Photography by Mark Langello
When we put out the call for our first $2000 Challenge–back then, the budget limit was just $1500–we didn’t know what to expect. Would our readers get it? And would they get it enough to build a low-buck car and actually show up in Florida?
We wound up welcoming a full field to Florida, including four gentlemen from up around Washington, D.C. From the front, we welcomed Barry Miles; our upcoming grand marshal, Bill Cuttitta; Cliff Sebring Jr. and Cliff Sebring Sr.
Their mount? A factory-turbocharged 1989 Plymouth Voyager dubbed Mini Me that ran a 14.3-second E.T. A legend–and a friendship–was born.
Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, held March 29-30, 2025.
The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack, in Association with HPX Show, BendPak, CRC Industries and Miller Electric.
Why do we keep coming back?
This. One of the best and most fun experiences I've ever had in motorsports.
And why folks should try it for themselves - get your friends and family and try something epic together.
We didn't win (2nd overall), but it changed *everything* for us and our families.
bc
In reply to prowlerjc :
A friend of ours, and long time friend of Gus's, Wayne Hemingway owns Mean Mini and Slug Mean Mini was restored and is a beast, running consistent 11's, completing at least one drag week in 2018. Last I spoke to Wayne about Slug, it was moving up in the priority list to get a refresh and back out on the track
And for the record, that damn Team Mini Me van and later the silver Omni that Barry, Cliff and Bill campaigned sucked me into this widely dysfunctional family of GRM challengers...and I am glad they did. Have made a lot of friends and had a lot of good times because of it.
See you all next spring.
I think Stampie just read this thread.
In reply to Mr_Asa :
If he did, the results will be spectacular...
BillCuttitta said:Why do we keep coming back?
This. One of the best and most fun experiences I've ever had in motorsports.
And why folks should try it for themselves - get your friends and family and try something epic together.
We didn't win (2nd overall), but it changed *everything* for us and our families.
bc
That first $2000 Challenge did set the tone for the later ones: motorsports didn’t have to take a ton of money, your competitors could also be your good friends, and it was okay to try something different.
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