Then do what the San Diego Model Car Club did, we took over the Automotive section! Car guys judging cars!
We range in age and in taste of cars, and being in So Cal, we cover it all. So maybe volunteer at the show to be a judge, just don't judge the categories you might be in and offer advice on how to judge cars. It does not have to be that hard to participate, unless they have a total lock on outsiders participating in their show. We also ask, and encourage, out of town car builders to help us judge.
Great way to get some experience in judging and seeing what it takes to place in the categories.