I did as well.

Otherwise I have no interest in contests. I build for me and me alone. I want replicas of my interests in my case . and I have no problem buying one done if it's a decent build . So there area few cars in my case I didn't build.

I have posted several builds here and on a few other boards , but they account for probably less than a third of whats in my display case

[Art Anderson]

I've entered my share of contests, going all the way back to 1959 or so. However, not since those hobby shop contests back more than fifty years ago have I built anything specifically for a contest. If I think a model is good enough to enter, it goes. If not, then not. NNL's are another matter--those are fun to just put my models out on the table and then enjoy the camaraderie.

Art

[heinz74]

i never did..don't even know about shows over here ..it's all military and boats and planes that sell good here ..the rest ..no idea..?

[Ramcharger]

I enter lots of contests and I have taken home awards at many of them. This last year has been a little dry, so I need to build better. I enjoy the competition and I think it is the absolute best way to improve your skills. I noticed how many of you mentioned you thought your skills didn't "measure up" to the competition. I also noticed how many of you enjoy the NNL shows and have done the "contest thing" and then stopped and started to display only. It is a little tough to lay your hard work out there to be judged and critiqued against others. I can tell you there is a tinge of disappointment when you walk away empty handed, and there is always the car that wasn't as well built but the judges liked it better. It's all part of the game. I will say this, when you put your stuff on the table beside some of the best in the area (or the country) you either pack up your stuff and go home, or you build better. I always like to see guys build better, I think contests promote this.

[The70judgeman]

I've entered models in contests over the years. We had car shows during the summer at dealerships for years and some had model contests. I only entered once at a MOPAR show and got first and third place plaques. I entered a couple models at World of Wheels once and got a third place ribbon in "Adult Factory Stock" category. And, most recently, a couple of years ago, I won a third place plaque for "Adult Factory Stock" category at a local hobby store contest. The weird thing is, the first place plaque(at the car show), the third place ribbon, and third place plaque(hobby store contest) were all for the same car that, in my opinion, isn't that great of a build.

[Danny Lectro]

There aren't a whole lot of options in the New York area that I have geen able to find. There's NNL East and the LIARS club for cars (neither of which I have able to attend so far), and Jerseyfest for sci-fi.

I entered Jerseyfest two years in a row, and both times won nothing in their Open System contest. That was really discouraging.

I once went the the Wonderfest sci-fi hobby show in Louisville, KY, and won a bronze award in their Open System contest.

I once entered Bandai International's model contest at the New York Comic Con. I won a gold and a silver award, and two free model kits.

[Shardik]

I have entered one IPMS contest, and it was a blast.

I'd like to enter more shows, but I only ever seem to find out about them after the fact. So if anyone knows about shows/contests in Colorado (or even Wyoming or Kansas), please let me know.

[randx0]

I like NNL shows . I go to NNL North every year . I would like it if more hobby shops would have store contests so we could meet more modelers that may not be in local clubs.

[curt raitz]

Non Contest: NNL West every year since it started, only exception was the first year

Contests: Silicon Valley IPMS last year, enjoyed it...will do it again

Will finally make it to a couple of the Goodguys Car/Model Car Shows in Pleasanton, CA in 2014

Plan on going to the Santa Maria Car Show in May with a few guys from the club

I truly believe exposing your work in either a contest or NNL type show makes you a better modeller.

plus

it offers a good bench mark on your or modeling abilities

or

lack of'em (usually my case) compared to other modellers

p.s. I do get a much bigger rush having my models being chosen to be photographed by those magazines in attendance at the contests/shows than a trophy

it's a hobby, have fun with it...what ya gonna do with a bunch dumb trophies anyway

[mk11]

... If I think a model is good enough to enter, it goes. If not, then not. NNL's are another matter--those are fun to just put my models out on the table and then enjoy the camaraderie.

Art

Sure wouldn't mind something like that closer to me; might be a great motivator to get some of these projects finished. Went to lots of nmra model train meets and stuff with dad over the years

mike

[Tom Geiger]

I love to go to shows, more for the camaraderie than the contest aspects. I haven't missed NNL East since I went to show number three! I haven't missed the LIARS Challenge in a dozen years. I go to the Mama's MidAtlantic NNL each year too.

I have been to Masscar, NNL Nationals in Ohio GSL in Salt Lake, but not recently.

I did the contest thing back in the early 1990s and did well in the light commercial category. Now I just build what the voices in my head tell me. I do display my stuff, but not with the thought of winning awards.

[Edward Gore]

I go to and participate in 2 shows a year. Sometimes 3 if we feel like driving there. Rarely win anything but that's cool. I like the vendors tables because it's where I get most of my ref literature

[BKcustoms]

I usually make it to the two local MMVA contests every year and I'm hoping to make it to the KC Slammers show this summer. I really enjoy seeing what everyone has been working on in person and meeting people who share this great hobby.

Edited November 18, 2013 by BKcustoms

[mustang1989]

I really enjoy seeing what everyone has been working on in person and meeting people who share this great hobby.

I would love to have an opportunity like that. It's rare, and I mean rare, to see someone locally who really participates in this hobby locally. There are those that think what people like us do is totally friggin awesome but don't build. That is where folks like you all come in to play. I just appreciate the fact that we have a place to come where we can actually carry on a conversation about modeling, learn a thing or two and pass that info along to others.

[PappyD340]

I've entered a few shows in the past, but nothing in the past few years, never won anything, but it was a lot of ( or as my 3 yr old granddaughter would say alotter) fun!!

[Mike_G]

I'm only in it for the trophy girls.

[Scott Colmer]

I like 'em. But since I haven't finished anything for a couple years, I've got nothing to bring. I REALLY like the Nor Cal NNL when I can make it.

[Danger]

I participate in a couple of local contests each year. I don't build for the contests. I use the contests as a showcase to show what I have built over the previous year. I only get 4-6 builds complete each year and I find it enjoyable to showcase them.

Danger

[disabled modeler]

I only entered one once....got second place for my 68 Plymouth 4door wagon in my photobucket. Uncle insisted I try it....I build for me and the enjoyment of it but its nice to get input from others after seeing ones work.

[LogTripper]

I recently went to my first swap meet but didn't have a complete model to enter. Now by the time the next one comes around I should have a couple different ones to enter and see how I do. I'd be interested in getting feedback and tips on how to get better.

[Shardik]

... I'd be interested in getting feedback and tips on how to get better.

And that right there is the best reason to participate.

[Mike_G]

I recently went to my first swap meet but didn't have a complete model to enter. Now by the time the next one comes around I should have a couple different ones to enter and see how I do. I'd be interested in getting feedback and tips on how to get better.

Was that the OSSM show at the Denny's in Clackamas by any chance? I was there and won 1st and 2nd place in Box Stock, and 1st place in motorcycles.

One of my fellow club members was ribbing me afterwards, asking if I needed a box to carry all my awards...

I told him "No, I brought a grocery bag..."