Nitrous-fueled sprint boxer
The BMW R12 nineT from VTR Customs is a modern boxer that has been turned into a wild, short-distance missile, built for a drag-style race series where imagination matters more than regulations. Beneath its hand-shaped metalwork and race-bred stance, it hides a serious nitrous system that pushes the engine far beyond its factory output, turning a stylish heritage machine into a focused sprint weapon.
From showroom roadster to race prototype
VTR started with BMW’s latest R12 nineT platform, known for its air-cooled twin and modular frame that lends itself well to customization. The stock fuel tank was traded for a slimmer BMW R12 unit and reworked with a fast-fill endurance-style cap, narrowing the silhouette and reinforcing the racing character. Around this centerline, the team fabricated an aluminum fairing, belly pan, and tail section, each piece shaped specifically for this build rather than derived from any production kit.
Tail-up attitude and aero details
The rear subframe is custom-made to support the compact tail unit and solo seat, raising the bike’s tail for a more aggressive stance and cleaner flow to the back wheel. A slim leather saddle sits perched on top, with a small classic taillight integrated neatly into the rear cowl, underscoring the blend of vintage endurance style and contemporary detailing. Details such as the many small fasteners around the windscreen recall aircraft construction, a subtle nod to the builder’s experience working on vintage planes.
Chassis tuned for the eighth-mile
Underneath the bodywork, the chassis and running gear have been upgraded to match the engine’s new potential. A Wilbers rear shock helps lift and control the rear, while lightweight Rotobox carbon wheels reduce unsprung mass and sharpen the bike’s reactions off the line and through short corners. Up front, clip-on handlebars, quality braking components, and a free-breathing titanium exhaust from Unit Garage strip away excess weight and further emphasize the bike’s racing intentions, both visually and acoustically.
NOS boost and clever throttle trigger
The most dramatic change lies in the engine’s breathing and fueling, where a Wizards of NOS system feeds additional power into the already strong 1,170 cc boxer. With the nitrous active, power climbs from roughly 109 hp to around 160 hp, with the hardware capable of even more if fully unleashed. Because the supplied kit lacked its usual throttle position sensor, the VTR crew devised a clever workaround, using a micro-switch and a 3D-printed lever on the throttle grip to arm the nitrous only at full twist, giving the rider a very tangible “afterburner” trigger on the right hand.
Race livery for the Rocket Race Club
The paint scheme and finish bring all of these elements together, combining dark mechanical components with sharp graphics and a carefully curated mix of polished and blacked-out parts. The result is a purposeful machine built for the Rocket Race Club’s twin-cylinder class, more sprint special than everyday roadster, but still unmistakably a BMW heritage boxer at its core.
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