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.

Sign up now to secure your entry for the 2026 event and keep an eye on the $2000 Challenge website for future updates.

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.

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

So, Think You’re Up to the Challenge?

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

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

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

So, Think You’re Up to the Challenge?