I figured out long ago that "$2,000 build" has to be using Gov. type accounting. 
FL is too far away to ever be practical for me, let me know when you open up a second venue out west.
For some, an heirloom can be a snow globe or a collection of fine China. When it comes to the Grassroots Motorsports forum, however, the ideal heirloom is a Lotus Europa that’s been passed down from generations upon generations of enthusiasts–all for the low price of free.
Travis Turner (better known on the forum as maschinenbau) is the latest caretaker for the now-legendary Free Lotus Europa and is currently preparing it to compete in our annual low-buck competition, the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack.
Part of those preparations includes fitting the Lotus with a Toyota 2GR-FE V6 engine (the same engine we’re swapping into our MR2 Turbo project car), which, as Travis points out, is similar to the V6 used in the current Lotus Evora. How’s that for keeping it in the family?
What is the $2000 Challenge? It’s our annual low-buck automotive festival that celebrates autocross, drag racing and ingenuity, which returns to Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, on a new weekend for 2023, May 27-28.
The real challenge is in the event's name, however, as entries are required to prepare their vehicles for less than $2000. Each of these sub-$2000 cars will compete in autocross and drag racing sessions followed by concours judging the next day.
Rather see if more money equals more speed? Over-budget builds are also allowed to enter. Need more time to get your build ready? Spectators are welcome, and there will also be a Hagerty Cars & Caffeine, swap meet, model car concours and even a post-event track day at the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park.
Think your low-buck racer or over-budget car is up to the challenge? Enter your build here, and learn more about the $2000 Challenge at 2000challenge.com.
The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, in association with CRC Industries and Miller Electric, with trophies from ACI Automotive & Performance.
I figured out long ago that "$2,000 build" has to be using Gov. type accounting.
FL is too far away to ever be practical for me, let me know when you open up a second venue out west.
In reply to RichardSIA :
In my experience, govt accounting would mean paying 10k for a car only worth 2k. The build thread linked above is extensively detailed. If you see anything in it worth over $2,000 feel free to call me out.
In reply to RichardSIA :
They tried a west coast event. Nobody showed up.
The sheer amount of effort that goes into those $2000 builds is astounding. The "no way that can be done for that money" claim can be disproved with actual documentation. Better to sit back and marvel instead of giving excuses about how it's not possible and about how you couldn't take part anyhow.
RichardSIA said:I figured out long ago that "$2,000 build" has to be using Gov. type accounting.
FL is too far away to ever be practical for me, let me know when you open up a second venue out west.
They tried a 2000 challenge. As a West-coaster I don't mind saying that with one very notable exception, the rest of us screwed the pooch. The only way I see a 2000 challenge succeeding out here is if we piggybacked on someone else's success - (like Lemons for instance).
RichardSIA said:I figured out long ago that "$2,000 build" has to be using Gov. type accounting.
Not to pile on but you are wrong. The builds are legit. There are budget exemptions which make it not technically accurate to call them $2000 builds but the budgets are legitimate accounts of the costs to build the cars.
In the history of the challenge are there people who have cheated? Probably. Is it all or even most of the builds? Absolutely not.
Keith Tanner said:In reply to RichardSIA :
They tried a west coast event. Nobody showed up.
Nashco showed up with the Hybrid Fiero 
I have an email from SVRA stating they "will find a class" for my Dio-Tipo build.
Doing it on the cheap but no way I could pretend to do it for under $2K.
I will have to limit my enthusiasm as I expect to be driving to the track and back, as was common back in the day.
Willow Springs has "Test and Tune" at a decent rate and nothing to hit when you get a little too hot-footed.
Sad that most of the western guys are too Latte' ridden to make a western event work.
Not sure if lengthy western advance promo might make a difference.
In reply to RichardSIA :
C'mon Richard, it's not like the West coast has a dearth of motorsports. It's that GRM is about as far from California as you can get and they just don't have the presence out here that they do in the East. I love GRM. It's practically my car bible. But I'm sure that if their office was in Phoneix, Oakland or Portland and their banner up at various West Coast events, the 2000 challenge would be happening out here as well.
I have to complete a car, then rejoin the Ferrari Owners Club.
Virginia City Hill-Climb is on my to-do list.
Silver State Challenge seems made for the El Camino, it would be boring in a Lotus or Dio Tipo.
I will find occasional track time.
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