Tomas Engström wins first race at Östersund

Tomas Engström claimed victory ahead of championship leader Johan Kristoffersson in the first STCC race at Östersund. The Honda driver headed the field from lights to flag, setting the fastest lap of the race on his way to his second victory of 2012.

Rickard Rydell finished third and had to see the point margin grow to title rival Kristoffersson. The Chevrolet driver made a poor start and lost several positions on the first lap, but was able to regain positions as other drivers retired.

The safety car was brought out once as Robin Appelqvist rolled his SEAT León. Appelqvist hit a tyre barrier which threw his SEAT in to a roll on lap four. The SEAT driver escaped the accident unhurt.

Just as the safety car was brought back in, another three drivers retired. Both IPS Team Biogas drivers Patrik Olsson and Johan Stureson collided, as well as Olsson’s brother Niclas Olsson in the privateer SEAT León.

A total of nine cars finished the race, with Jordi Gené in fourth, Michel Nykjaer in fifth, brothers Joakim and Andreas Ahlberg in sixth and seventh, with André Andersson and Tony Johansson finishing eight and ninth.

Race winner Engström starts from pole position in the second race as well.