Judging & Awards
Rules & Regulations
No WOF or REGO needed to compete in all classes except for Tough Street.
Trophies will only be given if 3 or more competing cars per category are present at the event.
If you do not understand these catergoies, you need to be at the judges briefing on the night of setup to listen to the judges explinations and ask any questions you may have.
Top Judged means the vehicle with the most points at the end of the judging.
If you want to highlight something to be judged (e.g. engine bay/boot/undercarriage etc) they must be displayed for judging. Engine bay/boot must be left open and undercarriage must be displayed by being raised or shown with mirrors. If you do not display the undercarriage, leave interior/bonnet locked etc, they will be scored a 0.
All cars must be left unlocked to be judged on the night of setup.
ALL TROPHIES/PRIZES ARE TO BE COLLECTED ON THE DAY! If you do not attend prizegiving or don't collect your trophy by the end of the day, they are put in storage and may take upwards of one month to be sent out.
Show Winners
All Open Class and Tough Street show winners will recieve free entry into the next 4 & Rotary event (e.g. Champs winner will get free entry into Nationals. Nationals Winner will get free entry into Jamboree etc). Your free entry is for a standard show only spot. VIP and Track/Both Day upgrades are available at extra cost. Must be redeemed during early bird entry only.
Free entry can only be redeemed by the same vehicle and owner that won the award. You cannot bring a different vehicle, or give it to someone else.
If your club wins Best Overall Car Club, your club will recieve 5 free entries into the next event.
Season Winners
Open class season winner will automatically move to Tough Street. If your vehicle is not eligible for Tough Street, you will be given a free entry to the next season, however it will be as an exhibition and no judging will take place.
Tough Street winners are given free entry to the next season as an exhibition only. No judging will take place.
NZ Show Car Championship
Round 1 - North Island Jamboree (March-Manfeild)
Round 2 - South Island Champs (November-Timaru)
Round 3 - NZ Nationals (January-Auckland)
Rotary Class |
Open to any rotary powered vehicle in the show, regardless of WOF or REGO. | |
| Points | Award | Details |
| 100 | Best RX2/616 | Top judged RX2 or Rotary converted Mazda 616 |
| 100 | Best RX3/808 | Top judged RX3 or Rotary converted Mazda 808 |
| 100 | Best RX4/929 | Top judged RX4 or Rotary converted 929 |
| 100 | Best RX7 (S1-3) | Top judged RX7 Series 1-3 |
| 100 | Best RX7 (S4-5) | Top Judged RX7 Series 4-5 |
| 100 | Best Late Model RX | Top judged RX& Series 6-8 or RX8 |
| 100 | Best RX323 | Top judged Mazda 323 converted to Rotary engine |
| 100 | Best Rotary Conversion | Top judged car of any type that has been converted to Rotary engine |
| 100 | Best Commercial RX | Top judged commercial vehicle converted to a Rotary engine (e.g. Van/Ute/truck) |
| 100 | Best RX Other | Top judged vehicle outside of specific model trophy list that is factory fitted with a Rotary engine (e.g. R100) |
| 200 | RX Master | Top judged Mazda Rotary powered vehicle overall. Automaticaly qualify for Tough Street next year |
Piston Class |
Open to any piston powered vehicle in the show, regardless of WOF or REGO. | |
| Points | Award | Details |
| 100 | Best 4 Cyl Piston | Top judged 4 Cylinder vehicle |
| 100 | Best 6 Cyl Piston | Top judged 6 Cylinder vehicle |
| 100 | Best 8 Cyl Piston | Top judged 8 Cylinder vehicle (non American chassis) |
| 100 | Best Pre 1969 | Top judged vehicle manufactured in 1969 or prior |
| 100 | Best 1970-1989 | Top judged vehicle manufactured between 1970 and 1989 |
| 100 | Best 1990-1999 | Top judged vehicle manufactured between 1990 and 1999 |
| 100 | Best 2000-2009 | Top judged vehicle manufactured between 2000 and 2009 |
| 100 | Best 2010+ | Top Judged vehicle manufactured after 20010 |
| 100 | Best Piston Conversion | Top judged vehicle of any type that has been converted to Piston engine |
| 100 | Best Commercial Piston | Top judged commercial vehicle converted to a Piston engine (e.g. Van/Ute/truck) |
| 200 | Best Piston Vehicle Overall | Top judged Piston engine powered vehicle overall |
Club Awards |
There is a minimum of 5 cars to be entered as a Club. Businesses cannot be entered as a club nor win any club awards | |
| Points | Award | Details |
| 100 | Best Club Theme/Display | Judged on theme and display of stand and members. E.G. Costumes, Props, etc |
| 50 | Best Club Theme/Display - Runner Up | Judged on theme and display of stand and members. E.G. Costumes, Props, etc |
| 100 | Best Club Attitude | Judged on the attitude of members from the time entering the showgrounds, I.E. registration, setup as well as on the day of the show |
| 100 | Best Presented Vehicles | Judged on the club's calibre of vehicles entered |
| 100 | New Club On The Block | For new clubs to the show, or returning clubs that haven't been involved in over 12 months |
| 100 | Top Club - Runner Up | Judged on all aspects of the club, theme, display, attitude, participation, interaction and quality of vehicles on display |
| 200 | Overall Top Club | Judged on all aspects of the club, theme, display, attitude, participation, interaction and quality of vehicles on display |
Manufacturer Class |
Awarded to the vehicles with the highest points with body and engine from the same manufacturer | |
| Points | Award | Details |
| 200 | Best Subaru | Top judged Subaru vehicle |
| 200 | Best Honda | Top judged Honda vehicle |
| 200 | Best Toyota | Top judged Toyota vehicle |
| 200 | Best Nissan | Top judged Nissan vehicle |
| 200 | Best Mazda | Top judged Mazda vehicle |
| 200 | Best Ford | Top judged Ford vehicle |
| 200 | Best Mitsubishi | Top judged Mitsubishi |
| 200 | Best Euro | Top judged European vehicle. Any manufacturer of european descent |
Tough Street |
The vehicle must hold a current WOF and REGO and enter the show under it's own power. If you would like to be in Tough Street, please email the judges via the contact page here, or speak to them at Registration on the day. JTune is the official Tough Street Dyno run provider. Competitors under Tough Street cannot compete in other classes. | |
| Points | Award | |
| 100 | Graphics | |
| 100 | Suspension/Brakes | |
| 100 | Undercarriage | |
| 100 | Innovation | |
| 100 | Engineering | |
| 100 | Build Quality | |
| 100 | Drivers Attitude | |
| 150 | Wheels | |
| 150 | Interior | |
| 150 | Sound DB & Install | |
| 150 | Engine Bay | |
| 150 | Bodykit | |
| 150 | Paint | |
| 150 | Display | |
| 250 | Power Output | |
Race Car Awards |
Any vehicle, street legal or not, must have a full rollcage to be eligible to win this class. This category is eligable to compete in all classes except Tough Street. | |
| Points | Award | Details |
| 200 | Best Drift Style | Top judged Drift Car |
| 200 | Best Drag Style | Top judged Drag Car |
| 200 | Best Time Attack Style | Top judged Circuit or Time Attack car |
Open Class |
Individual awards open to any vehicle in the show except Tough Street competitors, regardless of WOF or REGO | |
| Points | Award | Details |
| 100 | Best Paint | Top judged vehicle painted in an OEM colour. If the paint is custom but appears factory and there is no showboard to say otherwise, it will be judged as original. |
| 100 | Best Original Paint | Top judged vehicle with original paint from naufacture.Based on age of the vehicle and presentation/cleanliness. |
| 100 | Best Extreme Paint | Top judged vehicle painted in a colour that is not OEM. |
| 100 | Best Undercarriage, suspension & Brakes | Top judged undercarriage (brakes, suspension, exhaust, diff etc), based on preperation, cleanliness and customisation. Must be displayed (raised up/mirrors or shown via showboard) to be judged. If it is not displayed, it will score a 0. |
| 100 | Best Engine Bay | Top judged engine bay, based on appearance, customisation, functionality etc. Must appear operational and have bonet left open for judging. |
| 100 | Best Displayed Vehicle | Top judged presentation of a vehicle and/or use of a theme, e.g. costumes/props etc. |
| 100 | Best Graphics | Top judged vehicle showcasing airbrushing, vinyl wrap etc |
| 100 | Best Bodykit | Top judged bodykit, based on alignment, fitment, originality and suitability to vehicle |
| 100 | Best Engineering | Top judged Engineering, based on fabrication quality, innovation, functionality and safety |
| 100 | Best Minitruck | Top judged ute/pickup that has lowered suspension e.g. Airbags. C-Notch or modified suspension platforms |
| 100 | Best Rims & Tyres Suited to Vehicle | Top judged Wheels and if they are suited to the vehicle they are fitted. Condition, Cleanliness, Originality etc. |
| 100 | Best Stance | Top judged Stance, based on wheels, suspension and overall vehicle look. |
| 100 | Best Extreme Stance | Top judged vehicle showcasing wild offset and/or camber. |
| 100 | Best Original Interior | Top judged Original Interior, may be retrimmed in original style. |
| 100 | Best Modified Interior | Top judged interior that has been modified from factory. |
| 100 | Best VIP Style Vehicle | top judged vehicle in style of VIP |
| 100 | Best Bike | Top judged Motorbike, Bicycle, Scooter, Quad etc. |
| 0 | Standout/Encouragement Awards | Judges award for vehicles which are a standout for a specific reason. Maybe it didn't quite fit into the judging categories, or shoped signs of something special to come. |
| 0 | Standout/Encouragement Awards | Judges award for vehicles which are a standout for a specific reason. Maybe it didn't quite fit into the judging categories, or shoped signs of something special to come. |
| 0 | Standout/Encouragement Awards | Judges award for vehicles which are a standout for a specific reason. Maybe it didn't quite fit into the judging categories, or shoped signs of something special to come. |
| 0 | Standout/Encouragement Awards | Judges award for vehicles which are a standout for a specific reason. Maybe it didn't quite fit into the judging categories, or shoped signs of something special to come. |
| 0 | Standout/Encouragement Awards | Judges award for vehicles which are a standout for a specific reason. Maybe it didn't quite fit into the judging categories, or shoped signs of something special to come. |
| Peoples Choice Runner Up | ||
| Peoples Choice | ||
Car Audio Class
| Kiwi Class | ||
| Kiwi Pro Class | ||
| Kiwi Expert Class | ||
| Kiwi Extreme Class | ||
| Kiwi Elite Class | ||
| Kiwi Show Class | ||
| Sounds Alive Class | ||
| Top Dog | ||
| Extreme Bass Battle NZ |
Trade Show Awards
Top Trader
Top Trader - Runner Up
Judging Team
Sam Mercer
Sam Mercer
Sam has been leading the judging team since 2013. His love of cars has seen him owning a workshop and importing cars for a number of years. Back in 2006 Sam built himself a 9 Second Evo 3 drag car that he campaigned in a full interior road legal state. He appreciates all sorts of vehicles from his time with a V8 parts wholesaler and it shows in his current vehicles a Ford Escort Cosworth, GTR Skyline, 2009 STi and just for a bit of fun he has a 1000cc Streetbike powered Golf Cart.
Jess Darlington
Jess Darlington
Jess brings some experience to the judging team, shown in his first engine swap to a $700 RX2 back in 1989 in his crazy mother’s carport. From there, Jess developed a love for Toyota’s first turboing a 4AGE back in the early 90’s and a string of 1UZ conversions in later times. Jess has laid his hand to many past award winning cars and even has a few trophies of his own, including Best Toyota and Best Ute. Jess is never afraid to try something different and question the norm when it comes to modified vehicles.
Andy Cheals
Andy Cheals
Andy's interest in cars started at an early age, having a few ‘clunkers’ (Mainly Cortinas and Escorts) in his younger years, he eventually moved on to the RWD Starlets of which he has owned for over 15 years, now being powered by a JC 13B Bridgeport turbo. Andy has been involved with 4 & Rotary for over 12 years, starting when he first showed his car at the ‘06’ Nationals. He has also been fortunate over the years to help build cars with mates and crew for the FC Datalogit drag car which claimed the fastest 13B NZ title when it was racing.
Marcus Rose
Marcus Rose
Marcus' passion for all things noisy and fast began as a kid riding the paddocks and street on motorbikes before progressing onto four wheels. His rides have consisted of Mazda 626, rx4 sedan and a super quick Gtti Charade! Things got a bit more full on after that, completing a full rebuild on a Nissan Navara mini truck, dubbed H8BMPZ. Since then, Marcus has gone back to his roots buying a nifty wee Mazda 1300 and currently go on family cruises in their series 2 RX2 running a 12a PP.
Clint Field
Clint Field
Clint’s interest in cars began at a young age where he worked part-time at the local gas station and raced go-karts. Clint began his working life at a workshop specializing in Hot Rods and modified cars where he was employed for 10 years. Since then he has been working as a low volume vehicle certifier. Over the years Clint has owned a number of modified vehicles, including early Ford Escorts, a turbo R32 Skyline, a bagged 1UZ powered Nissan Navara and a string of V8 powered Valiants.
Jacky Tse
Jacky Tse
Jacky is the owner of Jtune Automotive. Jtune specialize in modifying NZ’s best JDM style street cars, circuit cars and show cars. Over the years, Jacky has done his time judging in Autosalon car shows as well as the 4 & Rotary series. He’s owned and built many cover cars for local publications as well as overseas “Superstreet and Speed Hunter“. Not only do his vehicles feature in them but he also writes part time for a number of different magazines. Jacky is always keeping up to date with what’s new in the industry from latest trends to new products and innovation.
Nathan Sandford
Nathan Sandford
Nathan has been in the automotive industry his whole life as a mechanic, workshop manager and did a season with Toyota Racing Series as an engine builder. You may recognize him as owner of Boosted Performance which featured on the TV show Import X building the 1UZ AE86 and Twin Turbo VQ45 Navara. He has a passion for Ford vehicles such as Laser Tx3 Turbo’s and lately he has upgraded to a 1981 GL Mk5 Cortina.
Scott Finn
Scott Finn
Scott is the longest serving team member with 13+ years experience with the 4&Rotary judging team. He has been working with some car clubs for close to 20 years now, carrying out fabrication for members of GGON, ONBOOST and MR2OC. He has owned and modified a few performance cars himself, a Nissan GTiR, Mitsubishi Evo and a Toyota MR2. Scott has a passion for anything fast and certainly has an eye for detail and function. By trade he is a fabricator which allows him to be involved in a range of projects.
Troy Smith
Troy Smith
Troy has been involved in 4 & Rotary over the last decade. He was first introduced to it back in 2001 where he traveled up and down NZ showing of his Mazda's over the years. Troy won several awards consisting of Best RX, Best RX overall, Best RX engine bay and Peoples Choice over a collection of 4 to 5 different cars. Over that time 4 of them were featured in NZ Performace Magazine, two made front cover. He has also attended Auto Salon and 2 Hot 2 Handle where he won many awards in the Rotary section.