Whilst most of the world was watching the achievements of their national sporting heroes in China, European Dragracing fans had their own Olympics to enjoy, the 2008 NitrOlympX in Hockenheim, Germany.

The event is a truly unique experience staged at one of the premier motorsports centres in Europe with a dedicated standalone dragstrip built into the stadium complex and a shutdown area that runs for miles and miles out into the forests of Baden-Wurttemberg. No worries here then about racing over 1320 feet and with hi-spec facilities that one would expect (and Bernie Ecclestone would demand) from a Formula One track, it is an event  eagerly anticipated by many of the teams.

The 23rd running of the event in front of over 50,000 of the usual noisy and enthusiastic German motorsport enthusiasts saw a group of invited Nitromethane fuelled and 1000 horsepower supercharged Top Fuel Bikes took on a group of their slightly less powerful but similarly fuelled V Twin machines in a Cannonball style format. Basically every rider was given four runs with their three quickest average ET’s taking into account to determine a class winner in each group to run against each other in the `Nitro Bike Thunder’ final.

Following their disappointment of the rain curtailed Norway event the Portable Shade team were keen to test some new clutch and cam timing settings in an attempt to improve their 60 foot times. With input from clutch designer Tony Kershaw the team embarked on a remarkably consistent string of runs in qualifying and the final that saw four runs in the 6.3 second zone (with a best of 6.314) and only one that failed to meet this mark in the 6.4 second zone. In addition, King found new speed with the setup, propelling him to a PB and track record 228.39 mph in qualifying.

The Nitro Bike Thunder Challenge race is billed as the “best in Europe” and it was thus fitting that the final round saw reigning UEM champions Ian King and Lorenz Stauble represent their classes in the head-to-head decider. The Portable Shade Puma Yamaha prevailed, charging around Stauble in the trophy runoff, getting to the line first with a 6.366/220.59 despite a momentary lapse of concentration that gave Stauble a jump on King at the lights.

Portable Shade – The world’s premier awning and modular exhibition product company
JE Pistons - The world's premier manufacturer of high performance forged pistons
Kibblewhite Precision Machining, Inc. - The highest quality valves and components for motorsport.
Swecomposite - The leading supplier of carbon fiber parts to the racing, performance and custom markets.
Craft Safety Helmets - The ultimate in safety and unique in design.
Del West Engineering, Inc., -Pioneers in valve train design.
Torco Oils – The only oil recommended by engine manufacturers Puma Engineering.
Goedhals – Precision specialist gear cutting and engineering.
Mickey Thompson Tyres – The best drag race tyres in the world bar none.
Goodridge UK – The original and the best in fluid transfer systems.
Gates – The world’s most trusted name in drive belts, hoses and hydraulics.
Vanson Leathers - 30 years producing the best quality track tested motorcycle apparel.
Performance Machine – The leader in after market custom wheels, brakes and components.
Kent Cams - Specialists in motor sport camshaft manufacture, short runs and one -off’s.
Pro Alloy – UK’s leader in fabrication of alloy racing tanks, intercoolers and radiators.
PsycleWorkz – The UK’s best custom and race fabricators and innovators.
House of Kolor – Manufacturers of the world’s most stunning specialist paints.
Cannon Engineering - Gear cutting and precision engineering services.
Zodiac – Europe’s largest supplier of performance and aftermarket HD parts.
Pixeleye – Innovative graphic and website design
MRE – Leaders in trackside support for drag race components and air shifting systems
Customize – Premier sign makers and vinyl sign and design services
Turboville – Your one stop dragracing resource
NitroShutter – The combined efforts of ace photojournalists Ivan Sansom and Rose Hughes
Wackyshack – Creators of stunning paintwork and murals.