2008 Karjala Grand Prix

The 2008 Karjala Grand Prix was the seventh race of the 2008 TM Master Cup season.

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Qualifying race
Four laps into the race, Jeff Cesnik and Eric Jackson spun off of turn 6 separately. Chris Allen and Jared Pierce were both taken out in turn 3 skirmishes, whereas Edvin Lisko in the No. 3 car appeared to be having engine trouble and dropped into the pits. Whatever Lisko's problem was, Franz Redlich appeared to have the same issue and pulled into the pits a lap later.

Tyrone Stanley spun off and Markus Teravainen did likewise a lap later, but both kept their cars going and no yellow flew.

Poor pit strategy cost everyone, because most cars on the track had accumulated some kind of damage from contact on the track or were having problems with the circuit. There were a few other cars (Dale Roswell, James Dalton, Garth McCallister Jr.) that spun off and needed to be towed to the pits.

Tom Delgado in the #67 car was going noticeably slower during the final laps of the race, and its not known whether he was pacing it down or whether he was experiencing trouble.

GRL driver Arto Kekkonen paced the entire race with Esmee Rousseau not far behind. Ricky Navarro turned some heads after qualifying dead last, but the end of the race saw the fastest 14 cars left on the track make the race, with Roswell using the champion's provisional to get himself into the race.

Summary
Alan Hodges started on the pole for this race.

The top 10
&Dagger; Ricky Navarro originally finished in sixth, but due to time penalty (see below) was dropped to 22nd place.

Points
Tony Durbin left Karjala with the points lead, 15 points ahead of Alexis Rainsford (pre-penalty, see below).

Postrace penalties

 * Esko Koskela – 25 points for consistent reckless driving and $5,000 fine
 * Alexis Rainsford – 25 points for avoidable significant contact with other drivers in the pit lane
 * Collin Evans – 25 points for consistent reckless driving and $5,000 fine
 * Ricky Navarro – 25 points for avoidable endangering pit crews of other teams and avoidable significant contact with other drivers in the pit lane. Also penalized 25 seconds and fined $8,000