Of course everybody recognised the orange and black car, as these were the legendary colours of Jarmo Kuutniemi. Johnny Oksa is the son of the late TMFC driver Jarmo Kuutniemi who died July 26 last year after a short period of illness.

“My father started drag racing in 1996 almost without any experience in other classes too. I was a crewmember from the beginning and responsible for the clutch. It was always a dream to race myself, but the way this dream came true is very hard to accept of course. We bought this car in 2010, and 2011 was our last season.

I have to say a big thank you to the Leanders Brothers as they were a big help to bring the car back on track this season. Cars are a part of my life since I was six years old and I did some motorcross, but I didn’t have any drag racing experience at all when I had to do my licence runs at Tierp Arena in May. That first run was scary, but after the second and third I loved it. It’s addicting. The start is difficult, but when you pick up speed and further down the track it’s not so difficult anymore.”



Stay tuned for the FHRA Nitro Nationals Review edition newsletter or follow Johnny and crew live via live web-TV or the Eurodragster.com coverage. FHRA:s website: www.fhra.fi

Johnny Oksa 

Johnny licenced with a 6.4 and improved to a great 6.0 sec in his first weekend. But his first race was the Sweden Internationals, a FIA European Championship race, not bad to start with. In qualifying Johnny took the next step, a 5.97 seconds, his first five in his first official qualifying. It takes many racers years to break that barrier. “I was a bit disappointed after that run. It could have been much faster as I lifted too early. I still didn’t make a full pass with the car. This car and engine are capable of running 5.7 seconds.

We have a new, better and faster engine in the trailer, but I have to gain more experience before we use that one. I already feel comfortable in the car and see everything of what’s happening around the car.” In his maiden season Johnny will do the Alastaro and Tierp races only, but for next year he would like to do the full FIA championship tour. “We don’t have so much time as I work for OK Repair, a truck and trailer repair company, owned by my mother. And of course money is important too.”

After going out in the quarter final at Tierp, Johnny has an important goal for Alastaro. “I’m looking forward to our home race and I want to make my first real full pass there.” And apart from that, other goals for this or next season? “We want to win, we were in a final before but my father never won, so there is some unfinished business. So, see you in the winner’s circle!”