NitrOlympX - 14-16 August 2009 at the Hockenheimring

For the fourth time Hockenheim hosts the "SPEED, POWER & ACTION" of Europe's elite acceleration, with the biggest gathering of dragsters outside the U.S.. Last year over 50,000 fans witnessed the awesome spectacle of 200 teams contesting nearly 1,000 races in the unique atmosphere of "Rico Anthes Quartermile" at Hockenheim-ring. A round of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship, the fastest European car and bike classes guarantee a first class rider and international field.

But what is behind drag racing exactly? In a nutshell, it is the start-duel, the fight man against man, machine against machine from a standstill over a distance of a quarter of a mile. Who crosses the finish line first, wins. When the machines start the burn-out, tyres are spun up by the driver before the start to clean them of grit and warm the rubber surface for better traction, smoke clouds rise into the sky and there is a murmur through the audience. The highly polished cars and motorcycles shine in the August sun. The asphalt vibrates. Superchargers whine and Turbos whistle and flutter. Lights go green and with full throttle the noise can actually be felt by the spectators as well as heard! Often, the reaction time of the drivers to the lights turning green is the difference between victory & defeat. The fastest cars use parachutes to brake.
Of course there is also the fascination of the technology in drag racing. With engines making upwards of 6,000 horsepower, the nearly 10-meter-long dragster vehicles use massive tires to harness the ponies, and create the unmistakable smell of hot rubber and nitromethane.

"Drag racing is motor racing you can get close to, spectators at the NitrolympX have access to the paddock and the pits to get up close to the cars as their mechanics test the engines," says Georg Seiler, managing director of the Hockenheim-Ring GmbH, "where they can be in direct contact with the dragster - teams work as spectators look over their shoulders." The now legendary fireworks show this year is also part of the Saturday program. There's also a burnout competition - let the street racers in you come out to play, because you can take part in this competition to make the biggest cloud of smoke. Just bring some spare tyres! The Jet Dragsters will also be demonstrating their power, with the after-burner spitting flames 10 metres long. Watch as they bring the car into stage, with brakes straining against the force of the jet as it blasts forward to the start line. Once night falls over the Drag Strip, the Top Fuel Dragsters will be started up. The atmosphere is electric, as the spectators know when these babies are coming out to play, its something you can't miss! The sound of the 6000 hp engines penetrates all the nerves, every fiber of your body seems to vibrate - the asphalt quakes. It is as if pure adrenaline is surging through your body - just imagine what the drivers are feeling! A unique and almost indescribable picture, these giants of Horse Power, illuminated only by the meter-high flames from their exhaust pipes, cut through the night at 300mph. Everyone should experience this at least once in their life!

Another highlight for this year - "Alarm for Cobra 11" meets NitrolympX!

The action heroes of the famous (German TV channel) RTL series "Alarm für Cobra 11" are looking for new challenges. NITROLYMPX 2009 gives you the chance to race against the popular series stars Erdogan Atalay, Tom Beck and of course the legendary Quartermile at the Hockenheim ring. Brave Gladiators, if you accept this Challenge, on August 15 you will face the Cobra 11-stars at the starting lights. You can now apply at www.rtl.de. This race is in a SEAT Ibiza Cupra, a small but highly explosive 180 HP-racer. But that's not all, because the winners and challengers must also bring three friends to the NitrOlympX at the Hockenheimring to see the race either live or as a passenger with the best view from the exclusive VIP lounge in the south of the Hockenheimring. The conditions for this are simple: Minimum age 18 years, a valid driver's license and not to forget, a creative and, above all, convincing application.
More information about the NitrOlympX 2009 sets out under www.nitrolympx.de. Tickets for this high-speed weekend is available at the ticket hotline of the Hockenheim Ring, Phone: 06205 - 950 222, or online at www.hockenheimring.de.