$2000 CHALLENGE UPDATES

Colin Wood 3/9/26 Colin Wood 3/9/26

Students: Win a loaded Carlyle Tools toolbox at the $2000 Challenge

Another reason to stay in school? How does the chance to win over $5000 worth of tools sound?

The fastest team comprised of students competing in our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack, powered by Autobidmaster and built by Carlyle Tools wins a $5500 fully loaded rolling toolbox courtesy of our latest presenting partner, Carlyle Tools.

The prize isn’t just limited to college-associated teams, either, so long as the team consists of students or people enrolled in school.

The goal of our $2000 Challenge is simple: To build the fastest car possible without spending more than $2000, and then competing with it in autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judged show.

Cars built or bought for more than $2000 are welcome to compete, too, in the autocross and drag racing sessions.

Under- or over-budget, they’ll all battle it out for prizes, awards and bragging rights at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, April 18-19.

Sign up to compete in the $2000 Challenge today to secure your spot, and keep an eye on the $2000 Challenge website 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.

Colin Wood 3/5/26 Colin Wood 3/5/26

Sentra that first ran the Grand-Am Cup now races our $2000 Challenge

The key to creating a compelling character in a book, TV show or movie? An equally compelling back story–and this Nissan Sentra is no different.

In the early 2000s, this Nissan was one of two Sentras delivered–as body-in-whites–to Archangel Motorsports to go racing in the 2003 Grand-Am Cup, the support series for the then Grand-Am Series.

While it didn’t find significant success in its professional racing career, the Sentra’s story was far from over, as its engine was later swapped for a Nissan VQ V6.

Fast forward to October 2025, and the Sentra was acquired by GRM forum user AxeHealey. The plan? To take it racing once again, but this time in our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack, powered by AutoBidMaster and built by Carlyle Tools.

The name of the game is to build the fastest race car possible without spending more than $2000, and then compete with that car in autocroos, drag racing and concours-style judged show (where a decent back story can definitely make a positive impact on your total score).

Build went over the $2000 budget? Want to get some extra seat time in your latest track car? Just bought a car that definitely costs more than $2000? Good news: over-budget entries are welcome to join the fray and compete in the autocross or drag racing sessions–or even both.

Under- or over-budget, they’ll all battle it out for prizes, awards and bragging rights at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, April 18-19.

Think you have the ultimate budget racer? Sign up to compete in the $2000 Challenge today and keep an eye on the $2000 Challenge website 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.

Colin Wood 2/25/26 Colin Wood 2/25/26

Less than a week left: Save $50 on your $2000 Challenge registration

Money might make the world go around, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend it all to get your project rolling.

In fact, spending as little money as possible is one of the most important parts of our own Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack–so important that we’re offering a chance to save money when you register, but time’s running out to take advantage of this deal.

Between now and Saturday, February 28, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, use promo code FEBRUARY to save $50 on your entry.

Part automotive celebration, part motorsports competition, our $2000 Challenge tasks teams with building a race car for fewer than $2000 and then competing against one another in autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judged show at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, April 18-19.

Cars built or bought for more than $2000 are welcome to compete in the autocross and drag racing sessions as well.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, in Association with CRC Industries, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.

Colin Wood 2/16/26 Colin Wood 2/16/26

Limited-time offer: Save $50 on your $2000 Challenge registration

Go as fast as possible while spending as little money as possible.

That’s one of the best summaries of our annual Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack, which challenges competitors to build a race car for no more than $2000 and then compete with it in autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judged show at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, April 18-19.

And now, here’s a chance to save even more: Use promo code FEBRUARY to save $50 on your entry. The deal ends on Saturday, February 28, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Have a car built or bought for more than $2000? It’s welcome to compete, too, in the autocross and drag racing sessions. (After all, how else are we to find out if more money truly does equal more speed?)

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, in Association with CRC Industries, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.

Colin Wood 2/13/26 Colin Wood 2/13/26

What’s coming to the $2000 Challenge? This twin-engine minivan.

You know it’s going to be something wild when the build thread leads off with “This project is logical. I swear.” (Don’t worry, we tell ourselves that all the time, too.)

But in this case, there is some logical reasoning behind the build–even if it does involve a twin-engine minivan. But first, let’s take a step back.

Daniel Cummings, previous $2000 Challenge winner and builder of the internet-famous LMP360, explains that he needs a vehicle that can be used as a drivetrain test bed:

“As most of you know I've been collecting parts to LS swap the LMP360. The crappy thing about such a big engine swap in that car is there is absolutely no way to prove it out. It's just load it up, spend $500 dragging it to a racetrack, spend $500 gaining entry to that track, and then hope it doesn't explode in 20 minutes.
“What just makes sense is a street legal test bed for the drivetrain. I can get all the ancillaries working, figure out engine management, ensure the trans and diff work, etc. And the Vette Transaxle parts are so cheap I probably can build that thing as a challenge car.”

His test bed of choice? A Mazda5–a vehicle with a normal-looking body that can, as Cummings notes, accommodate the long Corvette drivetrain.

And–and this is where it gets good–if the Mazda5 is front-wheel drive and the Corvette bits will be out back driving the rear wheels, there’s no need to get rid of the Mazda’s original engine, right?

So that’s how you end up with, technically, an all-wheel-drive, 12-cylinder minivan good for nearly 500 horsepower. Technically.

Testing out the drivetrain won’t be this Mazda’s only role, however, as Cummings also has it entered to compete in our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack.

Our annual motorsports festival that challenges competitors to build a race car for no more than $2000 and then compete with it in autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judged show, returns to Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, April 18-19.

Cars built or bought for more than $2000 can compete in the autocross and drag racing sessions, and spectators are welcome, too.

Sign up now to secure your entry for the 2026 event. Use promo code FEBRUARY to save $50 on your registration. The deal ends on February 28 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, in Association with CRC Industries, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.

Colin Wood 2/10/26 Colin Wood 2/10/26

Save $50 when you register for the $2000 Challenge today

A dollar saved is a dollar earned–which can then be spent on your project car.

Better yet, for a limited time only, use promo code FEBRUARY to save $50 on your entry for the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack. The deal ends on February 28 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.

Already registered? Good news, the discount has already been applied to your entry.

The $2000 Challenge, our annual motorsports festival that challenges competitors to build a race car for no more than $2000 and then compete with it in autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judged show, returns to Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, April 18-19.

Cars built or bought for more than $2000 can compete in the autocross and drag racing sessions, and spectators are welcome, too.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, in Association with CRC Industries, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.

Colin Wood 2/9/26 Colin Wood 2/9/26

Why volunteer for our $2000 Challenge? Get $50, free lunch and more

How to get the best seat in the house during the $2000 Challenge autocross? By volunteering for course work.

Volunteering also has its benefits, too. Get $50, a free T-shirt, a free lunch and more.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster, in Association with HPX Show, CRC Industries, A&A Manufacturing, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.

Colin Wood 2/2/26 Colin Wood 2/2/26

$2000 Challenge: Reserve your hotel room or camping spot today

Fewer than 80 days remain until the start of our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster, so consider this your sign to book your accommodations now before you run out time.

The Best Western Gateway Grand in Gainesville, Florida, will once again serve as our host hotel for the weekend, and also be the site of the famous Parking Lot Build, typically located in the back of the hotel.

You’ll find other competitors putting the final touches on their rides there, too, as well as friendly conversations and food–via the on-site restaurant and hot breakfast served every morning.

Reservations for rooms are now open, and we’ve negotiated a group rate of $142/night. Reservations must be booked by Friday, March 27, 2026. Make your reservation now online or by calling 352-331-3336 and asking for the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge rate.

More interested in camping? Drivers, spectators and crew can purchase camping passes to stay on-site. Each camping pass covers sleeping in one trailer, one RV or one car with up to two tents.

Camping spaces are not assigned, and you’re welcome to camp almost anywhere within the paddock and grounds of Gainesville Raceway. Water, power and sewer hook-ups are not available,

What is the $2000 Challenge? Simply put, it’s our annual motorsports festival that celebrates extreme speed, penny-pinching and ingenuity by challenging competitors to build a race car for no more than $2000 and compete with it in autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judged show, with this year’s event set for April 18-19 at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida.

Cars built or bought for more than $2000 can compete in the autocross and drag racing sessions, and spectators are welcome, too.

Colin Wood 1/28/26 Colin Wood 1/28/26

College teams: Save 50% on your $2000 Challenge registration

What do college and our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster have in common? Money–or, rather, the need to spend less of it through careful budgeting.

The $2000 Challenge is, quite simply, our annual motorsports festival that celebrates extreme speed, penny-pinching and ingenuity by challenging competitors to build a race car for no more than $2000 and compete with it in autocross, drag racing and a concours-style judged show.

In that spirit of saving, college teams entering to compete in the $2000 Challenge can get 50% of their registration fees (up to a maximum of $250) by using discount code COLLEGE.

Enter your collegiate team, and you’ll join the likes of Georgia Tech’s Wreck Racing, Kennesaw State University’s Night Owl Racing, Smith College Racing and more in the event’s storied history.

April 18-19 at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, we’ll host some of the wildest and most creative under-budget creations in the country–and this is your sign to be a part of the low-buck thrills.

Better yet? Cars built or bought for more than $2000 can compete in the autocross and drag racing sessions, and spectators are welcome, too.

Colin Wood 1/26/26 Colin Wood 1/26/26

How would you build a race car if you only had $2000 to spend?

Build a car that’s competitive in both autocross and drag racing. Easy enough, right?

But how differently would you go about building that race car if you could only spend $2000 to do it?

Welcome to the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster, our annual automotive festival where extreme speed and penny-pinching meet.

Better yet? Cars built or bought for more than $2000 can compete in the autocross and drag racing sessions, and spectators are welcome, too.

Colin Wood 1/21/26 Colin Wood 1/21/26

Built or bought for more than $2000? Run it in our $2000 Challenge.

For years, we’ve been asking ourselves if more money really does equate to more speed. It wasn’t until very recently, however, that we discovered the perfect way to find out: By allowing cars built for more than $2000 compete in our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster.

Simply put, the $2000 Challenge is our annual motorsports competition that challenges its competitors to build a race car for less than $2000, then compete with it in autocross and drag racing sessions plus a concours-style judged show.

Need more seat time? Hoping to try out a new setup? Feel free to use our $2000 Challenge for that, too, as cars built–or even bought–for more than $2000 are welcome to compete in the autocross or drag racing sessions or even both.

And, while we’ll have prizes to hand out to top finishing under-budget entries, we’ll also have special awards for over-budget entries up for grabs, too.

You’ll also be joined by several other like-minded enthusiasts, including the under-budget participants who are often willing to share how to go faster without spending a lot of money.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, in Association with HPX Show, CRC Industries, A&A Manufacturing, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.

Colin Wood 1/12/26 Colin Wood 1/12/26

$2000 Challenge: Not an art car, but a low-buck BMW 2500 racer

Entrant: Al Taylor
Event year: 2016
Budget spent: $947.90

The Reverend Alonzo Graham Taylor III visited the $2000 Challenge during a road trip in his 1969 BMW 2500, its possum-and-chicken paint job done by an artist friend for just $260: $100 in cash and $160 in, as Al told us, “good ass beer.”

Prep for $2000 was fairly easy, Al explained, as he simply bolted on some “fresher” shocks. Once at the venue, he then stashed all of his spares in the bushes–for safe keeping, he added.

Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, held April 18-19, 2026–that's fewer than 100 days for everyone keeping score at home.

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.

Colin Wood 1/7/26 Colin Wood 1/7/26

Enter now: only 101 days until the $2000 Challenge

If nothing else, the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster is a numbers game–two days of competition, three distinct events and just $2000 available to spend.

But now there’s a new number to add to the mix: 101. That’s the number of days left until some of the fastest cars built for less than $2000 take to Gainesville Raceway, in Gainesville, Florida, to battle it out for the title of $2000 Challenge Champion, April 18-19.

Entrants will compete in autocross and drag racing in addition to concours-style judging.

Cars built for more than $2000 are welcome, too, meaning you’ll get the chance to find out if more money really does equal more speed.

Impossible to build a competitive race car for so little money, you say? Consider this your sign to enter today and find out just how possible it is. (It is called the $2000 Challenge, after all.)

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.

The time left to enter the $2000 Challenge is quickly running out (let alone build a car), so register today before you run out of time, entries fill up or both.

Dashboard

Colin Wood 8/1/25 Colin Wood 8/1/25

$2000 Challenge: Not a Chevy Turbo Sprint, but a Pontiac Firefly

Entrant: Mike Cove
Event year: 2003
Budget spent: $1201 (Canadian)

GM’s entry into the day’s hot hatch wars? Its 1987-’88 Suzuki-built Chevrolet Turbo Sprint, sold in Canada as a Pontiac Firefly. Mike Cove of Wilsonville, Ontario, brought down a Pontiac variant to Florida for our $2000 Challenge.

Stock power came from a turbocharged 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine, but Mike upped the boost from 8 psi to north of 22. It ran a 15.8 in the quarter.

Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, held April 18-19, 2026.

Colin Wood 3/31/25 Colin Wood 3/31/25

Tube-frame Beetle with turbo Miata Power wins $2000 Challenge

How fast can you go for less than $2000? That's the whole idea behind our annual Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack and powered by AutoBidMaster.

Whether teams built a car for less than $2000, entered their over-budget build, or both: They all battled against each other across autocross, drag racing and concours sessions at Gainesville Raceway to see if money really equals speed.

So, who had the fastest low-buck machine? That honor goes to Derek Penner and his tube-frame, Mazda Miata wearing a Volkswagen Beetle hat.

In second place was Material Girls Racing and their Ford Ranger-bodied Ford Taurus, followed by Identity Crisis and their Triumph Spitfire/Pontiac Solstice mashup.

For their efforts, each team won a big trophy and a gift card from Tire Rack: $1000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place.

The full field of $2000 Challenge winners are as follows:

Overall:

1st Overall - Biggest trophy and a $1000 Tire Rack gift card: Derek Penner, 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
2nd Overall - Bigger trophy and a $500 Tire Rack gift card: Material Girls Racing, 1985 Ford Ranger
3rd Overall - Big trophy and $250 Tire Rack gift card: Identity Crisis, 2006 Pontiac Solstice
GTN$ Winner - Trophy and a $250 Grassroots Motorsports Store gift card: Night Owl Racing, 1989 Ford Festiva
GTW$ Winner - Trophy and a $250 Grassroots Motorsports Store gift card: Material Girls Racing, 1985 Ford Ranger
GTU$ Winner - Trophy and a $250 Grassroots Motorsports Store gift card: Derek Penner, 1967 Volkswagen Beetle

Autocross:

GTN

1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: HomePro Racing, 2013 Mazda MX-5
2nd Place – Trophy: Short Road Racing, 2020 Mazda Miata
3rd Place – Trophy: Ethan Swindel's Sugar Daddy, 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata

GTN$

1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Rob Rabenstein, 2004 Mazda RX-8
2nd Place – Trophy: Night Owl Racing, 1989 Ford Festiva
3rd Place – Trophy: More Tools Than Sense Racing, 1991 Mazda Mionnette

GTW

1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Miata Is Always The Answer - Racing team, 2008 Mazda Miata
2nd Place – Trophy: Kip Mitchell, 2023 Subaru BRZ
3rd Place – Trophy: Blueline Motorsports, 2001 Porsche Boxster S

GTW$

1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Tucker Ryals, BMW 535i
2nd Place – Trophy: Material Girls Racing, 1985 Ford Ranger
3rd Place – Trophy: Identity Crisis, 2006 Nissan Altima

GTU

1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Nick Dunlap, 1999 Mazda Miata
2nd Place – Trophy: Eight Two Racing, 1995 Acura Integra
3rd Place – Trophy: Tint World Ocala, 2022 Chevrolet C8 Corvette

GTU$

1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Derek Penner, 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
2nd Place – Trophy: Identity Crisis, 2006 Pontiac Solstice
3rd Place – Trophy: Wreck Racing, 1987 Chrysler Conquest TSI

Drag Racing:

GTN

1st Place - Trophy plus a Hat and Shirt from A&A Manufacturing: FiDK, 2014 Ford Fiesta ST

GTW

1st Place - Trophy plus a Hat and Shirt from A&A Manufacturing: Holy Cats Garage, 1985 Buick Regal

GTU

1st Place - Trophy plus a Hat and Shirt from A&A Manufacturing: Wingin It Garage, 2021 Ford Mustang GT500

GTN$

1st Place - Trophy and a Tab Kit from A&A Manufacturing: The Blockbusters, 1985 Mercury Cougar
2nd Place – Trophy: Night Owl Racing, 1989 Ford Festiva
3rd Place – Trophy: Travis Turner, 1995 Toyota Camry

GTW$

1st Place – Trophy and a Dzus Tab Kit from A&A Manufacturing: Material Girls Racing, 1985 Ford Ranger
2nd Place – Trophy: Tucker Ryals, BMW 535i
3rd Place – Trophy: Man Bun Racing, Chrysler Crossfire

GTU$

1st Place - Trophy and a Aluminum Body Washer Kit from A&A Manufacturing: Trigonia Racing, 2001 Ford Mustang
2nd Place – Trophy: Knights Automotive, 1994 Ford Ranger
3rd Place – Trophy: Identity Crisis, 2006 Pontiac Solstice

Drag Racing Special Awards:

The quickest car competing in an over-budget class – trophy: Wingin It Garage, 2021 Ford Mustang GT500
The quickest car competing in a budget-limited class – QuickJack from BendPak: Trigonia Racing, 2001 Ford Mustang

Concours:

GTN$

1st Place - Trophy and a CRC SmartWasher BenchtopPRO Kit from CRC Industries: Night Owl Racing, 1989 Ford Festiva
2nd Place - Trophy and a $100 Gas Card from CRC Industries: More Tools Than Sense Racing, 1991 Mazda Mionnette
3rd Place - Trophy and a case of assorted products from CRC Industries: Barely Functional Racing, 1964 Volvo P1800

GTW$

1st Place - Trophy and a CRC SmartWasher BenchtopPRO Kit from CRC Industries: Material Girls Racing, 1985 Ford Ranger
2nd Place - Trophy and a $100 Gas Card from CRC Industries: Identity Crisis, 2006 Nissan Altima
3rd Place - Trophy and a case of assorted products from CRC Industries: TIE | Tucker Ryals, BMW 535i/Evan Fountain, 2010 Ford Crown Victoria

GTU$

1st Place - Trophy and a CRC SmartWasher BenchtopPRO Kit from CRC Industries: Wreck Racing, 1987 Chrysler Conquest TSI
2nd Place - Trophy and a $100 Gas Card from CRC Industries: Derek Penner, 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
3rd Place - Trophy and a case of assorted products from CRC Industries: Identity Crisis, 2006 Pontiac Solstice

Special Awards:

Challenger’s Choice - Trophy and a $500 Tire Rack gift card: Derek Penner, 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
Fastest Dynamic Time - Trophy and a Tier 1 Membership from AutoBidMaster: Derek Penner, 1967 Volkswagen Beetle
Highest Scoring $1000 Budget Car - Trophy and $250 Grassroots Motorsports Store Gift Card: Barely Functional Racing, 1964 Volvo P1800
Editor’s Choice - Trophy and a $250 Grassroots Motorsports Store gift card: More Tools Than Sense Racing, 1991 Mazda Mionnette
Highest Finishing School Team (non-FSAE) – CRC product pack: Material Girls Racing, 1985 Ford Ranger
Highest Finishing FSAE – CRC Product Pack: Embry Riddle ERAU Motorsports, 2025 FSAE ER-09

Look for full coverage of the $2000 Challenge in an upcoming issue of Grassroots Motorsports.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, in Association with HPX Show, CRC Industries, A&A Manufacturing and BendPak.

Colin Wood 3/27/25 Colin Wood 3/27/25

Join us and Randy Pobst at the GRM Track Day at The FIRM on March 31

Looking for a ton of track time with less traffic than other track days? Looking to mingle with us and two-time Rolex 24 At Daytona class winner Randy Pobst? Looking for something to do after The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster? Then, we got something for you: The Grassroots Motorsports Track Day at The FIRM on March 31.

The Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park in Starke, Florida, serves as the official track for our car tests and sorting our project cars. It’s located less than 30 minutes east from the site of the $2000 Challenge at Gainesville Raceway.

The GRM Track Day at The FIRM is just $250 if you preregister. Food is included, too.

Want to add the $2000 Challenge, too, held on March 29-30 at Gainesville Raceway? Register your ride (even those built or bought for more than $2000) now.

Colin Wood 3/18/25 Colin Wood 3/18/25

Have a pro–like Randy Pobst–drive your entry

Thinking about entering the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack on March 29-30, but question your autocross ability? No worries, we got pros on hand that can do a run (or more) through the cones for you, at no extra cost.

Who will be available? Three pro drivers. Multi-time SCCA Solo national champ Dave Marcus. Multi-time SCCA Solo national champ Alan McCrispin. And automotive high performance expert Randy Pobst, who has four World Challenge championships and two Rolex 24 At Daytona class wins, yet has deep roots to autocross.

While the pros can’t help you for the concours portion of the $2000 Challenge, we’ll have four seasoned judges doing the scoring. They include longtime $2000 Challenge participants Patrick Caherty (aka AngryCorvair) and Grand Marshal Bill Cuttitta, as well as Randy Pobst and GRM Editorial Director David S. Wallens.

Colin Wood 3/17/25 Colin Wood 3/17/25

$2000 Challenge now less than two weeks away

Procrastinators, late bloomers and those living under rocks unite: Our annual low-buck motorsports competition, the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, is less than two weeks away, March 29-30.

The goal? To find out who can build the fastest car without spending more than $2000. Have a car that’s been built–or bought–for more than that? You’re welcome to compete as well.

Under- and over-budget entries will compete in autocross and drag sessions, followed by a concours-style judging segment for under-budget cars.

And yes, we have several prizes and trophies to give away.

Colin Wood 2/28/25 Colin Wood 2/28/25

Open staging for drag racing

The $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack offers open staging during Saturday’s drag racing session, from 6-9 p.m. on Saturday.

This means that all competitors, both those with budget and overbudget rides, will have unlimited runs during that session to set the fastest time possible–and improve their chances of securing bragging rights over their friends.

Budget competitors can’t put all their eggs in one basket, though, as they’ll also need to perform well in Saturday’s autocross and Sunday’s concours to win our annual low-buck competition.

Colin Wood 2/28/25 Colin Wood 2/28/25

Formula SAE teams welcome to compete

Unlimited track time, testing data for days, all before competition? Sounds like every Formula SAE student’s dream, right? Well, that dream is a reality at our Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack.

While the $2000 Challenge has always been open to every make and model of car, we are officially welcoming all Formula SAE teams.

As our way of supporting future generations, enjoy the $2000 Challenge with free entry. All we ask is for a few of your best corner workers.

Meet other teams and fellow car enthusiasts, and, of course, test to your heart’s content.

To receive your discount code and learn more about FSAE participation, email paris@grassrootsmotorsports.com.

$2000 CHALLENGE UPDATES

Overall:

Autocross:

Drag Racing:

Drag Racing Special Awards:

Concours:

Special Awards:

So, Think You’re Up to the Challenge?