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

Written By Colin Wood

Photograph by Dave Green

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.

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 luck-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.

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.

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