25.10.04 Niko finishes his season in Germany Saturday saw Niko Nurminen take part in the latest round of the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft championship series at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit with Team Karolina Autosport's Honda Civic Type R. The only news was that Niko who thought he was sharing the car with two other drivers learnt that he and Karolina Czapka were the only two. All the VLN series rounds are driven at the massive 24k long Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany. This was to be Niko's maiden outing on the circuit and didn't have long to practice due to the circuit's immense size it takes around 9 minutes to complete one lap! With 73 corners to learn Niko new he was in for a hard time and the time was constantly being curtailed due to a high number of accidents on a circuit that in parts has no run off or safety barriers and in short Niko only completed 5 laps. "I have to say this is very special circuit. There is a huge difference in level of the ground in many places and so there are many blind corners. The circuit is so narrow and the steel barriers are so close you just can't afford to do any mistakes " A strangely excited Niko enthused after the session. Karolina who has had experience on this circuit took the car in the qualification session, and in very difficult conditions came through to take 12th position in the Honda Civic Cup class in competition with 14 other competitors. Karolina also started the race and brought the Civic in for a driver change on the one and half hour mark, in which she had managed to work into 7th place in class. Once Niko was out on the circuit he started to clock fastest time after fastest time and producing a best of 10mins 11.7secons which was a great time for a newcomer to the Nordschleife 73 turns. But after a very successful second pit stop the Honda Civic didn't seem to be the same and the engine blew on Karolina's out lap retiring the squad immediately from the race with only one hour to go, Niko still was extremely positive after a bought of bad luck. "People say this is the most challenging circuit in the world and I agree 100% what that fact. Speeds are extremely high here and even the Honda managed to top 240 kmph at some points in the circuit. Just to race here is a good experience and I am extremely happy with my lap times! With no prior racing experience here I did same laptimes than Karolina and this was already her fifth race at the Nordschleife. Hope I can race here again at next season. " Niko said. << back to news