FIA/FIM-Europe NitrOlymp’X, at Hockenheimring, Germany

Sturm und Drang

Words and photos by Ivan Sansom & Rose Hughes

With significant apprehension, the FIA/FIM-Europe tour returned to the Rico Anthes Quartermile at the spectacular Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, south west Germany. Why the concern? Well if readers remember back to 2012 when events leading to and post the biannual staging of the German Formula 1 Grand Prix turned the drag strip to little better than gravel, and, after bouncing back with a good event in 2013 on a re-paved surface, pre-event press releases promised a better outcome this time around. Well it was better than 2012, in so much as it wasn’t possible to pick up parts of the track to take home as souvenirs, but it was some way off what would be expected despite the valiant efforts to rectify the situation overseen by the experienced track prep team from Santa Pod (“you can’t stick make-up on a pig” being a quote coming from one quarter). Although eliminations were completed in the majority of the classes, the FIA Pro Stock teams, understandably given the perils of a rapid spike in engine revs all saw immediately off the start line, wisely withdrew after one qualifying session. This disappointing outcome throws a question mark over what should (and so often is) the landmark event on the European tour from both sides and we await the fall out from this one; let's hope for a long term remedy on all sides.

FIA Top Fuel Dragster

If there is one racer who enjoys his trips to Hockenheim it has to be Micke Kågered as in recent years it has been one of the few tracks where the Bahco Tools Express rail has been consistent in going rounds come race day. Last year’s runner-up finish at this event was improved on with Kågered taking the top spot on the NitrOlymp’X podium from seventh spot in the eight car field thanks to victories over Anita Mäkelä, Duncan Micallef and, ultimately, Noah Stutz, with the Swede crossing the finishline trailing a fireball behind him to take his first FIA trophy since 2008 in, you guessed it, Hockenheim. Kågered was real beneficiary of an out of competition run in the Saturday night show in front of a packed house (running deep into the tens of thousands) as his final qualifying shot had seen the rear end cease up meaning a one and half hour tow back to the puts, but the extra run gave the team the baseline to run for the dough on Sunday.