The Great Beater Challenge 2026
- When
- Where
- Calgary Sports Car Club Clubhouse, Calgary, AB
- Event type
- driving_tour
The 10th annual Great Beater Challenge, "To Infinity, and Beyond!", takes place on August 22-23, 2026, supported by the Calgary Sports Car Club. This adventure trip challenges participants to navigate approximately 715 km in unlikely beater cars, trucks, and vans. The route includes a 407km drive from Calgary, AB to Breton, AB on Day 1, and a 308km return trip to Calgary, AB on Day 2. This event is not a race; points are awarded for creativity, ridiculousness, and misfortune. Competitors should be prepared for large stretches of travel on gravel roads in areas with low service. Participants can compete solo or in teams to share costs. The vehicle budget is $999 CDN to buy, repair, and modify. Safety items such as tires, brakes, fluids, and filters do not count towards this budget. Proof of purchase price and receipts for all modifications must be presented. Parts obtained for free, traded, or from personal collections are counted at junkyard prices. Vehicles purchased via trade or for free are valued at a fair market value. Teams can sell parts to regain budget, up to 50% of the original purchase price. Vehicles over budget will incur a penalty of -3 points per dollar over budget. The entry fee is $60 if paid before July 18, 2026, increasing to $100 for late entries. These fees cover event insurance, expenses, awards, decals, and a donation to the chosen charity, Good News Auto Mechanic: The Jumpstart Fund. This charity supports families with essential needs like emergency home repairs, utility relief, and critical vehicle repairs. All vehicles must be street legal (insured and registered). Participants must provide a completed ASN Self-Tech Declaration form and sign an electronic liability waiver (Speedwaiver), which also applies to passengers. A separate minor's waiver is available for underage passengers. Scoring occurs at the start based on vehicle and team entry, and at the finish based on pictures and challenges achieved during the trip. Points are awarded for vehicle age, make, costumes, theme, vehicle modifications, general condition, finishing the day's route, optional checkpoints, distance traveled to the event, and unique purchase methods. Special points are also available for specific features such as multiple ashtrays, working CB radios, digital speedometers, hauling a boat, or motorized seatbelts. The 2026 feature car, the Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler Neon, receives bonus points, particularly for a 2-door DOHC 5-speed model. The event begins at the Calgary Sports Car Club Clubhouse, 4215 80 Ave NE, with initial judging at 8:00 AM, a driver's meeting at 9:30 AM, and event start at 10:00 AM. Scoring, awards, and story-sharing will take place at the same location on the evening of August 23.