2008 IPMS National Convention

[Dr Plastic]

Hey everyone I just wanted to post this shameless plug for our show we will be hosting.

IPMS Tidewater will be hosting the 2008 IPMS National Convention from August 6 thru the 9th at the new Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Follow this Link to the website for further information.

Please stop by often for upto the minute updates and register early if you can.

Hope to see y'all there!

Edited September 23, 2007 by Dr Plastic

[Len Woodruff]

You know I never saw any pictures from the 2007 IPMS Nats?? Especially the cars.

[Gregg]

Unfortunately, I will not be attending another IMPS National Convention.

I do have pictures from the 2007 Los Angeles show at:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/IPMS07/

I will probably get in trouble for this, but here goes.

I do not feel that the IPMS is an association that cares about the model car builders.

They have, and will always be, a military model club

No, let the fire begin

(hope I don't get fired)

[Len Woodruff]

Unfortunately, I will not be attending another IMPS National Convention.

I do have pictures from the 2007 Los Angeles show at:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/IPMS07/

Any results for the 2007 show in the Automotive Catagory????

[Gregg]

A box stock motorcycle

Will see if have pic

No comments :-)

[cruz]

Hey Gregg, just before seeing your post I was getting ready to write the same thing, they usually think about our stuff as toys. I really do get bored at their shows anyway. No matter how much they say that we are welcomed it's all B.S.

[Zoom Zoom]

I guess there's real truth to the popular notion that IPMS stands for "I Prefer Military Stuff" (substitute your choice of "s" word that you feel is most appropriate)

[Gregg]

At first, it was an honorable thing, to try to bring in model cars, and promote the hobby

I can think of only a handful of charters who do appreciate and welcome model cars.

The rest, is like was said above.

I have a lot of opinions on this, but they will get me in trouble

[raisin27]

I must respectfully disagree with some of the comments in this thread. I have attended IPMS shows in the Mi, Oh, and Ont. area for a few years now and have always felt welcome. Sure there is some light hearted ribbing (one military modeler refered to the model cars as "targets") but its all in fun. just as when i threaten to build a plane with a blown Hemi in it! In some of the shows the cars have actually outnumbered the Military stuff.

I can appreciate the military builds and am awed by some of the details, however more than one plane or tank builder has said the same thing to me about the cars. Im sure there are some IPMS guys who dont like cars and consider them toys, but are we any different when we talk about the "rivet counters"?

I will also say that I think the most fair judging I have seen was at IPMS shows. A lot of times at a "Car Show" the subject matter plays into the results ( for example a hot looking road runner might be favored over a more mundane but better built Rambler.

Dont get me wrong, I enjoy the traditinal Car Shows as much ( if not more ) than anyone. but I dont limit myself to only these events.

Raisin

[Custom Mike]

At first, it was an honorable thing, to try to bring in model cars, and promote the hobby

I can think of only a handful of charters who do appreciate and welcome model cars.

Gregg, I've been to four IPMS shows, one that was 100% automotive, and it was poorly run and judging was even worse. I have two chapters nearby, both of which are mainly military guys, but both are honestly trying to attract more automotive guys. The Sumter SC chapter put on an excellent show last March, with an excellent automotive turnout, and the best judging I've ever experienced, they went above and beyond for us. The Fayetteville NC chapter is the group nearest to me, and I've told them I'll do all I can to bring more car guys in. There last contest was on the 22nd of last month, and they improved 1000% from last years debacle. So there are some chapters really trying, and I figure the best way to make sure we get some respect from them is to attend the shows, and let the Military guys know we're just as good (If not better, we make things that are shiny!) as they are. If we all let a bad experience or two keep us from attending, then our only option is to either quit attending their events or come up with our own alternative to IPMS. Anybody want to take that task on?

And if you really want to tweak the Military guys, build something like this and take it to one of their contests, they would blow a gasket if this was on one of their tables!

Edited October 5, 2007 by Mike S.

[Scale-Master]

Car Modelers wanted? No offense, but don't make me laugh. Sure, IPMS USA will take the car modeler's money, but give them a fair shake in the contest? I don't think so, not if they continue the status quo of the last four years, and it appears they will since the chief IPMS USA judge has appointed himself to that position for life. Sound fair? And no, he is NOT a car guy.

So, the same big IPMS USA judges will most likely be making the decisions at that show that awarded this out of the box cycle Best Auto

over this obviously superior Seven and several other better builds than the bike in 2007.

Go for the people and the camaraderie, go to look at some of the best models anywhere, but don't be surprised at the wacky way the contest results come out. And don't expect any accountability of those judges either. Especially in the automotive classes.

The past four years of IPMS National judging have awarded the Best Auto award to less that the best models there, apparently to insure a non automotive subject won't have a chance for the overall Best Of Show.

I'm still wondering why the subject should matter? It should be about the best model regardless of what it's a model of. I think it used to be, but something has changed for some reason. Sorry, I do not have the answer to that.

For any of you who didn't see my earlier post regarding similar issues and want to, here is a link with more of my opinions:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=6449

[raisin27]

Aparently just as in all aspects of life different IPMS chapters have different feelings on the subject. In this area car modelers are for the most part welcome to compete and I feel given a fair shake. In 3 of the last 8 IPMS shows I have attended a car ( well, actually 2 cars and a motorcycle ) has won the Best In Show award. Sorry to hear of your negative experiences.

Raisin