A youthful group of participants like Bradley Dillon have helped make Xtreme Front-Wheel- Drive an exciting class in the world of import racing . |
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PHOTOGRAPH BY LUKE NIEUWHOF |
Xtreme Front-Wheel-Drive ( XFWD ) racing has seen a notable rise in popularity over the past few years . This surge can be attributed to several high-profile events and record-breaking performances . Some of the events where XFWD is widely popular are the Haltech World Cup Finals : Import vs . Domestic , The Reunion , and FL2K . The World Cup Finals is set to hold its 28th annual event this year at Maryland International Raceway , and many XFWD racers circle the date on the calendar .
Held at Bradenton Motorsports Park , FL2K has a cult-like following among street car and import fans . It is entering its 12th year and also provides another platform for XFWD racing .
Another contributing factor to the class ’ s popularity is that XFWD has made its presence known
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in the Street Car Takeover series .
Then , in 2023 , the inclusion of the inaugural Xtreme Front Wheel Drive Challenge , which was introduced at the Drag Illustrated World Series of Pro Mod , also at Bradenton , brought significant attention to the XFWD category .
Lastly , The Reunion has drawn many XFWD back to South Florida to compete in front of capacity crowds for big cash .
Drivers like Bradley Dillon , who has partners like FuelTech and Precision Turbo , have also contributed to the increased visibility and excitement around XFWD racing . Dillon made headlines by piloting his Dodge Neon SRT4 at The Reunion to a groundbreaking 7-second pass , setting multiple records in the process . His achievements highlighted the potential and competitiveness of XFWD
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cars , which are normally dominated by Hondas , drawing more fans and participants to the sport .
Additionally , standout racers such as Nichole Elff have been making waves in the XFWD scene , further boosting its profile . Elff ’ s participation and victories in various events have showcased the growing talent and competitive nature of this racing category . Furthermore , Elff is one of the few women in the class and hopes to inspire more females to join .
Elff has partners , like Speed Factory and CP Carrillo , who are working hand in hand to help her reach her goal of making the 200-MPH pass .
Overall , the inclusion of XFWD in major drag racing events and the record-breaking performances by top drivers have significantly contributed to its rising popularity . – KAYLA ZADEL DI
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September / October 2024 |
DragIllustrated . com | Drag Illustrated | 125 |