Nitrocross drivers find refuge in Europe’s RallyX series

A number of drivers that previously contested the U.S.-based Nitrocross rallycross-like series will line up for the start of the RallyX Euro League season in Montalegre, Portugal this weekend.

The 2024-25 Nitrocross season was curtailed after four rounds as part of a financially influenced move by the series’ parent company, which said at the time it required a “new vision” in order to continue.

Now, no fewer than seven former Nitrocross drivers will make up part of a 17-strong grid in RallyX’s premier Open 4WD class, with three American drivers being part of that group — the largest contingent of American drivers in a single race of a European series to date.

Tanner Foust will be joined by Mitchell De Jong and Lane Vacala — all of them racing the purpose-built ICE-powered FC2 that was previously utilized by Nitrocross’ NEXT Evo development class — for BAK40 Motorsports.

“I want us to go over and show them the American boys have got what it takes and win a championship,” said BAK40 Motorsports team owner Eric Gordon. “That would be the ultimate win for us. But honestly, if we go over there and compete and keep our team together the way it is – our goal is to come back home. If we promote what we’re supposed to do and we come back to America as a full team and we still have all the cars intact and the team intact, that’s still a win for us.

“This is a whole new ballgame for us, with the FC2 in general but also going overseas. So to go over there and just put a full season (together) as a team and not have too many hiccups, I’d honestly consider that a win.”

Unlike Foust, who raced the all-electric FC1-X in the Group E category of Nitrocross, De Jong and Vacala have previous experience of the FC2 from their time in NEXT.

At the point the season was halted, De Jong was the championship leader after winning the first race of the season at Richmond Raceway and the last at Utah Motorsports Campus and taking a brace of second places between. Vacala meanwhile was fourth at the point after starting the season with a podium finish.

“This will be my first trip to Portugal and I’m honestly just most excited to get back behind the wheel and go racing,” said Vacala. “This break has felt like an eternity and I just want to get back to competing for wins again.”

As well as that trio, Oliver Eriksson, Fraser McConnell, Casper Jansson and Tommi Hallman will also be competing.

Eriksson was second in the Nitrocross Group E points and was the only driver in that category with a 100 percent podium record (including a win at round two at Richmond). McConnell, meanwhile, started the season with two podiums at Richmond.

Jansson and Hallman had been racing the FC2 in NEXT, with Jansson third at the point of the season’s stoppage after three consecutive third places, while Hallman was second overall, mirroring De Jong’s record of two wins and two second places.

“I am really excited about this new adventure,” said Hallman. “The line-up for this first event promises an incredibly intense start to the season, with many of the drivers having previously competed in FC1 Nitrocross. This means that this will be the toughest championship I’ve ever had the opportunity to compete in.

“Montalegre is a big challenge, but at the same time I feel relatively confident with the FC2. I have had the opportunity to compete in four Nitrocross races and have felt comfortable with the car from the start. I can’t wait for the first event at Montalegre.”

A late addition to the entry list is reigning European Rallycross champion Patrick O’Donovan, who also raced in Nitrocross at the 2023-24 season finale in Las Vegas.

In all, 136 drivers from 16 countries will contest the RallyX opener across five categories, which also includes SuperCar Lites, Crosscar, Crosscar Junior, and Open 2WD.