Hockenheim-ring, GERMANY 19th August 2018: it’s another sunny Sunday at the ‘Rico Anthes Quartermile’ Track, thus it’s time to race and beat the competition during the NitrOlympX (NOX) weekend. Remarkable this year during elimination is the number of racers who struggled to keep their race car/bike straight and crossed the line picking a timing box in their way to the finish line. Also remarkable was the number of races which was decided at the tree.

In the Top Fuel Dragster class, Liam Jones is the absolute winner. The British driver made a stunning 3.882-second run at 501 km/h in the half finals against Urs Erbacher (4.662 sec). This is also a new personal best for Jones and new track record (Liam’s 3.88 run was only 0.004 seconds away from the EU record of 3.878 seconds set by Anita Mäkelä). Jones backed the 3 second run up with a 3.914 second against Anita Mäkelä (4.413 sec) in the half finals. Last year champion, Duncan Micallef, unfortunately, was eliminated already in the first round by rookie driver Kenni Neergaard (son of Stig Neergaard). The final race between Liam Jones and Antti Horto ended up in a side by side race, Liam had a stunning reaction time of 0.057 (vs 0.150 sec for Antti Horto). But and the end it is Liam Jones who takes the win, with another 3-second run (3.994 sec)!

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Habermann victory in Top Methanol! The Habermann brothers were once again unbeatable. Timo Habermann performed a stunning 5.321 second run in the quarterfinals (single run) and met Sandro Bellio in the half finals.  These two had met each other in the final race during 2017 NOX, which runs was won by Timo. This year, unfortunately, Bellio struggle with traction and crossed the line, picking a timing reflector on his way to the finish line. Timo with a nearly straight pass booked a 5.407-second run. Soon it was obvious that it is going to be a Habermann final.  The final race was decided at the tree as Dennis redlight, Timo jumped the tree with a 0.016 sec reaction time and wins this round with 5.401-second run. With this win, Timo is securing his 2018 title, with still no defeat!

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M17A8135Micheal Gullqvist takes the win in Pro Modified.  The number one on this championship and yesterday’s top qualifier, Jimmy Ålund was eliminated by Jan Ericsson Half final. A run which also was decided at the tree as Jan jumped the tree with a reaction time of 0.006 seconds vs Jimmy slower 0.164 sec. Although Ålund was quicker, it was won by Ericsson at the tree! Jan Ericsson meets Micheal Gullgvist in the final race. Jan struggled to keep the car straight, while Micheal jumped the tree with a far better reaction time ( 0.025) and straight run. Gullqvist wins the run with a 5.976 second run at 392 km/h!

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In the Pro Stock class, it is Robin Norén who claims the win during the 2018 NOX. With only four competitors in this class, the winner was already decided in two elimination run. Robin raced Micheal Malmgren in the half final in a very close run, but which also was won at the tree. Robin reacted 0.006 (reaction time of 0.082 sec) quicker than Micheal (reaction time of 0.088 sec) on the tree and win the race with a 6.700-second run (Micheal’s time 6.699 sec). The final race went between Robin and yesterday top qualifier Bengt Ljungdahl, also won at the tree as Bengt was too early on the tree (red light) and give the race away to Robin.

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Super Gas is won by René Kloss in his Chevrolet Camaro. René met the second qualifier Eddy van den Bos in the half final, but was quicker than eddy and had a better reaction time. The final race went between René and Stefan Reffeltrath, a race which was also decided at the tree as Stefan jumped the tree too early (red light).

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Graham Balchin takes the win in the Super Street Bike (SSB). Balchin takes out top qualifier Mogens Lund in the quarterfinals in a side by side race, but which also was decided at the tree. Balchin crossed the finish line in 7.289 seconds against a 7.283 second run for Lund, but as Lund was too quick on the tree (red light) he gives the race away to Balchin. The final race went between Graham Balchin and Richard Stubbins. The race ended up in a single run for Graham as Richard didn’t show up at the starting line.

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Alex Hope is the absolute winner in the Pro Stock Bike class. Alex beat the competition by running a 7.4 second during the entire eliminations! Alex met top qualifier, Martin Newbury in the half finals. but also this race was decided at the tree as Newbury was too quick on the tree (red light) and gives the race away to Alex Hope. The final race went between Alex and Karl-Heinz Weikum. Alex had a stunning reaction time of 0.005 against Weikum (0.078 seconds). Although Weikum was quicker (7.429 sec), Alex hope won with 7.452 sec, as he had a better reaction time!

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Another successful weekend held at the Hockenheim-ring in Germany. We from The Chronicles of boost want to congratulate all ‘NitrOlympX’  winners. To the rest of the racers; keep a positive mindset, every journey is a learning, come back next time and beat the competition! Next FIA round will be next week at Tierp Arena Sweden (The Summit Racing Equipment Internationals)

 

Text: Benjamin Wefer

Picture: Benjamin Wefer