Ohlsson keeps title hopes with victory at Tierp

Linus Ohlsson keeps his title hopes alive with the smallest possible margin after winning the penultimate TTA – Racing Elite League race of the year at Tierp Arena today.
“It was awesome crossing the line first to take my second victory. I had a controlled race and was able to get past Mangs when me made a mistake towards the end of the race,” said Ohlsson.

Jocke Mangs started from pole and held the lead for the majority of the race. The Citroën driver crossed the line as second but was disqualified for ignoring a drive through penalty. Mangs was awarded the penalty as the team did not perform the start procedure correctly and lowered his car from the air jacks too late.
“I think it would have been better to fine the team for a thing like this instead of destroying the races. But as I’m not in for the title race, I don’t care. Despite all of this, it has been one of my best race days. I was fastest in testing, fastest in qualifying and the race was amazing for 97 % of the time. A big thanks to the team,” said Mangs.

Championship leader Fredrik Ekblom inherited second place as Mangs was disqualified. Second means that Ekblom is one point from securing the title. Ohlsson needs to win, claim pole and fastest lap in the final race in order to beat Ekblom who must retire from the race as well in order to lose the title.
“We can’t quite pop the champagne just yet. But it was great to finish second from sixth of the grid and especially great to secure the team and manufacturers title for Volvo. Everyone has done a great job in the team this year and it is a well-deserved title,” said Ekblom.

Fredrik Larsson was another driver on a charge, claiming the final podium position after getting past Thed Björk in the final part of the race. Björk had to settle for fourth ahead of Mattias Andersson who took his so far best ever TTA result with fifth.

Daniel Haglöf was another driver to get penalized for not performing the start procedure correctly. The Saab driver kept third for the first part of the race and matched the pace of the leading duo. But a drive through penalty sent him to the back of the field and damage from the bonnet coming lose meant that he had to park his car in the pits.

Richard Göransson had yet another tough race and finished 11th. The BMW driver pitted with technical problem and lost a couple of laps, but still managed to save one point in the race thanks to the fastest lap.

TTA continues in two weeks at Gothenburg City Arena with the final race of the year.