Photo: Mediaempire.se

Race Preview: STCC returns to Gelleråsen

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The Swedish Touring Car Championship returns after the summerbreak of five weeks at Gelleråsen. This is the second time this year the STCC visits the track. Last year Richard Göransson won the second Gelleråsen race ahead of reigning champion Fredrik Ekblom and his team mate Robin Rudholm. The race this weekend seems to be a wet one as several low pressures are passing Sweden at the moment.

Previously at Gelleråsen
Richard Göransson won the race here earlier this year. The Flash Engineering-driver won the race despite having problems in the pits with a faulty pitstop-gun.

Robin Rudholm finished second after being in the lead at first and Göransson’s team mate Jan “Flash” Nilsson took third and his first podium of the year. Championship leader Fredrik Ekblom dominated the practice and qualifying sessions only to retire in the race due to engine problems.

The season so far
Ekblom leads the championship with 44 points, but things are very close behind him. His main rival Göransson is only two points behind, and Ekblom’s team mate Rudholm lurks behind them with 39 points. Four races and a total of 40 points still remains to be raced over.

The previous race at Falkenberg saw total BMW-domination. Ekblom won the race ahead of his team mate Rudholm, privateer BMW-driver Carl Rosenblad in third and Göransson fourth. Flash Engineering-driver Nilsson made it five BMW’s in top ten with sixth place.

The race was very much affected by the tyre problems due to the new asphalt surface. Several drivers suffered from numerous punctures during practice. This lead to the teams having very different strategies during the race.

Privateer SEAT-driver Roger Eriksson scored his first pole position ever in the STCC after a qualifying session that was affected by rain. Sadly Eriksson’s chances were ended in a gravel trap after a puncture, a similar end that Honda-man Thed Björk suffered from.

Schedule
09.00 – Pro Superbike Pro Superbike
09.30 – STCC Test
10.30 – Ginetta Race
11.00 – Carrera Cup Race
11.30 – Gridshow/Lunch Gridshow
12.25 – STCC Qualifying
12.50 – STCC Super pole
13.20 – Camaro Cup Race
14.00 – Pro Superbike
15.00 – STCC Race
15.40 – STCC Awards Ceremony
16.00 – Radical Race