Jensen MotorSport kicked-off the season with race #1 of the 2008 ATLANTIC championship season on the streets of Long Beach, California. Finnish driver Henri Karjalainen piloted the JMS team’s #2 Swift Cosworth to a 14th place finish in his first start in the ATLANTIC championship.
Long Beach was the first experience for the talented European driver on a North American style street circuit. On Friday, Karjalainen twice found the limit of the circuit, by hitting the concrete walls in both Friday morning practice, and Friday afternoon qualifying. Friday qualifying was quite strong, with Karjalainen posting the 9th fastest lap before ending his session early due to contact, and eventually falling down the timesheets to a 13th place result.
With the Friday incidents, Karjalainen was more conservative in Saturday qualifying. His fast time was .9 seconds off pole, but only good for a 16th place starting position. Karjalainen afterwards admitted that he should have pushed harder, and earlier in the session.
During the Sunday race, Karjalainen set a strong pace including setting top 5 times in the first half of the race as he fought to pass the cars ahead. Karjalainen eventually finished in 14th position (out of the 23 race finishers).
Karjalainen would like to thank all of his sponsors, including his primary sponsor GNLD group.
Next up for Karjalainen is the race #2 of the 2008 championship, at the famous Laguna Seca road course in Monterey, California.
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