Meguiar's Superstars Criteria

The skill and craftsmanship involved in creating a top-level elite vehicle is far greater than most people imagine.

Australians build outstanding customised vehicles and we take great pleasure in recognising and rewarding those who are leading the way. In 2001 we created a new concept called Show Car Superstars, which took the Australian Showcar scene to a new level. In 2005, the name was changed to simply Meguiar’s Superstars.

Meguiar’s Superstars is an annual championship where Australia’s most highly regarded modified/customised cars are judged against a unique “show elite” criteria to discover the true best of breed. The final is held each year at Meguiar’s MotorEx on the first weekend in July at the Dome in Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay.

There are three Classes:

• Hot Rods (Pre 1948)
• Street Machines (1948-1986 and late model Muscle Cars)
• HiTech Tuners (Post 1986, 4 + 6 cylinder or rotary)

The judging criteria has been designed to encompass all the elements of a true showcar and is weighted to suit the individual characteristics of each class.

Innovation, Level of Engineering, Use of Custom-made Components, Extent of Modification, Degree of Difficulty, Quality of Workmanship and Attention to Detail will be key elements in all categories of the judging criteria:

• BODYWORK including all panels, body kits, underbody, glass, trim, and mouldings
• PAINTWORK for all exterior, interior & underbonnet/boot painted surfaces
• ENGINE & ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS includes installation and modification of all hardware & accessories
• UNDERCARRIAGE & DRIVELINE including chassis, brakes, suspension, steering, exhaust, wheels & tyres
• INTERIOR & REAR COMPARTMENT including trim, audio/vision, gadgetry and fabrication/moulding
• OVERALL IMPACT OF VEHICLE including display

Each area is allocated certain points totaling 1000. The standard of cars is amazing and almost every year the winner and the runner-up(s) have been separated by as little as 10 points. This is where the extent of modification, degree of difficulty and innovation comes into play. Meguiar’s Superstars rewards the person / vehicle that is prepared to extend the boundaries and take risks while maintaining a very high degree of quality. It is difficult to award exact points for degree of difficulty and innovation, which is why we select Judges with extensive experience from all area’s of the custom vehicle industry. And after the points are compiled there is a Judges Meeting to discuss all aspects of the criteria and judging process then unanimously agree on the winners.

Hot Rods and Street Machines

Throughout the year, Contenders will be judged at nominated car shows around the country with two Hot Rods and two Street Machines from each show being invited to attend the final. Entrants of events below will be automatically eligible and finalists will be announced during presentation.

• Meguiar’s MotorEx, July, Sydney
• WA Hot Rod & Street Machine Spectacular, October, Perth
• Summernats, Janurary, Canberra
• Victorian Hot Rod Show, Janurary, Melbourne
• Adelaide Motor Show, April, Adelaide
• Qld Hot Rod & Street Machine Spectacular, May, Brisbane

At this stage, most HiTech Tuners have been designed primarily for street and hence there are far fewer elite cars on the circuit. Therefore, there is no Contenders process for this class and instead, Australia’s 5 best showcars will be hand picked as finalist.

Finalists from all classes that compete at the final will each receive $1500 cash and a unique commemorative jacket. The three Superstars Champions will each receive a total of $5000 cash and a masterpiece billet trophy. From 2007, a limited edition online Meguiar’s Superstars Calendar will be available featuring the Top 3 finalists from each class.

• Vehicle does NOT need to be registered.
• Engine must crank, but not necessarily fire.
• Organisers have final say in determining the Class for judging.
• All Classes are “open” with no sub-classes, categories or groups.
• A vehicle can only win their Class championship once and cannot enter again unless, in the opinion of the Organisers, a total rebuild has been carried out.
• Vehicles can be sponsored with the appropriate signage, however the placement of commercial signage promoting brands/products that are considered competitors to Meguiar’s or House Of Kolor is restricted and must be kept to a maximum 150mm x 150mm in no more than two positions on the vehicle or display.
• The idea is to highlight Australian know-how and therefore more than half the labor involved in the build/modification of the car must have been done in Australia. The vehicle itself and all components are exempt.
• Up to an additional two “wildcard” entries for each class may be invited to compete at the final. The wildcard invitations are at the sole discretion of the Organisers.