We once again pitted the fastest machines built for less than $2000 against one another at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida–but we also added a twist this year: For the first time ever, we allowed cars to enter the fray that cost more than $2000 to build to find out if more money really does equal more speed.
To better accommodate these new entries, we divided up the field into classes:
Great Tire Narrow (GTN): For cars equipped with 200tw rated or higher tires with a labeled tire width less than or equal to 225mm.
Great Tire Wide (GTW): For cars equipped with 200tw rated or higher tires with a labeled tire width less than or equal to 285mm.
Great Tire Unlimited (GTU): For cars equipped with all other tires (including slicks, etc.)
Cars competing with budget limitations are denoted by the suffix "$"
So, who had the fastest low-buck machine? That honor goes to Daniel Cummings–better known in these parts as nocones–and his LMP360 in first overall, followed by Wreck Racing and their Acura V6-powered Chevrolet S10 in second and Steve Stafford and his 1985 Chevrolet Corvette in third.
The full field of $2000 Challenge winners are as follows:
GTN$ Winner - $250 Summit Racing gift card: Daniel Cummings, 1968 Subaru LMP360
GTW$ Winner - $250 Summit Racing gift card: Katie Ortengren, 2013 Ford Taurus
GTU$ Winner - $250 Summit Racing gift card: Wreck Racing, 1999 Chevrolet S10
Autocross
GTN
1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Jeremy Randolph, 2022 Subaru BRZ Limited
2nd Place - $200 RockAuto gift card from ACI Automotive: Ryan Dutra, 2001 Honda Insight
GTW
1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Robert Palmblad, 2008 Mazda MX-5
2nd Place - $200 CravenSpeed gift card: Michael Simmons, 2021 Tesla M3P
GTU
1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Lou Hudyman, 2020 Porsche GT4
GTN$
1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Daniel Cummings, 1968 Subaru LMP360
2nd Place - Trakkrats Stringstick: Tucker Ryals, 2005 Volkswagen GTI
3rd Place - $100 Lamin-X Gift Certificate: Zachary Gnabah, 1986 Pontiac Fiero
GTW$
1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Robbie Cutcliffe, 2003 BMW 325xi
2nd Place - CRC SmartWasher BenchtopPRO Kit from CRC Industries: Katie Ortengren, 2013 Ford Taurus
GTU$
1st Place - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Andrew Surprenant, 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder
Drag Racing
GTN winner: Mitchell Maulfair, 2002 Mazda Miata
GTW winner: Michael Simmons, 2021 Tesla M3P
GTU winner: Jonathan Whitaker, 2001 Ford Mustang GT
Fastest car not competing in a budget-limited class - Millermatic® 211 MIG Welder from Miller: Jonathan Whitaker, Problematic Racing
GTN$
1st Place - $250 Summit Racing gift card: Zachary Gnabah, 1986 Pontiac Fiero
2nd Place - $200 Summit Racing gift card: Daniel Cummings, 1968 Subaru LMP360
3rd Place - $50 Summit Racing gift card: Tucker Ryals, 2005 Volkswagen GTI
GTW$
1st Place - $250 Summit Racing gift card: Katie Ortengren, 2013 Ford Taurus
2nd Place - $200 Summit Racing gift card: Robbie Cutcliffe, 2003 BMW 325xi
3rd Place - $50 Summit Racing gift card: Anthony Vallancourt, 1993 Nissan 240SX
GTU$
1st Place - $250 Summit Racing gift card: Steve Stafford, 1985 Chevrolet Corvette
2nd Place - $200 Summit Racing gift card: Dale Wagner, 1996 BMW E36
3rd Place - $50 Summit Racing gift card: Jonathan Breidenbach, 1970 Pontiac Firebird
Concours
GTN$
1st Place - CRC SmartWasher BenchtopPRO Kit from CRC Industries: Daniel Cummings, 1968 Subaru LMP360
2nd Place - $100 Gas Card from CRC Industries: Zachary Gnabah, 1986 Pontiac Fiero
3rd Place - A case of assorted products from CRC Industries: Tucker Ryals, 2005 Volkswagen GTI
GTW$
1st Place - CRC SmartWasher BenchtopPRO Kit from CRC Industries: Katie Ortengren, 2013 Ford Taurus
2nd Place - $100 Gas Card from CRC Industries: Michael Stamps, 1965 Ford Mustang
3rd Place - A case of assorted products from CRC Industries: Robbie Cutcliffe, 2003 BMW 325xi
GTU$
1st Place - CRC SmartWasher BenchtopPRO Kit from CRC Industries: Cedarville University, 1957 Nash Metropolitan
2nd Place - $100 Gas Card from CRC Industries: Wreck Racing, 1999 Chevrolet S10
3rd Place - A case of assorted products from CRC Industries: Steve Stafford, 1985 Chevrolet Corvette
Special Prizes
Challenger’s Choice - $500 Tire Rack gift card: Daniel Cummings, 1968 Subaru LMP360
Fastest Dynamic Time - $250 Summit Racing gift card: Michael Simmons, 2021 Tesla M3P
Highest Scoring $1000 Budget Car - Trophy and $250 GRM Store Gift Card: Blair Warner, 2001 Acura Integra GS-R
The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack in association with CRC Industries, Summit Racing and Miller Electric, with trophies from Lamin-X, Trakkrats, CravenSpeed and ACI Automotive.