Great Moments in $2000 Challenge History: 1/1-Scale Hot Wheels CRX

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Dec 27, 2019 | Honda | Posted in Features | From the April 2016 issue | Never miss an article

If you were buying die-cast cars during the heyday of the sport-compact scene, then this 1988 Honda CRX Si that showed up at our $2003 Challenge might look familiar. At the same time, you could find a 1/18-scale Hot Wheels CRX sporting the same color scheme. Clever, huh?

Like the smaller version, this one also featured a turbocharged engine–although, the team admits, three turbos donated their parts to make one functioning unit.

In addition to a blow-off valve, these participants might have also been hearing wedding bells: During the build, Carrie and Mike became engaged. They said that if they can survive a project like this, they can tackle anything. (By the way, we found one of those models advertised on eBay for $64.95.)

Make your own low-buck memories. Join us October 23-24, 2020, in Gainesville, Florida, for the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by CRC Industries and eBay Motors. Visit 2000challenge for details.

ENTRANTS:
Carrie Sparling, Mike Snyder, Andrew Wagner, Chris Vetters

TOTAL BUDGET:
 $1962.08

EVENT YEAR:
 2003

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Comments
Rupert
Rupert Dork
10/5/16 7:58 p.m.

I owned and autocrossed a '85 CRX Si. It was almost unbeatable! I'm not a bad driver, but until I bought and raced my CRX,I had never won "stock FTD!" Which I did several times until others bought and raced Si CRX cars as well.

Andy Neuman
Andy Neuman Dork
9/5/18 7:03 p.m.

not to bring up an old thread, but this popped up on Facebook marketplace. 

johndej
johndej HalfDork
9/5/18 7:14 p.m.

Haha I saw that today too.!Here it is on Craigslist!

 

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/d/88-honda-crx/6639081624.html

AWSX1686
AWSX1686 GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
12/27/19 12:59 p.m.

FYI, this car came back to the challenge this year (2019) by my friends Blair and Dave. (Though, somewhere along the line it got spray painted flat black, so it's not as easily identifiable as this car anymore.) They only bought it a few days before the event, but still got respectable numbers considering the state it had fallen into and the time they had to try and make it perform. 

As far as I know there are plans for it to come back, better than ever for 2020... 

_
_ Dork
12/27/19 5:40 p.m.

Here's the real question, is that couple still together? The car parted ways, but did their love?

Byrneon27
Byrneon27 Reader
12/28/19 12:09 p.m.

In reply to _ :

They are happily married to other people. I'll elaborate more on this in the 2020 challenge but this car is more or less Dr.Love with an evil sense of humor. 

I found this car having no idea it was this car being used for dirt drag racing in MD. Like $800 later it was back in the fold. Thrashed on it non stop bringing basically everything out of the trailer park. Dave asked Carrie about some parts and she figured out it was their car. 

Given how popular it seems to be I may restore the hot wheels livery for 2020 but yes the car is coming back lighter and more powerful

 

fastford16
fastford16 New Reader
12/28/19 1:25 p.m.

We had a good time with that car and met some great people.  Definitely a fun event!

Yes, we've both moved on but it was for the best and we're both very happy now.  We very well could be back at the Challenge next year for a reunion, it would be cool to see the old heap again (and I'm referring to the car).

Byrneon27
Byrneon27 Reader
12/28/19 2:08 p.m.

You damn well better someone fast has to drive it

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