17.05.2008 Niko Succeds in the season opener Niko Nurminen started his season last weekend in the opening round of Finnish racing championship. Together with Jorma Vanhanen Niko took part to GT3 Nordic class with Porsche 911 GT3. In the free practice session at Friday Niko improved his laptimes lap after lap while getting more experience of German sportscar legend. "Before this day I had only four laps under my belt with Porsche in this circuit and dry conditions. So it is natural that my speed is getting better and better every time when I hit the circuit. Our times seems pretty okay even with these old tyres, so I have good feelings for qualifying" Niko said. GT3 Nordic qualifying session was shared to two 10 minutes heats. Niko took the first one and tried to secure good starting position for Saturday's race. Estonian Indrek Sepp with powerful Dodge Viper controlled session until last minute, and then it was Niko's game. "At the beginning of my last lap team told me by radio that gap to first place is 0,4 seconds and I started to push harder and managed to gain pole position for today's race" Niko explained after qualifying. "That was superb driving from Niko, he overtook Indrek by his last lap" Vanhanen said. In Ahvenisto circuit rolling start means car in pole position is located in outside line. When red lights went off Indrek Sepp used massive torque of his Viper and accelerate to front of Niko before they brake to first corner. "Obviously in this circuit second grid would be much better than pole position. When starting side by side, and especially when you are on the outside line, it is impossible to defence your pole against more powerful car" says Niko. Depsite losing the first place, Niko can be more than happy for his driving. Laptimes he clocked during the race shows how quickly he reached top speed with Porsche. After drivers change Jorma Vanhanen handled situation nicely and bring the car to chequered flag in second place 20 seconds behind Indrek Sepp's Dodge Viper. << back to news