SCORE International has launched X Lite, a new buggy class for the 2025 season.

The February 2025 issue of the SCORE Journal describes the class as being for “non-production buggy vehicles” and “adds an opportunity for bringing in hobby racers with a basic and economical starter vehicle that can race in the SCORE World Desert Championship Series.” As stipulated in the rulebook, X Lite is for open-wheel buggies using a stock 1.5-liter Honda engine; ECUs are permitted, though modifications and forced induction are not. The car must weigh at least 1,850 pounds if it is a two-seater and 2,000 for single-seaters.

Any suspension system may be used provided it is at most 60 inches wide, and shock absorbers of any kind may be used. The steering system is also open while all brakes are legal provided they comply with other rules. The wheelbase is not limited either.

The X Lite car was developed by Desert Dreams Motorsports as essentially a smaller Class 10 or Class 16 car. The initial model was built for Komodo Racing and featured an A-arm suspension, a VTEC engine, and a four-speed manual transmission. It also has 16 inches of front and rear travel each.

In resembling a Class 10 or 16 buggy, X Lite is designed to be a more affordable option than those. A Class 16 can even be converted into an X Lite by modifying the suspension and replacing the engine.

Komodo Racing debuted the X Lite at the 2024 Baja 500, where Diego Diaz drove it in Class 10 to an 11th-place finish.

X Lite is the second Four-Wheeler category introduced by SCORE for 2025 alongside Trophy Truck 2WD.

Featured image credit: Desert in Baja