- Dodge is debuting in the 2024-2025 Nitrocross Series with four 1,000-horsepower Hornet R/T FC1-X electric rally cars.
- 17-year-old Lia Block will be the youngest and first female competitor in the Group E class.
- Fans at the Richmond event can experience the Dodge Hornet R/T firsthand through “Rally Rides.”
Dodge is back in the spotlight, this time making an exciting entrance into the 2024-2025 Nitrocross Series, and it’s something you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on. With four electric-powered Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X rally cars in the lineup, Dodge is looking to make an impact in the motorsport world. Dodge brings high-energy, adrenaline-pumping action into Nitrocross, delivering the kind of performances you expect from this high-speed, chaotic event.
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For those unfamiliar, Nitrocross is motorsport’s answer to “controlled chaos” — combining spectacular jumps, door-to-door battles, and a mixture of dirt and pavement racing. The series, brainchild of motorsport legend Travis Pastrana, has quickly captured the hearts of younger audiences and adrenaline junkies alike. Dodge has decided to step into this world of electrification and motorsport, not only to compete but to dominate.
Lia Block To Be The Youngest Champion in 1,000-HP Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X Rally Lineup
Behind the wheel of these all-wheel-drive, 1,000-plus-horsepower beasts will be a crew of seriously talented drivers. Among them is 17-year-old sensation Lia Block, the youngest American Rally Association (ARA) champion and the first female competitor in the Group E class.
That’s right — not only is Dodge bringing the horsepower, it’s bringing history. Block’s entry is a pivotal moment in rally car racing, proving that the next generation isn’t just the future—it’s already here!
Sharing the track with her will be two-time Group E series champion Robin Larsson, Jamaica’s Fraser McConnell, and Norway’s Andres Bakkerud, a well-seasoned professional driver who knows his way around a Nitrocross track.
Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X 1,070 HP Rally Cars Ready to Dominate Nitrocross
These Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X cars are wickedly fast. Producing over 1,070 horsepower, these rally cars can blast from 0 to 60 in a mere 1.4 seconds. For comparison, that’s almost faster than it takes to refresh your Instagram feed. And with nearly 2g of acceleration, they’ll be flying over those 200-foot gap jumps like they’re playing a video game. If you’ve ever wanted to see what true performance looks like, Nitrocross is where you’ll find it.
Dodge’s move into rally car racing will display raw speed. But more importantly, they’re expanding its footprint in motorsports. “We’re looking forward to a great inaugural Nitrocross season for the Dodge brand,” said Matt McAlear, CEO of Dodge. “With a championship-winning organization like Dreyer & Reinbold Racing carrying the Dodge banner, fans are in for an electrifying experience.”
And Dodge understands its audience well. With nearly 75% of Nitrocross fans between the ages of 18 and 34, the brand is clearly targeting a younger crowd that’s all about performance.
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Engineering Masterpiece Backed by Racing Legacy
On the technical side, the Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X is loaded with innovation. From its tubular chassis to its Alcon braking system and double-wishbone suspension, this rally car is as much a feat of engineering as it is a spectacle of speed.
Developed and maintained by the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing team, a powerhouse in rally car racing with a legacy stretching back to the 1920s, Dodge has aligned itself with the best. Team owner Dennis Reinbold puts it simply, “Dodge is well known as America’s performance brand, and to carry the Dodge brand’s banner and compete in Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X cars is the perfect fit for our group.”
Dodge Hornet R/T Hybrid: 288 Horsepower, PowerShot Boost, and 32 Miles of Electric Range
The Dodge Hornet R/T FC1-X isn’t the only one stealing the spotlight. Dodge’s production-spec Hornet R/T performance hybrid is also in the spotlight in the compact utility vehicle (CUV) market. With an impressive 288 horsepower and 383 lb.-ft. of torque, this electric car offers you both performance and practicality. You’ll get 32 miles of all-electric range and 77 MPGe, giving you a balance of performance and efficiency.
And when you need a boost, the Hornet R/T’s PowerShot feature kicks up the horsepower, cutting down your 0-60 mph time. It’s a rally-inspired ride you could easily take to work.
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Experience Dodge “Rally Rides” at Richmond Raceway
At the Richmond Raceway event, you’ll get the chance to hop into a production-spec Dodge Hornet for what’s being dubbed “Rally Rides.” It’s your opportunity to feel the car’s power firsthand on a specially built course. Watching these machines on TV is one thing, but being in the passenger seat is an entirely different experience—one that’s hard to forget.
The real excitement, however, lies in the future of Nitrocross. With upcoming races at Utah Motorsports Campus and Firebird Motorsports Park, and the season airing on FOX, the show is just getting started. Dodge entering the mix raises the stakes, and it’s only a matter of time before more teams and manufacturers jump in. As Nitrocross GM Chip Pankow said, “Dodge is about performance and so are we, and we can’t wait to see them prove it on the track.”
Much like the EV industry, hands-on experiences like these are what truly turn skeptics into believers. I can talk about performance all day, but when you feel it for yourself, the conversation changes. Just like Electrify Expo, the largest EV festival in North American, has done for EVs, Nitrocross is proving that the future of driving—whether electric or gas-powered—is all about the experience.
So, whether you’re a seasoned rally car fan or new to the scene, one thing’s for sure: with Dodge entering the fray, the Dodge Hornet R/T and Nitrocross are about to deliver an unforgettable season.
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