US car meet organisers ban popular muscle cars after reckless driving

The organisers of a major weekend ‘car meet’ in Houston, Texas – popular with car enthusiasts to display their vehicles and socialise with like-minded enthusiasts – have banned Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Chargers from future events following multiple instances of reckless driving by muscle car drivers.

As first reported by The Autopian, the hosts of the monthly ‘Coffee and Cars’ meeting in Houston made the announcement on social media platform Instagram earlier this week, claiming muscle car drivers at its most recent event performed burnouts while leaving – an act which most similar organisations ban.

The show itself takes place at POST Houston – an entertainment venue in the city’s CBD – with approval from the location’s owners, though the public roads surrounding the event remain under regular road rules. 

In a media statement, organisers of the Houston car meet told The Autopian the decision to ban Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and Dodge Chargers was made following instances of reckless and illegal driving following its most recent event.

“Safety is a cornerstone of our events,” the organisers said in a media statement to The Autopian. 

“We take significant steps to ensure it, such as hiring security officers for each gathering, comprehensive planning, ample event staffing, and clear communication of our rules against reckless behaviours like revving engines and performing burnouts.” 

“Despite our rigorous safety protocols and clear stance against disruptive behaviours, it is disheartening that a minority still chooses to behave in a manner that endangers others and disrespects the community’s wishes and the effort put into each event.”

Interestingly, a ban has not been issued for the Dodge Challenger – the coupe which shares the same engine and underpinnings as the Charger – despite the model being involved in more fatal accidents than almost every other car in the US.

Earlier this year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found the Dodge Challenger is the second-most likely car to be involved in a fatal car crash in the US, behind the Mitsubishi Mirage.

The ban also does not apply to the Chevrolet Corvette, which is powered by a similar V8 engine to the most powerful Camaros but is more expensive and less common on US roads.

As noted by The Autopian, a video uploaded to YouTube of last month’s Houston Coffee and Cars meet shows supercars and Japanese sports cars revving and intentionally losing traction while leaving the event, though those types of vehicles have not been banned.

In Australia, there are no known instances of specific cars being banned from car meets due to reckless and illegal driving, though a number of event organisers have been known to ‘blacklist’ owners if they are caught breaking the rules of the meeting.