OFFICIAL Z.C.C.A.

Z-CAR JUDGING MANUAL

NATIONAL COMMITTEE
REVISED APRIL 2001

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INTRODUCTION

This set of judging guidelines has been compiled as a tool to help the novice, as well as the Professional, in the Judging of Z-Car Show events. It is also the purpose of these guidelines to establish a set of Judging Standards to be applied at all Club events regardless of location.

Further, it is hoped that by using Standard Judging, national recognition of extremely well prepared (restored and un-restored) vehicles may be established and to certify Show level.

While Judging involves the human element in scoring, these guidelines will provide the judges with information to help compare Show Cars on a level basis and that like scores could be expected on a particular vehicle without changes, at concurrent events.

JUDGING PROCESS

Oversight

ZCCA shall appoint a National ZCCA Judging Committee [NZJC) who shall:

1) Maintain and update judging rules;

    1. Compile a list of qualified judges for National and Regional shows;
    2. Establish and maintain a Judges database and base line standards to be put on the Internet ZCCA Web Site
    3. Establish and maintain a National Level Show Score database of z-car shows that followed the ZCCA Judging Standards; and

3) Submit rules and a list of qualified judges to the ZCCA Executive Director no

later than two months prior to the event.

Organization

Judging of each class (see Judging Divisions) shall be conducted by teams of three judges – one each for Engine and Engine Compartment, Interior and Exterior. The score sheets, as provided by the NZJC, shall be used under the direction of the Chief Judge for each show.

Each team shall have a Lead Judge certified by the NJC on the basis of his or her judging experience and knowledge of the particular model being judged. Other judges on the team do not need to be experts on the specific model, but must have a good knowledge of Z Cars based on ownership or involvement with the hobby.

Event organizers shall submit the names of candidates for Chief and Lead Judges to the NZJC no later than one month prior to the event. Candidates who are not already on the approved list will submit their qualifications to the NZJC for review and approval.

Judges for each class shall be assigned as required to specific areas – Engine and Engine Compartment, Interior and Exterior, in order that the same person judges the same area within a particular class. When determining the winner across classes, such as "Best Engine", the judges for each winner of a class will revisit, as necessary, those cars judged the best within a class. They will agree upon an overall winner.

Judges may be in the business of restoring Z Cars. However, a judge may not certify any car if he or she had personally worked on the car over twenty hours in the prior twelve months or was an owner or employer of a shop that had worked on the car to that extent. Judges may also be owners of cars at a particular show. However, they may not judge their own car nor any car within the class their car is entered.

Qualification

Chief Judge – Individuals who are competent to serve as a Chief judge will be selected by the NZJC at the beginning of each year for the National Show that year. Selection will be based on the NZJC’s appraisal of that person’s competence in Z Car restoration standards and that person’s ability to manage judging issues, as well as personal issues, that may arise during a judging event. In general, to qualify as a Chief Judge, the individual shall have previously qualified as a Lead Judge in at least two Z Car classes and shall have worked closely with the Chief Judge on overall direction of a sanctioned show.

Lead Judge - Individuals who are competent to serve as a Lead Judge for a particular class shall have participated in at least two previously sanctioned shows and shall have displayed, to the satisfaction of the Chief Judge for the show, a sufficient knowledge of the standards for the class and an understanding and acceptance of the judging rules for that class, so that he or she may effectively direct the team on the particular class. Such judges will be recognized by the NZJC and will be awarded a certificate acknowledging their competence. In the event a sufficient number of certified Lead Judges is not available, the Chief Judge may designate individuals to act as Lead Judges based on the Chief Judge’s appraisal of the individual’s competence on the basis of his or her ownership of Z Cars or active involvement in the hobby. Such judges will be recognized and certified by the NZJC after the show if, in the opinion of the Chief Judge, his or her work displayed a level of competence and attitude that would permit them to perform as a Lead Judge at a future show.

Selection and Training/Certification

Additional judges for various sanctioned shows will be provided by the event organizers and approved by the Chief judge. All reasonable efforts will be made to select judges in advance of the show so that they will have time to acquaint themselves with the Judging Guidelines and scoring rules. These will be sent to the selected individuals no less than two weeks in advance of the show. The Chief and Lead Judges for a show are responsible for insuring that all judges for a show are familiar with the guidelines and scoring rules. This familiarization will normally be in the form of a judge’s training seminar to be held at the show prior to actual judging and with specific, previously judged cars, in order to provide a better level of sensitivity and objectivity for deductions.

Certification Process - To be certified for all Conventions following the 2000 Convention, one must:

    • Be a current member of a then current ZCCA Club
    • Attend the training classes held at the current Convention
    • Judge with a Certified Judge at that Convention
    • Be approved by a current Certified Judge

Training classes for people seeking certification will be held at the Convention. This class will be lead by the Chief Judge, and will be scheduled to occur no later than one (1) hour before the Judges Meeting.

Nominations and volunteers for certification will be accepted. To be considered for certification training, one must submit a written explanation of qualifications to the Judging Committee Chairman to include all of the following:

    • Name
    • Club affiliation
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Judging level experience (national/regional)
    • Class(s) Judged
    • Team role (e.g., Interior, Exterior, Engine Compartment)

All new Certification is at the discretion of the Certified Judge acting as the Lead Judge for the team that the trainee is working with.

Certification will be valid for up to three (3) years OR until one (1) year has passed without judging a National Level Z-Car Show. Anyone who allows their certification to lapse (e.g., 1 year has passed without judging a National level Z-car show) must be re-certified as described in the Certification Process paragraph above. Certified Judges whose certification has expired (e.g., after 3 years) must be re-certified as described in the Certification Process paragraph above.

Compensation

The host club of any sanctioned car show will determine what type, if any, of compensation will be provided for those individuals judging the event.

Judges Database

The judges database and base line standards to be put on the Internet ZCCA Web Site will include:

    • Name
    • Club affiliation
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Judging level experience (national/regional)
    • Class(s) Judged
    • Team role (e.g., Interior, Exterior, Engine Compartment)
    • Team Leader (Yes or No)
    • Location and Year of each Judging experience
    • Certification Level (Trainee/Certified)

National Level Show Score database

This database will be used to maintain a record of scores for each car that has participated in a z-car show that followed the ZCCA Judging Standards.

    • Car year-model-color
    • VIN number
    • Owner name, address, phone number
    • Show classification (national or regional)
    • Show results by points and result year and location
    • Judged by:

I. DIVISIONS FOR JUDGING

A) STOCK CLASS

1) 240Z 1969-1973 Model Years

2) 260Z 1974-1975 Model Years

3) 280Z 1975-1978 Model Years * SEE SPECIAL NOTES

4) 280ZX 1979-1983 Model Years ** SEE SPECIAL NOTES

5) 300ZX 1984-1989 Model Years

6) 300ZX 1990-1996 Model Years

B) STREET MODIFIED CLASS

1) 240Z 1969-1973 Model Years

2) 260Z 1974-1975 Model Years

3) 280Z 1975-1978 Model Years

4) 280ZX 1979-1983 Model Years

5) 300ZX 1984-1989 Model Years

6) 300ZX 1990-1996 Model Years

C) NISSAN MODIFIED CLASS

Any Year and Model

D) ULTRA MODIFIED CLASS

Any Year and Model

E) DAILY DRIVER

1) 240Z 1969-1973 Model Years

2) 260Z 1974-1975 Model Years

3) 280Z 1975-1978 Model Years

4) 280ZX 1979-1983 Model Years

5) 300ZX 1984-1989 Model Years

6) 300ZX 1990-1996 Model Years

F) OPTIONAL CLASSES - REGIONAL LEVEL

1) Best Interior (Points)

2) Best Exterior (Points)

3) Best Engine (Points)

G) MANDATORY NATIONAL LEVEL

1) Best Interior (Points)

2) Best Exterior (Points)

3) Best Engine (Points)

4) Best of Show (Points)

* Special Note: In 1975-1978, Nissan took 280Z cars from the U.S, port of entry, repainted them and added specialty wheels at a factory in Long Beach, California. While being offered to dealers as special, they are considered STOCK. These were also offered by Nissan in nationwide advertising. The most common paint was black with special red striping.

** Special Note: In 1979-1983, Nissan took 280ZX cars from the U.S. port of entry, repainted them, added special wheels & tires, provided extensive technical modifications, homologated them for specially classified racing events and badged them as ZXR. These were offered to dealers as special; they are considered STOCK in the offered form.

II. OUTLINE OF CLASSES

A) STOCK CLASS

Vehicles exhibited must be configured exactly as shipped from factory (NOT DEALER). Cars with Dealer add-ons such, as wheels, other than stock tires, side moldings, etc. can enter this class with deductions for same. Radios, paint color, tires, etc. must be as shipped. A/C must be factory installed except 240Z which may have same A/C as installed by dealer, i.e. ARA or Frigid King, with basic York compressor. Daily Drivers can enter this class if desired.

B) STREET MODIFIED CLASS

Engine - Vehicles must have correct engine size and style for year manufactured (inline 6, V-6) both block and head. Internal modifications, such as overboring, different pistons etc. are acceptable. External modifications can include Headers, bolt on intakes and carburetor or fuel injection setups, plating, radiator fans, etc. (No superchargers, nitrous, or turbos unless originally equipped).

Interior - Stock dash and seats must be retained (any upholstery o/k). Any steering wheel, radio and any accessories are acceptable. Stock Seat/shoulder belts must be retained. Rollbars are not permitted.

Exterior - Any paint color o/k, Any tires and wheels that fit under stock wheel openings (must not protrude past wheelwell). Bolt on front and rear spoilers o/k, NO fender flairs! NO whale tails! Any exhaust system with mufflers, o/k. Driving / fog lights o/k.

C) NISSAN MODIFIED

Engine - Nissan type for year and model (inline 6 or V-6). Any modifications o/k, turbos, nitrous, supercharges, plating, etc. Internal modifications such as cams, boring, etc. o/k. Any carbs and intakes o/k.

Interior - Any seats, any dash modifications (gauges, etc.), any restraint devices, roll bars, cages, accessories, etc. Gutting of interior o/k.

Exterior - Any bolt on or molded in body kits allowed, any wheels and tires, any exhaust, open or mufflers, lowering or raising chassis height o/k, any suspension modifications.

* * Note: Competition cars (A.S.P., I.T.S., GT2, etc. can enter this class)

D) ULTRA MODIFIED

Same format as outlined in Nissan Modified Class plus any engine / transmission configuration can be used.

E) DAILY DRIVER

Vehicle must be a daily driver with at least 75,000 driven miles on odometer. Vehicle can be personalized with various add-on items such as, lowering, airdam, fog lights, after market wheels, override bars, after market radio, after market mirrors, after market seats and carpets, after market exhaust, and upholstery. No whale tails, roll cages, roll bars, flares, hood scoops, body modifications or add-on body kits are permitted in this class. Stock vehicles can enter this class with mileage criteria. "Daily Driver" division not eligible for the GOLD MEDALLION AWARD.

JUDGING OTHER THAN STOCK CLASSES

Use same Judging sheets as for stock class and same ten areas of inspection. For other than stock classes, all Judging guidelines are the same with the exception that dealer supplied or after market components are acceptable. Judging is still held at a three hundred point must system for each class with 300 being a perfect score. Engines and modifications must suit class entered as outlined in description of classes.

GOLD MEDALLION AWARD

All vehicles scoring a total overall score of Two Hundred and Eighty (280) points or above in their respective class (except Daily Driver) at National Convention Judging will be rejudged to determine if the vehicle might qualify for Gold Medallion Status (290 or above points). All vehicles scoring a total overall score of Two Hundred and Ninety (290) points or above in their respective class (except Daily Driver) at National Convention Judging are eligible to receive the Gold Medallion achievement award of excellence for their efforts. Holders of this prestigious award will have achieved the highest level of restoration or preparation a show car can achieve. In so doing, vehicles receiving this award will only be eligible to show their cars at a National level for display purposes only, as no higher level of achievement can be obtained. Entry to National shows for these vehicles will be on a "No Charge" basis as exceptional detailers to inspire others to greatness. This procedure will allow other aspiring restorers a chance to compete against new vehicles on a regular basis and not against cars already having achieved perfection. This prestigious award, once gained, will establish these vehicles as the "cream of the crop" in Z Car circles.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

A - Show cars should be grouped by specific divisions at regional and National events, whenever possible.

B - Gold Medallion awards shall be awarded to Stock, Street Modified, Nissan Modified, Nissan Modified and Ultra Modified vehicles that are ten years older or more from year model, i.e. 1999=1989.

C - Provide judging manuals and class determinations, at National events, for all show entrants, showing trophy classes.

D - The host club may provide color slides of all show cars and owners for presentations at award ceremony, (National show only) if possible.

JUDGING OF DIVISION A, B, C & D

A. Vehicles will be judged in three areas

1) Engine (Engine Compartment)

2) Interior

3) Exterior

B. Each area carries a perfect score of one hundred points (100)

C. Each area is divided into ten (10) categories of inspection. A perfect score in any category results in no deductions. Up to ten (10) points may be deducted for each category with 10 being the most severe.

D. Perfect overall score totals three hundred points (300). [Three areas times (100)]

JUDGING OF DIVISION "E"

A. Vehicles will be judged in two areas

1) Interior

2) Exterior

B. Each area carries a perfect score of one hundred points (100)

C. Each area is divided into ten (10) categories of inspection. A perfect score in any category results in no deductions. Up to ten (10) points may be deducted for each category with 10 being the most severe.

D. Maximum score total is 200 points.

E. This division is not eligible for the "Gold Medallion Award".