Speedgroup Club Europe

Nitro-king of the Ring

The NitrOlympX is one of those races every Top Fuel driver wants to win at least once in his (or her) career. The special atmosphere of the HockenheimRing, Motodrome and the Rico Anthes Quartermile, the action packed Nightshow, it all makes the German round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship to a very special event.

But maybe even more important for the championship contenders, the NitrOlympX is the start of the second half and with three races in one month, the busiest part of the season. Gaining points at Hockenheim is important to stay in the championship race, to catch up with the leaders or increase the lead.

Mäkelä

After his Alastaro win Stig Neergaard is in the winning mood and looking forward to the German FIA European Championship race. But the Dane is only 13 points ahead of Alastaro runner-up Anita Mäkelä. The Finnish team is happy with the performance of their new car and as Mäkelä is very popular in Germany and she never wants to disappoint her fans, the number two in the championship will do everything she can to get her first win of the season at Hockenheim.

Nataas and the Andersen Racing crew

Number three in the championship at the moment is Thomas Nataas. The Norwegian is the reigning European and Hockenheim champion. The Andersen Racing driver is only 24 points short of the lead and after the semi-final exit in Finland will do everything he can (and the team already proved that’s a lot!) to win and take over the number one position. In qualifying for Round 1 at Santa Pod Nataas already showed what the new car is capable of.

Top Fuel Dragster - Preview Round #3 2014 Nitro-king of the Ring The NitrOlympX is one of those races every Top Fuel driver wants to win at least once in his (or her) career. The special atmosphere of the HockenheimRing, Motodrome and the Rico Anthes Quartermile, the action packed Nightshow, it all makes the German round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship to a very special event. But maybe even more important for the championship contenders, the NitrOlympX is the start of the second half and with three races in one month, the busiest part of the season. Gaining points at Hockenheim is important to stay in the championship race, to catch up with the leaders or increase the lead. Mäkelä After his Alastaro win Stig Neergaard is in the winning mood and looking forward to the German FIA European Championship race. But the Dane is only 13 points ahead of Alastaro runner-up Anita Mäkelä. The Finnish team is happy with the performance of their new car and as Mäkelä is very popular in Germany and she never wants to disappoint her fans, the number two in the championship will do everything she can to get her first win of the season at Hockenheim. Nataas and the Andersen Racing crew Number three in the championship at the moment is Thomas Nataas. The Norwegian is the reigning European and Hockenheim champion. The Andersen Racing driver is only 24 points short of the lead and after the semi-final exit in Finland will do everything he can (and the team already proved that’s a lot!) to win and take over the number one position. In qualifying for Round 1 at Santa Pod Nataas already showed what the new car is capable of.	archive photo: Urs Erbacher with NitrOlympX race director Jerry Lackey As the number four in the championship Micke Kågered travels to Germany with high expectations. With his new car the Swede has a much better season than last year and….the Bahco Express driver was runner-up at last year’s NitrOlympX. At that moment it was a big surprise but it won’t be when Kågered is in the final again. Noah Hockenheim is of course the home race for Erbacher Racing drivers Urs Erbacher and Noah Stutz. Many Swiss and German fans will be in the grandstands and cheer for the multiple champion and the only 19-year old rookie. At Alastaro they both didn’t survive the quarter finals but had far less mechanical problems then at Round 1. Of course the two want to give their fans and sponsors something to cheer about. A warm welcome return for Chris Andrews at Hockenheim. After the accident at Santa Pod where he fell from the trailer and dislocated his shoulder, Andrews is back in the Rune Fjeld Motorsport Lucas Oil dragster. With three months delay stand-in Jari Halinen can start his sabbatical. The second RFM car will be in the capable hands of Duncan Micallef again, the Maltese driver who already showed good progress in his first full season. With eight entries no worries about qualifying, but still all will do their very best to be in the top of the qualifying list, to avoid the top three in the first round of eliminations. Check the results as the NitrOlympX proceeds via Eurodragster.com (link leads to the event coverage index page) also don´t miss the free live web-TV during Saturday and Sunday! Stig and Anita was in the winner circle in Finland. Can they repeat the achievement at Hockenheim?
Chris Andrews will be back behind the wheel of the Lucas Oil Dragster at Hockenheim. Chris hurt a shoulder in an accident and have not been able to compete during the first two rounds. Luckily Jari Halinen from Finland was able to fill in for Andrews while he recovered.
Text: Remco Scheelings Photos: Åsa Kinnemar, Lena Perés This article is part of the Speedgroup Club Europe Online Newsletter NitrOlympX Preview August 2014 Published by Speedgroup www.speedgroup.eu All material, text, images and logtypes are the property of Speedgroup AB Any use of the above requires permission from Speedgroup email: asa.kinnemar@speedgroup.eu © Speedgroup 2014