Knutstorp crash takes its toll on STCC field

The first STCC race at Knutstorp last weekend saw one of the biggest crashes in STCC history. The crash meant that only seven cars finished the second race, illuminating the frailty of the current STCC field.

The crash happened after a safety car restart when leading driver Erik Jonsson backed off in the fast NGK corner which saw Richard Göransson taking evasive action and then being hit by Linus Ohlsson who tried to get past him.

”I was in second position and had no problem keeping up with Erik Jonsson, I am sure that I would have been able to get past him later in the race. There was nothing I could do about being hit,” said Göransson.

Ohlsson was penalized by the stewards for the incident, sending him to last position on the grid for the second race.

”Richard (Göransson) and Erik (Jonsson) collided in the corner and both lost speed and Richard lost his line. I had a lot more speed and took the line when Richard drove in to me to retake his line, perhaps he didn’t see me,” said Ohlsson.

Jonsson was able to continue while Göransson and Ohlsson spun in high speed, triggering a major crash with the cars behind them being unable to avoid them. Title rivals Fredrik Larsson and Fredrik Ekblom were two of the victims, both forced to retire, with Ekblom also missing the second race due to the damage.

”I couldn’t really see what happened but I had Göransson in front of me all of a sudden. I tried to avoid him but couldn’t in time and there were major damage to the car. This feels really bad as it hurts my position quite hard in the championship,” said Ekblom.

The reversed grid system has been a topic for controversy where some drivers have critizised if for causing incidents and crashes, something Larsson points at.

“There were a couple of drivers pushing a bit too hard. It (reversed grid system) has worked well some times. Gothenburg was a catastrophe though with the cue forming and a lot of frustrated drivers behind. I didn’t think this track was going to provide the same situation though. You have to look as much behind you as forward. And you can’t be too defensive, because then they will pass you. It is tough starting from the rear and being faster than those in front of you,” said Larsson to sr.se.