Celebrity Judges at the $2017 Challenge

Two years ago, we had Al Unser Junior at the $2015 Challenge, and last year we were supposed to have my friend, Amelia Island Concours founder, Bill Warner judge at our Challenge, but some health issues precluded that. Yesterday I judged at Amelia with Ray Evernham, of NASCAR fame, who I have gotten to know. I explained the event and asked him if he might like to come down and check it out. He said if he didn't have a conflict, it sounded like a lot of fun. As Little Al seemed popular, I thought this idea of a semi-regular slate of down to earth, celebrity judges might add to our event. To those who participate, or are contemplating participating, are your thoughts on Ray Evernham in particular and celebrity judges in general?

Do it...
Variety on the judging side will be just as much fun as the variety on the build side.

I think this does a nice job of the continued tradition of GRM/Classic putting you "in touch" with the real people in the sport.

In the year of Little Al, I commend our competitor with the Subaru wagon who asked Little Al if he would be willing to drive an Autox lap in his car and allow him to ride along. The unintended consequence was that our competitor got Little Al to both show him (as Al drove) as well as coach him (as Al passengered) on all his Autox laps.

I realize that this would not be something to overtly encourage for the future but our competitor grasped at an opportunity that everyone else there overlooked and had an even more special weekend because if it.

Our competitor is a fiend of GRM
Little Al is a friend of GRM
Never would the two have shared the front seat of a single car without the shared friendship of GRM.

Ray is a Great Choice, Not that Uber wealthy Folks aren't Regular, some may have a lack of intrest or not see the Why, as most just Buy what they want. call in some Old School Nascar people that had to buy car from a dealer and Make it into a race car, this of course includes Drag race and Road Race Builders and Drivers.

I think the celebrity judges add something to the event. Ray Evernham would be perfect.

In the year of the Nissan Quest, I may have benefited from some Peter Brock or Adam Corolla judging (or could have offended them and been hurt by their judging)

Though not a judge, in the year of the Quest, I did have a great conversation with the Rep from Mazda at The Challenge. When the Quest was launched, he worked for Nissan. I was there when he was texting pictures of the van off to his former co-workers from those Nissan days.

I also know that David Wallens sent photos of the van to Peter Brock who in turn sent photos to Adam Corolla, all with thumbs up. As mentioned, more access than those not there might realize.

On Ray Evernham's show Americarna they recently did a piece on the restoration of Mario Andretti's 1965 Brawner Hawk that earned him Best in Class – Race Cars (1961-1967) and the Phil Hill Restorer’s Award at Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Evernham has also been a judge there.

That would be a great idea. Seems like he's a really down to earth kinda guy. Maybe he could work GRM into an episode.

Be nice to get one or all of the Wayne Taylor Boys wayne taylor racing

I am of two minds on the subject. On one hand, I recognize the benefit to all parties of expanding the brand and being socially relevant. On the other, I have very little use for the cult of "celebrity" and fear that too much of a glossy veneer of professionalism could distract focus from those with dirt beneath their fingernails.

I really only casually recognize the name Evernham and totally defer to the judgment of those familiar with his work.

I probably will not participate this year and so have no real skin in the game. My preference in general would be that instead of inviting guests billed as celebrities it would be more appropriate to rotate in an eclectic mix of interesting "Car Guys" (and Gals!).

Celebrity judges are awesome.

1. It is cool to get to meet some of the greats.

2. It is really cool to be reminded that the greats are car nuts just like us.

Robbie wrote: Celebrity judges are awesome. 1. It is cool to get to meet some of the greats. 2. It is really cool to be reminded that the greats are car nuts just like us.

Can't say it any better. It was fun reminiscing with Al jr about turn 1 at the Cleveland grand prix.

Ok, thanks for the input. Believe me, no one wants to wrangle a douche bag all weekend, so I would be very careful who I picked. Speaking of Peter Brock... Margie and I had dinner with he and his wife and partner, Gayle, Thursday night and I also spent some time with Adam Corolla, who I also know well enough to invite. I have been to Adam's house, and yes, he too is a very real car guy.

I think most of here have enough trust in you to know that you wouldn't just invite a "name" to your event.

It's cool to meet people who have gotten lucky/skilled enough to do professionally what we do for fun.

I think it's a great idea. As well stated above, a lot of these "celebrities" are as enthusiastic about cars as we are. And are almost universally down to earth to boot. Maybe they can help spread the good word of all the cool things going down at the Challenge every year.

I think it's a great idea!

Tim,

Along with the judging could you interview him? It would be interesting to get his opinion on the car hobby and racing in general. Maybe we here on the internet could submit a question or two?

Tim Suddard wrote: Ok, thanks for the input. Believe me, no one wants to wrangle a douche bag all weekend, so I would be very careful who I picked. Speaking of Peter Brock... Margie and I had dinner with he and his wife and partner, Gayle, Thursday night and I also spent some time with Adam Corolla, who I also know well enough to invite. I have been to Adam's house, and yes, he too is a very real car guy.

Please do, so my datsun can have a chance at overall win

Tim Suddard wrote: ... Adam Corolla, who I also know well enough to invite. I have been to Adam's house, and yes, he too is a very real car guy.

I also like this idea. In fact, I have emailed him about the challenge several times over the years... I don't actually know him so I wasn't surprised to never receive a reply.

I do enjoy his podcasts, sense of humor and excellent taste in being a fellow Datsun lover.

Danny Shields wrote: I think the celebrity judges add something to the event. Ray Evernham would be perfect.

The statement above from Danny is pretty high praise and endorsement considering that in the earliest years, Danny himself was one of the celebrity guests and has returned every year since!

Evernham will be great. As an aside, everyone should watch Refuse to Lose, which he had recorded at Daytona when Jeff won his first 500 in 97. Its a really cool look behind the scenes.

Ray is terrific. He spoke at a corporate event I attended about 5 years ago. He is a great storyteller and is very hands on mechanically. He could be one of us. Very humble and personable but has seen 100x all of us.

HUGE fan of Evernham! Love Americarna! 8 thumbs up from the Nelson clan!

I have lost a bit of Mojo of our Challenge effort. This news is well received.

There needs to be a Celebrity Class

So the Celebritys can be judged by the celebritys

Andy, wait until you see the next issue!

logdog wrote: There needs to be a Celebrity Class So the Celebritys can be judged by the celebritys

What about Celebrities raced by celebrities?

I think having Ray as a judge is a great idea. I enjoy his show and have been a fan of his creative thinking for years.