Photograph by Rupert Berrington
Ah, new year, new events–wait, it’s already March? Fortunately, after chatting with some of my GRM colleagues, I already have a list of my top events to attend in 2025.
First on the list–and coming up soon–is the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster.
Autocross, drag racing, car shows, camping and more, all with the GRM community? Sounds like my kind of event.
On March 29, I will be attending my first $2000 Challenge, but don’t get me wrong, I’m not going in blind. I have watched the recap videos, read the articles and heard the GRM lore. I’m excited to meet more members of the GRM community in person and see the wacky, cool and innovative things they come up with for the Challenge–some of which I’ve been following on the GRM forums.
Next on the list is Gridlife South Carolina, taking place from April 11-13 at Carolina Motorsports Park. Before joining GRM, I had only heard of Gridlife in passing and didn’t know that much about it. So, I wasn’t really sure if it was my thing. But all that changed when I started talking with James Wood and learned more about what the events were like.
James isn’t just our associate publisher, he regularly attends Gridlife events with his LS-powered, second-gen RX-7. He did, at least, until last August during the Gridlife Circuit Legends Festival. Sadly, on that day, his RX-7 suffered a devastating engine failure when a piston kissed a valve.
[My goal: Drive the car back onto the trailer. My reality?]
That didn’t stop James from telling me all about Gridlife, and my interest? Piqued. A three-day event featuring Gridlife Drift, TrackBattle Time Attack, GLTC and Rush SR–plus a full-course drift and skidpad drift happening on the side? I wouldn’t even know where to start, but hey, who doesn’t like an adventure? Plus, thanks to some nights in his shop, there’s a chance we’ll see James and his RX-7 back on track.
Now, I love autocross and drifting as much as the next person, but how about a little variety? That’s why next up on my list is the Pine Mountain Hillclimb April 25-27 at the Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, Kentucky.
Living in Florida most of my life, I’ve never seen a hillclimb in person. After all, Florida hills, the few we have, aren’t exciting enough to climb. And while watching on TV is fun you don’t get the same thrill and environment as a live race.
This 2-mile, 10-turn Pine Mountain HillClimb layout features an elevation gain of 650 feet, with trees, rocks and drops lining the road. While I think every race car driver is a daredevil in their own right, to me, hillclimbers are in their own league. High speed AND heights? I may not want to compete, but I sure love to watch.
Later on in the year, specifically September 1-5, I am stoked to attend the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Since starting my autocross career with GRM, I have joined so many groups–like the Women on Track program–and connected with some amazing racers. So, of course, the next logical step is to attend all the big SCCA events to meet them in person and see them in action.
The Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships is home of the best of the best. It’s an event that I believe autocrossers–regardless of where they are in their journey–should attend at least once. It’s a chance to meet great people, see awesome cars and, of course, learn from the top runners.
Who knows, maybe that bad habit you’re trying to shake is something someone else experienced. And maybe they have those words of wisdom that let all the cogs fall into place.
My list of events goes on and on, but with only so many days in the year, going to them all is impossible, so I need some help narrowing it down. What events are on your 2025 list? Have any you think I should add to mine?
On my list
SCCA National Time Trial at LVMS; it's the only SCCA National of any kind I've ever done and it has a great vibe
Willow Springs this weekend; it's the last event under the Huth family as well as the All Japan Car Shootout.
VARA September race ib Buttonwillow's new track.
What events are on your 2025 list?
Yes.
For my serious answer, I've had Pine Mountain on my list since the very first one was announced (because I was born a stone's throw away in Middlesboro), and I'd really like to make it to an F1 race at some point. I'll also add the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nürburgring 24 and maybe even the Aurum 1006 km.
In reply to Tom1200 :
Oh I haven't seen the All Japan Car Shootout. I hope you share some photos after. Is it only once a year or do they have other smaller events?
In reply to Paris Van Gorder :
Ooops I misquoted it. It's the "All Japan Showdown"
Several SoCal Japanese car clubs host it. There is the usual VARA vintage races along with a Japanese car show and an all Japanese car race on Saturday afternoon. There is also a track day session for non racers.
Come visit Anchorage, Alaska. Our Autocross season is starting soon and run through September.
I always look forward to see what shows up at Pike's Peak.
I haven't been to a single event at COTA in several years. I really need to get out there for the World Endurance Championship weekend in September...but it can be so. damn. hot. out there at that time of year, and as I age, it's getting easier and easier to skip such things. Maybe I'll spend a day or two out there next month for Moto GP. April is a lot better than Labor Day.
Maybe both? We'll see.
In reply to Coniglio Rampante :
There's also GT World Challenge at COTA April 25-27 and if you like tuner cars Super Lap Battle April 12-13.
1 day ticket is about $35 for each.
I don't go to many events at COTA, seems like they don't want spectators.
In reply to j_tso :
I wrote and deleted a long post, but it boiled down to this: I agree.
The last time I went to a World Challenge weekend it felt like I wasn't supposed to be there.
If I go to the WEC weekend, it's strictly for the cars/drivers. COTA is kind of "meh" to me.
I saw a few of the races last decade that featured the LMP1 entries from Audi, Toyota, and later Porsche, and thought that was great, but the number of current offerings is incredible.
I'd kick myself if I died and never went again. Yes, the logistics of being dead and somehow kicking oneself may be difficult to overcome, but I'm told I'll have a long time to figure it out.
Talking about pistons in an RX7 feels sacrilege.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to joining the PCA for autocross days!
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