GSL Championship Judging Standards

THE SEVENTEENTH GSL INTERNATIONAL MODEL CAR CHAMPIONSHIP JUDGING GUIDELINES:

General Policy.

The success of the GSL Championship depends on the personal integrity and good-faith conduct by everyone, including participants, contestants, GSL staff and the judges. Everyone's enjoyment of the GSL Championship is enhanced when we all abide by the written rules and common courtesy, and when no one tries to "bend the rules", or take advantage by entering a model they have not built in accordance with the rules of the GSL Championship.

The GSL Championship rewards individual craftsmanship and creativity. Each model must be EXCLUSIVELY constructed by the entrant: No one other than the builder-entrant may perform any painting, upholstery, graphics work, component construction or final assembly tasks. GSL rewards individual effort, not any partnership/committee/"contract" construction of entries. However, contestants may use any aftermarket part(s) (except where prohibited by specific Class rules) including any items or components specially-manufactured for that contestant, as long as those parts are not assembled or detailed by anyone other than the builder-entrant.

The GSL Championship provides a hospitable arena in which scale vehicle modelers may compete with the assurance of a fair and unbiased evaluation of each model entered in competition, regardless of scale, subject matter or building materials used. There is no effort to "spread the gold": A great model may win Best of Class and any number of Master Awards, including Best of Show.

Specific Judging Rules.

Determining the Qualification of Each Model for Each Class. Though the greatest latitude is afforded each contestant in the placement of a model in a Class, the final determination of the appropriate placement of each model in each Class is reserved for the GSL Judges. In the case of incorrect or questionable placement of a model in a particular Class, the judges will attempt to contact the contestant (or the contestant's representative) and discuss the problem. If the contestant or contestant's representative cannot be found, the GSL Judges reserve the right to reclassify any model.

Judging Procedures. A three-person GSL judging panel (Mark S. Gustavson, Pat Covert and Bob Wick) evaluates the entries, on a Class-by-Class basis. The judges "walk through" the Class, doing an initial examination of the entries, and eliminating those models with gross craftsmanship flaws from further judging. A technically-sophisticated model lacking basic craftsmanship will not win a Class award. The remaining models are then judged on detailing, technical innovation, operational features and other distinguishing characteristics. No written score "points" sheet is used, and all decisions by the judges are agreed upon by unanimous vote following multiple examinations and evaluations of each entry in a Class. All decisions are final.

Judging Privacy. No contestant is permitted in the Contest Hall during judging. Only preauthorized representatives of the hobby media are permitted entrance and then only for photography. Additional administrative personnel may also be admitted at the discretion of the judges.

Disqualification Rules. Any model entered in competition may be disqualified if it: A). Is unfinished, defined as lacking a major component or components necessary to be eligible to compete in the Class in which the model is entered. The GSL Judges recognize that the lack of any particular detailing element (e.g., the existence of a working throttle linkage) does not necessarily characterize any model as "incomplete," but the absence of a necessary element, such as an exhaust system in Factory Stock Class, would disqualify that model from competition in that Class; or B). Does not qualify for any official Class. Whenever possible, the GSL Judges will move a model to another Class in order avoid disqualification; or C). Has been awarded a Best in Class or any Master Award in any previous GSL Championship; or D). Has been team-built. Each model must be EXCLUSIVELY constructed by the entrant: No one other than the builder-entrant may perform any painting, upholstery, graphics work, component construction, or final assembly tasks. GSL rewards individual effort, not partnership, committee, or "contract" construction of entries.

However, contestants may use any aftermarket part(s) (except where prohibited by specific Class rules) including any items or components specially-manufactured for that contestant, as long as those parts are not assembled or detailed by anyone other than the builder-entrant.

The GSL Judges will try to make an initial determination of the qualification of the GSL Entries before the Contest Hall closes on Saturday. Whenever possible, the GSL Judges will attempt to notify the entrant or the entrant's representative to discuss the disqualification from the Championship or the movement of a model from one Class to another Class before the Awards Ceremony.

Reclassification of Models. When an entry does not include mandatory research materials or an instruction sheet as required by the definition of a particular Class or where the model has been incorrectly entered in a Class, the GSL Judges will move to the next most appropriate class by the GSL Judges. Every effort will be made to notify and consult with the contestant, whenever possible, concerning a reclassification of any model. The decision of the GSL Judges is final.

Entries. Once officially entered (defined as registering, paying the Registration Fee for an adult contestant, receiving a registration slip and entering the Contest Hall), a model may not be withdrawn from competition and must remain in the Contest Hall. All models must be placed in the Contest Hall by 5:00 p.m. Saturday: NO late entries will be accepted. No work, other than repairs, may be done to any entry once it has been officially entered, and those repairs must be made in the Contest Hall, except with permission of a GSL Official. Models may be generally retrieved from the Contest Hall on Sunday morning, approximately 11:00 a.m. or earlier by special arrangement.

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