Ask any racer. Any real racer. It don't matter if you pay $500 or $3000 for a turn-key Lemons car, all that really matters is how cheaty the judges think it is.
Getting a residual value from Judge Phil is a good approach. However, he didn't look at any of that or our receipts last time and just told us humorous stories until he finally said, "well, I guess we should class this already" and put the usual score for our car and a not-cheaty-build. If it is known or a butt terrible car, they won't really care as much as if it is a competitive and previously built on the cheaty side of life.
Remember, the greatest power you can have is not caring if they give you laps and just get out there and race to have a good time, which would set you up for success for that whether or not they give you laps after looking at your paperwork/evidence/explanation.
-Robert, Party Sheep Racing
The Jerry Lundegaard GMAC Financing Award, Joliet 2013 [Cutlass Ciera w/ Iron Duke]
Eta E30: IL Fall '15, MI Spring '16, IL Summer '16, MI Spring '17, KY '17, MI Summer '21, KY '21, MI Summer '21, MI Fall '22