Wanted to get this posted early because I want to see all the last-minute prep everyone is up to.
Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend!
Photography Credit: Dave Green
The place where penny-pinching and extreme speed meet? Our annual Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, which returns this weekend, May 27-28, at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida.
How can you keep up with all the low-buck thrills? Just follow this thread for live updates from the entire $2000 Challenge weekend.
Whether you're competing, spectating or following along from home, feel free to add your own updates, questions and comments to the thread, too.
For more information about the $2000 Challenge–including a full schedule of events–visit 2000challenge.com.
Wanted to get this posted early because I want to see all the last-minute prep everyone is up to.
Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend!
Colin Wood said:Wanted to get this posted early because I want to see all the last-minute prep everyone is up to.
Same here.
Unfortunately the LMP360 is currently in 1100 pieces to EVO but am looking forward to having fun with the MG and Parking Lot Build.
Can hardly wait!
It looks at least as insane as I anticipated...
Trying to make an axle...
90k mile service done to truck, loaded, just have to get the kids and stuff thrown in the back seat in the morning and roll out and hoping to make it 2/3 of the way to leave a short 5 hour driving day Thursday
The old family hauler is loaded and ready for departure. First stage is a short drive to DC and a meeting with the auto train. Should be in Orlando by this time tomorrow...
In reply to tb :
Shiny, but would look better and confuse more people with numbers on the doors...
What's the license plate again?
Just had our $2000 pre-game meeting.
Didn't even dawn on me that it was this weekend.
Last minute prep? No way, not me...
In reply to stafford1500 :
Agreed, but I don't want to lose any magnets on the train ride...
Plate = H00PT
I've never come to the challenge without either a tow vehicle or as part of a team. I never realized the challenge in packing when your only vehicle is the compectator. We've got the Saab chock full of our stuff and are on the road!
There are pieces of hail Mary axle on the road in front of the shop.
There's a roughly 1/8mi stretch of straight asphalt out there. This thing made it to the end faster than either of the low 11 second time slip holding N54 BMWs in the stable. Turns pretty well too. Vitour P1s are sticky AF
If anybody ever needs this info axle shafts are apparently only heat treated where the splines are, if you machine more splines the tripod will spin on the shaft and some seriously impressive carnage results.
We're going to need good play by play of track action and parking lot shenanigans!
We made it to hardeeville sc for the night after 13 hours on the road.
Patrick said:We made it to hardeeville sc for the night after 13 hours on the road.
Hope the trip is going well, and see you soon. Also, good BBQ at that exit at Chicken Lickin’. It’s on the east side of I-95, next to a gas station/fireworks stand. Get the hush puppies.
Weather is looking beautiful this weekend! Lows in the 50s, highs in the 70s, and partly cloudy. Sweet!
We made it to Acworth, GA last night and stayed at an Econolodge. Good thing there wasn't a fire because this was our smoke detector in the room:
Safety Fourth!
Getting ready to roll out, grab some breakfast, and drive the remaining five hours to Gainesville. With a stop at Summit to see what that's all about of course.
Just heard from the track--they're excited to have us and promised the scoreboards are working perfectly this year.
I get on the road in about 5 hours! Sooo excited!
Truck is packed with tools, tables, ez up, chairs, jack, jacket ands, wiring stuff, small spares, hoses, hose clamps, etc.
If you need something, look for the blue rx8 and silver Chevy truck!
There's no place like home
Just up at the pool deck, chillin. Noticed Patrick's truck a minute ago, see the rest of you soon...
I just sent out the final confirmation email for pro drivers, and it dawned on me that we never announced them....
For this year's event, we've added a fifth pro driver to make sure everybody has the opportunity to try one out. Additionally, this year every single driver has at least one SCCA national autocross championship win.
Here's the roster:
Danny Shields
Dave Marcus
Alan McCrispin
Ian Stewart
Bryce Meredith
Decades of build books are going in the truck!
At a rest stop in Sumpter. Planning to play roaming mechanic and ad hoc team mate for whoever needs it (heres looking at you AngryCorvair and zebra butt racing!)
Just had our pre-Challenge editorial meeting. Sorry, forgot to take a pic.
Update: need tacos
Woohoo!
Can't make the entire event this year but still going up for cars 'n coffee and shenanigans at the hotel Sunday night. See yinz there.
What do i win. Apparently the first competitor to arrive...
In reply to Patrick :
Same here
In reply to wae :
Every Econolodge seems to either be a total disaster, or perfectly clean and well kept.
Have fun there everybody, wish I could be there this year.
Wae rolled in a few ago, i have a room on the front up high. Important update: tacos ordered
The Saab made it with no drama at all!
Patrick said:Important update: tacos ordered
These are the hard-hitting updates I'm following this thread for.
Ready to hit the road in the morning
The craptastic miata and dune buggy body have been liberated from their trailers and are just patiently waiting for the magic to happen tomorrow.
I'm in the middle of making trophies. Successfully set up a laser engraver I got for Christmas and burning the first trophy now!
This is probably not the best use of my time, but staff-made trophies are a tradition I can't let go.
I just started my list of stuff that I need to bring.
Camera batteries are charging.
Laundry is in the dryer.
The Angry-Mofo Express is in Kentucky.
Have fun everyone! Wish I was there offering all I could offer.
The omelet station is in the dining room.
Im a happy fat guy.
wae said:
I've never come to the challenge without either a tow vehicle or as part of a team. I never realized the challenge in packing when your only vehicle is the compectator. We've got the Saab chock full of our stuff and are on the road!
Challenge glory awaits your Slaab sir!
Any update on the Angry Mofos? Eta?
If I could be anywhere in the world right now, this is where I'd want to be. Give'em hell y'all!
John Welsh said:If I could be anywhere in the world right now, this is where I'd want to be. Give'em hell y'all!
Me too!!
Just got to the track!
Rebuilding a Miata starter for the parking lot build!
The florida museum of natural history is way better than building a E36 M3box in a parking lot, spoken as captain of one of the 2019 parking lot builds
Improvised fire ring for the wastegate:
fun is being had, plans of world domination formulated.
Banners are hung and campers are starting to show up. Can't wait to see everyone tomorrow! 
Who's posting pics/videos to Instagram tonight from parking lot?? And into tomorrow? Jealous of the folks there tonight!
In reply to classicJackets (FS) :
Here are a few from earlier today. I'll be out there later tonight as well.
Can I beg for an 8:15 track check in?
8:15 pm track camping check in you mean? Shoot me an email (tom@ this website).
Pics from the hotel lot as the evening progresses would make great insta stories (hint hint!)
I <3 this build. 
Oooh I spy Monzora goodness!
Tom Suddard said:I <3 this build.
It's so good
Wow, 2 pics of me with 2 different builds on the same day.
I'm famous!
John Welsh said:If I could be anywhere in the world right now, this is where I'd want to be. Give'em hell y'all!
Me too!!
All of these things could be the best part of today, none matched hearing my room mate sleeping peacefully.. Seriously, thank you.
Breakfast and coffee in hand. See you all in a few!
SV reX said:John Welsh said:If I could be anywhere in the world right now, this is where I'd want to be. Give'em hell y'all!
Me too!!
Third. Multiple times yesterday I contemplated jumping in the 540 and making the 13hr commute.
On a scale of 1-5 how operational is the Cor-vette (that doesn't work at all does it?)
I'm predicting an overall win for it if it works and a top 5 out of John's turbo Miata
Don't talk to me or my or my half-son ever again.
One of these years I'll finally make it to the challenge. Preferably in my Lemon, but I'd come just to help in the parking lot. I've enjoyed the build threads over the past year(or more) and I can't wait to see how they perform.
In reply to buzzboy :
You should. I've been 10 times, 9 without a car. They were all fun times, BUT the one time I did take a car it was way,way more fun. The car was just a cheap Miata with a few simple mods. You don't need an extensive build to have a ton of fun, which was the main premise of the original Challenge-cheap automotive fun. Do it.
Drivers meeting
Love the mix on grid.
And in case anyone is looking for it, here's the link to live timing:
Any live streaming?
hobiercr said:
is the jetta build on the forum?
A twin turbo Viper sounds like an absolute riot.
Colin Wood said:Love the mix on grid.
I love the comic book paint scheme on the green Miata.
Live timing down?
Someone play "Spot the Kuma"
ExcessKuma said:
+1 people (on the internet) choice vote.
In reply to ExcessKuma :
thought I'd practice with a CaptureOne edit to to bring out some of the shadow detail...
sleepyhead the buffalo said:hobiercr said:
is the jetta build on the forum?
is the benz build on the forum?
All the benz is missing is presidential/dictator flags at the front fenders.
What a collection of cars in the staging lanes 
In reply to ChrisTropea :
That Miata sure is a sexy Lil Bastard.
Is the Georgia tech thing what it looks like it is?
Byrneon27 said:Is the Georgia tech thing what it looks like it is?
I am curious what you think it looks like.
The bumper and hood line under the fenders scream 818, the tube structure under the hatch doesn't suggest it used to be a 240sx
Who's fast at the drags?
What are the good stories?
Come on folks. We need more pictures for everyone stuck at home.
The GT student car is a Factory Five 818 that died in a fire, so they repowered it with a K24 and draped a 300zx shell over it. It's having typical GT Wreck Racing issues at the drag, but autocrossed very well.
I am pleased to report the Lotus Europa currently has the fastest quarter mile for all under budget cars, with a 12.0 @ 114. It suffered from extreme difficulty to drive during autocross.
In reply to maschinenbau :
All right, THAT'S fantastic!!
The turbo BMW powered Miata just pulled out an amazing 11.8 to unseat the Lotus as fastest budget drag car. For reference the twin turbo Viper is running 11.6
In reply to maschinenbau :
Hot DAMN! 12 flat is an amazing result for anything completely untested. Way to be.
maschinenbau said:The GT student car is a Factory Five 818 that died in a fire, so they repowered it with a K24 and draped a 300zx shell over it. It's having typical GT Wreck Racing issues at the drag, but autocrossed very well.
I am pleased to report the Lotus Europa currently has the fastest quarter mile for all under budget cars, with a 12.0 @ 114. It suffered from extreme difficulty to drive during autocross.
All of these things make my soul happy.
In reply to Stampie :
I see we’re now running open pipes! Lol.
In reply to maschinenbau :
Don’t apologize. My stupidly “quick” Mustang with +400 HP / 3.73 gears is allegedly (Motortrend results ca. 2011) capable of 12.8 / 112 (not with me driving). That’s berkeleying amazing for a Toyota Avalon drivetrain in a car you engineered and built in your garage. You’ll figure out the handling and will be back. Nice work!
11GTCS said:In reply to Stampie :
I see we’re now running open pipes! Lol.
You see as I see. I'm still home but feeling better. I'm hoping to be there tomorrow to see what nocones and Singleslammer have done to the bastard child.
Maschinenbau: I have video of you running against the Spirit of Lemons but don't know how to get it to upload here.. enjoyed talking to you and seeing your handiwork! Car looked like a handful on the autocross from my vantage point in the middle as a course worker.
In reply to Stampie :
Glad you’re feeling better. Please post some pictures for the peanut gallery.
Here are a few more miscellaneous cell phone photos from today. 
This is one very happy looking Europa
I can only imagine how confusing it would be for someone who knows nothing about GRM or the $2000 Challenge to wake up and walk out of the hotel and see this basking in the morning light:
In reply to Colin Wood :
I think if they were here for the grinding and welding a couple days ago, that would seem like sweet, sweet normalcy to them.
So many great cars,so many good people. Great recipe for a fun time. Living vicariously watching the event. Hope everyone has a safe, fun time. Enjoy, and keep the info flowing.
In reply to Colin Wood :
Inquiring minds want to know how one gets a half son (says the guy with the I heart Amy avatar)
Is there a scoring spreadsheet available like past years?
Drag racing results are uploading now, should be complete shortly:
Ready for the concours? Here are a few resources that might help:
A 12.0 is fast! I think we've all been de sensitized watching so many cars go 7.x on YouTube, but a 12.0 is nothing to sneeze at.
Towing a "Lotus Europa" backward has killed many an engine cover and broken a few windshields.
Hope that was/is a short trip at low speed.
In reply to RichardSIA :
I think he towed from Atlanta to Gainesville.
In reply to RichardSIA :
Hood pins my dude
Sorry for my concern, carry on!
Congratulations to all of our winners!
I passed a green roadster with gold fender flares on the Interstate on Thursday and thought to myself "that looks like a challenge car" turns out I was right.
Finally home as of a few hours ago and already back to working on cars. Dropping the pan and filter on transmission, swapping the speed sensor, replacing the fuel pump O ring on my other Q45, and checking over the spacer install on the Silverado.
Petition for my unofficial nickname to be the pop rivet guru
In reply to ExcessKuma :
Seconded
Dude. Your patience with the pop rivets and contortionism was heroic. Well done.
wvumtnbkr said:Dude. Your patience with the pop rivets and contortionism was heroic. Well done.
And they said fat men can't flex, at least I think that's how the saying goes
Is it bad I know people by their name now instead of their screenname? XD. Except QuasiMofo, either he said it or mentioned it but my brain was probably off.
Kuma in yet another shot helping MonZora!
ExcessKuma said:wvumtnbkr said:Dude. Your patience with the pop rivets and contortionism was heroic. Well done.
And they said fat men can't flex, at least I think that's how the saying goes
Is it bad I know people by their name now instead of their screenname? XD. Except QuasiMofo, either he said it or mentioned it but my brain was probably off.
John Brown.
I've said too much.
Had a great time! Was great seeing everyone. Im actually surprised the viper beat the tesla, i did not think that would happen. Was a super fun year and looking forward to next year.
wvumtnbkr said:Wow, 2 pics of me with 2 different builds on the same day.
I'm famous!
More than famous, brother. You're a hero. *My* hero. And you are not alone. I have so many people to thank, and I'll post a proper summary to the best of my ability tomorrow.
ExcessKuma said:wvumtnbkr said:Dude. Your patience with the pop rivets and contortionism was heroic. Well done.
And they said fat men can't flex, at least I think that's how the saying goes
Is it bad I know people by their name now instead of their screenname? XD. Except QuasiMofo, either he said it or mentioned it but my brain was probably off.
I was cleaning up the extras from Lil Bastard and found this.
Stampie said:ExcessKuma said:wvumtnbkr said:Dude. Your patience with the pop rivets and contortionism was heroic. Well done.
And they said fat men can't flex, at least I think that's how the saying goes
Is it bad I know people by their name now instead of their screenname? XD. Except QuasiMofo, either he said it or mentioned it but my brain was probably off.
I was cleaning up the extras from Lil Bastard and found this.
Everyone who helped on the parking lot build was supposed to sign that. I think. They just told me to sign
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:wvumtnbkr said:Wow, 2 pics of me with 2 different builds on the same day.
I'm famous!
More than famous, brother. You're a hero. *My* hero. And you are not alone. I have so many people to thank, and I'll post a proper summary to the best of my ability tomorrow.
Remind me before my brain fries to a crisp to set up a google drive folder with the first autocross run, the 2 drag passes, and the pictures I took of the Monzora. I also really need to wash my junkyard hoodie apparently
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