21.06.06 Gearbox problem's blemish 24h race 34. International Nürburgring 24 hours race was driven at last weekend with hot conditions. 225 cars entried to this massive and respected event included Niko Nurminen with KRS Motorsport's Honda Civic Type R. Niko take turns behind the wheel together with German André Krumbach and Andreas Teichmann and also Japanese Ikuma Takahashi. Squad's weekend started as was planned and from qualifying they achieve fifth place in SP CUP1 class which is for Honda Civic Type R's. In 24 hours race the starting grid doesn't mean much and according to Niko, qualifying sessions spent for finding a right speed for race. "The most important think in qualifying was to save car and find right setup to it. In long race like this, it is necessary to have car which is nice to drive and doesn't wear out tires and brakes" Niko said. In the race first stint was driven nicely by Krumbach and he took the car to the pit for driver change as a class leader. However, there was also some problems. Third gear was broken and thus Niko had to manage his stint without this gear. "Despite of missing gear our speed was absolutely good. I raised us back to lead again and just hope that other gears will last" Niko explain. During the race gearbox was getting more difficult to handle and some of the gears were almost lost. Finally team didn't have other choice than change the gearbox to avoid stoppage. Two hours repairing time drop them to last position in class for which they started all night long chase. Sunday morning squad was on fourth place but unfortunatelly new problems were ahead. During the Niko's stint the new gearbox stuck on sixth gear and Niko had to steer back to pitlane. "Fortunatelly I was close of pit entry so we get it quickly under repairing. We lost more than 30 minutes and dropped back to fifth place in class" Niko tells. Last hours of the race went without problems and squad keep up fifth place. Niko who was aiming for class victory wasn't so happy for just finishing the race. "We had all chances to win this race. Our speed was so right level, we didn't have any minor problem with tyres or brakes. Of course it is nice to finish this kind of race but honestly, right now it doesn't delight me at all" disappointed Niko said. After 24 hours race the squad is on the second place in Honda Civic Type R Cup's total points just 1,57 point behind the leader. << back to news