The NitrOlympX have proven countless times in their long history since 1986 that they are rich in motorsport highlights. Sometimes such highlights can even be predicted:
As we gaze into our nitro-filled crystal ball, it says: “Watch out for the street tyred ones who race without crutches, because the glory on the scoreboard will belong to them.” This undoubtedly means the SSB, meaning Super Street Bikes.
This class has had a clean run since its beginnings in the early nineties with their motto “No slics, no wheeliebars – we do it the hard way”.
Some pilots still thought in 1995 during petrol talks in the paddock that it was physically impossible for an SSB to run under nine seconds, but around the turn of the millennium they were already surprised by 8-second times as a qualification requirement. A fundamental technical change – away from the rigid frame, towards suspension, no pure nitrous engines, but use and combination of/with turbochargers and of course the appearance of the Suzuki Hayabusa really put fire in the rear tyres of the whole story.
The “eight” disappeared, the “seven” was a stopover, 2019 showed a 6.953 sec. on the NitrOlympX scoreboard!
This year, Daniel Donat Lencsés (HUN) and Steve Venables (GBR) crossed the finish line in the fastest side by side run in European drag racing history with a 6.7215 sec. vs. 6.7801 sec. in England. In the final Lencsés even put another 6.5961 sec. with 364.79km/h on the sticky black track.
Lencsés’ entry is confirmed, Venables’ is probably on its way. When these two duel on the Rico-Anthes Quartermile, high excitement is guaranteed!
Admittedly, if a Super Street Bike stands next to a Top Fuel Bike in the pre-start, it looks like the nice little brother next to these Cylon tankers – but if you release it into its natural habitat, the Quartermile, it transforms into a piranha with a razor-sharp rear tyre in a split second.
