What it Takes to Have a Winning Vehicle
With the car audio competition season getting underway I thought it would be a good time to cover the basics of what it takes to have a winning vehicle. Even if you don't compete this advice will help make your system "competition quality".
Planning
Winning vehicles don't happen by accident. You need to sit down and decide what you want to accomplish, how much money you have to accomplish it and how you're going to pull it off. A big decision is the power class and organization you'll be competing in. Get the rule book and study it. Some are available for online viewing.
You don't want to be giving up points because you didn't do something or did something wrong. Do you work for a car audio shop or did you receive some equipment as a sponsorship? Welcome to the Pro Class. Do not pass Go and do not collect $200. Are you a member of the competition organization. No, then minus five points. No sticker from the competition organization on your vehicle? Minus five. Plan ahead and work with someone who knows the organization you're competing in.
Execution
Out of sight, out of mind won't fly here. You need to work with a professional installer (or have professional skills) so everything is connected, secured and protected properly. Ideally your competition consultant will be your installer too. Picking an installer with competition experience will help ensure you don't miss any easy points or get dinged for obvious rule violations.
And because this is a competition installation you want attention to detail. It really disgusts me to see show quality vehicles with mega buck sound systems and poor installation. The kind that are good from afar but far from good. Gaps between installation panels and vehicle panels are the biggest offender. If your installer can't figure out how to mate two panels together than you need a new installer. You shouldn't see seams or the backside of unfinished pieces. Any necessary gaps, such as those around trunk bars should be equal on both sides.
Documentation
Another important factor is the photo documentation of the installation. The judges need to see what they can't see. Show them how the head unit was installed with a proper bracket, wiring harness and soldering. Photograph the amplifier mounting board being held in place with bolts and not duct tape. Installation integrity is a big factor and if they can't see what you've done behind the scenes then you'll lose points.
It's best to photograph everything (digital cameras are great) and then put it into a three ring binder. Pretend you're working on a school project and you need an A. Arrange the photos neatly and label each one. Be sure to highlight the sections you can gain or lose points on as well as those that are unique. Creativity gets you points so show why your installation is different.
Presentation
It's said that the only thing people fear more than death is public speaking. Unfortunately you're going to have to talk about your vehicle to the judges as part of the competition. The good news is it's about your system and not about some book you had to read for class. And you get to walk around and point things out rather than standing dead center in a room with thirty pairs of eyes on you.
This is where your preparation pays off. Get out your photo book and have the car clean and ready to go. Talk to other competitors and see if you can get within ear shot of the winners when they give their presentations. Stay calm and remember to practice ahead of time. You're less likely to blank out if you've already given the presentation fifty times before to the person in your bathroom mirror.
To find out more about the major competition organizations go to these sites:
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The Car Audio Help DVD catalog includes five different videos covering many areas of car audio installation and custom fabrication. Topics range from basic system installation (head units, CD changers, amplifiers, speakers, etc.) and mobile security (car alarms and remote start) to subwoofer box design and fiberglass fabrication. If you're interested in custom fabrication and car audio installation be sure to check out what we have to offer. |
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