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Here is something to consider about keeping long-term 'winners" in the Winners circle:
First, we know that we learn more each year about what the factories actually built, because
original condition old bikes continue to be found. Our reference material continues to expand,
and what was considered "authentic" ten, fifteen or twenty years ago, may no longer be so.
The original purpose of the Winners Circle was to showcase bikes that have been judged as
authentic representations of a particular make, model and year, for reference by future restorers.
Unfortunately, the years have passed and some of these bikes may now be less than perfect examples
to be studied by others.
Now, consider this: LIMIT the length of time a bike can be in the Winners Circle to, say, FIVE YEARS,
at the end of which the bike must be RE-JUDGED to determine its continued status as a Winners Circle
bike. If it fails the test, it cannot be re-admitted until its problems are corrected.
I bring this up because there is currently a 1960 Triumph Bonneville from Minnesota classed as a
Winners Circle bike, that has too much chrome and several other problems. Checking its
judging history it was learned that it was judged three times, all at Viking Chapter meets,
and on all three occasions, by several of the same judges. It needs to be judged again, and at
AMCA National Meets held by other chapters.
Also, the judging rules should stipulate that any bike being judged for a National Senior Award
MUST be judged at three separate meets and not by the same judges, as different judges spot
different things, as three of us did with the Triumph in question when it appeared at Davenport
three years ago.
I am interested to learn other judges' opinions on this.
First, we know that we learn more each year about what the factories actually built, because
original condition old bikes continue to be found. Our reference material continues to expand,
and what was considered "authentic" ten, fifteen or twenty years ago, may no longer be so.
The original purpose of the Winners Circle was to showcase bikes that have been judged as
authentic representations of a particular make, model and year, for reference by future restorers.
Unfortunately, the years have passed and some of these bikes may now be less than perfect examples
to be studied by others.
Now, consider this: LIMIT the length of time a bike can be in the Winners Circle to, say, FIVE YEARS,
at the end of which the bike must be RE-JUDGED to determine its continued status as a Winners Circle
bike. If it fails the test, it cannot be re-admitted until its problems are corrected.
I bring this up because there is currently a 1960 Triumph Bonneville from Minnesota classed as a
Winners Circle bike, that has too much chrome and several other problems. Checking its
judging history it was learned that it was judged three times, all at Viking Chapter meets,
and on all three occasions, by several of the same judges. It needs to be judged again, and at
AMCA National Meets held by other chapters.
Also, the judging rules should stipulate that any bike being judged for a National Senior Award
MUST be judged at three separate meets and not by the same judges, as different judges spot
different things, as three of us did with the Triumph in question when it appeared at Davenport
three years ago.
I am interested to learn other judges' opinions on this.
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