1986 Chevrolet Corvette - May The Downforce Be With You

This photo shows the completed sucker unit just prior to its installation in the Corvette. Note the CVT drive reused from the snowmobile. A three-dimensional CAD model of the assembly was generated before the actual construction began.

The passenger-seat area was heavily modified to accommodate the sucker unit.

A hand-built twin-turbo setup was used to boost the performance of the Vette's L98 engine. These custom adapters were fabricated and ported for improved airflow.

Here's the initial mounting of the turbos, showing the flipped manifolds and adapter plates.

The team conducts a not-so-successful testdrive with the twin-turbo system. One of the salvage-yard turbos bit the dust, resulting in this 007-quality smoke screen. Thankfully, the engine was spared any damage.

This photo shows a close-up of the undercar vacuum skirt and bellows system. The casters maintain a constant 1/2-inch air gap between the skirt and the ground.

The budget was so sparse, the team couldn't even afford an $89 paint job. Instead, it rented a DIY paint booth and sprayed the Vette in a stylish shade of flat black.

Here, the team balances the wheel weights and sets the front alignment. It had to shim the front suspension to compensate for the car's wreck-bent frame.

As installed, the sucker-fan assembly leaves precious little room for a passenger.

The team had just enough money left in its $2,007 budget to add vacuum and rpm gauges for the sucker system.

The Corvette stages for the autocross segment of the contest.

During the autocross runs, the team was forced to troubleshoot a sticky-throttle problem.

Once on track, the Corvette proved unbeatable.

Judges and spectators check out the Sucker Vette during the $2,007 Challenge "concours judging." The car drew a large crowd from the time it was pulled off the trailer.

Back home at P&G, Team Cheaparral members pose with their winning creation.