Photo: STCC

Young drivers gets STCC test with Volvo and Kia

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Seven drivers got to complete a test day arranged by the STCC organisation with Volvo Polestar Racing and Team Kia. The drivers were the top three from Clio Cup Scandinavia, the Formula Renault 1.6 Scandinavia champion and two wild cards selected by the Royal Swedish Automobile Club.

”I had a good experience and you could tell that Volvo Polestar are on top of things, the car was nicely balanced and I felt comfortable. This gave me a taste for more and my motivation was boosted to get a STCC program together for next year,” said Clio Cup champion Robert Helling, who drove Fredrik Ekblom’s Volvo S60.

Finnish driver Joonas Lappalainen, who won the Formula Renault 1.6, was pleased after his run.

”The car was nice to drive, not farm from a single seater in the characteristics. It was an amazing opportunity to try such a powerful car. STCC is for sure a hot option for me,” said Lappalainen.

Linda Johansson was the sole female driver in the test, driving one of Team Kia’s cars, and finished third in the junior cup of Clio Cup Scandinavia this year.

”STCC has always been my goal. The test was really cool to test although I was nervous ahead of it. It was difficult, but still easier than I imagined,” said Johansson, who also admitted that she needed a couple of more seasons before moving to STCC.

Volvo Cars Motorsport Commercial Director Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin believes that test like these are important for the development of STCC and Swedish racing.

”It is obvious for both Volvo and Polestar as well as for our competitors in the STCC that we need to support and cooperate to get new talents into the championship, a vital part of the development and growth of Swedish motorsport,” said Mudzevski.

The drivers taking part in the test were:

Robert Helling – Clio Cup Champion
Henric Skoog – Clio Cup 2nd overall
Janne Gustafsson – Clio Cup 3rd overall
Linda Johansson – Clio Cup Junior Cup 3rd
Joonas Lappalainen – Formula Renault 1.6 Champion
Victor Bouveng – Wild Card
Oliver Söderström – Wild Card