2018
MUSTANG CLUB of AMERICA
NATIONAL JUDGING PROGRAM
and GUIDELINES
The National Judging Program is designed to develop and
maintain a pool of dedicated and knowledgeable judges. In
addition to their assistance at national shows judges
provide vast knowledge regarding Mustangs in specific
areas of expertise. This knowledge is shared with members,
other judges and other judging bodies through various
means. Judging and judging rules make MCA national
awards the world’s standard.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA
members and may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without
written permission of the MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
JUDGES’ PROGRAM OVERVIEW ………………………….. 5
NATIONAL HEAD JUDGES …………………………………….6
ASSISTANT NATIONAL HEAD JUDGE ‘ PROGRAM ..7
GOLD CARD JUDGES’ PROGRAM …………………………8
GOLD CARD JUDGE CERTIFICATION ……………………..8
CERTIFIED JUDGES’ PROGRAM ……………………………9
HOW TO APPLY FOR A CERTIFIED JUDGES TEST …..10
MODIFIED JUDGES’ PROGRAM …………………………..11
GENERAL GUIDELINES ………………………………………. 12
Guidelines for show participants …………. 12
Guidelines for head judges certified
judges and judging staff ……………………….. 13
MCA JUDGING GUIDELINES ………………………………. 14
Introduction …………………………………………. 14
Guidelines for Gold Card and
certified judges ………………………………….. 15
Guidelines for judges …………………………… 16
As you begin judging ……………………………. 16
During judging ……………………………………...16
JUDGING OCCASIONAL and STREET
DRIVEN CLASSES …………………………………………….…..19
Engine compartment judging ………………. 20
Undercarriage judging …………………………. 20
PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN YOUR JUDGING SHEET
OR FOR COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS …….. 21
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members and
may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
JUDGES’ PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Some people think that judging Mustangs at MCA National Shows is difficult and challenging
and while often it can be, it can also be fun, rewarding, and educational. The judges’ program is
open to anyone holding a current MCA membership. Mustang ownership or previous show or
judging experience is not necessary. The program is for those who want to learn more about
judging from experienced Certified and/or Gold Card judges. This is also an excellent
opportunity for MCA members with no prior judging experience at MCA national shows to learn
more about MCA judging or how the various classes are set up, etc. Also, for those preparing to
take an MCA certification test in the future, this is an extremely good way to learn all of the
things that judges look for, become a member of a judging team, and work with some of the
best MCA judges in the country.
As an MCA member, the best way to become involved with the judges’ program is to familiarize
yourself with what’s going on in the judging community. Read the articles in The Mustang
Times, browse MCA’s website (www.mustang.org), particularly that portion that covers all
aspects of judging such as rules, judged classes, names and addresses of key judges, etc. If not
already a member, join your nearest MCA local and/or regional club and get involved.
To start the learning process of judging at MCA national shows, attend the Judges’ Meeting
held each Saturday morning at one of the four annual show sites. At the conclusion of these
meetings Assistant National Head Judges of each class will call for volunteers to work on that
class. At this time, you should make yourself known and available to assist in that day’s judging
of that class. You can then become acquainted with the judging process and those who will be
involved. A word of caution; do not request to be an assistant in a class in which your car, a car
you worked on, or a car of a close friend or family member is to be judged. Such an occurrence
can lead to the car being eliminated from MCA competition and loss of MCA membership for a
period of time to be determined by the Head Judge.
NATIONAL HEAD JUDGES
The President of MCA appoints two MCA National Head Judges, one for the first, second, and
third generations and one for fourth, fifth, and sixth generations to current models for a period
of one year. National Head Judges various duties include the following:
Chairs the rules meetings.
Presides over the annual judges’ meeting.
Oversees the appointment of all Gold Card Judges.
Appoints Assistant National Head Judges.
Heads all judging activities at MCA national and Grand National shows.
Remains available to settle any rule or policy dispute that may arise at a national
or Grand National show.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members and
may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
ASSISTANT NATIONAL HEAD JUDGES’ PROGRAM
Assistant National Head Judges are knowledgeable ambassadors of MCA. As such they provide
the framework upon which judging is accomplished. Among other tasks, Assistant National
Head Judges are responsible for:
Attending as many MCA National Shows as possible.
Participating in the annual Judges’ Meeting.
Assembling and supervising judging teams at national shows.
Awarding judging certificates and cards to those who have taken and passed the
Certified Judge’s test.
Holding judging seminars/clinics at national shows.
Updating MCA rules for their specific class(es).
Writing certified judges tests for their specific class(es).
Working with aspiring judges on and off the show field to enhance their knowledge.
GOLD CARD JUDGES’ PROGRAM
Gold Card judges are appointed by a National Head Judge for a period of five years. Following is
a partial list of the activities in which the Gold Card Judges currently participate:
Judging at MCA shows.
Helping start new MCA regional groups.
Assist in organizing regional group shows.
Writing or help writing a judging test.
Providing help and advice to fellow MCA members during the restoration or
modification of a member’s car.
Assisting new judges at national shows.
Contributing articles and stories for publication in The Mustang Times.
Conducting judging rules and practices seminars at regional clubs to continue the
development and improvement of the MCA cadre of judges
Being proactive in reviewing rules and judging sheets to improve their accuracy and
completeness.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members and
may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
GOLD CARD JUDGE CERTIFICATION
To become a Gold Card Judge you must first have completed all of the requirements of the
Certified Judges’ Program thus becoming an experienced certified judge. The following
requirements must also be met before you can be considered for the position of Gold Card
Judge. You must obtain one or more letters of recommendation from a Gold Card Judge that
you have judged with at past national shows citing your expertise in a particular class and that
you have demonstrated the appropriate ambassadorial skills required of this senior credential.
This letter is sent to the Assistant National Head Judge for that category and if he agrees, it is
then sent to the appropriate National Head Judge for evaluation and processing through MCA.
If you are successful in being appointed, your name will be entered in the Gold Card Judges’ list
on the MCA website and in The Mustang Times. After receiving your Gold Card, you will be
expected to participate in one or more of the above listed Gold Card Judges Responsibilities
each year to maintain your Gold Card status. Gold Card certification responsibilities do not
start and end at shows, but continue during the entire term of your five-year appointment.
National Head Judges evaluate Gold Card judges from time to time and those not meeting the
requirements will be eliminated from the Gold Card program.
CERTIFIED JUDGES’ PROGRAM
Certified Judges are the foundation of MCA’s shows and judging program. MCA certifies judges
for all models of Mustangs, Shelbys, Saleens and Roushs for the purpose of judging cars that
attend National Shows each year. Any MCA member may become a Certified Judge. Certified
Judges are expected to make themselves available to help at all shows they attend. To become
a Certified Judge the applicant must know his or her model of choice, have a good basic
knowledge of that model, and successfully complete the judging test for that class year, or
model. Once you are certified, your term is for as long as you are a member of MCA in good
standing without any breaks in your membership during your certification period, and continue
to meet the requirements as a certified judge.
Your responsibilities and training as a Certified Judge have just begun. As you continue to
attend and judge at MCA shows your experience and knowledge will expand and you will be
able to accept increasingly more important roles in the judging process. You are more qualified
to work with judging aspirants both at home at your local or regional club, and play a more
active part in judging at MCA shows as you work toward the prestigious goal of becoming a
Gold Card judge. You may be afforded the opportunity to work at judging seminars, both on
and off MCA show sites. All of these activities broaden your expertise in judging Mustangs.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members and
may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
HOW TO APPLY FOR A
CERTIFIED JUDGE’S TEST
Any current MCA member may apply for a Certified Judges test. No judging or show experience
is necessary. However, participation at local and national shows will enhance gaining of
experience. Becoming familiar with the rules and guideline in this pamphlet and particularly
studying the rules of the various judged classes found on MCA’s website is very helpful in
preparing for the exam itself. Application can be made, and taken online at
http://www.mustang.org/send2test.php. After completing the exam, it will be graded online
and you, as the applicant, and the appropriate Assistant National Head Judge, will be notified
whether you have passed or failed. If you fail, you will be given the opportunity to retake the
test. Once you have successfully passed the test, you are required to attend and judge at a
national MCA show where you will be presented a wallet card and your certificate may be
signed by the appropriate Assistant National Head Judge.
MODIFIED JUDGES’ PROGRAM
The Modified classes require a different judging procedure. Because you are judging the form,
fit and function of the owner’s creation and not necessarily what the factory intended, you must
qualify through practical experience. Additionally, in these classes only, points are
awarded, not deducted. In addition to points gained for condition, workmanship, cleanliness,
points are awarded for modified items (not items stock to that class). Therefore, as a judge, you
need to have a broad knowledge of what was OEM on a car to recognize if it has been modified.
Mustangs in the Modified classes should have a listing of modifications to assist the judging
team in considering all modifications and evaluating the difficulty in making these. And
although points are scored in an additive mode, the judging teams, as in all show classes, must
not add the total points on the judging sheets. That job is left to those in the Tally Room.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members and
may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
GENERAL GUIDELINES
GUIDELINES FOR SHOW PARTICIPANTS
To be ready for the judging of your vehicle, you should:
Have all windows rolled up.
Doors should be closed but unlocked.
Convertible tops must be up.
Trunks or hatches open.
Hoods up (except daily driven hoods closed).
Remove all mats (except ones that are hook-attached to the floor), magazines, signs,
dash covers, tire covers and any other items from the car, trunk, and hatch area.
Remove all displays, except Thoroughbred, Modified and Display Only classes.
Maintain your vehicle in its assigned place during show hours unless released by
the Head Judge.
NOTE: Once the judging has started, stand off to the side and make yourself available to
respond to requests from the judging team and to open doors, etc. Unsportsmanlike conduct
will result in disqualification. Decisions by the Nation Head Judge are final.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members
and may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
GUIDELINES FOR HEAD JUDGES
ASSISTANT HEAD JUDGES & JUDGING STAFF
Have sufficient copies of the judging sheets (available from the National Show
Secretary).
Have copies of the Rule Book for judging teams.
Have clipboards and pens for each person (host club to provide but distributed by the
National Show Secretary).
Provide some form of identification for the judging teams (hats, badges, ribbons,
etc. host club to provide).
The head judges and assistant head judges should be available at all times during the show to
provide requisite direction and resolve disputes promptly and fairly.
MCA JUDGING GUIDELINES
INTRODUCTION
The first thing a judge needs to do must happen before he or she ever approaches a car or
speaks to a car owner. Besides preparing yourself with knowledge of the type of cars you will
be judging and the MCA rules, you need to take a quick “attitude check” and remember you
are an ambassador of the Mustang Club of America. Your first job is to promote the club in a
positive manner so that people you encounter will want to come back. You should always be
conscious of the fact that your actions affect the integrity of the MCA. In order for the club to
continue being regarded as the most prestigious and respected Mustang Club in the world, we
must conduct ourselves with integrity at all times. Last, but not least, relax and have fun!
Prior to judging, judges should:
Check in with a Head or Assistant Head Judge upon arrival at the show site.
Attend the Judges’ Meeting.
Come prepared.
Plan to furnish your own clipboard if one is not provided.
You need to be available to meet with your assigned team and begin at the appointed
hour.
It’s helpful to locate and obtain an overall view of the cars in your class before the
judging begins.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members
and may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
GUIDELINES FOR GOLD CARD AND
CERTIFIED JUDGES
Identify and meet with team members following the Judges’ meeting.
It is your job to handle all conversations with car owners, if present.
Establish a good steady pace early. You are responsible for the completion of
judging sheets and seeing that they are delivered to tally personnel. Never tally
points.
Contact the Head Judge if you can’t handle any problem that arises.
If a car owner interferes during judging, politely ask them to stand at a distance from
the vehicle until the judging team is finished.
Introduce yourself and team members to the owner or representative and inform
them when you have finished judging the vehicle.
Most importantly, sign your judging sheet and include your printed name and MCA
number. Without that, your judging sheet will not be valid.
Include a phone number on the sheet in case the owner has questions about their
judging sheet.
Thank the owners for entering their car in the show.
GUIDELINES FOR JUDGES
Remember that you are representing MCA at all times.
Be familiar with the judging forms and MCA Rule Book.
Never judge your own, or a vehicle which you have helped restore or modify.
Never let prior knowledge of a car affect your judgment.
REMEMBER – the car always gets the benefit of the doubt.
AS YOU BEGIN JUDGING
The team captain should introduce himself/herself and associates to the car owner and inform
them you are going to be evaluating their car. Be courteous – we make many lasting
friendships at this point. Thank them for attending the show because without the show cars
(and you the judge) there would be no show.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members
and may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
DURING JUDGING
The team captain should assign someone to hold the clipboard and record. Typically, the
more experienced judge/judges of the team should look at the car and the apprentice
judge should hold the clipboard and record. It is OK for the judge with the clipboard to
help with judging. They should agree to this before the judging starts, but should remain
the designated persons’ job once started. It is important to remember that handling
the clipboard is easier for one person. This will lessen the chance of dropping the
clipboard and damaging the car.
If you disagree with another judge on the team, never argue in front of the car owner,
take the disagreement elsewhere. The Head Judge is available to settle disagreements
or he may allow the senior member of the team to prevail.
Never deduct points for what you think is incorrect, only for items you know are
incorrect.
Never, under any circumstances, deduct a half (1/2) point. Only full points may be
taken off.
Never eat or drink while judging a car. If you are hungry or thirsty, take care of these
things between the judging of cars, before you start judging, during planned breaks, or
after you have finished judging the class. This will avoid spilling food or drink on or in
the car. It is very hot at many show sites and proper hydration is important. See that
you and other team members drink enough liquids.
Never smoke around the car you are judging.
Keep a clear distance between yourself and the car you are judging. Belt buckles, rings
and watches will scratch paint.
If the car owner is present, ask them to open and close doors, trunk lids and hoods. If
the owner is not there, open and close things more carefully than you would your own
car.
Make it a practice to carry a clean towel with you and use it to open doors, etc.
Refrain from visiting with friends and owners of vehicles while judging.
DO NOT sit in the car or crawl in the interior. A good rule of thumb is to have at least
one knee on the ground when judging interiors.
NEVER make comments such as “This is a piece of junk,” “We are wasting our time with
this one,” or any other derogatory comments. The rules and your application of them,
will quietly tell the truth. Your job is to be a fair, consistent and impartial member of the
judging team. What you do and say is a reflection on the MCA and all the judges.
Affix a sticker that was provided by the Judging Secretary to the windshield card or mark
the windshield card which shows the car’s class and number, to show the car has been
“JUDGED.”
Inform the owner, if present, that you are finished and that you hope to see him or her
at future shows.
Never add up points on the judging sheet.
Always write an explanation for any points deducted.
Sign the Judging sheet, and print your name and MCA number.
©2018 Mustang Club of America, Inc
All content of this document is the property of the Mustang Club of America, Inc. It is intended for the private use of MCA members
and may not be used or sold in any format by others. Attempts to sell, alter, or damage this document without written permission of the
MCA will be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
V02.01032018
Turn in your completed judging sheets as quickly as they are completed.
Move on to the next car to be judged.
Never go back to look at an already judged car unless you tell the car owner why you
are returning. A return should only be necessary for such items as marking the dash
plaque “judged” or possibly to show another car owner a correct part that is on the
“judged” car.
After the last car is judged, sign the judge roster at the National Judges Secretary table.
JUDGING OCCASIONAL & STREET DRIVEN
CLASSES
Judging Occasional Driven and Daily Driven Classes greatly differ from Concours Classes. The
driven classes are judged on cleanliness, workmanship and condition. They are not judged on
originality. The Daily Driven cars will show normal wear from being driven often. Normal wear
is acceptable for the daily driver. Minor modifications are acceptable. Classification inspection
makes the judgment call on modifications. The judge for this class should not be concerned
about modifications. The judge will concentrate on cleanliness, workmanship and condition.
Note: there is no magic number of modifications that restrict this class.
It is essential that each car be judged consistently. Inspect the same areas of each car by
following the judging sheet. Do not deduct the same amount of points on every car. No two
cars are identical nor is there a perfect car. There will be different degrees of cleanliness,
workmanship and condition. The Judge uses good analysis in the points deducted. Always
write an explanation for any points deducted. Do not total points. Always sign the judging
sheet when finished.
DO NOT get in the car or lift the carpet or floor mats. You can see all areas that are to be
judged from the open door.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT JUDGING
In the Occasional Driven class, hoods are to be open because the engine compartment is to be
judged. In the Daily Driven class, the hood must be closed. Never close hoods or trunk lids to
check fit.
UNDERCARRIAGE JUDGING
The undercarriage in the Occasional Driven class may be detailed, blacked out or undercoated.
In this class, a casual look at the undercarriage for cleanliness only is required.
PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN JUDGING SHEETS
OR FOR COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS
The procedure for obtaining your judging sheets is found on the back of your dash card given
to you at the time your Mustang is classified and registered at an MCA national show.
Judging sheets are available two weeks after National and Grand National shows. To obatin
judging sheets email your class number to (mcaofficemanager@gmail.com) and your sheets
will be emailed back to you as a pdf file.
If you have comments you should call or write the Assistant National Head Judge for the
specific class that is in question and relay your discrepancy. He or she can then check or
verifythe situation or disagreement. Your comment will be noted for future reference. As the
show participant, your opinion is welcome, particularly the good comments you have about
your judge or judges. Positive comments help improve the good judges, and negative
comments are needed to change negative to positive. Remember, MCA is everyone’s club
and part-time workers are all volunteering their time.
If you have a specific problem with the judges, you can express your opinion to any Assistant
National Head Judge or National Head Judge that was present at the show. It is very difficult to
evaluate some situations depending on circumstances. Some problems are never rectified, but
your comments are always appreciated and noted for future improvements.
Thank You
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