Mercedes-Benz Club of the ACT Concours d Elegance Documentation and Rules Sunday 20 September 2015 Document Revision Date Authorised (Name/Position) Draft 15/06/2015 Alex von Brandenstein Review at meeting 16/06/2015 Committee President review 24/06/2015 Pat Walsh Final 29/06/2015 Committee Contents CONCOURS RULES... 2 STRUCTURE... 4 Club Division... 4 Road Division... 5 Champion Division... 5 Display Division (non-competitive)... 5 STANDARD OF PRESENTATION... 6 TROPHY AWARDS... 8 ENTRY FEES, REGISTRATION FORMS, ARRIVAL TIME... 9
CONCOURS RULES 1. Entry is open to financial members of the Mercedes-Benz Club of the ACT, other associated Mercedes-Benz clubs and to those Mercedes-Benz owners who are not members but who wish to participate, upon payment of an additional fee. 2. It is recommended that vehicles for Display or Concourse be at the designated mustering point by 08:30 hrs on the day of the event. 3. To be eligible for entry, your candidate vehicle must: Have travelled a minimum of 10,000 km since new Have valid registration, or have an unregistered vehicle permit Be in Concours position by 10:00 hrs Be driven onto, and leave the Concours arena under its own power Not have won a Club or Road Class Division in the preceding year, unless the vehicle has been entered in a higher Division or is on display. 4. Champion of Champion is comprised of prior Club Class winners and prior winners of Champion of Champions. 5. All classes are judged on three criteria: I. Cleanliness II. Alignment with Original Equipment Manufacture (OEM) III. Condition. 6. Modified class is judged on cleanliness and condition NOT originality and NOT on the degree of modification. 7. A car that has been restored from the ground up will be judged as to be equivalent to an original car in exceptional condition that has been extremely well maintained. 8. Vehicles leaving the Concours prior to the award ceremony will be deemed as withdrawing from the competition unless agreed with the Concours Director. (Award ceremony takes place at approximately 14:30 hrs.) 9. The outright winner will be the car with the highest points score on the day. 10. The Chief Judge s decision is final and NOT subject to negotiation. 11. 'For Sale' or other advertising notices are not to be displayed in or on vehicles. Entrants may display such information within the Club marquee. Page 2 of 9
12. No Concours entrant or their associate is permitted to interfere with the judging process. Genuine concerns should be raised with the Concours Director as they arise. 13. Concours judges may approach owner/participants to seek clarification on vehicle details. 14. The Chief Judge is permitted to split or aggregate classes depending on the number and quality of vehicles entered. 15. If a vehicle has a soft top and a hard top the owner shall nominate which is to be judged. Cars with a soft top are to be judged with the top up. Cars with a hard top must have the hard top in place. Page 3 of 9
STRUCTURE There are three competitive divisions and one non-competitive division, namely: I. Club Division II. Road Division III. Champion Division IV. Display Division (non-competitive) Club Division The Club Division is the premier event of the Concours d Elegance. This Division receives the most attention, scrutiny and reward. Overview of the structure: Class A B C Vehicles Saloon Coupé Cabriolet/Roadster pre-1980* pre-1980* pre-1980* W126, W124, W201 sedan, wagon, coupé and cabriolet W129 Roadster, W140 S-class, W202 sedans & wagons W210 sedans & wagons, W208 coupé & cabriolets D All models 1999-2009 E All models 2010 - present F Modified or Special Vehicles * includes newer cars where the series production commenced prior to 1980 eg W107, W123, W116 etc. Table 1 - Club Division There are six trophy classes for Club Division as shown in the Club Division table. Class A (pre-1980) cars are split into three categories; Saloon (4 door sedans), Coupé (2 door hard top) and Cabriolet/Roadsters. All aspects of the car will be judged according to the "Standard of Presentation" as outlined in this document. Club Division winners from the previous year will have to compete in the Champion Division. Modified Class (F) applies only in Club Division. Modified vehicles are those that have been significantly modified from the original design. Specifications of modifications may be requested by the Chief Judge to decide if the vehicle is appropriate to enter this class. Official Mercedes-Benz approved AMG models are not regarded as modified cars. Page 4 of 9
There is a minimum standard for a win in any Club Class. If no car within a certain class achieves this standard then the Chief Judge has the right not to award a trophy. If, in the opinion of the Chief Judge, a display car is deemed to be eligible for a competitive Division and the owner agrees and the required entry fee is paid, the vehicle may compete in the agreed Class. Road Division Road Division cars are judged on those aspects that would be visible if parked on the street (i.e. paintwork, chrome, tyres etc.). Cars are judged from approximately 2 m distance. Overview of the structure: Vehicles Saloon Coupé Cabriolet/Roadster Commercial Table 2 - Road Division There are four trophies to be won for Road Division as shown in the Road Division table. At the discretion of the owner, the car may be entered for the engine bay awards. There is a minimum standard for a win in any Road Class. If no car within a certain class achieves this standard then the Chief Judge has the right not to award a trophy. Interior and engines are generally not assessed unless a tie-break situation occurs. Commercial class applies only in Road Division. Eligible vehicles must be dedicated commercial vehicles. No deductions will be made for vehicles with commercial sign writing. Champion Division Entrants are the various winners from Club Division the previous year. Cars are judged on the same basis as Club Division and the winner will be awarded the Mercedes-Benz (Australia) Champions Trophy. Winners of Champion Division automatically revert to their respective Club Class the following year. Display Division (non-competitive) This is the Division where we encourage the display of cars that have not been entered in the Road, Club or Champion Divisions. Page 5 of 9
STANDARD OF PRESENTATION The standard of presentation is that the car is expected to be displayed in as close to the condition it was when it left the showroom. Judging is divided into a number of categories as follows: Exterior. This includes paintwork, chrome, glass and lenses. Our attitude is that a well-maintained, original finish is just as good as a new respray. Obviously if the old paint is buffed through to the primer, this does not apply. Stone chips that have been filled and repaired are acceptable. Chrome bumpers should have the correct finish on the inside. All lenses should be clean and unscratched. Interior. This includes the entire interior, except glass. Judging is based on cleanliness, completeness and originality to OEM. Clean under your seats and under the carpets. Non-genuine radios are permitted so long as they suit the age of the car and other accessories must also be appropriate for the car's vintage. Underneath. This is where we differ from some other clubs' Concours rules. As many of our entrants need to travel great distances to get to our Concours we look to see that underneath was as clean as when you left home. Under the guards in the wheel arches should be as clean as you can get them at your Canberra accommodation, butut the odd spot of tar and road grime in the floor pan and tunnel area will not be penalised. Make sure your lower suspension arms are clear of stones. Tyres and wheels should be clean inside and out. Boot/Trunk. Boots should be neat and tidy with an original boot mat where supplied. The spare tyre is expected to be consistent with other road tyres, and be clean and in roadworthy condition. Available for inspection with owner in attendance should be keys, logbooks, owner's manuals and tool kit. Underside of boot lid should be painted as per original specification, e.g. generally black or grey depending upon model. Engine Bay. This includes everything seen and checkable with the bonnet up. Engine components should not be polished or chromed (unless within the Modified Class). Aluminium surfaces should be bead blasted, not silver frosted. Points will be deducted for incorrect hoses, battery clamps, ignition leads etc. If your vehicle is fitted with a bonnet sound-deadening pad it must be clean and not oily. If car alarms are fitted they should be discreetly installed. General. Overall, our definition of the perfect car is one that is both well-maintained and extremely clean - as it was when it was delivered to its first owner at the show room. With age taking its toll on all cars, it will be the best cars in their class on the day that will win. Should a question of originality (OEM) decide between a win and a loss, the Chief Judge will consult the club member beforehand. All categories will be judged in Club and Champion Divisions. Road Division cars are judged to the same standard but only the exterior and wheels are judged. While the interior and underneath of the car are not judged, they are expected to be in above average condition. In the event of a tie for a class win for Road Division the interior will be judged. Page 6 of 9
No points will be deducted for non-german first aid kits, but all first aid kits should be stored appropriately for the model, i.e. in its correct storage compartment and should be as original as reasonably possible. No points will be deducted for the inclusion of fire extinguishers. Seat covers must be removed for cars in Club Division, otherwise a 50% point deduction will be made for the interior category. Page 7 of 9
TROPHY AWARDS Trophies are awarded under the following circumstances: Each of the classes within the competitive Divisions. A Distance Award for the greatest distance for a car for judging driven to Canberra from the member s home address. A Best Paint Finish Award noting that a recent respray won't necessarily beat an excellent original paint finish. Preservation of the original paint job scores highly. The Life Members Encouragement Award judged by the consensus of Life Members present on the day or, if there are no Life Members present, then the award is to be judged by the Chief Judge. It is generally awarded as an encouragement for the owner of a car that has not been successful in its class. The "Outright Winner Award" is for the highest score of any entrant including Champion of Champions, and the "Runner-Up Award" is for the second highest score. "President's Award". At the President s discretion. Page 8 of 9
ENTRY FEES, REGISTRATION FORMS, ARRIVAL TIME Entry fee for the Concours for Mercedes-Benz Club members is $35.00 per vehicle which includes a Concours medallion. The early bird incentive fee of $25.00 per vehicle applies if the entry form and payment is received by 7 September 2015. The Concours entry fee for non-mercedes-benz Club members is $40.00 Members wishing to enter a vehicle in the Display Division pay a $5.00 entry fee and may purchase a Concours medallion for an additional $5.00. To help with the smooth organisation of the event, we ask that our local and interstate friends alike declare their intention to enter the Concours or to display their car by filling out the Concours registration form and sending it, with the entry fee to: The Concours Director Mercedes-Benz Club of the ACT Inc. PO BOX 1093, WODEN, ACT, 2606. It would be appreciated if registration is completed before 7 September so participants can take advantage of the early bird rate, and the club can arrange the best presentation of the cars. Those competing or displaying cars are asked to arrive between 08.00 and 09:00 hrs. If you have any questions please contact the Concours Director at: concoursdirector@mbclubs-act.org.au ------------------------------------ Page 9 of 9