Mitzi’s Motor Mavens: Miss Rayzen Hell
Meet Miss Rayzen Hell. The organizer and founder of the Still Runs Car Show in Albemarle North Carolina. She shares her story of how it all got started.
I’ve always been fascinated by classic cars, especially Lowriders. The craftsmanship, history, and culture behind them have always inspired me. As my passion for the automotive world grew, I wanted to create something that would not only bring enthusiasts together but also educate people about the history and diversity of the car community. At the time, I was running my nonprofit organization, Pinups and Pumps, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my love for cars with my passion for giving back. Still Runs was built on the idea that a car show could be about much more than shiny vehicles—it could bring a community together while supporting a meaningful cause. That’s exactly what it has grown into over the past decade.In the beginning, my biggest challenge in putting together a car show was getting people to believe in the vision. I had to convince sponsors, businesses, and even the City of Albemarle that this little idea could become something special. Thankfully, they took a chance on me, and today I’m incredibly grateful for the sponsors, volunteers, city officials, and community members who continue to support us year after year. Ironically, my biggest challenge today is finding enough room for everyone! Registration morning has become organized chaos, with nearly 600 vehicles arriving at once from across the country. We’ve welcomed participants from California, Florida, New York, Canada, and everywhere in between. It’s a wonderful problem to have. Maybe one day we’ll turn Still Runs into an all-day downtown festival… (Hint, hint, City of Albemarle!)
Our very first Still Runs was held in the Smith’s Home Furnishings parking lot. I remember my husband telling me, “If you get 25 cars, I’ll be proud of you.” We ended up with around 100 cars that day, and I was absolutely blown away. Fast forward nine years, and we’ve completely outgrown parking lots. Every Mother’s Day weekend, we shut down downtown Albemarle and transform it into one of North Carolina’s largest automotive celebrations. This past year we welcomed nearly 600 registered vehicles and more than 6,000 spectators. What makes me the proudest isn’t just the growth in numbers—it’s watching families return year after year, seeing friendships formed, and knowing people travel from across the United States just to experience Still Runs. It has truly become a destination event.
