The Netherlands, 01 August 2025: Drag racing is more than just a straight line. It’s an adrenaline rush, a need for speed, and the eagerness to succeed, but it also means being focused and dedicated. It is a lifestyle for some, a relief valve for others. There are many categories for cars and bikes. One of the car’s categories is Pro E.T. Pro E.T. is a handicap-cap race based on the driver’s personally chosen dial-in, where competitors must run as close to the dial-in as possible without exceeding it. One of the Dutch competitors in this category is Niek Kruif. Let us take you through the story of Niek de Kruif, from his initial days in drag racing to his achievements and his passion for Pro E.T.

Text: Benjamin Wefer
Pictures: Benjamin Wefer, Niek Kruif

So, who is Niek Kruif, and what is his story? Niek comes from a family of 5, and is the middle child (he has two older brothers and two younger sisters). Niek is a freelancer in machinery maintenance for the highway construction industry, working up to 7 days a week (or nights depending on the job). His passion for American cars dates back to his childhood, when his father refused to drive the company car, which was a DAF-33. He began his search for a vehicle and ended up buying a Chevrolet Nova “Nova Line 6”. As he was disabled, the Nova needed to be adjusted so that he could drive it. Later on, his father replaced it with a Ford Mustang equipped with a V-8 engine, but he soon traded that back for a Chevrolet Nova, now with a proper V-8. Therefore, if Niek is not racing or working, he can be found in a garage restoring cars or driving his motorcycle.

So, how did Niek end up behind the wheel of a 1966 Pro ET Chevrolet Nova? Well, the Nova is obvious, isn’t it, but let us take you through the rest of Niek’s history in drag racing. Working on road construction, Niek has seen all parts of the country. One day, in the mid-1990s, Niek was instructed to install metal barriers at Drachten Airfield for a quarter-mile race. Niek liked what he saw, and a new passion was born. He kept placing barriers for the following 30 years and has been racing ever since. When he is not behind the wheel, he assists Harry Kampenaar as his crew chief. Niek began competing in street categories in a 1968 Ford Mustang during races organized by the Dutch Hot Rod Association (DHRA).

Initially, Niek had an eye for SuperGas and Pro E.T., but soon started leaning towards Pro E.T. Niek loves Pro E.T. due to the broad range of index (9.00 seconds or slower). Over time, he sold the Mustang and got himself a Pontiac Firebird, where he did all the restoration himself. Marc Langenberg (Total Performers) built the engine. He owned the Firebird for over 25 years, but it was time for something new. Since this year, he has been behind the wheel of a 1966 Chevrolet Nova. The car was built (builder unknown) in the nineties in Sweden. It features a tubular chassis with a 1966 Nova body and a 427 cubic inch engine, and has been racing ever since. The engine produces around 800 horsepower. Niek has been successful with both cars (third place last year in the DRU Pro E.T. challenge with the Firebird). This year, he is currently in fifth position. But with six races to go, he still can turn it around in his favor. Of course, we took the opportunity to ask him a series of direct questions.

As Niek sold his Firebird after twenty-five years, we couldn’t resist asking him why. Well, I didn’t want to customize the Firebird even more, Niek replied. It is still road legal and has a lot of original parts on it, would be a shame to lose all that. It’s an iconic car and should stay as original as possible.

What is so interesting about competing in Pro E.T., and would you consider changing this in the future? No, I always loved Pro E.T. and have always been competing in Pro E.T., but it would depend on the car. If she goes below 9 seconds flat, I will join the Super Pro E.T. (SPET) club.

What’s the expectation for the current Nova? Well, I expect to set a low 9 seconds by the end of the season, Niek replied. I ran a 9.29 seconds at 231 km/hrs at Rivanazzano Dragway in Italy, which is excellent and certainly looks promising, but the dream is a consistent nine-second flat car.

What would be the most remarkable moment you have ever experienced in your racing career? And what would be the worst/least funny moment? My most noteworthy moment was when we were heading back home and got three flat tires simultaneously near Brussels (2 on the trailer and one on the camper). The Belgian road service decided to load the trailer with the Firebird still on the rig (which is officially not allowed) as he didn’t want to leave the Firebird behind, nor did I, to be honest. The funniest one is when several English driver came to the party with us on the last Sunday of the season, partying so hard that they missed their ferry the following morning. I will never forget that. Least funny was at Jade when I damaged my brand-new engine on the first run.

How do you see your future in drag racing, and what will be your most significant achievement? I will continue racing as long as I can! It’s my first season with the Nova, so I will continue fine-tuning her to perfection and aim for consistency similar to the Firebird. My ultimate achievement is winning the Drag Race Union (DRU) championship in Pro. E.T.

So, what does Drag Racing mean to Niek de Kruif? It’s my moment of peace & quiet with my racing family, Niek replied. I have met so many great people in the last 30 years. If I could, I would redo it all over again!

Now you know a little more about Niek Kruif, his history, his success, and his passion for quarter-mile races.

Specification of the Nova
Chassis Build-by: Built in Sweden, builder unknown
Make: Chevrolet Nova
Year: 1966
Engine: 427 cubic inch Chevrolet
Transmission: Powerglide
Differential: 9 inch
Fuel Type: 118 octane fuel
Best E.T.: 9.29 seconds at 231 km/hrs.