Though there will be plenty of gas-powered vehicles in the mix as moto legend and Nitro Circus founder Travis Pastrana‘s Nitro Rallycross comes to Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino March 17-19, the Group E all-electric vehicle race is taking center stage during this season finale.
The revolutionary series of rally cars will still fly around a dirt track at about 130 miles per hour, launching off of ramps and soaring through the air at jaw-dropping heights, while covering insane distances as they gun it for the title of Nitro Rallycross’ Group E class Nitro RX series champion. But first, the other drivers will have to get by Pastrana, the defending champion.
“It’s the entertainment of the X Games and Nitro Circus combined with the racing of NASCAR and some of the craziest shenanigans you’ll ever see,” Pastrana said of the three-day event during a recent phone interview.
All electric class of race cars dubbed Group E will make up the main event at the Glen Helen Raceway March 17-19 for the season ending race for Nitro Rallycross’ Nitro RX series. (Photo courtesy Nitro Rallycross).
All electric class of race cars dubbed Group E will make up the main event at the Glen Helen Raceway this month for the season ending race for Nitro Rallycross’ Nitro RX series. (Photo courtesy Nitro Rallycross).
Moto legend Travis Pastrana will be among the competitors in the all electric class of race cars dubbed Group E at the Glen Helen Raceway March 17-19 for the season ending race for Nitro Rallycross’ Nitro RX series. (Photo courtesy Nitro Rallycross).
“It is intense,” he continued. “Every single millisecond out there you’re pushing. It’s go like Hell foot-to-the-floor. There’s going to be carnage; some people are going to roll their vehicles and some people are not going to make the jumps. They’re going to be into the walls, but someone is going to make it.”
Pastrana will be driving one of the all-electric FC1-X all-wheel drive Nitro RX cars, which can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 1.4 seconds and have the capability of producing the electric equivalent of 1,070 horsepower.
“The most powerful rally cars in the world will be out there and it’s really challenging to be pushing that forefront of electric racing,” he shared. “It’s definitely the future of where everyone is trying to go. It’s definitely going to help the environment in the long term, but I’m a racer, I want to see the most exciting vehicles possible going the fastest we possibly can over the biggest jumps we can do.”
Since the dirt track will be outfitted with several jumps to add to the showmanship and excitement of the races, Pastrana said the electric vehicles can handle that, too.
“We’ll be hitting the jump at around 90 miles per hour and fly 130 feet in distance, probably about four stories off the ground,” he said.
Aside from the electric car races, the weekend will include traditional races like the side-by-side all-terrain vehicle competition. There will also be an entertainment stage with live music, as well as a gaming zone, food trucks and an autograph session with the drivers that’s open to all attendees.
Nitro Rallycross When: 4 p.m. March 17-18; Noon March 19
Where: Glen Helen Raceway, 18585 Verdemont Ranch Road, San Bernardino
Tickets: $20 for general admission Friday and $25 for Saturday and Sunday; $50 for weekend passes; $100 for VIP Friday, $125 for Saturday and Sunday VIP; $300 for weekend VIP. All passes are available at nitrorallycross.com.
Richard Guzman | Entertainment Reporter Richard Guzman writes about music and pop culture. He has previously written for the El Paso Times, The Desert Sun in Palm Springs and was City Editor at Los Angeles Downtown News. He graduated from Cal State Northridge with a Bachelor in Journalism.
