FCA 2024 Annual Experience

Actually the FCA does a separate social event each year. Usually it's on the opposite coast to reach the members that can’t go cross country for the Annual.

It started at the Biltmore event a few years ago. Believe it or not but I put the “bug” in the ear of the FCA execs to do an opposite coast event from the Annual.

Another tidbit……the FCA President is a very close friend of mine. I got him started into Ferraris back when I ran Cars on 5th in Naples. Tom was the first to show up to help me at 5 AM in the morning for the event! That’s when I figured out that he was to be my successor for Cars on 5th. Then he became the Naples Chapter President. Then he became the Florida Region President. He didn’t stop there! Now he is the President of National.

Anybody coming to Elkhart Lake should shake Tom O’Riordan the President’s hand. Great man and great guy.

 

Call it the FCA Nationals and you won't appear to be a newby.

 

Question for Brian Rifledriver………can I still bring a car to the Concorso w/o being judged? Thinking about bringing my 330 GTC to the event.

I have to figure out how to get the car there. Possibly with the NC Chapter. But I would have to get the car to Greensboro and back to our home in the mountains.

 

My understanding is that yes, you should be able to bring a car for display only. I didn’t have my F355 when I first registered, so I missed the cutoff for judging. But, it will be allowed to be displayed.

The turnout this year is so strong that they simply don’t have enough judges!

 

Former FCA President Rick Race tried to convince me to become a 330 judge. I thought about it long and hard. Ultimately I decided against becoming a judge. I have made improvements to my GTC…..better rotary a/c, bigger cooling fans, fast windows (relays), and a Mercedes 300E interior fans to blow cool air. I disqualified myself as a judge with these improvements!

 

Good advice, although I'm sure I'll still be sticking out like a sore thumb [emoji28]

Sent from my toilet using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

True. You actually look like a horse w/ unicorn ears and a red mane. You will be easy to find!

 

I'm sorry to say this but at this point our field is full and we can even take any more display cars.

 

If you haven't registered (and we are full with the exception of a few day passes), you won't be able to get into Road America.

 

I think they may be OK now. When Brian said they needed some many months ago, I emailed Leslie that I could assist with 612 and maybe FF. Of course it may be that none are registered for judging. A couple times I think I was the only 612 to show up period.

 

We are stretched very thin. We cannot just add judges. It requires training well over and above just a very thorough knowledge of the car. I believe we have 8 judges in training working but none of those is in place of an experienced judge. For those who attended last year, this years concours is more than 3 times the size.

If you are interested tell Leslie when you see her, we can include you at Charlotte next year as a judge in training. We have a shortage of judges for modern cars.

 

Shame there are more guys like Clete Gardinhour that created the 330 As-built and Judging Guidelines documents. If every production car had this sort of “go-to” encyclopedia it would be easier to train judges. Although I have had 2 GTCs for 30 years without Clete’s book I couldn't be a qualified judge….lol.

 

Our training has nothing to do with teaching them about the car. We expect you to be an expert on the car before we consider you for judge.
We cannot create experts, we can turn experts into judges.

 

Do you have a good email for Leslie? I'd be happy to come to Charlotte as a trainee.

 

PM me your qualifcations.
I extended the other offer because I know him.
So you understand. Its a big investment of time. We need to have a good understanding of your product knowledge, experience and also your level of commitment. We do not do this over the internet we need to know people to make the offer.

 

Understood.

 

George and I have been judges at a wet t-shirt contest, does that count?

Seriously, I've been exposed to FCA judging and I've seen some other judging events (Ferrari and other makes) and the professionalism of the FCA folks is top notch.

I've talked with and exchanged correspondence with Leslie several times starting with Scottsdale, a consumate professional.

 

Hi Brian,

So I've owned an F car for the past 14 years, my first was a '77 308 GTB which I had completely restored. The thread is Restoration of #21039. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/77-gtb-21039-restoration.375747/ While I did not do the work, I sourced many parts and began to read all the various threads on this forum which is when I first discovered you. I greatly enjoy reading about your knowledge over the various threads and get a kick out of when you get pissed!
I'm 67 years old and semi - retired so I do have some time to devote to this. When I took my 599 up to Cornell in 2018, Gary Bobileff judged my car with a bunch of kids. The car won a Platino. If you're looking for younger people I guess I'm out.
I'm a judge here in Pittsburgh for the Vintage Gran Prix in the Cortile section. It's very low key as we generally have about 50 Ferraris to look at in 3 1/2 hours before lunch. I've judged with Frank Campenella and Luigi Chinetti Jr., which was a trip. Both of these guys really know nothing about the new cars.
My 599 wants for nothing and this December she is going in for a dash rewrap. If those bastards had used another 1/2 inch, none of us would have to do this!
Bill Orth can vouch for me as being a dedicated enthusiast. I read constantly about the horror stories of the various models and it makes me think stay with the devil you know. My 599 is very well sorted at this point with close to 49K on her.
That's about it, I defer to your judgement on this if you want me involved. No hard feelings at all if the answer is no.

Sincerely, George

 

I can attest that George has been an incredible resource in the 612/599 forum

 

This was a mistake. I will not be involved in recruiting on the internet. Anyone interested in judging should contact the Chief Concours Judge via the Ferrari Club of America. Wait until well after the national meet. Be aware there is no compensation or covering of expenses of any kind.

 

I had to have my (past) 599 dash recovered too. Had to as the display went fuzzy then dark. I had to shift gears by feel as there was no gear number on display. Here is my 599 leaving my driveway for the last time.
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I have worked with/for Leslie at the National in Sebring. She is a professional all the way!! I had the job to get the sponsors to send me their awards so I could organize them for the Awards dinner. Kinda like chasing cats. I also had to make a few award trophies on my own. I still have one trophy that didn’t have a winner. It’s on display in my garage.

 

Yes, I remember when you had this car. Great spec!

 

I remember seeing you and Sherri’s hotel room FULL of boxes and awards to be assembled!

 

Lucky for me National is not in FL again. Otherwise I would be working again. I prefer being a spectator!