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Roger Eriksson enters a SEAT in STCC

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Roger Eriksson entered STCC this year in Team Nordic Fine Art where he drove a BMW 320 E46 in a two-car team run by racinglegend Picko Troberg. But it’s all change for next season as Nordic Fine Art-owner Kjell Hemmingsson has bought the Mikael Nykjaers DTC-winning SEAT Leon. Roger Eriksson will now gear up to a newer car, change to front-wheel drive and run in a one-car team next season.

“This is a great opportunity for me that I am very happy about,” Eriksson told STCC.se. “I will now have the right tools with a winners car and a good team. Now it will be up to me to show that I can do.”

The change from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive isn’t something that fazes Eriksson who drove front-wheel drive cars in JTCC before moving up to STCC.
“No problems at all. There are many advantages in driving front-wheel drive, and to be the only car in the team is something I look at as a positive. All focus will be on my car.”

Teamowner Kjell Hemmingsson said the decision to change from BMW to SEAT wasn’t a big problem. The new team will now have backing from SEAT Sweden and the dealer network.
“The BMW family is large and I do think you get the same resources, no matter if you are a small or a large team, he said. But this was an option that attracted us. It’s a very good car that will be new for STCC. We will get good support and the car has proven to be a winner both in Denmark and in other championships.”

The team around Roger Eriksson and the SEAT isn’t finalized yet but is believed to consist of around 10 people. Roger Eriksson’s uncle Kenneth Eriksson, a former WRC-winner, will be one of the new people having an active role in the team.

The team now plans to start testing the new car in Spain in March with the goal of coming better prepared for this season.