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Abe Runaas, the organizer of the Albany Car Show called today, and we discussed changes that have been made to this show for 2010. These changes are in response to concerns posted here on this forum. Abe is aware that Albany is competing against other shows that same day, and is willing to do whatever it takes to make his show competitive.
Fliers are currently being addressed and will be mailed out this coming week to those who have attended this show in the past. There is one typographical error on the fliers. The Best of Show is not the judges pick, but will be a participant’s pick. There are new judges for this year’s show, also.
The large stock class, 1961 to 1970 has been broken into two smaller classes, 1961 to 1965, and 1966 to 1970. They have also created three new classes for 2010. There is a class for vintage Mustangs, 1965-1973; a class for convertibles, all years; and a separate class for corvettes. This should reduce the large numbers in several of the classes from years past.
The issue with one car winning multiple awards has been discussed and attempts will be made this year to fix that issue, also. However, Abe does ask for patience with this. He tells me that it takes an additional 30 minutes or more at the end of the judging process to redistribute and shift the awards when this has occurred, which could back up the awards time. They are aware that this has been an issue in years past, and will make attempts to “spread the wealth” whenever possible. Abe’s first concern is to hand out the awards on time and get car owners on the road home as quickly as possible.
My conversation with Abe was cordial and pleasant and I believe that he is sincere and committed to making the changes that have been suggested in years past. I also believe that with strong competition coming from the Oregon Show and the DeForest show, that he, and the Albany Lions Club, are aware that they will have to make these changes in order to attract more cars to their show.
Personally, I will consider going back to Albany this year.
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Thanks for the info Marshall, it sounds like they are doing what they can to improve the event. We’ve attended this show in the past, it’s a good one that needs improvements. We all know how hard it is to put on a show, and I think one of the most important things you can do as a promoter is LISTEN to those that attend and offer their feedback, and then make the changes. I also think it’s important for promoters to attend other shows to see how they run, that way we all learn at the same time.
Is the show June 26 or June 27?
Interesting wonder if Chevelles and Camaros get their own class too? If your going to do for one car do it for all..I don’t think that is a good idea…
circletrack- I am certain that the Albany Show will be Sunday, June 27th. Abe was very aware that car owners would have the option of choosing between Albany, Oregon, and possibly, DeForest this year. I am certain that the Oregon Big-O show, and a show at DeForest (Parks Automotive Show and Shine?) are also scheduled for Sunday, June 27th.
Xman- One of the options for this show, or any show for that matter, would be to name the class Pony Cars 1965-1973, and include Mustangs, Chevelles, Firebird, Camaros, GM cars and Mopar cars from that time frame. However, if this class ends up drawing more than 25 or 30 cars, then you have defeated the primary purpose of pulling too many cars out of the stock classe(s).
I am certainly encouraged that this show is working hard to restore it’s good reputation. Undoubtably, there will be more bumps down the road, but with a new and continuing attitude of fixing the problems as they arise, this show can, once again, become one of the “must attend” shows of the year.
I was reminded that the WCC forum is read and followed by many, here in south central Wisconsin. What we post on this forum is read and taken seriously, especially by the car show organizers and promoters. I am encouraged that this show has read our postings and discussions, and bettered their show, based on our input.
In closing, Abe told me that there are some new “surprises” planned for this show for 2010, and they will be identified and displayed on the car show fliers. Watch for your 2010 car show flier in the mail!
Thanks Marshall. The Parks Automotive Show has been moved up, I haven’t heard anything about it.
June 27 is proving to be a very popular date!
:laugh: I’ve been awaiting Abe Runaas’ phone call for almost a year!
Nonetheless, if they are going to finally getting around to the changes they have needed for a few years now, the saying “Better late than never” comes to mind.
I have already promised myself to my fellow Road Apples on June 26, and due to all the great reviews Aaron H. recieved with the Oregon show last year, I’ll be going to Oregon instead.
Thanks for the update Marshall! I’m glad to hear that our feedback and discussions about the shows is having a meaningful and constructive impact!
That’s a major dilemma for me, also.
I went to the Oregon Show last year and had a blast! This year’s show promises to be bigger and better. It’s too bad that these two shows are both happening on the same Sunday.
Also, the third show on that date is not DeForest, but the Cruizin’ Portage Show.
Updates on this show.
I received the flier for this year’s show today, and most of the changes that Abe discussed with me last Sunday, are not reflected on the flier. It looks like we are essentially back where we were at last year with this show. Abe described to me a much different show than what is reflected on the flier.
For starters, the large stock class (Class D, 1961 – 1970 Original/Restored) has not been changed. It is still that same old (much too large) class. There is no separate class for convertibles and there is no class indicated for Mustangs/Pony Cars. According to Abe, these new classes would have pulled enough cars out of the large stock class to make it smaller and more inline with the other class sizes.
I was expecting to see some major changes with this year’s show and it’s not reflected on the flier.
If that’s the case, and people who were upset last year with the show and receive the flyer this year ~ I would expect them not to attend?
It’s expensive to print out flyers, but I would think they should be correct BEFORE they go to print, not after?
Allow me to give my two wooden nickels on this subject…
I got the Albany flyer today. I compared it to the flyer from 2009, and the only differeces I see is “6th Annual” has been changed to “7th Annual”, “June 28” has been changed to “June 27” and that is it.
What does “Original Restored” mean? Could someone clarify this? I was put in that class last year when my 442 should have went into the 65-95 ORIGINAL class. My car is “Original” in the fact that the paint it showed was the original paint, interior, etc. Ok, so the tires weren’t original… Heaven forbid I replace them once or twice on a 100k mile car. Instead, I was competing against repainted and late model vehicles. The classes should be stock, modified, and unrestored – that would be a heck of a lot easier if you ask me. Bottom line is you can’t judge an unmolested 20+ year old car against a 10 year old Mustang thats been repainted.
Also, I’m still trying to figure out how the hell my friend’s mustang can get 100 out of a possible 100 points, yet he doesn’t win an award?! WTF, did they say, “He’s friends with that A-hole on the WCC forum, move on to the next one.” For the record, I have seen his judging sheet. I think he framed it, so technically he has an “award” from the show :laugh:
I’d really like to believe that this show is going to take all the feedback and critiscm to heart, but like Rachel posted, flyers aren’t cheap to print up. If you’re going to change up the format to make it a better show, PUT IT ON THE FLYER. I could also give a rats ass about a couple of Hooters waitresses handing out the awards – Mainly because I already have the best girl in the world
In fairness, I will say that the two at last years show were smmmmooookkkkinnnnnngggggg hot (I looked, I am a man).I dont know what to say, Marshall. IMO, Abe Runaas is blowing smoke up your pant leg. After recieving the flyer today, and seeing that its unchanged from the previous year, how am I to know that things really are different? How is anyone to know other than what you have been told and passed on to us? Dirk and I discussed this in great detail after Abe Runaas called him and said he would invite us to the next Lions Club meeting to let us speak to them about our constructive critiscm. We decided we would offer them some ideas we felt would make the show better and more appealing. We wanted to offer our opine because we both enjoy the location, drive to and from, concessions, cars, and the show in past years. WE DIDN’T WANT THIS SHOW TO GET SWEPT UNDER THE MAT! However, no phone call was ever recieved to attend the meeting. In my honest opinion, and I’m not speaking on Dirk’s behalf either, our opinion was not wanted. That is the way I see it.
Obviously judging was a huge problem at this show. I don’t think that they should have to put “New Judging Standards and Judges” on the flyer, but because of how things went down last year maybe they should have. I am a firm believer of the one car = one award theory. Hopefully this issue will be corrected also. There is no reason any car should win more than one award.
I do hope that things turn around, and I am anxious to read the RTS reviews on Albany this year. However, I have promised my sexy back to the O-town Showdown this year. I’ve heard great things about last years show, Aaron Hoff seems to be doing an excellent job putting this years show together, and this guy puts his ass on the line for my freedom. That in itself is worth a handshake and a “Thank You.”
PS: If anyone from the Albany Lions Club is the person taking down the O-town Showdown flyers at the Evansville Grocery Store, please stop
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