For most of it I'm with Dave,

PHP Code:
"Well, I guess if I had been to a similar show and didn't get a trophy I would go home knowing that I won!!!!" 
This is a concept I've lived with in a life time of sports and is primary to all the sports coaching I've done. Few understand it....only those who are true sportsmen. It also drives the concept of you maybe not being the best on the field but you force the best to play their best to beat you. Sometimes it happens but many times they can't. You earn big respect from the real players. That's the top of the cake but even that is not necessary.

For the rest of what Dave says ( I respect him, case it's not apparent) I pretty much agree. I build my cars for me not for anyone else. They don't like , tough go look at another car. I bring it on a trailer by my choice not for showing off the trailer or my truck. I drive it to the event by choice because I enjoy driving it, not to impress anyone but me. Simply put, I have a reason for each important to me only.

As for other interests, Cars are a sport to me, I play sports, it's what I do. I also fly big model airplanes which are every bit as difficult to build and fly as any car is to build and to impress no one haha I have a lot more $$$ flying on nothing but radio waves than a lot of rolling stock is worth sitting on the ground safely in the garage.

As for winning and losing haha I rolled an 817 natural ( not my first 800 but the best) at a bowling event and lost to a lady who has probably never rolled over a 100 in her life. She got the $25 prize. I too went home knowing I won. I played my best and lost to luck. That one you never can beat. haha

mooney77, the duct tape one would be hard to take, but I agree you won, let's go have a tea and cry on each other's shoulder.