ChumpCar World Series returns for a 14-hour marathon;
MAP Forum Wars takes on the drag strip

The ChumpCar World Series - North America's home for $500 race cars and endurance racing - is back for a one-day, 14-hour endurance race Saturday, July 16. On the drag strip is the Modern Automotive Performance Forum Wars, featuring eight classes and open time trials for grudge racing

The ChumpCars were at BIR June 4-5, with two seven-hour endurance races. The "crap cans" didn't disappoint as more than 20 teams showed up to compete on BIR's 2.5-mile Competition Road Course. For results, click here.

ChumpCar racing features hunks of screaming junk that are basically held together with duct tape and bailing twine. It's grassroots racing for people who like to wrench on their cars, drive fast and have a blast doing it. If this sounds like you, check out the ChumpCar Web site and sign up a team for BIR's two races. Teams are required to have a minimum of four drivers who take shifts driving.

The series rules are pretty simple: Your race car can't be worth more than $500 before you install specific safety equipment. You also need a ChumpCar Competition License, which you can get by enrolling in the two-hour ChumpCar Driver's School prior to the race at a cost of $25.

The event is a Dual Event Weekend, where fans can watch the ChumpCars and the Forum Wars for the cost of a single ticket. Daily admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12. Kids 5 and under are free.