The ANTI-Gumball 3000: Inside the ramshackle rally dubbed the 'Burning Man for car geeks' where motorheads race busted $500 cars around the desert

Ready, set... attempt to go!

Welcome to the wacky world of car racing at its most ramshackle level, courtesy of the 24 Hours of Lemons. 

The race, which is the antithesis of the exclusive Gumball 3000 rally and a self-admittedly poor man's version of France's 24 Hours of Le Mans, only permits cars which cost entrants $500 to purchase and renovate.

One past competitor explains in a YouTube documentary, titled 24 Hours of Lemons: The World's Craziest Race, that the round-the-clock race is 'like Halloween meets gasoline... like Burning Man for car geeks.'

Welcome to the wacky world of car racing at its most ramshackle level, courtesy of the 24 Hours of Lemons

The race, which is the antithesis of the exclusive Gumball 3000 rally and a self-admittedly poor man's version of France's 24 Hours of Le Mans, only permits cars which cost entrants $500 to purchase and renovate

One past competitor explains in a YouTube documentary titled 24 Hours of Lemons: The World's Craziest Race, that the round-the-clock race is 'like Halloween meets gasoline... like Burning Man for car geeks'

The 24 Hours of Lemons was conceived by former automotive journalist Jay Lamm in 2006 and over the years it has grown from one race in California to a series of races all over the US

There are now 15 races across America running from May through to December

He continues: 'The thing that separates Lemons from anything else that you're out there in a machine that you designed and made all of your own. A lot of the cars do fail, but that's part of the process right? 

'You can arrive and drive with a Ferrari, but your heart and soul isn't in the thing that you're driving. You didn't design this thing, you didn't fabricate it. You didn't stay up until 2am scrambling to get this engine to turn over. 

'So when you get there and you're in this thing that represents your creative side, represents your ability to make things, it's just an incredible experience.'

The 24 Hours of Lemons was conceived by former automotive journalist Jay Lamm in 2006 and over the years it has grown from one race in California to a series of races all over the US. 

Revealing how his off-the-wall race concept came about, he recently told FT.com: 'Historically, car racing was all about separating the heroes from the schlubs.

'It became increasingly clear to me that the hobby had been commercialized and made into a hierarchy that was all about money.

'I jokingly put together a street race where the cars couldn't cost more than $500. [I think of it as a] beer-league softball for people who are interested in car racing, not baseball.'

Lamm's idea has in turn blossomed into a lucrative business which he is dedicated to. 

Entry costs $1,755 per team, which includes one car and up to four drivers who can take it in turns to complete the circuit

Lamm said: 'I jokingly put together a street race where the cars couldn't cost more than $500. [I think of it as a] beer-league softball for people who are interested in car racing, not baseball' 

Additional drivers cost $245 each, while additional crew come in at $75

On top of the entry fee, each driver must have a valid 'Lemons Competition Membership,' which is $100

There are now 15 races across America running from May through to December.

Entry costs $1,755 per team, which includes one car and up to four drivers who can take it in turns to complete the circuit.

Additional drivers then cost $245 each, while additional crew come in at $75.

On top of the entry fee, each driver must have a valid 'Lemons Competition Membership,' which is $100.

Photos from past races reveal some of the wacky creations to hit the tracks.

One shot shoes a blue car modeled after Thomas the Tank Engine, while another shows a motor taking inspiration from Swedish Fish, with the driving crew even dressed like the fish-shaped chewy candies.

A former 24 Hours of Lemons contestant explains what the lure is for him in 'The World's Craziest Race' documentary.

A former 24 Hours of Lemons contestant said of the race: 'There is real racing going on. It's a real competition, but at the end of the day the top prize is for the people who fulfill that car culture thing the most'

A rule book on the race website details the prizes involved, and these are just as madcap as the race itself. It states that 'winners may be paid in nickels, dollars, rubles, or some other painfully inconvenient currency'

The biggest cash prize - $1,000 - is given for the 'Halloween Meets Gasoline' award, which is based on the 'best team theme / car theme / car build / costumes'

He tells viewers: 'Taking something that shouldn't really work that shouldn't even be on a racetrack that shouldn't even be in the same zip code as a racetrack, and making it not just drivable but actually racing it for 14 to 24 hours without stopping. 

'To just see... somebody put two engines in a car - wow! I wonder what terrible things I could think of. 

'For me it's more like an outlet of creativity. Putting things together that shouldn't exist and kind of making a code. 

'They don't look pretty, but they work. There is real racing going on. It's a real competition, but at the end of the day the top prize is for the people who fulfill that car culture thing the most with bringing the most terrible thing and doing the best. I think that's kind of genius.'

A rule book on the race website details the prizes involved, and these are just as madcap as the race itself.

It states that 'winners may be paid in nickels, dollars, rubles, or some other painfully inconvenient currency.'

The rule book also states that the 'first full-EV to win a 24 Hours of Lemons endurance race overall receives $50,000 in nickels'

Asked what spectators can expect from this year's run of events, a spokesperson for the race told DailyMail.com: 'There is sure to be a variety of uniquely modified and themed vehicles'

Race creator Lamm says: 'I jokingly put together a street race where the cars couldn't cost more than $500. [I think of it as a] beer-league softball for people who are interested in car racing, not baseball'

'When you get there and you're in this thing that represents your creative side, represents your ability to make things; it's just an incredible experience,' a former entrant said of the wacky race

Photos show some of the previous motor creations, with the themes ranging from fast food to superheroes 

The biggest cash prize - $1,000 - is given for the 'Halloween Meets Gasoline' award, which is based on the 'best team theme / car theme / car build / costumes.' 

The rule book also states that the 'first full-EV to win a 24 Hours of Lemons endurance race overall receives $50,000 in nickels.'

Asked what spectators can expect from this year's run of events, a spokesperson for the race told DailyMail.com: 'There is sure to be a variety of uniquely modified and themed vehicles.

'Also, despite the humorous undertone, many teams take the racing seriously, leading to exciting and competitive events.

'But basically to sum it all up in three words, I would say this race is equals fun, creativity, and a great sense of community.'