Niko Saarinen crowned Finnish 1:8 Onroad Champion

Mugen Seiki driver Niko Saarinen is the 2024 Finnish 1:8 Onroad National Champion, the title being decided at the fourth & final round which took place in Hyvinkää over the weekend.  Three drivers went into the final race still with a chance of the overall with drivers counting 3 from the four races with Pekka Koivula leading the standings from Niko Saarinen and the defending Champion Jere Saarinen. The race was run in tricky conditions with the track changing from wet to dry.   Practice was run on a drying track but luckily when qualifying came around the track had dried up allowing for 2 rounds in the dry before the rain returned.  Based off the dry runs it would be Niko Saarinen who took the TQ, from Panu VehniäinenI and Jere Saarinen.  The main final was driven in drying conditions meaning everybody had to be very careful to not push over the limit.  Niko took the early lead followed by VehniäinenI while there was a collision on the straight between Jere, Joona Lempiäinen and Koivula, which forced the Champion to change tyres due to a broken rim and while Lempiäinen required a bodyshell change.  After 20 minutes Niko was till leading followed by Vehniäinen until the second placed driver  ran into transmission problems and was forced to retire.  Allowing Niko to take the win ahead of Jere with Lempiäinen completing the podium,  overall Niko’s Max Power engined Mugen took the title ahead of the similar O.S powered car of Koivula.  Also driving a Mugen, fitted with a Max Power engine,the outgoing champion complete the Top 3 ahead of the Infinity of  Lempiäinen with Vehniäinen’s Mugen 5th.

Source: Teemu Saarinen