Hot conditions at KymiRing see close racing and spins - Luka Nurmi takes the series lead.
Race 7 of the season on the hot KymiRing was a heated one and packed with action. Luka Nurmi (RelaaRacing) lost his pole position on the first lap to Jim Rautiainen (WR Racing) and (Tommi Haru (THR Racing). However, Haru spun on lap 3, leaving Rautiainen to build a gap to Nurmi. Then, disaster struck to Rautiainen while defending his position to Nurmi: his overheated rear tyres lost grip in the last corner of the last lap! Victory for Nurmi, a well-earned P2 for Pekka Myllykangas (SPP-Racing), and a season-first P3 for Jari Ollila (SPP-Racing), followed by Raimo Niemi and Simo P. Kangas.
“My rear tyres were totally out, what a shame and on the last lap! Oh well, at least we provided some action” Rautiainen
Race 8 saw Rautiainen and Haru make a comeback to the series title fight as they finished P1 and P2 after their disappointments in race 7. Both clinched their spots in the opening lap, leaving Nurmi to perform one daring overtake attempt after another. Despite some creative driving lines, he finished P3 and gathered the quickest lap of the race. Pekka Myllykangas drove a solid race bringing home a 4th position. P5-7: Raimo Niemi, Simo P. Kangas, Jari Ollila.
Race 9 concluded and indeed crowned the Saturday at KymiRing. Luka Nurmi started from pole for the third time in row, but again Jim Rautiainen had the advantage in the start and overtook Nurmi. The pair jousted throughout the race until Nurmi pulled a daring overtaking move in the last corner before the checkered flag and won the race with a minimal 0,031s margin! Tommi Haru finished P3 without a threat from behind. P4-P7 were Ollila, Myllykangas, Niemi and P Kangas
“We can be very pleased with this weekend. I quickly found my way on this fantastic new track - and came back with some enjoyable fights after losing positions in the starts” - Nurmi, who extended his championship lead to 15 points.
The Porsche Sprint Challenge NEZ 2020 season finale takes place on 28.-29.8. in Alastaro, Finland.
Points Standing after 9/11 races:
1. Luka Nurmi 282
2. Jim Rautiainen 267
3. Tommi Haru 244
4. Raimo Niemi 184
5. Pekka Myllykangas 153
6. Simo P. Kangas 109
7. Raivo Tamm 93
8. Jari Ollila 73
9. Oliver Tiirmaa 58
