Volkswagen Team Biogas.se had a controversial weekend as the STCC raced at the new airport track Östersund. Championship leader Johan Kristoffersson keeps the lead, but had his lead reduced by one point from nine to eight over main rival Rickard Rydell.
Kristoffersson clashed with Rydell in the second race, a clash which resulted in a penalty lane run for Kristoffersson.
“I had full lock and stood on brakes in order to avoid contact,” said Johan Kristoffersson.
“Everyone thinks we have to offer more exciting racing, but if you get penalized when trying, the risk is great that the races will be dull,” said Team Manager Tommy Kristoffersson.
There was controversy for the Volkswagen team in the first race as well when IPS Team Biogas driver Johan Stureson eliminated team mate Patrik Olsson in a safety car restart.
“I had misunderstood it completely. I thought we were going to go straight on to the temporary straight that we used for the start of the race. I was unable to brake in time due to that and I hit Patrik and we both had to retire. It was a real blunder and it was my mistake,” said Stureson.
But there was not only controversy for the team as Spaniard Jordi Gené scored his first ever STCC podium finish in the second race with second position.
“As newcomer in the STCC, I knew it was going to be tough, but I had no idea it was going to be this difficult. But with help from my engineers and mechanics I have closed in on the top and the success here in Östersund was as much theirs as mine,” said Gené.
