NNL's are not model car contests....see inside

[tim boyd]

Read a story on what sounds like a terrific event in a model car newsletter recently. There were awards for a number of different classes. But the event was called an "NNL". Sorry to be a stickler here, but model car contests are NOT NNL events!

The original NNL event and the ones that followed were created as an antidote to model car contests. Over the years, they morphed into events where in most cases, the participants were asked to vote for their favorite entries in two or three categories, usually best junior, best theme, and best overall. The difference between this and a model car contest is that there are just a few awards, and the awards are voted on by the participants themselves, not "judges" or "celebrities" or club members.

Once a model car event has multiple awards, and they are decided by judges, not the participants, that event can no longer be called an "NNL".

I realize that many - perhaps most of you - are aware of this. But in recent years our hobby has added many new participants (thank goodness) and a bit of gentle nudging in the right direction for these newer folks would be much appreciated.

Best regards all....TIM

[Harry P.]

I posted comments on this topic a while back and got quite a few "angry" responses.

My view: any time that there are awards handed out for "best" or "favorite" or "People's Choice" or whatever, whether those awards were decided by judges or by the participants themselves (who of course are actually "judging" when they vote), then that event can't be an NNL-type event. If awards are handed out, it's a competition, whether that was the "intent" or not! A true NNL-type event would have no "Best of" or "Fan's Favorite" or anything like that. After all, wasn't the whole point of NNL events that there would be NO competing, and NO awards???

It's irrelevant HOW the awards are decided on, whether by judges or by popular vote. The fact that awards are given makes the event a contest.

I don't mean to stir up a major debate here...we're not talking about nuclear war or world hunger, after all.

It's just my opinion, but it seems pretty logical to me!

[cruz]

Seems to me that this was added as the events kept happening. It has been this way for years and I don't see it changing. My opinion is that since I don't think it will change just make sure not to register your model for the voting process if you don't want to participate, we do have that option no???

[Zoom Zoom]

I posted comments on this topic a while back and got quite a few "angry" responses.

My view: any time that there are awards handed out for "best" or "favorite" or "People's Choice" or whatever, whether those awards were decided by judges or by the participants themselves (who of course are actually "judging" when they vote), then that event can't be an NNL-type event. If awards are handed out, it's a competition, whether that was the "intent" or not! A true NNL-type event would have no "Best of" or "Fan's Favorite" or anything like that. After all, wasn't the whole point of NNL events that there would be NO competing, and NO awards???

It's irrelevant HOW the awards are decided on, whether by judges or by popular vote. The fact that awards are given makes the event a contest.

I don't mean to stir up a major debate here...we're not talking about nuclear war or world hunger, after all.

It's just my opinion, but it seems pretty logical to me!

Considering that Tim is one of the original NNL crew, what he says goes. Any alternative viewpoints really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. It's really not in the spirit of the NNL to nitpick or count rivets about this or that...remember, the whole idea was to get away from that mindset and have fun.

Straight from the horse's mouth, that's the best way to get information. Thanks Tim for attempting to get people to realize what an NNL is and what it stands for.

[RodBurNeR]

I agree with Tim's statement. However , i wanted to toss something out there.

Everyone knows the NNL events are the largest and most successful gatherings. I think most of the shows that add "NNL" to their show name just want to attract more people.....even if they are giving awards. These days it's getting harder and harder to bring people to shows. Price of gas is not helping by the way.

I had this discussion with Dave Neighbors and Steve Kohler (friends of mine) , who have been doing shows together in Omaha for many years. I was handed the contest portion of the Spring show in February. Now that i am in control of what happens at the show, i have had more thought on what can be done. I really would RATHER do an NNL show instead of the trophy/judging thing. However, i was told that it would never work....that nobody would show up, because they all want a trophy to take home....not really there for social gathering etc etc.... To me, this is not impossible. I want to change it to an NNL. I don't like to stress over raising $600 for trophies and don't look forward to spending two-three hours with several guys picking people's models apart.....that is not my idea of fun. What IS fun to me? I want to see many modelers come together, enjoy themselves, show their models and SHARE the hobby. That is what i go to shows for, whether they are judged or not.....i never care if i win....and i don't go with the intent to kick anyone's butt.

I would be more than happy to listen and learn if Tim or anyone has advice. What can i do to make the show worth coming to......and still keep the NNL comradory?

[cruz]

Considering that Tim is one of the original NNL crew, what he says goes. Any alternative viewpoints really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. It's really not in the spirit of the NNL to nitpick or count rivets about this or that...remember, the whole idea was to get away from that mindset and have fun.

Straight from the horse's mouth, that's the best way to get information. Thanks Tim for attempting to get people to realize what an NNL is and what it stands for.

I respect that but the fact of the matter is that either way you look at it it has definetly gotten away from that mindset. I mean, what can be done? Can it be changed and would that change be productive? What are the alternatives? Personally I go to these events to get together w/ the guys and have fun. If I get a trophy or an award along the way it's just icing on the cake and if I make the magazine, better yet! Again, to me it's just fun, that's my mindset.

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

I made my point of veiw on another forum, and I'll make it here, too.

My own experience: I have participated in two contests and have attended one NNL event, ever. Both contest entries brought home second place awards and one Honorable Mention. At the NNL I was graced with a very prestegious trophy in the catigory of Replica Stock. Winning an award at an event where the viewers of all the models on the tables pick yours as a favorite is far more rewarding than winning something from a contest where there are three "judges" who can't seem to agree on anything.

Considering that Tim is one of the original NNL crew, what he says goes. - I simply can't argue this point... I'm so new to the exposed and organized world of model cars that I'll admit that I don't really know about the past. But I stand by what I say.

[Zoom Zoom]

I respect that but the fact of the matter is that either way you look at it it has definetly gotten away from that mindset. I mean, what can be done? Can it be changed and would that change be productive? What are the alternatives? Personally I go to these events to get together w/ the guys and have fun. If I get a trophy or an award along the way it's just icing on the cake and if I make the magazine, better yet! Again, to me it's just fun, that's my mindset.

If you really want to get technical, any group of more than half a dozen builders getting together isn't going to be a classic NNL. Therefore the term is more liberally applied to other gatherings where the focus is fun, and not having judged categories.

I don't really think anything has to be done to change things; NNL's have evolved and the better ones are surviving and thriving. It's crazy that people will "use" the NNL name just to get people in the door to what is essentially a judged event. Whatever...I don't really go to contests; I like NNL's as it's a fun day to look at models and catch up with friends and rarely do I ever get an award, and am happy if I do, but that's the furthest thing from my mind.

If you think about it, a "classic NNL" happens every month at model club meetings. Though we do have more like 15-20 people monthly.

It also happens fairly frequently when we get together at a friend's house to "modelpalooza"; spending a day or even a weekend having fun building and talking about our hobby. Just last weekend myself and 2 other friends spent part of the weekend having a modelpalooza. A month earlier 6 of us were together building LeMans cars during the race. We have fun, show off our latest builds, our in-progress stuff, and that's more like an NNL than any show-type gathering for the public will ever have.

I spoke w/Tom Woodruff before our club started an NNL, to make sure what we planned/envisioned for the ACME NNL Southern Nationals had their blessing. Seems people are pretty happy with our show, and we love hosting it every year.

[Mad Slammer]

Well I might not be the most qualified here, but I'll tell you guys what we did here in Puerto Rico. After attending my first show in the U.S., back in 2000, some of my friends and I decided to try something like that here. We called the show "P.R. NNL" that was held on Feb. 25 2001.

We took the classes from the U.S. show and adapted them to what modelers build here, classes here were a bit different, being more like the ones in the 1:1 car shows. All shows here (as far as I know. . . ) were "judged" and we liked the way the "NNL's" are not judged but chosen by the modelers attending the "show". Anyway, we used the part about "no judges" and the classes from the U.S. show, and there you have it, the "P.R.NNL" was born. The were mixed opinions about the show but, to me it was a success. . . then again. . . I might be a bit partial as I was one of the organizers. . .

Nowadays we have the "Caribbean Scale Auto Show" (CSAE for short) held each year by "The Small World of MB" (Barbo, here on the Forum. . .), and now on its 6th edition, and in my opinion, it's based in part on what we learned from the 2001 show.

It is also an "NNL style" event as we call it here, being that prizes are chosen by the competitors not by judges. . .

That's my $1.06. . .( 99cents +7cents Tax. . . )

Edited August 9, 2008 by Mad Slammer

[cruzn]

Read a story on what sounds like a terrific event in a model car newsletter recently. There were awards for a number of different classes. But the event was called an "NNL". Sorry to be a stickler here, but model car contests are NOT NNL events!

The original NNL event and the ones that followed were created as an antidote to model car contests. Over the years, they morphed into events where in most cases, the participants were asked to vote for their favorite entries in two or three categories, usually best junior, best theme, and best overall. The difference between this and a model car contest is that there are just a few awards, and the awards are voted on by the participants themselves, not "judges" or "celebrities" or club members.

Once a model car event has multiple awards, and they are decided by judges, not the participants, that event can no longer be called an "NNL".

I realize that many - perhaps most of you - are aware of this. But in recent years our hobby has added many new participants (thank goodness) and a bit of gentle nudging in the right direction for these newer folks would be much appreciated.

Best regards all....TIM

Tim...

good Points all of them..

I am trying to get a NNL styled show going in My Area.

I had One last year and the Next One is coming up on Oct 4th.

I do give out Plaques for best adult Best Junior and Best Theme.. I do have an award for Best Motorcycle also. and Nest Diorama. I Know I am spreading the NNL Theme an extra Bit here.

I also do a Blind fold Model event Mainly for the Kids In attendance. Which is fun to watch.. Had the fortunate to see Mark Gustavson do One at the NNL West.

I then Have some Event organizer Picks. Outside of the Peoples Picks.

they are Listed as

WOW Factor.

Looks fast standing still.

and a Straightlinemodeler Pick.

Now these are Not Heavily Judged Just something I saw as a fun way to Let people Know their Models were enough to Make an Impression On My eyes .

If this is Not acceptable for a NNL styled show and I don't want to have a Judged show I am doing this for the Fun and Comraderie(sp) of an event.

Maybe I need to change the Name .. to ???

MId-West Model show.

[billd64]

I've had the pleasure of attending the NNL east many times with club members, and original members of the NNL Board of which have been dead (sadly) for a few years but were extrodinary modelers in thier time. A club I belonged too also had a board member he was also our clubs VP.

I recall when NNL East was all one room, then it took both sides of the building. ONe Year they even had a local drag 69 Barracuda there

Parking was difficult every year, and sometimes the day dragged out. Last I heard they were looking for a new location due to pressure put on the PBA by people wanting to use the basketball, and the model show interferred. There used to be a Hobby Store a few miles don the road on the left, and Hi-Way hobby just befor eyou crossed the NY Border.

It is a contest, but not as formal a contest as others are...... relax..... or just dont enter your model to be judged real simple.

I made some good friends at that show, and still keep in touch with them, bottom line is every show is a place to displayyour models, and everyone gets the trophy bug, but not one of us can accept that another can beat us no matter what our skill level is or the photoetch we add to it..... I know several that got beat with help from others, and they eventually faded out of modeling, and now bad mouth the hobby.... we all have issues, we all have things that interfere..... but a bad day at modeling show or table is stillf ar better then being at work.....

[m408]

I have only attended one NNL event. West, last year.

Two magazines were offering to photograph selected models.

Was that a form of judging? I think so.

[Barbo]

Hi....My name is Miguel Barbosa , I am the owner and the organizer of the "Caribbean Scale Auto Expo" event held in Puerto Rico for 6 years . I have been criticized for using the term NNL in my events (perhaps its true). Because I have over 40 categories all 1-3 prizes in most of them and all the categories are judged by each of the competitors , except for the Best in Show and the Best Theme model. I always understood that there are no regulations to this term NNL and that no one can realy say what can and can not be done using the term NNL. So this has made me do some modifications , wich is good for all of us and no one can say who used NNL term first or after. I will not do it for this years event 2008 because it is too late. But for 2009, will have a new term created by me "CJ Format" wich means "Competitor Judging Format" perhaps we need to do modificatios in some of our events so that the modeler can decide were to paricipate, I always say that the events organizer has the right to do his event the way he wants and that each Modeler goes were he thinks is better. Thats the great thing of this Hobby , the more events the more the hobby will survive. And I agree with my friend Marcos Cruz , this is only a Hobby , its a pitty when the hobby turns out to be a war without a ending, opinions are great and new ideas as well, they are always welcome. And if any other event organizer would like to use this new term CJ Format , do it, you do not need my permission. So, this is my small participation for the NNL topic. Best wishes for those that can still honor the NNL philosophy and for the rest of us ....Above and Beyond..your friend ..Barbo.

Edited August 10, 2008 by Barbo

[old-hermit]

Several events I've attended were "NNL style" in which the entrants judged the show. We even give a "best of plaque" at every local model club meeting. The best idea I've seen so far was in the SCMA "Big Drag Classic" where every entrant was given a small dash plaque like a 1/1 car show. Something tangible to say you were there. I'm like a lot of you as I go to events to have fun and bench race and if I get to bring home a dust collector all the better.

PS, Zoom Zoom, I've enjoyed every ACME NNL I've attended. Keep up the great work.