mySandman to host the Van Nationals

**Absinth** · 24-05-2011, 06:32 PM

Hmm, I've re-read this thread and think clarification is in order.....

Frez asked "if MySandman hosted the van nats" ..... so obviously all vans would be welcome and all classes catered for I would assume....

Sponsoring a trophy was then mentioned.... So I assume MySandman is not hosting the nats.... so would be sponsoring a trophy/trophies for a Sandman catagory, hence only needing judges who know Sandmans.....

Would be a bit silly if MySandman sponsored a trophy for best Sundowner or Drifter????

I for one would be more than happy to supply a trophy if a Sandman catagory was included in the Van Nats....

I'd love to see all makes and all classes catered for...... but again... this is all just hypothetical at the moment....

**the ski man** · 24-05-2011, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Absinth

Frez asked "if MySandman hosted the van nats" ..... so obviously all vans would be welcome and all classes catered for I would assume....

Sponsoring a trophy was then mentioned.... So I assume MySandman is not hosting the nats.... so would be sponsoring a trophy/trophies for a Sandman catagory, hence only needing judges who know Sandmans.....

apologies for taking it a little off track there with the trophy sponsorship thing. i was just mentioning it as a possibility...

i mean considering we're all talking hypothetical suggestions, I'd suggest a new event called the mysandman.com.au holden panelvan nationals

**Rolla** · 24-05-2011, 08:06 PM

I think if mysandman.com.au supplied a trophy it would be better fitting if we supplied a 'best original Sandman' trophy. As you said Absinth, judges would need to be made up of members who know original Sandmans back to front.

Nothing against the other classes. As you said earlier a best unresotred and best replica would be very fitting too but if mysandman.com.au we're only sponsoring one trophy I would see 'best original Sandman' to be more appropriate.

**Absinth** · 24-05-2011, 08:06 PM

All relevent ski man.....

Oz got a bit testy with that upstart "Sandman"

So I thought I'd clarify things a little in case what was said was misunderstood....:Chin:

**RodneyHZ253** · 24-05-2011, 08:30 PM

I'am not a judge but the best original van at the van nats would of probably been a XD ford sundowner van .if there was a best original retored I may of been in with a chance

**Absinth** · 24-05-2011, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by RodneyHZ253

I'am not a judge but the best original van at the van nats would of probably been a XD ford sundowner van .if there was a best original retored I may of been in with a chance

Pffttt..... I'd have knocked you down a few for your WB power steering pump and HQ wheel nuts...

**HZSandman** · 24-05-2011, 08:42 PM

All in favour of a best original as it seems it is almost impossible to have an original van and get in the top ten.

Sandman only categories. Now that's a goer.

**RodneyHZ253** · 24-05-2011, 08:52 PM

Yes sean but although you my be the best judge I wasn't voting for you because you have to much knowledge .I would of got extra points tho for the original restored dash And original jack

**Absinth** · 24-05-2011, 09:03 PM

Ahh... but mate... you didn't get the original jack until after the Nats......

Hehe... just pullin your chain mate.... best restored Sandman there I reckon....

**Elegantly Wasted** · 27-05-2011, 07:18 PM

Thanks for your input everyone. The factory look sandman needs to have an award category due to increase in popularity since 2000. Just like the millenium category (vans built since 2000) was introduced in recent years. However, all van awards are reflective of the number of pre-entries received (usually prior to DEC 31). The Top Ten is a minimum. If five Sandmans are pre entered, one award may be on offer. Ten Sandmans, maybe three awards - its all upto the organisers of the event, which vary every year from state to state.

It may appear that the Van Nats is geared towards customising, but this is not the case. Since about 1993, detail, is the focus. Apart from the last two years, standard bodied vans seem to be up the top end - no one builds a custom van to win these days, customising is just personal choice. Sandman502 was runner up a few year ago due to the amount of detail - I don't think it would have got any extra points for the engine swap.

More soon - laptop battery low...

--- Updated ---

Home with 240v now...

There is one other area that needs clarification.
Judging at the Van Nats these days is an even points split between three areas. Motor Drive (Engine Bay/Undercarraige, Exterior and Interior. A neat looking Sandman was at the Van Nats a few years ago and it turned a lot of heads. Great body and plenty of detail and original interior. One would think it was a top ten contender. However, throwing a Kmart Sandman doona and pillow cases in the back stopped this van from challenging the competition. You need a complete package if you want to compete for Top Ten. On the other hand, best original, best restored awards for Sandmans need to clarify what interior options should or shouldn't include - leave the rear section as per factory, or allow some non standard upholstery. This issue can't be decided at a Van Nats organising committee meeting, its totally up to Sandman owners.

While I'm rambling on...
Apart from Sandmans, Sundowners and Drifters, standard vans straight out of the factory were usually dead-ugly. Vanning started by making ugly vehicles look good. Who would want to restore a WB belmont van (commercial front). Sandman restorers are bringing a new element to our Easter event and I look forward to more Sandmans and a proportionate number of awards in the coming years.
From someone who has been involved with the organisation of two Van Nats, if you want to be heard and taken seriously, the first step is pre-enter by 31 Dec - do we have ten mySandman users from WA ?