Page 25 - Issue 34

I f y build-off is the budget. And that’s ok. Our stance on
f you’re not familiar with our ou’re not familiar with our
the budget is and has always been – build the best
build-off, let me bring you up
build-off, let me bring you up
damn rat rod or bike you can, while spending as
I to speed…
to speed…
little money as possible. We’re not going to police
T
The challenge? Build a rat rod or a bike in he challenge? Build a rat rod or a bike in the hell out of it. No receipts, no nit-picking. Just
30 days with a $3000 budget. Then, drive your common sense. Our judges pay close attention and
30 days with a $3000 budget. Then, drive your
entry from Grafton IL to St Louis MO as part of understand the value of components – it’s up to the
entry from Grafton IL to St Louis MO as part of
the two-day event doubleheader. Inspired by a
the two-day event doubleheader. Inspired by a builders to convince them of their expenditures. We
distaste for other kitschy TV build-offs, our focus use a “perceived value” system – what is the part
distaste for other kitschy TV build-offs, our focus
is on the average Joe builder and a blue-collar
is on the average Joe builder and a blue-collar worth used, on the open market, rebuilt, refabbed,
approach. Names are drawn randomly during the crafted from scratch, or in some cases as scrap?
winter from a pool of entries. (anyone can enter) Did a builder haggle his way to a nice deal? Did
winter from a pool of entries. (anyone can enter)
The rat rod category is self-explanatory – as long
The rat rod category is self-explanatory – as long he rat rod category is self-explanatory – as long
T he trade something? Resourcefulness is a big deal
as it’s safe, represents rat rod culture, and meets here. The goal is to end up with a vehicle worth way
as it’s safe, represents rat rod culture, and meets
build-off criteria, it’s in the game. On the bike
build-off criteria, it’s in the game. On the bike more than $3000. If you can build a $15,000 rat rod
side, Raw Bike Magazine is looking for the and only spend $3000 in materials – you’ve done
best representation of a home-built bike. something right. The other thing to understand
Because it is paired with rat rods, there is a about the budget is that labor is always free. Many
bit of a misperception that this is a rat bike times people will question things that LOOK like
competition. It is not. This could be a bobber, they are expensive… but they only look that way
chopper – anything home-built really. Can because the builder has put a lot of hours into it.
you bring a rat bike to the table? Absolutely… Craftsmanship goes a long way! Our judges also
but the focus here is home-built, regardless of give some room for safety components. If someone
style/type. The winners of both classes appear
style/type. The winners of both classes appear blew their budget to reinforce safety, there is
on their respective magazine covers (Rat Rod
on their respective magazine covers (Rat Rod defi nitely some forgiveness there.
and Raw Bike) while the rest of the award-
and Raw Bike) while the rest of the award-
winners earn full features. Winning builders can Judging
winners earn full features. Winning builders can
only participate for two consecutive years and Our judging process is designed to be transparent
only participate for two consecutive years and
then cannot compete for three years. This is to
then cannot compete for three years. This is to and fair. Judges panels are made up of 7 to 10
ensure that one builder does not win year after
ensure that one builder does not win year after judges plus the public vote. (The public vote is
2015 WINNER • GARY FISHER
year after year, and it gives new builders a chance
year after year, and it gives new builders a chance equal to one judge’s scorecard and is applied to
to get into the mix.
to get into the mix. the Overall Champion tally.) Each judge compiles
The Build-Off is all about comradery and
The Build-Off is all about comradery and his own top-three choices for each category. Each
experience. We don’t have big money to dish out vote (1st, 2nd, 3rd) is worth a numeric value. When
or lavish prizes. What we have, is a weekend full of all judges have cast their votes, the numbers
fellowship and fun – and magazine coverage that are added up and winners are declared. In case
will last a lifetime. We do everything in our power to of a tie in any given category, another judge is
keep things mellow. We don’t want the TV drama, brought in to cast a tiebreaking vote. Neither
the pageantry, and the “fake” crap that rubbed us magazine casts a vote… all editors remain neutral.
wrong in the fi rst place. All of these builders and the The international awards are presented by their
builders before them are using their own resources to respective representatives, per their “choice.” It’s
make this happen – a sacrifi ce of money and time and all pretty simple and straight-forward. We don’t
everything that comes with it. THAT is what makes want BS or drama, just a good old-fashioned
this such an amazing competition to be a part of. competition where everyone walks away proud
of what they’ve done and have hopefully
The Budget experienced something positive that they will
2013 WINNER • CHRIS WALKER The biggest source of contention throughout the carry with them for the rest of their lives.

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