05/01/2026
I’m going to open up a discussion about one of the biggest subjects currently getting a lot of spotlight within the mod lite community. Cost to participate and more specifically, the price of cars soaring above $40,000 as the “norm”. Ive seen quite a few comments on recent post mainly about used cars that are listed for sale for $30-$40 range. Some people are shocked that these cars are so expensive, others defend it. I’ve personally been heavily involved in this class for going on 17 years. I started my own business in 2013 building cars and am currently working on chassis number 91. My focus has always been to create a top tier product while keeping it affordable, keeping the class growing. This new trend with the price of cars and the mentality or accepted notion that you have to spend $40k+ to even have a chance to be competitive is going to ultimately hurt the class.
Pretty much everyone in the class knows the team I’ve spent the last 7 years promoting as my “house car”with my long time friend Tim White. You have seen our success and our shortcomings. Thankfully, there was alot more of the success side of things. For years, there was no place we went to and no group of cars, drivers, brand of chassis or amount of money spent, that we weren’t competitive against and earned the respect of every one of the top tier drivers and teams. We won quite a few races along the way. My Edge cars have won hundreds of races and many championships all over the country and Australia and Canada with many different drivers behind the wheel over the years.
Now, back to the reason for this post. I built that infamous 16 car back in 2019 when new “rollers” were selling for $16k. It has had 3 zx10 motors in it since being built with the most expensive one costing $5,500 from eBay. Every one of them was straight off the bike with a Guhl tune and airbox. The car has never had anything but off the shelf Afco shocks. I just don’t see where I could have even spent $40,000 to have gained any more success or fun than what we as a team has had. I’m not knocking anyone or any team for what they spend here. What I’m trying do is reassure new people who are looking at the class for the first time and would quickly be turned away by the perceived cost to compete.