August 25th - August 27th 2006: visiting Nitrolympics, the spectacular annual drag race event at the Hockenheimring (D). Last year I visited it for the first time by GSX-R, this year I forced the CBX to take me there.
 
  My sister Cécile (codename 'Kiki') travelled the service car.

Together we became 'Team CBX INOX'. Pretentious, I know, but fun. And very practical: the first time away without rucksack or luggage roll.

August 2006 turned out to be the wettest one in more than a century. It surprised me that most of the trip (the first 370 kilometers that is) there was no rain at all.
My most familiar weather type escorted me into Hockenheim though.
  A new distance record: 426 steelseated kilometers in one day.
 

The trip took its toll: the once little cracks in the exhaust really opened up, on both sides, on both exhausts. It's the second time this problem turns up; it was fixed, but it's back again. The cause of this problem is obvious: the continous vibration inside the silences stresses the welded edges.
It didn't take long before the bike was surrounded. And it didn't take long before the familiar but quite irritating touching and pinching started.
So I blocked the direct entrance to the bike with a red and white ribbon.
Now and then I did some demonstrations.
Occasionally one was allowed to step on.
 

Like last year we were invited by Max Croot. He provided crew passes with full entrance to the event. The writing says 'Snowmobile'.

... 'Snowmobile'?

Yes, a snowmobile. For drag racing.
Some specs:
- heavily modified Polaris XCR aluminium chassis;
- HTG 3 cylinder 1000cc 2 stroke engine
- 114 octane race fuel;
- MSD ignition;
- Wizards of NOS nitrous oxide system with progressive controller;
- CVT belt system clutch with progressive helixes, centrifugal weights and adjustable springs;
- 15" (!) Camoplast soft tarmac belt;
- 450bhp @ 9800rpm (285bhp without NOS).

More information about Max and his fast boy toy: www.mad-max-racing.com
  Friday evening we didn't have the chance to do any testing nor see any races due to the continous rain.
  It didn't spoil our mood: we had an extensive BBQ, supported by beer.
Next morning the weather improved. I got myself a team shirt and helped chief engineer Steve adjust and improve the centrifugal clutch and the steering system. Meanwhile Max concentrated on the ignition.
The engine sounds like a Kreidler from hell.
Max used the pit lane for quick testing. Irresponsible? Not really: loud pipes saved lives.
As all systems looked safe and sound we took the snowmobile to the F1 track to have some testruns. Next to Steve you see Cécile, dressed in the flashy team shirt.
  The machine performed well, including the NOS system.
Clouds announced some bad weather but fortunately it didn't start to rain.
 

We met the famous Dutch top fuel dragracer Roel Koedam. After a very successful career of more then twenty years this season will be his last.
 

After testing we took the snowmobile back to the pit.

  Klaus Brinkmann (left) and Klaus Sarembe (middle) visited us. Me and Klaus (middle Klaus that is) are working for four years on my new V8 project now. No top fuel ... but top secret!
   
 
We met a group of four Dutch friends; three of them are on the picture. Eddie (left) was praised as the perfect stainless steel welder. He took a look at my torn-up exhaust and convinced me he could repair it once and for all. Well: talk the talk, walk the walk then. We came to a quite dramatic decision: next morning I would disassemble the exhaust, give it to Eddie to take it home and put the CBX in Klaus' van.
   

Unlike last year there was little time to walk around and see races as most time was spent on the snowmobile. Saturday afternoon there was time to wander about. A pity pictures don't tell sh*t of what was going on here: the power, the noise and the methanol-related tears.

   
 

Amidst all this brute hightech there was this 1970's hightech apparatus: a beautiful original red CBX with no more than 10,020 kilometers, just like the one I rode for five years. It was for sale; didn't dare asking what the prize was.
   
So, let's sum up what we had here at Hockenheim: an original CBX, a stainless steel one ... and the one on the left is a CBX as well! A top fueller from the Danish Top Fuel Bike Team.
   

Some specs:
- CBX engine, 1400cc;
- 2 compressors;
- 1 gear;
- maximum speed ca. 380km/h;
- 1/4 mile in ... 6.8 seconds!
   
  Saturday evening the main show of the weekend took place, a spectacular event. Unfortunately it rained in the afternoon. A huge truck with turbine heated up the track like a hair dryer.
   
Like last year a burn-out competition filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke.
   
Braveheart Cécile talked her way past the security to the center of the show.
   
Even with earplugs the sound was almost unbearable. The camera didn't like it, as you can see.
     
  Max raced against a supercharged Beetle. The run didn't quite go as planned: there was a problem with the fuel pump. He wasn't disappointed though: a snowmobile is an experimental drag racer and one can expect problems.
 

The show ended with the famous rocket bikes. They entertain the audience with sound, smoke and (aim at the picture) ... fire!

 
   
Later that evening it started raining cats and dogs.
   
 

Steve and I visited some teams that night. This is the Finnish team from Salakazi Racing, the world's fastest KTM. On the right you see owner/driver/madman Jaska Salakari still working (it's 03.30 in the morning) on his supercharged 1995cc nitro Duke.

... is that a Plan Bee stuntbike I see on the far back?
   

It sure is: Janne "B#1" Uskali, Plan Bee stuntman who I meet every year at Fighterama, was at Hockenheim to party as well.
   
This bike is a pure work of art. A 1000+hp work of art ;-)
   
On the left you see the flying Dutchman Herman Jolink; he's in to drag racing for more than thirty years and is still going strong.
   
  Next morning I disassembled the exhaust.
   
 
Eddie took it to his car. His pose shows the exhausts' weight.
   
Max had another run on the strip. He blew up the engine by overheating one piston and burning a hole in it. The cylinder head is damaged so bad it has to be replaced.
 

If you're somewhat familiar with spark plugs you know something's missing.
But: who cares? He broke the European record by half a second when finishing at 8.80 seconds!

   
So I had another walk around and gazed at this magnificent bigblock exhaust ...
 

... and this impressive Hemi.

   
Rain didn't spoil the fun this time; the stand was filled with drag race fans.
   
Cécile and I went home by 'service car'. Although I originally planned to ride the CBX home, I was comforted not to endure the heavy rain, wind, hailstorms and traffic-jams during the trip.
   

So Cécile ... what about next year? (aim at the picture)