Three-way title fight in STCC season finale
Three drivers are in with a shot at the 2015 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship title in the season finale at Knutstorp this weekend: Thed Björk, Fredrik Ekblom and Fredrik Larsson. Two Volvo drivers and one BMW driver. But the conditions are vastly different for all three.
Closest to the title is Polestar Cyan Racing driver and reigning champion Björk who has headed the standings since the first race at Skövde in May.
”I have a great feeling ahead of the weekend and an excellent position in the points. With that said, I can in no way relax. My goal is firmly set on becoming the first ever driver to take three titles back to back, but my team mate is not far behind and I need to be on the very top of my game,” said Björk.
Volvo team mate Ekblom is 23 points behind and needs to outscore Björk by eight points in qualifying, race one and race two, a tall order for the triple champion.
”I know the maths but I can only do one thing and that is to give my absolute best, trying to outscore Thed in the races. Qualifying is key to this and I feel confident ahead of Knutstorp, I claimed pole position last time we were here and the track is one of my favourites. I will keep my head down and get on with business,” said Ekblom.
Even further behind is WestCoast Racing driver Larsson, trailing Björk by 56 points with 75 points left to be fought for at Knutstorp.
”The stark reality is that I need a lot of luck and that Thed has got an equal amount of bad luck. There is a lot needed for Thed to lose the lead to me but he and Ekblom has got a fight between each other that hopefully plays into my hands. It is nice that it has not been decided yet and that we are in the fight,” said Larsson.
Larsson states that qualifying is key to having the slightest chance of beating the Volvo drivers and the BMW was fastest in Q1 last time the championship was at Knutstorp.
”We need a strong qualifying session, that is where it counts. If we can’t manage that, then it is all over. I need to claim pole to put pressure on them,” said Larsson.
The top trio is far from going to be alone in the fight for top positions at Knutstorp. Saab drivers Richard Göransson and Daniel Haglöf showed strong form at Solvalla and could play an important role in the championship fight.
”My goal couldn’t be more clear after the success at Solvalla. I am looking to win again,” said Haglöf.
Göransson is involved in another fight with Dacia Dealer Team driver Mattias Andersson for the best placed driver behind the top three. Andersson trails Göransson with 25 points ahead of Knutstorp.
”My ambition is of course to challenge Göransson for fourth position in the championship. I like Knutstorp where I have claimed two of my three STCC victories,” said Andersson.
Action starts tomorrow with testing and qualifying which awards points to the championship. The title cannot be decided until Saturday though when the first race starts at 12:30 CET and is broadcasted live on www.svtplay.se.
Knutstorp Entry List
No – Driver – Team Name – Car
#1 – Thed Björk – Polestar Cyan 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 – Polestar Cyan Racing – Volvo S60
#13 – Carl Philip Bernadotte – Polestar Cyan Racing – Volvo S60
#20 – Mattias Andersson – Dacia Dealer Team – Dacia SE
#28 – Rasmus Mårthen – Team Kia – Kia Optima
#37 – Daniel Haglöf – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
#93 – Emma Kimiläinen – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
#95 – Emelie Liljeström – Team Kia – Kia Optima
Knutstorp Timetable
Friday 11th September
10:20–10:50 Test 1
13:10–13:40 Test 2
16:00–16:15 Q1
16:20–16:40 Q2
Saturday 12th September
12:30–12:55 Race 1
15:20–15:45 Race 2
All times are in CET.
Knutstorp penalty weights
+30 kg – Thed Björk
+30 kg – Fredrik Larsson
+30 kg – Daniel Haglöf
+20 kg – Fredrik Ekblom
+10 kg – Richard Göransson
