About this event
An automotive festival celebrating autocross, drag racing and ingenuity, formerly known as the $2000 Challenge.
Penny-pinching and extreme speed meet at the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge presented by Tire Rack, powered by AutoBidMaster and built by Carlyle Tools — often with spectacular results.
Build a car for less than $5000, enter your over-budget build, or both: They’ll all battle against each other at Gainesville Raceway to see if money really equals speed.
Not ready to race? We've got you covered, too: Join us for a Cars & Coffee on Sunday morning. Registration is free, and you'll get an up-close and personal look at each and every car entered in the event.
New: No course work at the autocross! We’ve hired workers so you can focus on driving, not on picking up cones.
What
Autocross, drag racing, car show, camping and community
Where
Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida
Spectators
Use the "Register now" button on this page to purchase spectator tickets. $10 in advance, $15 at the gate.
Details
Click here to view the full Grassroots Motorsports Challenge website.
Schedule
Click here to view the event schedule.
Rules
Click here to read the full updated rulebook.
The Grassroots Motorsports Challenge is presented by Tire Rack, powered by AutoBidMaster and built by Carlyle Tools in association with CRC Industries, BendPak and Knight's Automotive.
Event requirements
Ignore these requirements if you'll only be entering the Cars & Coffee.
Please read the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge Rules before continuing.
Registration:
We're happy to extend a registration discount to teams officially sanctioned by an accredited college or university. Email us for more details.
Classes:
The Grassroots Motorsports Challenge will offer multiple classes, with the goal of showing that cars built on a budget can match—and even beat—cars built for a much higher cost.
Grassroots Motorsports Challenge Classes are as follows:
Under Budget Classes:
-
NEW $5000 ($5K): For cars built to the $5000 budget ruleset equipped with 200tw rated or higher tires in any size during the autocross. Alternate tires are allowed during the drag race.
-
Great Tire Narrow (GTN$): For cars built to the $2000 budget ruleset equipped with 200tw rated or higher tires with a labeled tire width less than or equal to 225mm.
-
Great Tire Wide (GTW$): For cars built to the $2000 budget ruleset equipped with 200tw rated or higher tires with a labeled tire width less than or equal to 285mm.
-
Great Tire Unlimited (GTU$): For cars built to the $2000 budget ruleset equipped with all other tires (including slicks, etc.)
Over Budget Classes (these cars will not be scored in the concours and are not eligible for the overall trophy):
-
Great Tire Narrow (GTN): For cars equipped with 200tw rated or higher tires with a labeled tire width less than or equal to 225mm.
-
Great Tire Wide (GTW): For cars equipped with 200tw rated or higher tires with a labeled tire width less than or equal to 285mm.
-
Great Tire Unlimited (GTU): For cars equipped with all other tires (including slicks, etc.)
All vehicles must display their class abbreviation (above, in parentheses) alongside their number on both sides of the vehicle.
Labeled tire width is defined as the widest tire width present on the car. The following tires are specifically excluded from 200tw classes: Kumho Ecsta V720 ACR; Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 and Pilot Sport Cup 2 ZP.
