That car was Faaaast in the autocross.
Photography by Colin Wood
Go as fast as possible without spending more than $2000. Impossible? No, but it is a challenge–a $2000 Challenge, to be exact.
Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, once again hosted our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack, Powered by AutoBidMaster and Built by Carlyle Tools, which saw teams race their low-dollar creations in autocross and drag racing sessions, as well as attempt to impress our judges in a concours-style judged show.
And the entrant that out-autocrossed, out-drag raced and out-concoursed the competition? Derek Penner, who returned with an improved version of an already-wild Mazda Miata wearing a Volkswagen Beetle as a hat.
For his efforts, Derek Penner won our biggest trophy and a $1000 gift card from Tire Rack.
2026 Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge results:
GTN
GTN$
GTW
GTW$
GTU
GTU$
GTN
GTW
GTU
GTN$
GTW$
GTU$
Drag Racing Special Awards:
GTN$
GTW$
GTU$
Look for full coverage of the $2000 Challenge in an upcoming issue of Grassroots Motorsports. Visit 2000challenge.com for future updates.
The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, powered by Autobidmaster and built by Carlyle Tools, in Association with CRC Industries, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.
That car was Faaaast in the autocross.
Owner driving or pro-guest driver?
Pete
Maybe I missed this when this won previously- but did the car start as a rather rusty Miata? Which is reasonably common....
And I can't really see where the original side of the car is- but the doors look closer in than on an original car.
The trend to take a fast car and change the body to a lighter one is pretty interesting.
For others who are going, what other combinations of former chassis with new body are there?
In reply to alfadriver :
Wreck Racing brought back the Audi S4 v8 with a Chrysler Conquest body on top. That car looked very good all around.
I think that's it.
alfadriver said:Maybe I missed this when this won previously- but did the car start as a rather rusty Miata? Which is reasonably common....
And I can't really see where the original side of the car is- but the doors look closer in than on an original car.
The trend to take a fast car and change the body to a lighter one is pretty interesting.
For others who are going, what other combinations of former chassis with new body are there?
Beetle body, beetle floor pan, etc.
Miata drive train and originally suspension, but that has been tweaked about as much as the engine and body have been tweaked from their stock configs
In reply to Mr_Asa :
So there's not a pretty full Miata chassis or skateboard underneath? Based on where the driver is sitting, it sure looks like there's a big chunk of Miata under there.
In reply to alfadriver :
I could be wrong, but I thought it was beetle with a trans tunnel added. I know most of these questions got answered last year though, should be on the forum
In reply to Mr_Asa :
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/miata-beetle-2000-challenge-winner/
Mr_Asa said:alfadriver said:Maybe I missed this when this won previously- but did the car start as a rather rusty Miata? Which is reasonably common....
And I can't really see where the original side of the car is- but the doors look closer in than on an original car.
The trend to take a fast car and change the body to a lighter one is pretty interesting.
For others who are going, what other combinations of former chassis with new body are there?
Beetle body, beetle floor pan, etc.
Miata drive train and originally suspension, but that has been tweaked about as much as the engine and body have been tweaked from their stock configs
I think its 100% miata floor pan. It might be shortened, but thats mostly miata with a beetle hat.
Edit to add... the passenger seat miata floor sections are still there. Not beetle.
Looking at it with my own eyes, it looks japenese metal not german.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
It's the concept that I think is really fun. Like the Ranger body on a Taurus SHO chassis that won.
While the numbers are really small, it keeps cars alive and out of the junk yard.
I've even dreamed about putting a Alfa Spider body on a Miata. But that's not exactly lighter.
But it *seems* that a Beetle body on a Miata would be lighter.
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