Photo: STCC

Weights come into force as 2015 STCC title countdown begins

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The 2015 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship title countdown begins this weekend at Karlskoga as the first of three remaining race weekends takes place. Adding to the drama is the introduction of penalty weights.

Reigning champion and Volvo Polestar Racing driver Thed Björk has headed the standings since the first race of the year in Skövde, but the others are gaining and team mate Fredrik Ekblom is just nine points behind.

”I will keep my head down and continue to focus on gaining on the championship lead. Karlskoga is one of my very favourites and we are going to have a good fight,” said Ekblom.

Björk is going to carry 30 kilos of penalty weight compared to 20 kilos for Ekblom, but the three-time champion is not worried.

”There is not too much to say about the changed regulations. I am here to deliver and win races. I am just going to focus on my work and I’m in the best possible team that are ready for everything. I am as usual going to go all in to win,” said Björk.

Another driver gaining on Björk is BMW driver Fredrik Larsson who looked set for his third victory at Falkenberg before he was penalised for a controversial clash with the championship leader. Larsson is trailing Björk with 20 points ahead of Karlskoga and will also carry 30 kilos of penalty weight.

”Falkenberg showed us that things can turn around fast. We have definitely got the speed to fight with Volvo which we are doing now. Karlskoga is home grounds for Thed and Fredrik, but I feel rather comfortable. The important thing is to finish the races and to score points enough to keep the title fight alive to the finale,” said Larsson.

Richard Göransson fought in the top at Falkenberg as well but is a massive 80 points from the championship lead after a poor start to the season. The Saab driver is just as Björk and Ekblom considering Karlskoga as his home circuit and should not be excluded from the victory fight.

The schedule for the STCC weekend in Karlskoga has been changed where the qualifying sessions have been moved to Saturday, leaving just two test sessions for Friday. The first race of the weekend starts at 14:05 CET on Saturday and is broadcasted live on www.svtplay.se.

Karlskoga 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 – Sportpromotion – BMW SR
#8 – Roger Samuelsson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
#9 – Kevin Aabol – Team Kia – Kia Optima
#10 – Erik Johansson – 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
#37 – Daniel Haglöf – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
#93 – Emma Kimiläinen – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
# – Rasmus Mårthen – Team Kia – Kia Optima

Karlskoga Timetable

Friday 14th August
14:55–15:25 Test 1
17:25–17:55 Test 2

Saturday 15th August
09:25–09:40 Q1
09:45–10:05 Q2
14:05–14:30 Race 1
16:15–16:40 Race 2

All times are in CET.