Aki Pihlaja missed the Pro Lite final on Friday but came back with a new start setup on Saturday to claim second in the final.
Teamwork Propels Aki Pihlaja Back Onto Pro Lite Podium
Winnipeg, MB (February 27, 2018) – Quick action by the Jimmy John’s team turned a bad start to the weekend in Mount Pleasant, Michigan into a second place finish in the Pro Lite final on Saturday night for Aki Pihlaja.
Warm weather and heavy rain made for unique and challenging snow conditions in central Michigan. And, while the scenario was similar to round nine just one week earlier, the same setup did not translate to good starts for Pihlaja on Friday and he failed to make the main event for the first time this season. “We used the same setup as New York,” said Pihlaja. I could make a good start but then I would run out of speed before the first corner.”
Crew chief Jayme Cheney and the team made wholesales changes to the suspension and clutching overnight and were able to come back with a front-running package for Aki on Saturday. “I have to thank the whole team, they worked really hard and it was a lot better for the long start. And now we have a good setup for the start at Lake Geneva at the end of the season.”
Pihlaja had a win in his second heat race on Saturday and was the number two overall qualifier. In the main event he raced into the first turn in the second position and held the spot the entire 12 laps. As a result, Pihlaja retains third place in the championship with two weekends and four total races to go.
Up next are rounds 13 and 14 in Dubuque, Iowa on March 9-10.
