Our most recent low-buck Challenge event just took place, and I thought you
might like to see the official press release. Look for the complete story in
our June issue.
Per
For release: Immediately
59 Teams Take Up Grassroots Motorsports $2002 Challenge
More than 200 drivers, mechanics and crew members representing 59 teams from
across North America converged upon Central Florida Feb. 22-23 for the
third-annual Grassroots Motorsports $2002 Challenge presented by CRC
Industries.
The $2002 Challenge is an automotive triathlon showcasing low-budget
vehicles. The event requires each entrant to participate in a quarter-mile
drag race, autocross competition and a concours car-show judging; the car
receiving the highest total score from all three competitions wins.
The event was originally organized by Grassroots Motorsports to illustrate
the magazinebs philosophy that sports and racing cars are within the reach of
everyone, even those on very low budgets.
Unlike most other motorsports events, the most important rule at the $2002
Challenge limits how much each team can spend on their entry: For a total
budget of $2002, each team must buy, build and prepare their car for
competition.
The Grassroots Motorsports Challenge events have become an annual rite of
competition for a dedicated group of enthusiasts who spend hours, not
dollars, proving that anyone can have a hot car if they just want it badly
enough. Accordingly, even though the budgets were low, the creativity was
high, with Challenge teams engineering their own home-brewed supercharger
setups, low-buck nitrous installs and backyard engine swaps.
Variety of Cars and Hometowns
Despite the restrictive budget cap, the teams managed to assemble a very wide
range of vehicles for the $2002 Challenge. A supercharged BMW 2002 took top
honors, while other vehicles in the 59-car field included a V8-powered Datsun
280ZX, a propane-powered Triumph GT6+, a big-block Ford Mustang, a
vintage-race-ready MGB, a slant-six Plymouth Valiant, an all-wheel-drive
Eagle Talon TSi, a turbocharged Alfa Romeo Spyder, a nitrous-enhanced turbo
Dodge, a 16-valve VW Rabbit, a turbocharged Subaru XT6, a V8 Chevy Monza, a
rally-bred Mazda 323 GTX, a Bill Elliot-inspired Ford Thunderbird, an MG
Midget, a Chevy Corvair as well as several examples of the Merkur XR4Ti,
twin-cam Honda Civic and Mazda RX-7.
The teamsb hometowns were as varied as their creations, as entrants converged
upon Central Florida for the event from such far-flung places as Oregon,
Indiana, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Missouri,
Tennessee, Illinois, Ontario, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Ohio, South Carolina, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, Alabama
and Georgia. One magazine reader from The Netherlands flew to the U.S. just
to watch the event.
In addition to the participants and their teams, the event also attracted the
attention of several members of the automotive media. Guests at the
Grassroots Motorsports $2002 Challenge included Hot Rod Magazine Editor David
Freiburger, Jeff Sabatini of AutoWeek, and Steven Cole Smith, automotive
editor for The Orlando Sentinel and columnist for the New York Times
Syndicate.
About Grassroots Motorsports
The Grassroots Motorsports $2002 Challenge presented by CRC Industries is
also supported by Carlisle Events, Kumho Tires, Red Line Oil, Griotbs Garage,
National Auto Sport Association and Krispy Kreme Donuts. The event will be
the cover story of the magazinebs June issue, and a free sample can be
requested before April 30.
Grassroots Motorsports, now in its 18th year of publication, is a 180-page,
glossy, how-to-oriented national consumer magazine for the serious sports car
enthusiast. In addition to profiles on all the popular new and old sports and
sporty cars, the publication features how-to restoration and hop-up
information as well as complete event coverage of amateur sports car
motorsports.
The magazine may be reached at (386) 673-4148 or grmhq@aol.com, and their Web
page can be seen at www.grassrootsmotorsports.com. Advertiser inquiries can
always be directed to Tim Suddard at grmtim@aol.com.
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