12/07/2026
Interesting debate. Maybe the "Driven" class should have to complete a grand prix style course through the city and country where they go through stop & go, 70mph with a section of curves and hills to prove that the car can be roadworthy. Maybe 55mph just to save fuel for those that are more for 1/4 mile.
Should There Be a Separate Class for Trailer Queens?
RustnSpeed
Let's stir the pot a little...
Some of the best memories in this hobby don't happen after you pull into the show—they happen on the way there. It's the thumbs-up from strangers at stoplights, the conversations at gas stations, the smell of hot engines after a long drive, and yes...even the occasional roadside repair that turns into a story you'll tell for years.
That's what hot rodding has always been about.
Somewhere along the way, though, many shows started filling up with cars that have never seen a rain cloud, a pothole, or even a bug on the windshield. They roll off an enclosed trailer looking flawless, sit on the show field all day, then roll right back into the trailer before the sun goes down.
There's no denying the craftsmanship. Many of these cars are breathtaking.
But should they really compete against the guy who drove 250 miles, got caught in a rain shower, wiped the bugs off the grille, and still showed up with a smile?
Driving a hot rod takes confidence. It means trusting your build, accepting a little road grime, and understanding that these machines were built to move—not spend their lives strapped down with four ratchet straps.
Maybe it's time to recognize the difference.
Create a Driven Class for the cars that earn every mile and a Trailered Class for those that travel in climate-controlled comfort. That way, both styles of ownership can be appreciated for what they are.
And while we're at it...
Should there also be an award for "Shortest Distance Trailered to a Car Show?"
Imagine the announcer: "Congratulations! This year's winner trailered their car an incredible... three and a half miles!"
Now that's guaranteed to get a laugh around the parking lot.
At the end of the day, everyone enjoys the hobby differently, and that's okay. But there's something special about a car that arrives with warm tires, a little road dust, and proof that it was actually enjoyed instead of simply displayed.
So let's hear it...
Should driven cars have their own judging class? Should trailer queens compete separately? Or do you think every car belongs in the same class regardless of how it got there?
Keep it respectful—but don't hold back. We want to hear your opinion, because this is one debate that never seems to run out of fuel.
