January 08, 2015

 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder for Finnish outfit.
Karjala Racing is set to return to Formula Challenge for the 2015 season after a years absence. with the line up of team manager Ari Nieminen, who drove for the team in the 2013 season, and Lewis McGlade who returns to Formula Challenge for his 3rd consecutive season.

Ari Nieminen had success in the 2013 season, taking a win and five other podium finishes across the 13 rounds he participated, landing him a fifth place finish overall in the championship. "I drove in FC in 2012 and 2013 and I was competitive back then, fighting in top 10 and sometimes for podium positions. I believe I can reach at least that level, if not higher", his words on where his confidence levels are, showing that Ari isn't afraid of the stiff competition ahead of the 2015 season.

Asking of Ari's team aspirations for the 2015 season he says, "I dare say that with Lewis, we are a competitive pairing and will be fighting for high positions in all races. I don't see a reason not to set our goals high, so my aim will be the drivers' title and team's aim the constructor's title."

The second driver, Lewis McGlade, who enters his third season of Formula Challenge struggled in the early phases of the 2014 season, however picked up pace mid way through and grabbed his first podium in the closing stages of the championship netting him with the award for the most improved driver of the 2014 Formula Challenge season.

In an interview with the English-driver, he said "I'm looking forward to the upcoming season, I feel I have been learning a lot in the off season in other series and doing well over there so I feel I can bring some of that back to FC and maybe grab some decent results".

He also stated some of his goals for the season, saying that he wanted to 'get a top 10 in the championship.' "I feel that is a fairly reasonable goal for me to set this season based on last seasons pace. I don't think it will be easy and obviously in my head I'm hoping for higher things like my first win and a top five in the championship, but if I have pace for that in Melbourne, then I'll gain my confidence for it for the rest of the season that follows."

"Working with Ari is something I'm very excited for, he has shown in previous experience that he is a very talented driver. I'm expecting him to have quite a bit more pace than me but I think with us two putting our heads together and getting the car sorted to our liking, we can pull off some very nice results for the team."

The first round for the 2015 season is set for February 24th 2015, it will be interesting to see where the returning outfit can push themselves in the field that will undoubtedly be very competitive.