The Mercedes-Benz Club National Concours d'elegance Rules and Conditions of Entry
The purpose of the competition The judging process seeks to recognise and reward exceptional Mercedes-Benz cars within our Club. Judges focus primarily on condition, originality and authenticity and in this way the Club strives to make a significant contribution to the correct preservation of Mercedes-Benz cars in the UK. The competition is open to all Cub Members and is divided into three main groups with other groups or anniversaries acknowledged as and when required and dependant on entry numbers. These may be Exhibition and Modified Class, AMG Class etc. However the three main groups are :-
1. Club Class This is where Club members can enter their cars with the minimum of preparation as only the cars exterior will be judged on originality, cleanliness and condition. In the event of a tie then the Judges may be required to judge the engine bay to decide the winner. Cars will be divided into specific groups which will be 1. Saloons and Estates, 2. Coupes and 3. Convertibles. All groups will be subdivided by age dependent on entries received. All cars must be displayed with windows, doors, bonnet and boot closed and convertibles to have their hard or soft top in place. Cars must be driven to the event from their home base as no transport/trailer is permitted. There is no minimum mileage restrictions and cars may remain locked. There is no requirement for entrants to be with their car during the judging process. Winners in this class will be required to move up to the Classic Class if they enter the same car in the subsequent year.
2. Classic Class This is for cars of a high standard of originality or restoration to an "as left the factory" condition. They will be divided in to the same specific groups and age profiles as the Club Class cars. In this class the entire car will be judged including the exterior, interior, engine, boot, wheels, wheel arches. Members are required to be with their cars during the judging process and cars must be unlocked during this period. Convertibles must have their hard or soft top in place. Cars must be driven to the event from their home base as no transport/trailering is permitted. There are no minimum mileage restrictions. Winners in this class (excluding cars under ten years old) will be required to move up to Master Class if they enter the same car in the subsequent year.
3. Concours d'Elegance Master Class This is for the very best cars in the Club where the highest standard of originality or restoration is paramount and the entire car will be judged as such including underside, floor pans, suspension and exhaust system. Three groups will be judged 1. Saloons/Estates, 2. Coupes and 3. Convertibles. All cars within Master Class must be over ten years old and there are no minimum mileage restrictions Cars must be driven to the event from their home base as no transport/trailering is permitted. Entrants must be with their car during the judging process and be prepared to start their car and operate all electrical functions to the Judges satisfaction if requested to do so.
Best in Show This will be selected from the various class winners within Master Class and which has received the highest overall score. This car will not be eligible to enter the main Concours competition for the subsequent two years, it will however be allowed to enter the Exhibition and Modified Class.
Exhibition and Modified Class If sufficient entries are received an Exhibition and Modified Class will feature as part of the Concours event. It will feature Members iconic Mercedes cars, Modified cars, Cars under 3 years old and previous Best in Show winners. This class will be judged with a Members vote based on the car you would want to take home. No age or minimum mileage restrictions apply and the transportation or trailering of these cars to and from the event is permitted in this specific class only.
AMG Class This class is open to all AMG derived cars in one class regardless of body style mileage and age and will be judged as per the Club Class above.
Other awards on the day will include, Best Interior (Classic & Master Class only), Furthest Travelled and others as may be appropriate etc. The prize giving will be held around 15:30. Winners who have left prior to the prize giving without the approval of the Concours Manager will forfeit their award.
General Notes Entries in the three main classes must be taxed, insured and have a valid MoT where applicable. Excluding Club class, points will be awarded for the inclusion of all vehicle documents including log book, MOT (if applicable) owner's manual, service book/history, tool kit etc.
Communication with the Judges is not permitted during the judging process unless instigated by the Judges themselves.
If insufficient entries are received in any group within Club, Classic or Master Class they may be amalgamated into another group at the sole discretion of the Concours Manager. This is to ensure a meaningful competition is maintained. Acceptance of any car will be at the sole discretion of the Concours Manager.
Concours Judges may only enter cars in groups in which they are not Judging in order to maintain fair competition and impartiality.
No advertising literature or "For sale" signs may be distributed/displayed without the express permission of the Concours Manager.
The Concours Manager and Judges decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into and this is a specific condition of entry which all members agree to abide by. No claim of any type shall arise against the Club, the Concours Manager, an individual Judge, or any Member or against the Directors by reason of any decision or action made during the course of the Concours competition.
On the Day Arrival to the event will be between 9:00 and 10:00. All cars must be ready for Judging by 10:30. Upon arrival entrants will be handed their score sheet and directed to their allocated parking bay by one of the Club Marshals. When parked in their allocated bay, registration is achieved by taking their score sheet and Club Membership card to the registration desk where entrants will be booked in to ensure that the organisers know that they have arrived. Entrants can then undertake any final preparations for their car to be Judged. Entrants in Classic or Master Class are required to be with their car during the Judging process and are therefore advised to remain in the vicinity of their car. This is not applicable for Club Class entrants or other Classes.
Spectators Spectators' who are members can pay the entry fee and will receive a wrist band giving them access to the Museum, Café and Jaguar Heritage Centre.
pbe22/12/2023