What do you get when you invite some of the country’s top racers—all relying on hi-po GM powerplants—to a four-event series aimed at determining the fastest of the fast? Well, the folks at GM Performance Parts are ready to find out. They recently announced the LSX Challenge Series, open only to vehicles that pack either GM production-based LS or GMPP LSX engines.
“We are thrilled to launch the LSX Challenge Series and bring it to more competitors and fans around the country,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, product integration manager for GM Performance Parts. “This is grass-roots racing at its finest and most exciting—and we expect it to grow, as more and more racers discover the competitive advantages of LS power.”
The four events in this year’s challenge include:
- NMCA Ross Racing Pistons Muscle Car Nationals, Brandenton Motorsports Park, Bradenton, Fla., March 18-20
- NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals, Atlanta Dragway, Commerce, Ga., April 14-17
- Holley LS Fest, Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, Ky., Sept. 9-11
- LSX Shootout/NMCA FueLab World Street Finals, Lucas Oil Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Oct. 6-9
Drivers can compete in a variety of different classes, earning points in each race, but must enter at least three of the four events, including the Shootout in Indy, to qualify for the championship.
Notably, each race weekend also will feature a car show geared toward enthusiasts and a big presence from GMPP. Product specialists will be on hand to field tech questions and explain the benefits of GM power, while one of the country’s biggest GMPP dealers and installers—Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center—will have both technicians and parts available to help drivers squeeze every ounce of performance out of their dragsters.
It’s yet another high-profile move from GMPP, which is aiming to further increase its footprint in the sport of drag racing this year. The organization also recently unveiled its all-new LSX454R crate engine. Developed specifically for the drag strip, the monster V8 integrates many of the GMPP advantages already helping win races across the U.S., including 11-degree six-bolt aluminum heads, a high-rise open-plenum intake and a Holley 1,150-cfm Dominator carb. The bottom line here: 750 hp and 680 lb.-ft. of torque.
And while the LSX Challenge won’t kick off until this spring, there’s already been one clear winner: The American Heart Association. That’s because GM auctioned the very first LSX454R at the recent Barrett-Jacson auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., and donated the proceeds to the country’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.
“The American Heart Association is honored to work with partners like General Motors, who exemplify corporate citizenship,” said Heather Kinder, executive director for the Southeast Michigan American Heart Association. “This donation further defines GM’s commitment to improving the health of our community.”
Comments on this entry are closed.