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More than 20,000 fans flocked to the Hockenheimring for the first drag racing event. © Hockenheim-Ring GmbH
The drag racing event has been an integral part of the Hockenheimring since 1986. What began as a small event is now one of the most important drag racing events in the world.
The roots of drag racing can be traced back to the 1940s in the United States, when young drivers felt the need to put their cars to the test on deserted roads. These unofficial competitions laid the foundation for one of the most exciting motorsports in the world. Today, over 3,500 drag races are held annually in North America alone.
NitrOlympX at the Hockenheimring is the largest drag racing event outside the USA
1986 marked a turning point for drag racing in Germany. For the first time, the official NitrOlympX event was held on the start and finish straight of the Hockenheimring (Baden-Württemberg). The organizers, including former European champion Rico Anthes, were surprised by the overwhelming response: more than 20,000 fans flocked to watch the spectacle. Since 1989, the races have been held on a tailor-made track, which was renamed the “Rico Anthes Quartermile” in 2008 in honor of Anthes.
Every year the NitrOlympX promises nerve-racking races with hot engines and lots of horsepower! © Hockenheim-Ring GmbH
Over time, the NitrOlympX has developed into one of the most important drag racing events in Europe and is the largest outside the United States. Highlights such as the Saturday Nightshow, introduced in 1991, attract thousands of visitors each year. Record-breaking runs, such as that of Kent Persson in 1997, who was the first European to complete the quarter mile in under five seconds, have firmly anchored the event in the international motorsport calendar.
NitrOlympX has contributed significantly to the development of drag racing
The event has attracted attention not only through breathtaking races, but also through technical innovations and the continuous involvement of international teams. For example, Rudolf Caracciola’s speed record was broken when Rico Anthes set a new German record with a speed of 447 km/h in 1994.
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Motorsport fans come to the Hockenheimring in their thousands every year. © ©Hockenheim-Ring GmbH/©Torsten
Moreover, NitrOlympX is more than just a race; it is an annual festival that attracts fans and drivers from all over the world. As an integral part of the official FIA European Dragster Championship calendar, it plays a key role in promoting the sport in Europe. The event serves as a platform for amateurs and professionals and has contributed significantly to the development of dragster racing.
The origins of drag racing date back to the 1940s in the USA. Today, the NitrOlympX is the largest race of its kind outside the United States. © HEIDELBERG24/Eliran Kendi
An annual highlight for all motorsport fans
With innovations such as the night show and constant improvements to the track, the NitrOlympX remains a highlight in the motorsport calendar. The event impressively demonstrates how a local initiative can grow into an internationally recognized event that makes the hearts of horsepower lovers beat faster.
The night shows on Saturday evening are a real eye-catcher. © Hockenheim-Ring GmbH
Over 230 international teams, 21 car and motorcycle classes and a boxing match: The NitrOlympX 2024 at the Hockenheimring promises a weekend full of hot engines and nerve-racking races from August 23 to 25. (sba)
