BMW-powered Miata boosts its way into $2000 Challenge glory

Where can you find an automotive festival that's dedicated to celebrating autocross, drag racing and–most importantly–low-buck ingenuity? That's right, the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge presented by Tire Rack.

So, who had the fastest low-buck machine? That honor goes to Michael Hoffstetter and his BMW-powered 1999 Mazda Miata in first overall, followed by Robbie Cutcliffe and his Formula 440-powered 1965 Datsun 1500 Roadster in second …

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Perhaps a definition of the classes somewhere in the article would be helpful?

In reply to newrider3 :

Basically six classes. You have narrow (GTN) tires, wide tires (GTW) and unlimited tires (GTU). GTN and GTW are 200TW tires and GTU is anything else. Then the car is either under $2000 or it's not. The under cars have a $ sign added to their class designation.

Congrats everyone!

DeadSkunk (Warren) said:

In reply to newrider3 :

Basically six classes. You have narrow (GTN) tires, wide tires (GTW) and unlimited tires (GTU). GTN and GTW are 200TW tires and GTU is anything else. Then the car is either under $2000 or it's not. The under cars have a $ sign added to their class designation.

Warren Martin,'99 Miata,'03 CooperS,06 Scion Xb ,73 Corolla SR5, 2019 GMC Canyon

Exactly. A breakdown of classes can be found here:

2000challenge.com/rules

Thanks for joining us, everybody!

Hey Tom, did I get the lowest concours score ever?

In reply to Evan Williams :

I believe you did--congratulations!

In reply to Evan Williams :

I tried to be nice then reconsidered and took some points away. 

That build book was hilarious. Just 3 pieces of paper each with 1 line of 12 point font.

Team members: Evan

Build story: I bought a BMW for $2000.

Receipts: $2000 BMW 535

I realized on the way home I didn't include the bill of sale. I can post it with personal info reacted if there any concerns about my purchase price but it's legit. Next up is fixing the transmission and selling, but I am having some dirty thoughts about selling the whole interior to myself and getting an eBay tune and tires to come back next year...

What does "fastest" mean in the article? I see the ///iata was fastest in drags but I don't see Robbie or Steve in the results.

In reply to buzzboy :

The Miata had the fastest combined time (autocross+drag times) of any car under $2000. The only faster car was the Porsche GT4 which way over $2k.

In reply to buzzboy :

The official results are posted here:

Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Live Timing — Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge  (Click the link to see the tallied results)

Oh, fastest combined times... duh. Thanks

Does this BMW powered Miata have a build thread on here? I'd like to see details on how they put it together. 

Yes, good seeing everyone. Now that we’re no longer working out of the $2000 Challenge Media Center (Chris’ 4-foot card table), look more from the event. :) 

In reply to AWSX1686 (Forum Supporter) :

Seconded!

In reply to AWSX1686 (Forum Supporter) :

We shot a feature video with them on Sunday where they talk about the build so keep an eye out for that on the Grassroots Motorsports YouTube Channel. 

AWSX1686 (Forum Supporter) said:

Does this BMW powered Miata have a build thread on here? I'd like to see details on how they put it together. 

Andrew W. Smith | http://bacgarage.com/ | @goofballsracing on ig/tt

Or a build thread anywhere? As a fan of both Miatas and BMWs, I'd love to learn more about the build.

ChrisTropea said:

In reply to AWSX1686 (Forum Supporter) :

We shot a feature video with them on Sunday where they talk about the build so keep an eye out for that on the Grassroots Motorsports YouTube Channel. 

I just checked but didn't see the video. Do you know when it will be posted?

AWSX1686 (Forum Supporter) said:

Does this BMW powered Miata have a build thread on here? I'd like to see details on how they put it together. 

And they have BIG plans for mcspool too. 

I heard they do IG, but I would like to hear more about their build(s).

Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

AWSX1686 (Forum Supporter) said:

Does this BMW powered Miata have a build thread on here? I'd like to see details on how they put it together. 

And they have BIG plans for mcspool too. 

I heard they do IG, but I would like to hear more about their build(s).

Did I read correctly it has an N55 powering it? I'm really curious to hear more about this build. 

In reply to dyintorace :

N54, big single turbo

Matthew Kennedy said:

In reply to dyintorace :

N54, big single turbo

Thanks. Just as interested in learning more about the build knowing it is an N54.