First win for Peugeot
The STCC weekend began with Richard Göransson setting the fastest time in the new super pole session. Richard set a time of 1:08.646 around the Knutstorp track. His closest rival was Johan Stureson in the Peugeot 407. Third fastest was Robert Dahlgren, Volvo.
The qualifying session wasn´t easy for the drivers. As it began the track was almost dry. But when the first car went out a rain shower went over the track. All cars got the chance to change tyres from slicks to wets immideately.
Qualifying Race One
The first qualifying race (see previous STCC news for the changed race setup) went to pole-man Richard Göransson. The rain continued to pour down during the sunday race day. Despite having problem with de-mister Richard was able to take the race ahead of Volvo´s Robert Dahlgren and Peugeot´s Johan Stureson.
While the top guys were fighting, championship leader Thed Björk lost out big time. Thed collided hard with the Opel-man Tommy Rustad.
“He gave me a real push. He should have backed off, I was a bit ahead,” Thed said after the race. His BMW was too damaged to be ready for the second qualifying race or the main race. With this crash Thed lost the lead in the championship.
Qualifying Race Two
Fredrik Ekblom, Audi, held pole position for the second qualifying race with the top six from the first race being reversed on the grid. And Fredrik made the most of his pole and led the rainy race from start to finish.
Robert Dahlgren once again finsihed second with Knutstorp home-boy Johan Stureson taking third position. But that third position was a controversial one. Johan had a clash with champion Richard Göransson, BMW, on the very last lap. The clash resulted in Richard dropping to fifth position over the finish line while Johan cruised on to take thrid.
“I had it under control. I felt that I left enough room for Stureson, but he did a stupid thing and I have to file a protest for this,” an angry Richard Göransson said after the race.
“It was on the same spot on the track all race. He defended his position all the way, last time I went in to his bumper. I saw a gap, but it was gone,” Johan said.
With the two qualifying races finished Robert Dahlgren held pole position for the main race with Stureson second, Göransson third, Ekblom fourth and Rustad fifth.
Main Race
The main race saw Johan Stureson taking his and the new Peugeot 407 taking the first STCC win ever. In the rain Johan flew away from his competitors and crossed the line as a very happy man.
“I have had so many second places. It´s fantastic to take the first win. And on my home track as well,” Johan said after the race.
Despite being penalised for the incident with Richard Göransson, sending him to fifth position on the grid instead of second, Stureson really left the others wondering.
“I didn´t think it was going to be that easy. It was a big difference in performance compared to the others, but we are just happy and I think it´s our compettitors that have to think about what happened,” Johan said.
Second behind Johan was Robert Dahlgren. Robert was happy with his second place and felt that it was nothing to do about Stureson.
“When I saw the pace of Johan I understood that it was no idea to struggle with him,” Robert said.
Also the third placed man, Richard Göransson, was stunned by the pace of the Peugeot.
“It was the first time for a long time that we couldn´t keep up. On the second lap I got something on the screen, I think it was Dahlgren leaking oil. And I understood quite quickly that I couldn´t keep Johan behind,” Göransson said.
But despite being beaten Göransson now takes over the lead in the championship. His team mate Thed Björk scored zero points after his crash in race one. Richard leads the championship with 71 points, Edward Sandström is second on 68 points, Stureson climbed to third with 66 points, Thed Björk dropped to fourth with 61 points and Tomas Engström holds on to fifth position with 54 points.
Next race is on the 21:st August at Gelleråsen. The close fight for the championship will continue there!
