X275 Invades the East Coast

John Sears has been a proponent of small tire racing for years, while previously based in South Florida and calling Immokalee Regional Raceway his home track. The origins of the X275 class reside in the now struggling Real Street class Sears and others started in Florida. What began as a limited tire alternative to the local Stock Suspension/Drag Radial classes quickly outpaced the ET’s envisioned and dipped into the 5.30’s at the first event. Over time, rule changes had some racers frustrated that their hard work was being punished with added weight and nitrous jet limitations. After John made the move out of state, he sought to bring an updated version to his area with a more relaxed and inclusive rules package – the X275 was born.

Typical of 275 Radial racing and one reason for the excitement in the class is action like this. In the far lane is Enrique Pirez, who has been involved since the beginning down in Florida. Pirez and Sean Snodgrass have been working with the SHRA and bringing on sponsors here in Florida.

With the recent announcement the 2010 Snowbird Outlaw Nationals will include the 2010 version of X275 interest is running high in Florida and up and down the East coast with New England Dragway, Piedmont Dragway and Rockingham Dragway singing on for next year with Atco still pending. Bradenton Motorsports Park is set to feature the class at the 2011 US Street Nationals and their October Outlaw race as well and the SHRA’s (Southern Hot Rod Association) still to be determined schedule at PBIR ( Palm Beach International Raceway)  and IRR. The 2011 rules for Sunshine Dragstrip in St Pete are still to be determined and this weekend is the last Heads Up Madness race of the year under the current Real Street rules.

The dominant car up north has been none other than Chris Evans after winning three Championships for 2010 at Cecil County M IR and Nate Prichet’s Ultimate Outlaws series. His F1R Procharged small block Ford was built by Roche Racing Engines and is running in the 4.90’s and set several records this year. Photo Courtesy X275.net

Another top contender in class is Bobby Flippen’s “Little Hay Hauler” S-10 pickup. He put his nitrous assisted small block Chevy into the 4.9 zone late this year and finished second in points at MIR and VMP where he tied with Dale Handy. He also took home the top honors at the 2010 Civil Wars at Rockingham. Photo courtesy X275.net

Provided all goes well in Florida Ronnie Wilson, Brian Goss, Mike Freeman and Clint Lonon should some of the top players in the state. I know that Clint on the Lutz crew are eagerly anticipating the new rules as they were on the wrong end of some changes in the Real Street rules package and have been sitting out because of that. Clint Lonon pictured.

On a personal level I am supportive of the change and am looking forward to more cars and interest in 275 racing here in Florida.  I talked with several racers at Sunshine’s Wednesday night test session about this and there are several cars in the works and one very nice Trans Am made his track debut with an F1C Procharged LSX engine under the hood. One thing for sure is that the X275 rules allow for a variety of engine combinations and power adders to be competitive which only adds further interest for fans and racers alike.

Mike Freeman took home the win at the innagural Night the Lights Went Out this past February at SGMP.

About the author

Rob Cossack

Rob has had an interest in photography since he was young, but didn't get started until 2007, when he started shooting at the local tracks. After that, he started doing local video coverage of heads-up events and began working with Power Automedia shortly after.
Read My Articles

Drag Racing in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


Street Muscle Magazine
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
Diesel Army
Diesel Army
Engine Labs
Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • Streetmuscle Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
  • Diesel Army Diesel Army
  • Engine Labs Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading