11.05.05 Niko finishes gruelling 24hr race Niko continued his 2005 season with his first taste of the Nurburgring 24hr race, though this is not his first visit to the Nordschleife track. Completing in a A3 Class Ford Puma with 217 other cars and 3 teams mates, Niko would have his work cut out in one of the classic great races on the modern endurance calendar. Friday's qualification session was run in ever changing conditions around the huge Nordschleife circuit and Niko's problems did not stop there, as he had to cope with ever a few gremlins within the car, despite the problems Niko brought the car through qualifying setting the fast lap for the team and placing it 36th in the A3 grid. "We didn't get enough laps in due to an error which lead to a crash by one of my team mates. The team did a great job in changing the rear axle and the other bits of damage. Though the starting position is not critical finishing after 24hrs is" Niko got into the car for his first stint just as dusk set over the Nordschleife circuit, and immediately had to cope with brake and steering problems on his run before he handed over to his team mates to run throughout the night. "Driving at dawn was probably the greatest point for me from this weekend" commented Niko as he clambered out of the car from his second stint. "I could see the sun rise and also set the fastest time for the team I couldn't ask for more". Niko's third and final stint was the last of the 24hr race. Niko had little more to do than to coxed a bruised ford puma over the line in 126th place overall and 28th in class. "I expected a better level of preparation from the team and a more professional outlook from my team mate who attitude to this race was far from the level I expected" Niko scorned after he finished. "All that aside it was great to finish the race and I gained more experience which will serve me well in future". << back to news