The First Show of The Season Coming...

[Flash]

The first show in Colorado this year is coming in 23 days! It will be my first show, and I'm excited. I've already studied pictures from past big shows from here in Colorado, and I think I'll fit in pretty well.
Anyway, what are some tips a newbie should keep in mind while showing his ride for the first time. What should I do to prepare my car before and during the show? What are the little things that really count that will help me?
Also, do you all think I should buy a VIS carbon fiber hood for my car so I can have it for the show? Thanks!

 

[eclipsed95]

Your car looks good, you should do well

 

[9D9 MITSU RS]

Just make sure you don't forget to clean the engine bay. Everyone else at shows will probably skip that.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

make sure EVERYTHING is spotless. really get in the engine bay. Make sure if you have subs or neons that they are all wired cleanly, and none of the wires are showing. All of the little things that you think won't matter, those make the difference in placing, and being just another car.


check importtuner. They had an article a few moths ago about what makes a good showcar.. see if you can find it on the site.

 

[devlish]

like mentioned above, pay great attention to details! especially if it is a judged show (not just participant judged). make sure your engine bay is good and clean. once you park your car for the show, go ahead and wipe clean the entire car (even though you just washed it the night before) use maguirs spray-wipe or whatever brand you prefer. do not forget to clean your rims & calipers, and wipe off as much of your tires as possible. top/bottom/sides, anything you can reach. don't let others see the dust & dirt on your tires from the ride there. i personally don't like glossing the entire tire with shine stuff, but make sure it is clean, espcially the treads. that is a largely overlooked aspect of a clean show at a car.

if it is a judged show, find out what you need to do to coincide with the rules. usually, you need to have all accesses to the car open for judges viewing (both doors, hood, hatch) they need not be open all the way, but at least half so that you can see inside.

good luck at the show, but it looks like you've got a nice clean ride to begin with! you should be just fine!

~Kurt

 

[bOOstd GSX]

Like everyone said just make sure the car is sportless. Clean everything like you were going to sell it and wanted top price. Devlish was right on about cleaning the tread on your tires, it makes your car look twice as good.

As for the carbon hood I think it would offset your rims a little too much, but hey, I could be wrong.

 

[chriw21_2000]

When I go to car shows, try to get a good spot. Where everyone will see the car. Try to hide any blemishes in the body. This can be done by the way you park. If you have a dent in a rear quarter panel for example, put that side near a roped off area or something. Make sure that the windows are spotless. If the side window are tinted roll them down. Do stuff to draw attention. Like a loud system. People love to hear what u you got. Be nice to people. Sometimes judges will look like normal people. If they start looking in the car, show them around. They might miss little mods that set you apart from the eclipse beside you. Have fun. Clean it the day before and just touch it up when you get there. Kick back and relax.

I would put the carbon hood on! I have a white eclipse, and the carbon hood breaks it up. It makes a big difference.

Laterz

 

[gst98spyder]

Layout adn lighting very important

 

[devlish]

I hope you were joking about playing your system loud.. if not: I totally disagree with the loud systems. only the local highschool kids coming down to check out the show want to hear your system. most of the other show-goers will find it to be a nusance. not to mention the judges usually don't like that either becuase when announcements are made over the loudspeaker it is harder to hear them.

having gone to many shows, that is one of the biggest "no-no's" i've seen. I, for one, think it is very immature to blast your system while at a show.

I do agree about being nice to people, and showing them the little things they might have missed otherwise. for example, you wouldn't believe the amount of people that actually don't notice the shaved door handles!

 

[SpeedFreak03]

You'll do fine man, your car is beautiful! Just touch it up a bit when you get there, but don't be too paranoid. Good luck, and let us know how the show goes for you!

 

[Flash]

Thanks for all your help, and I'll take pictures and keep you all posted. My friend is going to make a movie of it.
I might be painting some pieces under the hood white to match my car. It should make the engine bay look a little cleaner.
Keep the help coming!

 

[chriw21_2000]

The reason I said the loud system stuff is because most of the shows I go to are more audio oriented than anything. Basically showing off and proving your car is the loudest is part of getting the show trophy. I guess if you go to a local show with alot of old people then the noise isnt good. I guess it depends on the show. You will have to do something to attract attention. If you look like a normal eclipse, people will walk right by.

Laterz

 

[devlish]

I always keep my stereo off at Audio Competitions until it's my turn to compete.

i guess you could dress up as a chicken or something to attract attention! j/k, or make sure you're dating like 6 Hooters Girls at the same time, and bring them all to the show!! i know which car i'd hanging around all day long! seriously, keep it clean and you'll be set!

 

[Flash]

I figured I'd remove the rear deck lid so it's easier to view the inside from behind.
And I think I'll keep my system off.

 

[devlish]

another good idea (use it myself actually)... get yourself a few small rubbermaid containers. sized accordingly so that you can fit 2 or 3 inside the car, and they are still easily removeable. then use those to store all your cleaning supplies, and junk that may normally be inside your car. this will not only help keep things organized, but keep the area around your car/chairs neat and clean, and not a pigsty. which will also help you look neater in the long run.

i have a small clear container for all my cleaning supplies & rags with a handle on top. it is perfect size for window cleaner, wipe&shine, small bottle of wax, tire shine, and a few rags. being that it's clear, i can easily see that i have not left any supplies behind when i'm ready to leave. and another small one (same size roughly, not see-through) that i use for other things such as change of clothes should the weather change throughout the day, and a for putting my dirty rags in. (take large ziploc bags to store used rags in)

 

[Flash]

Great idea! Thanks!