Redefining the Rules of Drag Racing: A Candid Chat with John Sears - Tin Soldier Tuesday Ep.10

🏁 Welcome to Episode 10 of 'Tin Soldier Tuesday' Podcast, where we dive deep into the heart of drag racing!
🚦 In this special episode, we're thrilled to bring you an exclusive conversation with the legendary godfather of X275, John Sears, recorded live from the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) event.
🌟 Join us as we journey through the early days of X275, a class that started with just a single page of rules and has now expanded to nine, driven by the boundless creativity and rule-bending ingenuity of racers. John opens up about the evolution of the rules, the challenges of keeping the competition fair, and how racers have continuously pushed the boundaries for an upper hand on the track.
🏆 Hear John share his most cherished memories of X275, and delve into his vision for the future of the Ultrastreet class. He candidly discusses the lessons learned and the mistakes he aims to rectify, drawing from his extensive experience in X275.
🤝 We're incredibly fortunate to have had this insightful discussion with John Sears and are grateful for his immense contribution to the drag racing community. This episode is not just a conversation; it's a treasure trove of history, innovation, and passion for drag racing.
👉 Don't forget to subscribe for more Tin Soldier Tuesday podcasts and hit the bell icon for notifications on our latest episodes.
💬 Let us know in the comments what you think about the evolution of X275 and your thoughts on John Sears' impact on the sport.
🔔 Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes stories, expert insights, and thrilling conversations from the world of drag racing.
#TinSoldierTuesday #X275 #JohnSears #DragRacing #PRI #Podcast #RacingCommunity #Ultrastreet #RacingHistory #InnovationInRacing
✨ Thanks for tuning in, and keep racing towards your dreams! 🏁
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[@Mr5speed]

Awesome !!!! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@mtedwards78]

I watched X275 from the beginning and saw all the bashing he took over rules on yellow bullet. To my knowledge, all those that bashed him are long gone and he's still doing it. Major props to him for sticking with it and progressing the class.

[@erichuff2538]

Thank you both. And it's nice to hear you talk about your faith in God and Jesus. It's amazing to hear someone share. God bless you for that.

[@chadalac1977]

What a great interview! I never knew his name was just John Sears , I always thought it was Laura John Sears lol . I love the way he handles people on the internet. That is one smart dude!!

[@davidgough1161]

Thank You, John. You are a cool guy and have much to show everybody. Thanks, as always to Jason for making this happen.

[@kaedyncopper12]

Great interview, only can imagine the crap he has had to deal with. Never fun when making sure the rules are being followed. Thanks

[@glenrusaw3100]

Very nice interview with John sears. Tin soldiers is definitely on the map.

[@johnperun232]

I absolutely 💯appreciated by this John and Jason This was a great experience Thanx for sharing your thoughts Have a Great Day 👍

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

Our pleasure!

[@Zachshorter14]

Awesome interview and Thanks John!!

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Slowpoke99s10]

Great interview!! Thank you Mr. Sears for all you do for the sport we all love. Keep up the amazing work! Thank you again

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

Thanks for listening 🤘

[@lukelikens2057]

That is dedication to the sport and a passion to go fast

[@user-lv1nv1ks7n]

Jason want to wish you and Brad and your people at the shop and your families a Very Merry Christmas 🎄 n Happy New Year Godbless

[@tonymorse7178]

I appreciate all the "behind the scenes" effort that makes things happen. The details that have to happen to pull off a successful event is almost endless. Thanks for the insight....it's kinda a "thankless" place to be...keep educating us

[@jimskeetersjr]

Awesome show Jason and John.. I wouldn’t want anything to do with what John has to deal with day in and day out.

[@tugla67]

Great guy to interview. John is a stand up dude

[@toddgreim9254]

Love this interview with John. Thanks for all you do for our sport.

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@etenterprises]

This was great and I've been following X275 and Drag Radial racing for some time. I wanted to deep dive on something here for Jason and John about a connection I just made @7:07 My name is Jeff Lee and growing up my Dad Skip Lee was a NHRA stock eliminator racer and engine builder with a speed shop in Michigan. (Dad passed in 2020) Back in the 90's we raced our 71 Monte Carlo Stock eliminator car in NMCA Top Stock which was like stock with mufflers and bolt ons. When I was 16, we raced in Memphis in 92 during the first Hot Rod Fastest Streetcar Shootout and I was immediately hooked on that scene. With the Hot Rod shootout, and then small tire Super Street, EZ Street, Hot Street, and Real Street classes exploding in NMCA, as a teenager racing Top Stock and EFI class with my daily driver pump gas 87 Turbo Buick (going 12's on radials with airbags, boxed control arms and BFG's in the mid 90's) I wanted in on the heads up action. So I actually studied the rules of all the classes and then wrote and proposed the Factory Street class to NMCA as sort of a heads up version of Top Stock with 275 drag radials like I ran in the EFI class. Because they were basically the radial version of the 10.5/10.5W. I think cast iron heads, flat tappet cam, and 10" torque converter were other things I proposed. I have the original drafts somewhere. NMCA kept most of the rules but changed some and launched it. I went off to college, worked on some other racing stuff on the side, like I was involved in the first IHRA Top Stock shootout in 2000, The US Class Nationals in 2001. Factory Street and those other racing things led to me getting the opportunity to move to Norwalk Ohio in 2002 for my then dream job at IHRA working for Bill Bader and Aaron Polburn through 2010. I never got to race the class myself. But I learned alot from Bill and Aaron and am still in the industry working for aftermarket parts companies on the website and marketing side and the company I started with Dad called Hammerhead IRS making racing 12 bolt/8.8 IRS differentials. But I do want to get that old Monte Carlo back out on the track but probably as a big block Drag and Drive car...on 275 radials of course. Anyway, so all these years later I just now in this video heard NMCA Factory Street shouted out as part of the beginning of the radial movement. And to me that is pretty Rad. Thanks John and Jason for all you do for the sport!

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

Thanks for sharing your story, Jeff. It's enthusiasts and innovators like you who keep the racing spirit alive and evolving. Cheers to your dad's memory and your continuing journey in the racing world!

[@etenterprises]

@@TinSoldierRacecars sidenote friend and former Factory Street racer, fellow Michigander and Dad joke aficionado Pat Topolinski also went on to work for the Pro Stock team of Greg Andersen and Jason Line, SAMTech, BES I think, and is now the host of Power Nation's Engine Power show.

[@tracykouns4903]

Love the stories John has ...

[@joeybuono6093]

thanks Jason & John, Great interview. i didnt make it to pri this year, hopefully next year. keep your Motivational Mondays coming & JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE.

[@leoreid5649]

Great informational interview

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

Thanks for listening

[@woodrowdelozier1]

💪😎

[@michaelmarquette3137]

Wow I learned more from this video and I am thoroughly impressed with both of you I just wish I lived in a state that had a lot more action! I love Oregon but it’s not much for a race car state

[@rickyscz28]

Thank you both for this! Absolutely awesome video

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@westernperf]

👍

[@-g-lock813]

hey u missed a moti monday~!!! its ok u gave me this~!! or did u do 1 this week?

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

We do them every other week!

[@ralph100pct]

Listening '°°%

[@youngTV-News]

All the rules have killed this class. You need a 100k car to compete now. The poor man has to go NoPrep racing now. 😂

[@thesbfvert4xx]

Limited Street is not a entry level class, 4.86 @142. is hard to do on a single working mans dollar, And needs to stay on 235 radial nothing else.. But great interview

[@lsxtmt4910]

Guys seems like an arrogant prik

[@TinSoldierRacecars]

That's a bold statement. We invite guests for their expertise and insights, not personality judgments. Let's keep the discussion focused on the content.