Tough words ahead of 2014 STCC title decider at Mantorp

The 2014 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship title is going to be decided this weekend at Mantorp Park. Thed Björk heads the championship and is chased by BMW driver Fredrik Larsson, who is promising a spectacular season end.
”If Thed is in the way, I’ll run him over. I am going flat out and I have thrown all tactical thoughts out the window,” said Larsson.

Larsson needs an extraordinary weekend in order to catch and pass Björk, being 31 points behind the Volvo driver with 75 points left.
”I can get 75 points in one weekend in theory, something which of course won’t be easy. But I don’t need to drive tactical and think about the championship. The only thing for me is to win races,” said Larsson.

No one has so far managed to score two victories in one weekend, let alone two podium finishes. The best combined result of a weekend this year is a victory and fourth position, scored only by Philip Forsman and championship leader Björk.
”I won’t give Larsson anything for free and he needs to step his game up if he is going to catch me. I am of course going to drive smart and stay out of trouble. But the points are on my side, as is the speed so far in the races. I am as usual driving for victory and to claim the title,” said Björk.

The Volvo driver is in with a shot to secure a second straight title, a feat no driver has managed for nine years. Richard Göransson was the last driver to secure a back-to-back title in 2005, something he will not manage this year being fifth in the championship and yet to score a victory.
”I am going to Mantorp to end my first season with Team Tidö on a high. We have had a lot of bad luck this year, so I think we are worthy of a strong finale,” said Göransson.

Another driver hoping for a strong season finale is Volvo driver Fredrik Ekblom who is in with a mathematical shot at the title, albeit very slim being 61 points behind the championship lead.
”I am just going to focus on securing a strong result in the season finale. I am disappointed over that we have lost so many points at the end of the season due to bad luck despite us having the speed to win in almost all of the races. My goal is to finish the season with at least one victory, then we will see where that takes me,” said Ekblom.

Dacia Dealer Team driver Mattias Andersson looks set to secure his best STCC result in many years in fourth position in the championship and has got high hopes ahead of the weekend.
”What if our first victory would come in the first race of the weekend. That would make it a double celebration as this is my 500th race of my career. I have a small shot at claiming third in the championship as well, but that would more or less require Fredrik Ekblom to retire from one of the races,” said Andersson.

The STCC weekend at Mantorp Park starts on Friday with testing and qualifying, followed by two races on Saturday.

2014 STCC Mantorp Park Entry List

No – Driver – Team Name – Car
1 – Thed Björk – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
3 – Richard Göransson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
4 – Fredrik Larsson – WestCoast Racing – BMW SR
6 – Erik Jonsson – WestCoast Racing – BMW SR
7 – Philip Forsman – WestCoast Racing – BMW SR
8 – Roger Samuelsson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
9 – Mattias Lindberg – Team Kia – Kia Optima
10 – Andreas Wernersson – Team Kia – Kia Optima
11 – Fredrik Ekblom – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
13 – Carl Philip Bernadotte – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
20 – Mattias Andersson – Dacia Dealer Team – Dacia SE
24 – Jan Nilsson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
37 – Daniel Haglöf – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
93 – Emma Kimiläinen – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
95 – Linus Ohlsson – Team Kia – Kia Optima

2014 STCC Mantorp Park Timetable (CET)

Friday 19th September
11:45 – Test 1 (30 min)
13:15 – Test 2 (30 min)
16:05 – Q1 (15 min)
16:25 – Q2 (20 min)

Saturday 20th September
12:35 – Race 1 (25 min)
15:25 – Race 2 (25 min)