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Mark Long Profile
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I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


 I always thought the Grassroots Motorsports Challenge was a cool event. Basically. you build a car for 2K and you complete in 3 events, Autocross,a Drag Race and Concours.

http://grmchallenge.com
 
 I found out this year the drag strip was being repaved, so they would do 2 Autocross and the Concours. I still have the 99 Civic I used in he 2018 Street Legal races. I modified the suspension For SCCA street touring autocross. I did a spreadsheet and since things like tires and brakes are excluded from the budget.

 One night I decided to register so I would lose the fee if I backed out.

 I did hardly any prep for the 2200 round trip. I changed the oil, and packed a head gasket, distributor, main relay, and some tools. Also a case of Angry Orchard emoticon My Buddy Dalton was crazy enough to go with me.

 It became apparent we were going to catch some of Hurricane Florence on the way down. Great. I added 5 gallons of gas to the luggage. I watched the weather and decided to leave 4 PM on Wednesday. We hit the storm somewhere in the Carolina's in the early morning. We were on the outside of it and only had a few hours of hard rain.

 I was driving right before daybreak and ALMOST HIT A LOOSE DIFFERENTIAL on I95! Like a Dana 60 size! A mile down the Interstate I see a rusty truck pulled over and a guy is looking at the contents of his trailer.

 We drove straight through only taking a 2 hour nap in Hotel Honda.

 We checked into the host hotel in Gainesville Thursday around 3. The parking lot was a party every night. Someone brought wood and made a Bar. There were several builds going on. Not small project but Engine swaps and Turbo installs. The weather was perfect.

 Friday was 2 Autocross. At this point there were 40 Entries. The Civic came out 11th and I think my fastest run was not counted.

Image

Saturday was the Concours. I knew I would not score wel. It occurred to me my spare tire was a Hakka8. I put that in front of my car and put one of the drone videos on a loop on my Laptop. You get a least 3 minutes to talk about your "build". I spoke about AMEC, how the Civic ran wheel to wheel ice racing. The guys are from Florida, the "tire with metal" in it was a hit. Many stopped by to talk and watch the video.

Image

 You could have put a note on your car that says "Do not Judge". You would take 12 points. I think the max points for the Concours was 30 points. I was going to take he 12 points until I got the studded tire and video Idea. I got 13.8 points for my presentation. These guys build their car all year and swap LS engines into cars. All I did was go to the car wash for an hour before the event.

 Saturday night was the Awards Banquet. It was a good time. I missed the long distance award by 28 miles! And that guy trailered his car. I ended up 17 or 18 out of 40 cars. I did not come in last, which I was actually worried about.

 It was a great time!

EDIT: I forgot to write about the trip back.
As soon as we got on the road, the cruise control stopped working. Annoying. Then a belt slipped on one of my tires so the car starting pulling to the right. I had the 200 treadwear tires on my trailer, but we were too lazy (hungover) to change them.
In South Carolina, The exhaust broke right behind the cat. IT was LOUD! We stopped and ratchet strapped the pipe and bought ear plugs. WE drove non stop home, only stopping for 2 Waffle Houses and Gas.


Image

Image


There was a "wagon" Class. Someone build a wagon around their Corvette. Genius!

Image

Image

  

Last edited by Mark Long, 11/10/2018, 7:36 pm


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Mark Long
88 CRX #00 SMC
97 Civic #217 SLS
11/9/2018, 4:40 pm Link to this post Send Email to Mark Long   Send PM to Mark Long Blog
 
Dave 48 Profile
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


That is awesome Mark! I always wanted to do that event also but you did it and did well! Thanks for showing the ice tire and video too that was a great idea especially to the guys that have never seen ice in the south except for in their drinks!

Really nice write up too:-)

Dave B
11/10/2018, 9:05 am Link to this post Send Email to Dave 48   Send PM to Dave 48
 
Mark Long Profile
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


I have been throwing ideas in my head to go another year. It takes quite a commitment and planning to do well. I wish it was not so far away. If I tow it would be about 1k in costs for tolls fuel and hotel.

Dave B, a biturbo anything would be a huge hit.

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Mark Long
88 CRX #00 SMC
97 Civic #217 SLS
11/14/2018, 9:06 am Link to this post Send Email to Mark Long   Send PM to Mark Long Blog
 
rc vedder Profile
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


Second that.
Bi-Turbos are the victim of jokes on GRM

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Richard Vedder
11/14/2018, 3:33 pm Link to this post Send Email to rc vedder   Send PM to rc vedder Blog
 
Dave 48 Profile
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


That is a cool idea Mark I think my Bi Turbo might be difficult to get under the $2000 price cap but lets talk when we get together I am looking for other things to do with my cars emoticon

Dave B
11/15/2018, 7:51 am Link to this post Send Email to Dave 48   Send PM to Dave 48
 
914Dan Profile
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


I competed back in $2004. Fun stuff! Never left the parking lot.

I've made some attempts to go back, put a transverse V8 in the back of a Geo Metro; Corvair wagon with V8, unfortunately life gets in the way.

It's a great event and would encourage anyone to attend, even as a spectator. They're good people.

Dan
2/26/2019, 8:02 am Link to this post Send Email to 914Dan   Send PM to 914Dan Blog
 
Mark Long Profile
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


Dan,
I remember the BatVan. That was some effort!

 I realized the challenge is a builder's competition. It is not like an autocross or a drag race.
 
 Someone brought scrap wood and built a Bar in the parking lot. There was always a few people leaning on it.

 I would like to build something crazy but the round trip cost of 2200 miles is a bit much. I wish it was closer.


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Mark Long
88 CRX #00 SMC
97 Civic #217 SLS
3/5/2019, 12:53 pm Link to this post Send Email to Mark Long   Send PM to Mark Long Blog
 
Mark Long Profile
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


It appears Grassroots Motorsports is using an image of my car for the 2019 challenge ad. Funny!
Image

Last edited by Mark Long, 8/14/2019, 12:27 pm


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Mark Long
88 CRX #00 SMC
97 Civic #217 SLS
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Re: I competed in the 2000 Grassroots Challenge


Thats pretty neat Mark and odd at the same time since in some ways your car is so "normal" except for the ice racing part of it emoticon

Dave B
48 SMO
8/15/2019, 6:35 am Link to this post Send Email to Dave 48   Send PM to Dave 48
 


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