Good judging keeps a show fair and keeps people coming back. The two decisions that matter: your judging method and a consistent score sheet everyone sees in advance.
Pick a judging method
- Judge scoring: 2 to 4 judges walk the field with score sheets - most credible, works for class trophies.
- Participant voting: entrants vote for other cars - simple and social, but caps out around 60 to 80 cars.
- Hybrid: peer choice plus Best in Show by judges - a solid format for larger shows.
The 100-point score sheet
Score each car out of 100 across four categories so scores are defensible when someone asks why they lost:
- Exterior (35 points): paint, body alignment, cleanliness, trim condition.
- Engine bay and undercarriage (25 points): detail level, correctness, cleanliness.
- Interior (20 points): seats, dash, headliner, gauges, period-correctness.
- Overall impression (20 points): stance, fit and finish, how the build comes together.
Hand judges clipboards with the same sheet, and publish the categories in your rules so entrants know what is being scored. Consistency matters more than the categories themselves: every car gets looked at the same way.
Judge etiquette
- Judge in pairs so no single opinion swings a class.
- Do not discuss scores in front of entrants - note them and move on.
- Re-score ties together before awards are announced.
- Never judge a class you, a friend, or a sponsor has a car in.
Trophies and feedback
Announce winners on time and post results. If someone asks why, point at the categories - the score sheet does the arguing for you. For the full event picture, see our guide to hosting a car show.
Ready to host your own show?
List it free on Driveway - discovery, registration, QR check-in, and attendee updates in one place.
Create your event