Richie Balcom is well known in the Buick turbo racing scene and has been racing competitively in the TSM class with a best of 9.41 @ 143, back in 2007 before switching things up and trying out a twin turbo small block Chevy combo. He reached mid eights with that power plant but realized that most other guys were well into the sevens, and stepping up meant another ten grand was needed to achieve these goals. The self financed racer was at a cross roads and decided to sell and go back to the little Buick V6.

The stock block 231 ci. V-6 spins a forged stock stroke crank from Eagle, connecting rods from K1 Technologies and pistons from JE Racing. The cylinder head and intake are from Champion Racing in Palm Coast, Florida and have been worked over by Richie. A 70 MM Precision turbo provides boost. Fuel management is through a F.A.S.T. XFI tuned by Cal Hartline owner of Hartline Performance based out of Melbourne, Florida. 96 lb. Precision injectors atomize the fuel.

I met up with Richie at the track recently shaking down the new engine. He made cam and converter changes to the same basic setup he had before and is looking to run 9.20’s now once things are sorted out. This session he was on low boost and pump gas for some easy runs. He does his own engine prep and assembly while a shop in Venice handles the machine work.

The TSM class is fairly restrictive and requires a stock block, factory style three bolt turbo with a 71.5 MM max on the compressor wheel, stock suspension, factory stock appearing interior with racing seats allowed and any GM transmission. A full list of class rules can be found over at Turbobuick.com.

The first race of this year is the North vs. South Southern Buick Shootout next weekend at Silver Dollar Raceway in Reynolds Georgia, it’s sponsored by Hartline Performance. This event will feature several Buick specific classes as well as all run bracket racing.  Next up is the TurboBuick.com Nationals at Piedmont Dragway in Greensborough, North Carolina.

Mickey Thompson tires and wheels adorn all four corners with a pair of 275 ET Street Radial on the back. Aerospace disc brakes get the 3500 pound Regal stopped. A TH400 transmission is adapted to the block with torque multiplication provided by a PTC converter while power is sent back to a Ford 9 inch rear with 3.50 gears.

You have to love the small touches like this custom name plate. Behind the grill is a class required stock location air to air inter cooler, you can use any cooler you want, but it may not extend below the bottom of the stock radiator support.

The trunk area houses a custom aluminum fuel cell and Optima battery mounted above the rear for even weight distribution.