MARKUS NIEMELA NEWS - February 10, 2009

Testing, Testing

This winter I tested a GP2 car with Racing Engineering, in Indy Lights with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, and I also tested a DTM car with Mercedes Benz in Mugello and Estoril. It was great to have had the chance to see how top teams work, and I was quite impressed with how things work.

Business Is Business

I've been talking to a number of teams in different series. Since the season is getting closer every day and things are going well, I'm hoping to have a final deal done by next week. My business team comprised of Riku Rasanen, Jonny Restrick and others have been working hard on several serious opportunities. Regardless of the series, however, we feel that any deal will be based on doing business with a quality organization, with the right engineering people and the best equipment. We have also been evaluating additional business related opportunities associated with my racing effort, and there are a number of interesting possibilities in the pipe. As a result, we've organized a new racing company to insure that our operation will be easy for potential sponsors and our fans to be actively involved.

On The Treadmill

I've been training a lot in the off-season to keep fit. Unfortunately, I got the flu after New Year but I've been hitting the gym regularly since I recovered. I have always applied a dissimilar approach to my training programs and my work has changed even further this year to include new routines that enhance eye/hand coordination, just to make sure that I develop skills that directly support the physical/mental stresses of full-out racing. For me, my program is not just a basic strength and stamina regime, however, as I also like to have fun so I do sports, in addition to working in the gym and straight-ahead running. Regardless, since the season has gotten closer, my all-around workouts have gotten more intense which is also very cool.

Next Time

Hopefully, I'll have more news at the end of the week, so stay up on this channel. Meanwhile, you can check out my web site: www.markusniemela.com. Take care and I'll talk to you guys again shortly.