Göransson wins and takes championship lead

Richard Göransson won the fourth Swedish Touring Car Championship race of the year and took over the championship lead at Gelleråsen today. The Flash Engineering-man took over the lead in the start as cars ahead of him tangled together.
“I did not think that I would win and take over the lead earlier today! A great race and especially nice to have my team mate on the podium for the first time since we joined team,” said a very happy Göransson.

Robin Rudholm took second place after being in the lead briefly. When a wheel gun failed for the Flash Engineering-team during Göransson’s pitstop, Rudholm got up in to the lead. But Göransson charged back past and Rudholm had to settle for second.

“I thought I was going to be involved in the start crash and did everything to avoid it. Second is okay and after starting fifth I am happy,” said Rudholm.

Third went to Janne “Flash” Nilsson who took his first podium of the year after a strong drive from last position. “Flash” started seventh but dropped to the back of the field after a visit to the gravel trap in the first corner.

“I said to my team mate Richard before the race that it’s enough with problems and mistakes now. A great race and this is for sure not the last time that we are on the podium together,” said “Flash”.

Fourth went to Thomas Schie who had a hard fight with Robert Dahlgren. The Volvo-driver was ahead of Schie on the very last lap but was passed in the hairpin due to a mistake. Earlier in the race the two almost crashed each other out. Schie made a short visit to the gravel and tried furiously to defend his position when he got back on track. Dahlgren managed to squeeze past on the grass.

Fredrik Ekblom had to retire from the race with engine problems. Because of that Göransson takes over the championship lead and heads the championship with three points.

Things are getting close in the team championship as well as Flash Engineering gained eight points on WestCoast Racing.

Tobias Johansson made a very strong run in his privately owned and developed Mercedes C220. Johansson managed to pass previous race winner Thed Björk during the race. But when Ronnie Brandt’s Volvo S60 failed infront of him during the pitstop he lost valueable time and finished seventh behind Björk.

The next race takes place in two weeks at the very first street race in the history of STCC in Gothenburg – the second largest city in Sweden.