$2000 Challenge: The turbo Plymouth Voyager that started a legacy

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Oct 2, 2024 | $2000 Challenge, Plymouth, Low-Buck Racing, Plymouth Voyager

Photography by Mark Langello

  • Entrants: Cliff Sebring, Barry Miles and Bill Cuttitta
  • Event year: 1999
  • Budget spent: <$1500

When we put out the call for our first $2000 Challenge–back then, the budget limit was just $1500–we didn’t know what to expect. Would our readers get it? And would they get it enough to build a low-buck car and actually show up in Florida? 

We wound up welcoming a full field to Florida, including four gentlemen from up around Washington, D.C. From the front, we welcomed Barry Miles; our upcoming grand marshal, Bill Cuttitta; Cliff Sebring Jr. and Cliff Sebring Sr.

Their mount? A factory-turbocharged 1989 Plymouth Voyager dubbed Mini Me that ran a 14.3-second E.T. A legend–and a friendship–was born.

Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, held March 29-30, 2025.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack, in Association with HPX Show, BendPak, CRC Industries and Miller Electric.

Join Free Join our community to easily find more $2000 Challenge, Plymouth, Low-Buck Racing and Plymouth Voyager news.
Comments
BillCuttitta
BillCuttitta GRM+ Memberand New Reader
10/2/24 5:32 p.m.

Why do we keep coming back? 

This. One of the best and most fun experiences I've ever had in motorsports. 

And why folks should try it for themselves - get your friends and family and try something epic together. 

We didn't win (2nd overall), but it changed *everything* for us and our families. 

bc 

Pat
Pat HalfDork
10/2/24 6:15 p.m.

In reply to prowlerjc :

A friend of ours, and long time friend of Gus's, Wayne Hemingway owns Mean Mini and Slug   Mean Mini was restored and is a beast, running consistent 11's, completing at least one drag week in 2018.   Last I spoke to Wayne about Slug, it was moving up in the priority list to get a refresh  and back out on the track  

 

And for the record, that damn Team Mini Me van and later the silver Omni that Barry, Cliff and Bill campaigned sucked me into this widely dysfunctional family of GRM challengers...and I am glad they did.  Have made a lot of friends and had a lot of good times because of it.
 

See you all next spring.    

 

 

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa MegaDork
10/2/24 6:59 p.m.

I think Stampie just read this thread.

Recon1342
Recon1342 UltraDork
10/3/24 11:06 a.m.

In reply to Mr_Asa :

If he did, the results will be spectacular...

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
10/4/24 10:32 a.m.
BillCuttitta said:

Why do we keep coming back? 

This. One of the best and most fun experiences I've ever had in motorsports. 

And why folks should try it for themselves - get your friends and family and try something epic together. 

We didn't win (2nd overall), but it changed *everything* for us and our families. 

bc 

That first $2000 Challenge did set the tone for the later ones: motorsports didn’t have to take a ton of money, your competitors could also be your good friends, and it was okay to try something different. 

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