NitrOlympX 2025 // Record number of spectators, thrilling racing and a breathtaking night show
- New record number of spectators with over 47,000 motorsport fans at Europe’s largest drag racing event
- Dramatic races and technical challenges characterise the exciting finals
- Spectacular night show with breathtaking flight stunts, PS action, jets, drone show and illuminated sea of LED lights
The NitrOlympX once again made motorsport history at the Hockenheimring last weekend. In glorious summer weather, the drag racing spectacle attracted over 47,000 visitors to the Rico Anthes Quartermile, setting a new record that surpassed even the previous top year of 2024. From 29 to 31 August, the Hockenheimring was in an exceptional state, characterised by top speed, spectacular shows and unforgettable moments.
Sporting highlights
After two days of eventful qualifying sessions in 20 racing classes and around 260 participants, the final races on Sunday impressively demonstrated just how exciting drag racing can be. Despite necessary interruptions due to extensive cleaning and repair work, the hosts successfully completed the full programme together with the teams. Jndia Erbacher from Switzerland in particular made a sporting statement: Despite a serious engine fire, she triumphed over Britain’s Liam Jones in the final of the FIA Top Fuel class, impressively demonstrating her strong nerves. Sweden’s Susanne Callin, whose dragster was out of action due to damage to the rear axle, was unable to compete.
In the FIA Top Methanol category, the German Silvio Strauch took victory after his team installed a replacement engine until the early hours of the morning and thus prepared the vehicle in good time for race day.
The races in the FIA Pro Modified class were particularly dramatic. After Dutchman Michel Tooren had to park his car with a broken catalytic converter, the track crew was forced to replace an entire layer of the track surface, as automatic transmission oil is particularly difficult to remove. In the final, the rarely applied ‘first or worst’ rule finally came into play: although Marck Harteveld crossed the start line early, an even more serious offence by his rival Jere Rantaniemi, who touched the track barrier, gave Harteveld the victory in the end.
Fabulous times were also achieved on two wheels: Maltese rider Luke Farrugia shone with 6.701 seconds in the FIM Super Street Bike class, while Finn Mikko Rajaniemi clocked 6.209 seconds in the FIM Top Fuel Bike category. In the final, he was beaten by Stuart Crane from Great Britain in the premier class of drag bikes with a time of 6.265 seconds. The fastest time overall on two wheels was achieved by Marcus Christiansen from Denmark, who clocked an incredible 6.191 seconds in the semi-final of the FIM Supertwin class.
A weekend of special moments
In addition to the sporting highlights, there were also some special moments to marvel at: German Norbert Kuno lifted off the track with all four wheels of his Dodge Avenger, creating spectacular images for the fans’ memories. Brothers Dennis and Timo Habermann celebrated their acclaimed comeback six years after their last races at show runs in their Top Methanol dragsters, and Hockenheim’s Lord Mayor Marcus Zeitler took the opportunity to fly over the Rico Anthes Quartermile in around nine seconds in a Super Comp two-seater with drag racing legend Gerd Habermann – a ride that drew thunderous applause from the grandstands.
Night show thrills the audience
The NitrOlympX 2025 night show was a spectacular highlight that combined motorsport with breathtaking entertainment to create an unforgettable experience. As soon as dusk fell, the Motodrom was transformed into an impressive stage filled with bright colours, blazing flames and thundering engines. Italian Red Bull Air Race driver Dario Costa opened the show with a spectacular flying performance over the quarter mile, immediately captivating the spectators. A crazy firework display of bikes then unfolded, including a steam bike, jet dragsters, top fillers, sling shots and door slammers. Thousands of LED wristbands on the fans’ wrists transformed the Motodrom into a shining sea of lights. The crowning glory was an impressive drone show, which not only thrilled with state-of-the-art technology, but also told the story of drag racing: from its beginnings as a wild street race in the USA to its development into an international motorsport and today’s cult festival at the Hockenheimring.
“This year’s NitrOlympX once again showed just how exciting and demanding drag racing can be. From the thrilling finals to the technical challenges on the track – the racing teams and our entire organising team put in impressive performances that thrilled the audience and make us proud as hosts,” says Jochen Nerpel, Managing Director of Hockenheim-Ring GmbH.
His Managing Director colleague Jorn Teske adds: “With over 47,000 visitors, bright sunshine and a spectacular night show, the NitrOlympX have once again proven that they are much more than just motorsport. They are a unique event experience that inspires fans from all over Europe and brings the fascination of drag racing to life.”
The next NitrOlympX will take place from 21 to 23 August 2026. Advance ticket sales have already started. Further information and all results at: www.nitrolympx.de
