24 Hours of LeMons B.F.E. Gran Prix: It seemed like a good idea at the time....

I interrupt this homebrewing blog to talk about endurance racing!

For some unknown reason (that definitely involved beer), I was convinced to join several of my colleagues in an automotive endurance race. Well, not exactly your typical endurance race. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Unless; of course, you find racing $500 cars that should never be allowed near a racetrack to be a good idea.

The race I'm talking about was the 2013 B.F.E. Gran Prix at Colorado's High Plains Raceway. It's part of the riveting 24 Hours of LeMons race series. The original endurance race for $500 cars. To use the organizers' own words, "It's not just an oxymoron; it's a breeding ground for morons."

The car under construction.

Of course, you can't just grab any old beater, get it running and throw it on the track. There's a lot to do before hand.

Believe it or not, the organizers want you to be safe out there. That means the car needs a professionally installed rollcage, racing seat, fire extinguisher and electrical kill switch. You're also allowed to upgrade the brakes, tires, exhaust and fuel system to make them safe. These upgrades don't cost toward the purchase price restrictions in the rules. All those safety upgrades quickly turned our $500 beater into a $2,500 investment.

Time for a NASCAR style paint job!

The rules say you're not supposed to upgrade anything else, but that doesn't stop teams from trying to sneak in extra fixes. There are even special rules that punish those who are caught. Being honest souls; of course, we didn't partake in such shenanigans (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Ready for Inspection.

Our "race car" was a 1990 Nissan 240SX found abandoned in a field. After nearly nine months and many hours of work, this barely-running, rusting heap of metal was transformed into a track-legal, fine-tuned (we hoped), rusting heap of metal.

Would all that work be worth it? You'll have to come back to find out.

Up next: Inspection Day

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