An interesting and disurbing chain. I would have voted against the provision specifically permitting the trailering of driven entries. However, let me ask the experts: Did the previous rules require that a driven entry be driven from the home of the entrant, no matter how far away? If so, why was there no reference to the elimination of that particular rule? If not, why is it required that there be a specific authorization? Were cars being disqualified if trailered and placed in display or rejected out-of-hand? On what authority? As far as I know driven did not have a set of criteria regarding how much the car had to be driven in order to qualify. To disqualify a driven car that was trailered may seem reasonable but, barring such a definition of driven in the rules, it would be presumptive to disqualify such a car. The main distinction in my mind has always been that the owner elected to not have his engine compartment and trunk judged. Am I wrong? I am sure someone will inform me if I am (please refrain from commenting on my general intelligence).

The rules regarding authenticity should be as explicit and comprehensive as they can be for a particular model. How else can we strive towards bringing our car to be truly authentic? Particularly in Champion, nit-picking is fine. We should not be requiring chief judges to post sentinals on the Interstates to decide who may enter driven class.

Submitted by SE21-35014J on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 16:42

It has been of interest to me -that in all of the many, many responses which have been posted on this subject of trailering in the Driven division there has been no mention of the only real advantages that I can see to trailering. Having a '56 XK 140 OTS -(which I enter in the Driven Class and which I will continue to drive to all JCNA Concours), I do on occesion open-trailer my car to non-sanctioned car shows. The only reasons for this would be comfort (the availability of air-conditioning in hot weather and remaining dry in inclement weather), and the availability of automatic speed-control on long trips, and the reduction of milage put on the car to meet the limitation of less than 3,000 miles per year for insurance requirements. Towing the car may also allow you to carry more luggage -(in the tow vehicle). Towing (on an open trailer), certainly does not provide less risk for paint clips and minor road damage as such are more likely to occur from being thrown up by your own tow vehicle than being thrown by passing cars or cars several lengths in front of you. And the car is subjected to exposure to the same elements at the same speed of air-flow - whether on its own power on the road or on a trailer behind a car/truck, and you still have the same pre-show clean up whether you drove it there or towed it there on an open trailer. You are also in much greater risk of a collision in a lumbering tow vehicle and weight of a loaded trailer than in a lighter and more agile car (especially with disc brakes). Your peripheral and rear-ward vision is very restricted (and would be much, much worse with an enclosed trailer). It is also a much greater hassel to load (and un-load) the car on a trailer and secure it in place, than just putting the luggage in the car and taking off -and towing it is a whole lot less fun than driving it. Personally, I can see no real advantage to towing a car to a car show (especially on an open trailer) other than comfort and perhaps lessening the chance of mechanical problems -if the car is un-sound (and that's why I have AAA)

Submitted by SC20-30420CJ on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 10:42

Chapter II, Entry Eligibility, Divisions and Classes - Section 1A paragraph 6 - of the current Concours Rule Book shows the (stricken) old wording and the (underscored) new wording.

It's interesting to me that we have the "concours site", the "concours city" and the "judging area". The old rule simply stated, "Trailering or towing to the concours site is not allowed for entries in Driven Division." Concours site is not defined. I suppose someone could have said he trailered his Driven entry to the concours city - then drove it to the "concours site". That wording has been stricken and replaced with the blanket allowance for the trailering of all cars. I agree that chief judges have better things to do than lurking around looking for trailers parked on the side streets.

I know you asked us not to comment, John but I have found your general intelligence to be of a very high caliber.

Submitted by robertwasson@b… on Wed, 05/07/2008 - 20:29

In re-reading, I realize that I did not answer your question completely. The major reason that I used to show Driven was extensive engine modifications. Tripple Webbers, headders, Mallory ignition and stuff that gave fantastic performance, but lost mega-points if judged under Championship rules. I certainly wasn't ashamed of my engine compartment! It attracted a crowd whenever I raised the bonnet! Dirt wasn't the issue. It was "originality" that put me in Driven. The E was a blast to drive! Held our club's slolam record - sadly, with another member driving. . .
Bob
'00 XK-R convertible
'97 VDP
'87 XJ-6
'83 VDP

Submitted by robertwasson@b… on Tue, 04/22/2008 - 16:31

I thought all they did if you trailered was bump you into the Championship class, whether you liked it or not, like they did me. I still say that the difference should be whether the trailer is open or enclosed.
Bob

Submitted by kairys@cfl.rr.com on Sun, 04/20/2008 - 11:50

I did vote against it. The old provision was that the car had to be driven from home. There were some that trailered the car and then took it off of the trailer near the event. That was cheating under the old rules and would result in disqualification if a judge witness it.