Motor State Challenge
2024 Motor State Challenge
The 16th Annual Motor State Challenge was held July 18-20, 2024. More than 75 drivers came together to compete for fun and bragging rights. Drivers compete in standard and manufacturer Vintage and Late Model classes, as well as the QA1 #goDRIVEit class, which is designed for participants who drive their vehicle to the event, race it, then drive it home.
The 2024 Motor State Challenge was graced with perfect weather all 3 days, with comfortable temperatures and sunny skies. It kicked off on Thursday with a spirited cruise through the SW Michigan countryside, led by the incredible Berrien County Sheriff’s Motorcycle Unit. This year, the cruise ended at Lane Automotive’s Founders’ Day event, where the Motor State Challenge cars held a special place of honor alongside the numerous cars participating in the Founders; Day Cruise-In.
On Friday, drivers spent the day at South Haven’s GingerMan Raceway, where they competed in timed lap sessions on the 2.14-mile road course, famed for its high-speed straights and short sprints, long sweeping corners and tight apexes, heavy and light braking, and elevation changes. The day ended with an ice cream social, hosted by the Motor State team and sponsored by Eaton Performance Products.
Saturday, racers hit the blacktop at Tire Rack’s South Bend headquarters for the Autocross event. Drivers navigated the twisty and complex course as they competed for the quickest time without any cones as collateral damage. The day concluded with the awards ceremony and door prize giveaways.
16th Annual Motor State Challenge Winners
Congratulations to our winning drivers of the 2024 Motor State Challenge!
Below are the top 3 drivers in each class except for the #goDRIVEit class where only one award was given in Vintage and Late Model. *In the event of a points tie, the faster Autocross time is the tiebreaker.
Vintage Class
Champion: Randy Johnson #29 – 1969 Camaro (48 points)
2nd Place: Danny King #76 – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro (42 points)
3rd Place: Tom Farrington #71 – 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle (40 points)
Late Model Class
Champion: Clay Shearer #17 – 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S (50 points)
2nd Place: Steve Coon #36 – 2013 Chevrolet Corvette (44 points)
3rd Place: Tony Grace #85 – 2017 Chevrolet Camaro (42 points)
Manufacturers Vintage Class
Champion: Matthew Braun #47 – 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle (48 points*)
2nd Place: Roger Irvine #12 – 1971 Chevrolet Camaro (48 points)
3rd Place: Tony Grzelakowski #57 – 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle (40 points)
Manufacturers Late Model Class
Champion: Collin King #41 – 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (50 points)
2nd Place: Chris King #5 – 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (42 points*)
3rd Place: Dan Hubbs #6 – 2020 Ford Mustang GT (42 points*)
#goDRIVEit Vintage
Winner: David Kruk #70 – 1970 Dodge Superbee (50 points)
#goDRIVEit Late Model Class
Winner: Chris Jacobs #1 – 2018 Chevrolet Camaro (48 points)
Fastest Lap Awards
Road Course Vintage: Danny King #76 – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 [1:38.277]
Road Course Late Model: Clay Shearer #17 – 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S [1:34.409]
Autocross Vintage: Randy Johnson #29 – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro [38.274]
Autocross Late Model: Clay Shearer #17 – 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S [37.783]
Road Course Manufacturers Vintage: Roger Irvine #12 – 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle [1:37.818]
Road Course Manufacturers Late Model: Collin King #41 – 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 [1:37.184]
Autocross Manufacturers Vintage: Matthew Braun #47 – 1970 Chevelle [37.466]
Autocross Manufacturers Late Model: Collin King #41 – 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 [38.731]
Additional Motor State Challenge Awards
Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Invite/Spirit of the Event Award:
David and Lizzie Kruk #70 – 1971 Dodge Superbee
The Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Invite and Spirit of the Event award gives the winner a spot to compete at the 2024 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Todd Gartshore Memorial Award: Tom and Debbie Farrington
The Todd Gartshore Memorial Award is awarded to someone who has gone above and beyond in showing their passion and dedication to the event.
People’s Choice Award: Danny King #76– 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
The People’s Choice Award is a very special honor awarded to a driver/car by his/her peers.
2024 pictures will be up on Flickr soon! Check back to see our Flickr Collection with pictures from the event!
