Motor State Challenge
2023 Motor State Challenge
The 15th Annual Motor State Challenge will be held July 20-22, 2023. A three-day Pro-Touring event, the Motor State Challenge brings together as many as 100 drivers from across the US and Canada to compete for fun and bragging rights. Drivers competed in standard and manufacturer Vintage and Late Model classes, as well as the new QA1 #goDRIVEit class, which is designed for participants who drive their vehicle to the event, race it, then drive it home.
The event will begin on Thursday with a 40+ mile cruise through the SW Michigan countryside, led by the incredible Berrien County Sheriff’s Motorcycle Unit, and ending at Weko Beach in Bridgman. Participants will enjoy amazing BBQ from Cooking Channel-featured The Pit Stop.
On Friday, drivers will spend the day at South Haven’s GingerMan Raceway, where they will compete in timed lap sessions on the 2.14-mile road course.
For Saturday, participants will move to the test track at Tire Rack’s South Bend headquarters for the the Autocross event. Drivers must navigate the twisty and complex course as they compete for the quickest time without any cones as collateral damage. The day concludes with the awards ceremony and door prize giveaways.
To register, visit: https://bit.ly/3HSXiZx
14th Annual Motor State Challenge Winners
Congratulations to our winning drivers of the 2022 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: Dan Ballard #72 – 1972 Chevrolet Nova (50 points)
2nd Place: Donny Freise #32 – 1971 Chevrolet Camaro (38 points)
3rd Place: Aaron Oberle #65 – 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle (36 points)
Late Model Class
Champion: James Elliott #96 – 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (50 points)
2nd Place: Clay Shearer #12 – 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S (46 points)
3rd Place: Chris Jacobs #1 – 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S (38 points)
Manufacturers Vintage Class
Champion: Chris King #34 (Viking Performance) – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS (50
points*)
2nd Place: Cary Exline #83 (Kunzman & Associates) – 1969
Chevrolet C10 (48 points)
3rd Place: Jason Sugden #83 (Kunzman & Associates) – 1969
Chevrolet C10 (42 points)
Manufacturers Late Model Class
Champion: Christopher Bickford #35 (Hawk Performance) – 2019
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (50 points)
2nd Place: Brendan King #25 (Viking Performance) – 2018
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE (44 points)
3rd Place: Collin King #18 (Viking Performance) – 2018 Chevrolet Camaro
ZL1 1LE (40 points)
#goDRIVEit Vintage
Winner:David Kruk #70 – 1970 Dodge Superbee (50 points)
#goDRIVEit Late Model Class
Winner: Matt Bacon #89 – 2017 Chevrolet Corvette (42 points)
Fastest Lap Awards
Road Course Vintage: Dan Ballard #72 – 1972 Chevrolet Nova [1:39.8]
Road Course Late Model: James Elliott #96 – 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 [1:33.0]
Autocross Vintage: Dan Ballard #26 – 1972 Chevrolet Nova [37.704]
Autocross Late Model: James Elliott #96 – 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 [36.21]
Road Course Manufacturers Vintage: Chris King #34 (Viking Performance) – 1969 Camaro SS [1:46.7]
Road Course Manufacturers Late Model: Christopher Bickford #35 (Hawk Performance) – 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 [1:37.2]
Autocross Manufacturers Vintage: Chris King #34 (Viking Performance) – 1969 Camaro SS [38.03]
Autocross Manufacturers Late Model: Brendan King #25 Viking Performance) – 2018 Chevrolet Camaro
ZL1 1LE [37.41]
Additional Motor State Challenge Awards
Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Invite/Spirit of the Event Award: Collin King #18 – 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
The Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational Invite and Spirit of the Event award gives the winner a spot to compete at the 2022 Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Todd Gartshore Memorial Award: John Martin #87 – 1987 Chevrolet R10
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: Paul VanNus #30– Chevrolet Nova
The People’s Choice Award is a very special honor awarded to a driver/car by his/her peers.
*In the event of a points tie, the faster Autocross time is the tiebreaker.
2022 Pictures are up! Check out our Flickr Collection with pictures from the event!
