Göransson wins thrilling race

Reigning champion Richard Göransson won a thrilling STCC race today at a soaking wet Anderstorp. He won the race only just ahead of Huisman, the pair had a thrilling fight through the last couple of corners of the last lap. Volvo’s Robert Dahlgren took third place.

Just before the race the rain increased again making the track soaking wet. The first start was cancelled as the field was found to be too unorganised. As they came back for the second try the field was released.

Janne “Flash” Nilsson started from pole position and was immideately threatened by second place starting man Thed Björk. The Audi-driver got along side the BMW-driver on the long back straight but couldn’t get past.

Behind the leading pack Richard Göransson was making ground quickly. As he was climbing, Thed Björk was falling down. Göransson passed him and Dahlgren followed not long after. Next man to challenge Björk was Johan Stureson. The Peugeot-man got up along side “him in the “Opel-corner”. The two collided, Björk continue while Stureson lost alot of time because of a slide he got in to.

As the first drivers started to pit alot of things happened. Rosenblad was first of them all to pit, but lost several seconds as the teams had problems with one of the wheels. Engström was forced to retire on the start/finish straight with some kind of problem, most likely with the engine.

Mean while Duncan Huisman was making up alot of ground. The BMW-driver started from 17:th position but was after a number of laps gaining on the two Flash Engineering BMW’s in the lead. Göransson pitted first of the top three drivers while Flash and Huisman continued. When Flash pitted a few laps later the tension was high in the Flash Engineering pit garage. As he was let down from the air jack his car stalled. A few moments later he got away, but important seconds were lost.

Huisman on the other hand, who pitted a lap later, made a lightning quick pitstop, fastest of all teams. He exited out on the track again only a few seconds behind Göransson and was now in second place. With only two laps left Huisman was right behind Göransson providing one of the most thrilling finish of a STCC race ever.

Huisman tried to get past in every corner, going along side, weaving and ducking. With only three corners left, on the exit of the Opel-corner, Huisman got up along side and looked to have the line. But Göransson had none of it and closed the door hard, pushing Huisman out on to the grass. Many felt that the manouver was unfair, but that was something Huisman didn’t agree with.

“It was a good one I think, I haven’t seen it my self yet. But I think it was fair, a hard fight,” Huisman said.

As the two fighted for the lead, Dahlgren got right up behind the leading duo and was only half a second behind them as the cheqered flag came out. A very happy Richard Göransson took his second win of the season.

“Awesome! This was one of the best STCC races ever. I mean, Huisman came from 17:th position. This reminded me of my old Formula Ford races. I saw Huisman on the last couple of laps so close, it was very hard but very fun. I am more than pleased,” Göransson said.

Huisman’s very spirited drive through the field impressed everyone today at Anderstorp.

“It was a tough race! I couldn’t see anything due to the spray on the back straight. I was really scared and I had to take some riscs. The pitstop was perfect and put me really close to Göransson. It was a tough fight in the end, but I didn’t want to risc getting zero points, so I settled for second,” Huisman said after the race.

Third placed man Dahlgren was another satisified man at Anderstorp today.

“A pretty good race. I must say we lost the race after the pitstop, we made a good stop but I lost alot of time on my out lap due to many yellow flags which prevented me from overtaking lapped drivers. A bit unlucky today, but otherwise I’m pleased,” Dahlgren concluded.

Thed Björk on the other hand was not happy. The current championship leader retired as he collided with Alexander Storckenfeldt. His lead over Göransson in the championship is now reduced to two points.

Stay tuned for championship positions!