Throtl Throwdown 2026: Ford GT Turns Heads at Maple Grove Raceway

A Full Day of Automotive Action

On May 2, 2026, the energy at Maple Grove Raceway was impossible to miss as enthusiasts, builders, creators, and racers packed the track for the first-ever Throtl Throwdown 2026. Hosted by throtl, with eight automotive creators: Tavarish, TJ Hunt, Jeremiah Big Time, Tony Angleo, Jake Schnatter, Jimmy Oakes, and Throtl, battled it out in the drag strip. The event brought together the best of modern car culture for a full day of quarter-mile competition, burnout action, creator appearances, and community-driven automotive passion.

From the moment gates opened, fans filled the stands and showfield to experience the Import vs. Domestic showdown firsthand. The event featured drag racing, drifting, burnout exhibitions, vendor displays, and creator meetups, creating an atmosphere that felt less like a traditional race day and more like a celebration of everything enthusiasts love about the automotive world.

The WD-40_® Brand x throtl Ford GT Draws a Crowd

One of the biggest highlights of the event was the WD-40_® Brand booth, where fans got an up-close look at the rebuilt Ford GT created in partnership with throtl for SEMA 2025. Don’t know the story? Catch uphere. Throughout the day, crowds gathered around the vehicle to see the now-iconic resurrection build that transformed a wrecked 2005 Ford GT into a fully reimagined race-inspired machine.

Originally unveiled at SEMA 2025, the Ford GT quickly became one of the most recognizable builds tied to the WD-40 Brand and throtl partnership. The project featured a complete rebuild with an authentic Doran GT2 carbon fiber body kit, custom wheels, upgraded suspension, performance braking components, and aggressive track-inspired styling that made the car impossible to ignore at Maple Grove Raceway.

More Than Just a Show Car

Beyond the build itself, the Ford GT represented the spirit behind the entire event. Including creativity, problem solving, craftsmanship, and passion for the automotive community. Fans stopped by the booth throughout the day to take photos, connect with the team, and hear more about the journey behind the build from totaled shell to SEMA standout.

We had the opportunity to share what the Throtl team has relied on throughout the build, designed for professionals working in cannot-fail situations:

• WD-40 Specialist_®Penetrant: For the most stubborn, seized fasteners that need serious persuasion
• WD-40 Specialist Silicone: Protecting rubber seals and providing long-lasting lubrication in high-stress 
• WD-40 Precision Pen: For detailed work where precision matters

The rest of the event delivered nonstop action across the track and paddock. Creator-driven competition brought extra intensity to the drag strip as imports and domestics battled for bragging rights in front of packed grandstands. Burnout smoke drifted through the venue over at the aFe POWER Burnout Box where Luis Perez, aFe Dyno Tech and professional Go Karter turned Drifter, burnt some rubber in his Throtl-built Nissan 240SX drift car.

Lee Carter rounded out the day winning the drag race competition, donating five thousand dollars to their charity of choice: Queen Anne’s County Animal Shelter.

More than anything, Throtl Throwdown showcased how automotive culture continues to evolve through collaboration between brands, creators, and enthusiasts. Events like this bring together the online automotive world with real-life community experiences, giving fans a chance to engage directly with the personalities, projects, and vehicles they follow year-round.

The first annual Throtl Throwdown delivered exactly what enthusiasts hoped for: fast cars, standout builds, passionate fans, and a strong sense of community. And with the Ford GT drawing crowds all day long, the WD-40 Brand and throtl partnership once again proved that some builds are bigger than the finished product itself.

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