Let's go!
122 days until the Challenge 😱 !
Photograph by Dave Green
What to do during the impending winter break? Skip the knitting or the wood carving and build a race for without spending more than $2000.
Why? So it can compete in the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster, our annual competition that simply seeks to find out who can build the fastest race car for less than $2000.
Entrants compete across three categories–autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judging session–April 18-19 at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida. Cars built or bought for more than $2000 are also welcome to compete in the autocross or drag racing sessions, or both.
Prizes? Yes, we’ll have several up for grabs–and not just for the top three podium finishers, either. Better still: Pro racer Randy Pobst returns as the 2026 Special Guest.
Enter your under- or over-budget build into the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge today.
The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, in Association with CRC Industries, A&A Manufacturing, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.
Let's go!
122 days until the Challenge 😱 !
The GRM staff worked on a $2000 Challenge car today.
Seems to me that the $2,000 headline keeps many people out of these events. Rampant inflation means most cars at that price require a person to already be a serious car builder, fabricator or own a shop. Just look at the entries and winners. Should it be raised to $4k or $5k so everyday Joe can go buy a mostly running beater and participate? Many of the cars I see featured (with some exceptions) have what appears to 500 to 1000 hours of work in the car. Some are basically custom builds with bartered parts.
Would love to run this event one day either way! Definitely a "challenge" as stated.
In reply to Chaw704352 :
Try this ...
Open up Facebook and search "Infiniti Q45". In any market you will find one or an adjacent car that could be negotiated down to a sub $2k purchase.
If that's not your preferred flavor, search "Lincoln Mark". The search here is for a Lincoln Mark 8.
Either will net you a top 50% finish in the field of competitors.
Samples from my market found in minutes...
The best advice I can give to anyone considering is: GO!
Like myself, you're at home amazed by what is pulled off at this event. You've watched the event for years and are sure you understand it. That first time you actually go to the event will bring you a HUGE understanding and revelation. This is not the type of event where you just arrive for the first time and pull off a Varsity Level win. You need to play some JV ball first.
Go, as a competitor, spectator or crew. The event is now even open to competitors who go over budget. That is a great way to GO, and see.
In 2012, I went as crew with an aspiring varsity level team and again in 2013. For 2014 I entered my first and took an 11th overall! That was a Q45. For 2015 I came back with another but better Q45 and took 10th!
Here is a previous overall winner:
This was a team effort and of the threesome I know #1 first brought a relatively stock Ford SHO to the event and another brought a relatively stock Hyundai Tiberon. I assure, they learned a lot from those first entries.
We look forward to seeing you there...in any capacity, and competing in anything, budget or not.
GO!
Hey, I recognize that car 
Let’s start getting this heap ready!
Displaying 1-6 of 6 commentsView all comments on the GRM forums
You'll need to log in to post.
