If you think racing a minivan is a crazy idea, how about driving a minivan to race in every single 24 Hours of Lemons event in 2024? That’s exactly what Zac Caldwell, a grassroots racer from Kentucky, intends to do with his track-prepped 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan. His ambitious project, dubbed “The Lemons Tour”, will take him and his van on a 30,000-mile, 23-race journey across 17 states, all while raising money and awareness for a noble cause.

What Is This Wacky Race?

The 24 Hours of Lemons is a grassroots motorsports organization where backyard mechanics and car enthusiasts race $500 cars for hundreds of miles over a weekend. The cars are often Frankenstein-style creations of multiple cars, junkyard parts, and creative engineering meant to keep the budgets low and the cars running. The races are not only about speed and endurance, but also about fun and humor. The cars and teams often have hilarious themes, costumes, and decorations, and the judges award prizes for categories such as “Most Heroic Fix”, “Index of Effluency”, and “Organizer’s Choice”.

Why A Grocery Getter?

Caldwell’s 2006 Dodge minivan, nicknamed Vannonball, has a special meaning for him. It was purchased by his family in 2007 and used for a decade as a grocery-getter. Caldwell’s mother, the van’s original owner and a car lover herself, battled cancer and was the inspiration for the journey. She passed away in early 2022. Caldwell decided to honor her memory by transforming the van into a race car and taking it on the ultimate road trip.

He stripped the interior and had a roll cage installed in 2022 before its first Lemons race. It has a V6 engine that produces about 200 horsepower, and it can reach speeds of up to 120 mph on the straights. This minivan has a surprising amount of grip and stability, thanks to some suspension and tire upgrades.

What’s the Goal?

Caldwell’s objective is to race the van in every 24 Hours of Lemons event in 2024, starting from Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama in February, and ending at Sonoma Raceway in California in December 2024. He will drive the van 30,000 miles over highways, not counting the miles and abuse it will take from being raced more than 14 hours over a weekend. Caldwell will also have to deal with the challenges of weather, traffic, mechanical issues, fatigue, and budget. Cadwell estimates he will need about $50,000 to cover the costs of entry fees, gas, tires, brakes, repairs, and lodging.

Along the way, Caldwell hopes to raise at least $23,000 for Lemons of Love, a favorite charity of Lemons racers that provides care packages and support for chemotherapy patients. He has set up a GoFundMe page where people can donate and follow his progress. He also plans to document his adventure on social media and YouTube, where he will share his stories, experiences, and insights from the road and the track. He hopes to inspire others to pursue their passions and dreams, no matter how crazy they may seem.

How Can You Support Him?

If you are interested in supporting Caldwell and his Lemons Tour, you can do so in several ways:

• Go to his merch page and buy something.
• Follow him on social media and watch his videos, photos, and updates from his journey.
• Join him at the track and cheer him on. You can find the schedule of the 24 Hours of Lemons events here. You can also sign up as a volunteer or a judge and participate in the fun.
• Share his story with your friends, family, and fellow car enthusiasts, and spread the word about his mission.