Not content to sit in lawnchairs, this group of show goers likes to practice what they preach.

Over time, musclecar enthusiasts have become divided into two diametrically opposed groups: one that lives and dies by the number of show trophies on the shelf, and the other, which eschews the show & shine mentality for all-out pavement war. Getting these two to talk to each other would be like getting Kruschev to sit down with Ike for a friendly game of checkers.

Not exactly a nuclear standoff, but one which does finally have one guy blinking first. The Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has started a Street Challenge Autocross series at most of its events in 2008, including the PPG Nationals being held this weekend in Columbus, Ohio.

The idea for it got off the ground after Goodguys, traditionally a street rod organization, started allowing musclecars (up to ’72) into its venues. Once that happened, the place started rockin’. Guys wanted to do real stuff with their cars, and one of the primary Goodguys sponsors, Air Ride Technologies, agreed. Before long, the AirRide crew was operating a full-blown timed autocross with help from local SCCA groups.

If you’re in the Columbus area this coming weekend, it promises to be off the hook. There will be over 6,000 cars in attendance at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. If only one percent of them take part in the Street Challenge, it will be out of control. See you there!