One man to race a minivan in every 24 Hours of Lemons race in 2024

Colin
By Colin Wood
Dec 4, 2023 | Dodge, 24 Hours of Lemons, Lemons of Love, Low-Buck Racing, Dodge Grand Caravan, Grand Caravan, Van Racing

Photograph Courtesy Zac Caldwell

Why just compete in one 24 Hours of Lemons race, when you could compete in them all? Well, that’s exactly what Zac Caldwell plans to do.

Starting this February, Zac will head out to compete at 23 races at 21 tracks across 17 states, with many of the low-buck races happening only days apart. In total, the 11-month trek will require Zac to cover more than 30,000 miles.

So, what sort of trusty steed has he chosen to take on this challenge? That’s right, a 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Endurance Racing remains the ultimate challenge in motorsports, but it has largely been conquered by smart people with money. What mark can an idiot on a budget make?” Zac jokes, “I’m no good at moderation. If I’m going to do one race, I’ll do them all–and drive 30,000 miles there and back in the same terrible race car. An LMP2 prototype can’t do that for a 100 million dollars.”

All of this is for a good cause, though, as he intends to raise at least $23,000 for Lemons of Love, a charity that provides support and care packages for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Zac’s mother, the original owner of the van, a true enthusiast and the inspiration for this journey, was a cancer survivor who passed away in early 2022.

[How Lemons of Love uses motorsports to provide a lemon-yellow ray of hope]

Look for Zac and the Grand Caravan at the first 2024 Hours of Lemons race on February 3 at Barber Motorsports Park.

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Comments
wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
12/4/23 5:14 p.m.

Dude has got an illness.  Awesome!

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/4/23 5:19 p.m.

OK, that rules.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
12/4/23 5:25 p.m.

I remember the dude(s) that drove a Chrysler k car wagon to many races one year.  That was nuts.  They "upgraded" it over the course of the travels ending up with a mitsu v6 and manual at one point.  It was always broken.  

 

This reminds me of that quite a bit.

Robbie (Forum Supporter)
Robbie (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
12/4/23 5:59 p.m.

I think he just said "An LMP2 prototype can’t do that for a 100 million dollars.” where nocones could hear him....

ProDarwin
ProDarwin MegaDork
12/4/23 6:11 p.m.
Colin Wood said:
 

compete at 23 races at 21 tracks across 17 states, with many of the low-buck races happening only days apart. In total, the 11-month trek will require Zac to cover more than 30,000 miles

he intends to raise at least $23,000 for Lemons of Love,

How to make $23000 racing:  start with a much bigger number

 

 

(Just to be clear, I fully support this madness)

nocones
nocones GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
12/4/23 6:59 p.m.
Robbie (Forum Supporter) said:

I think he just said "An LMP2 prototype can’t do that for a 100 million dollars.” where nocones could hear him....

I accept the premise of this challenge. Please kindly deposit $100M and I will get started immediately.  

akylekoz
akylekoz UltraDork
12/5/23 7:36 a.m.

I'll look for him at Gingerman and Road America.

Noddaz
Noddaz GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
12/5/23 9:36 a.m.

I am living my life wrong.

RadBarchetta
RadBarchetta New Reader
12/5/23 11:52 a.m.

Godspeed, you glorious fool!

rozap
rozap New Reader
12/5/23 1:20 p.m.

absolute mad lad

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