Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, a legacy team in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, have been taking on different aspects of racing over the past few years, particularly in the realm of electric Nitrocross racing, a sport that combines tarmac and dirt competition. The team has taken two championships in Group E and now has secured a partnership with Stellantis’ Dodge brand, which has only recently been active in NHRA nitro classes with Tony Stewart Racing (Top Fuel for Stewart, Funny Car with Matt Hagan).
In a double announcement, Dodge revealed its return to something other than straight-line racing as it competes in the 2024-2025 Nitrocross Series with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing (DRR), using 1,000-plus-horsepower Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X Rally Cars to compete in this North American series. The partnership begins with this weekend’s season-opening doubleheader event at Richmond Raceway outside the Virginia city of the same name.
DRR earned its brace of Nitrcross Group E series driver’s titles with Swedish driver Robin Larsson; it also took the team championships in this highly-competitive electric class. Larsson continues to lead the talented group of Dodge Hornet FC1-X drivers, which includes Jamaican Fraser McConnell, Norway’s Andres Bakkerud. Joining this trio is 17-year-old American Lia Block, daughter of the late, great Ken Block of Gymkhana video fame, who was a standout racer in Rallycross motor sport.
The Nitrocross Series was introduced by Travis Pastrana in 2020; with Pastrana’s marketing props – which are equally as proficient as his racing capabilities – the series is one of the fastest growing forms of motor sport in North America. There are five classes in this “controlled chaos” form of racing; there are 10 events at five locations.
As Dodge begins its partnership with DRR and its four capable racers this weekend, it will host Dodge Hornet Rally Rides, allowing fans to ride along for hot laps and experience a production-spec Dodge Hornet R/T on a specially built course at Richmond. The Dodge Hornet R/T plug-in hybrid is the first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge. It delivers 288 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque.
The Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X is a bit more powerful than its street version. Powered by four Magalec Propulsion axial flux motors, it generates the equivalent of 1,070 horsepower, for 800kW. The race vehicles are capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in only 1.4 seconds and produce close to 2G of acceleration from their standing starts. The Dodge Hornet FC1-X features a tubular chassis, carbon fiber chassis tub, Alcon braking system, electric power-assisted steering, front and rear double wishbone R53 suspension with adjustable camber/caster. The race Hornet features 12-inch wheel travel and adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars.
“Nearly 75 percent of Nitrocross race fans are between the ages of 18-34, making the series the perfect venue for Dodge to expand its motorsports presence and to showcase the Dodge Hornet to a youthful, enthusiastic new audience,” noted Matt McAlear, Dodge brand CEO for Stellantis. “We’re looking forward to a great inaugural Nitrocross season for the Dodge brand, with a championship-winning organization like the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team carrying the Dodge banner, and with fans getting the chance to experience the Dodge Hornet up close and personal through our Dodge Hornet Rally Rides. It all starts at Richmond.”
Larsson is not only the winner of the two most recent Nitrocross Group E championships with seven victories in the past two campaigns; he won the 2014 FIA European Rallycross Championship. McConnell is the 2019 ARX2 Rallycross series champion and has scored four Nitrocross Group E wins in the past two seasons. Bakkerud placed second and fourth the the Group E division with two wins to his credit, while Block has already made history as the youngest American Rally Association (ARA) titleholder; she previously raced in the Nitrocross NEXT class and is the youngest competitor in Group E as well as its first and sole female competitor.
“Dodge is well known as a performance brand,” said Dennis Reinbold, a third-generation competitor, “so to have them come on board to partner with us is the perfect fit. We both love to go fast, so it’s like we share the same DNA. Such a great alignment for us to compete in Nitrocross, as it continues to grow at a record-breaking pace. The level of excitement is growing throughout this series and Dodge has just cranked it up even more!”
The 2024-2025 Nitrocross Series features five doubleheader race programs, starting at Richmond Raceway this weekend, September 5-7, followed by races at Utah Motorsports Campus in Salt Lake City October 5-6, Firebird Motorsports Park outside Phoenix, AZ November 15-16, Miami Marine Stadium January 11-12 and the season finale, a Las Vegas course March 1-2.
In the opening salvo on the Richmond Raceway track inside the .75-mile oval, Larsson won the initial race and placed fourth in the second contest, while McConnell earned two podium results, third and second.