Race Preview: STCC heads on to Knutstorp

The Swedish Touring Car Championship returns to the Knutstorp track in the south of Sweden. The season started here and returns with only three races left of the 2008 season. Last year the race at Knutstorp was ended in chaos. Jan “Flash” Nilsson crossed the line first, but was disqualified after the race due to an incident with Mattias Andersson – handing the win to Volvo’s Alexander Storckenfeldt.

Previously at Gelleråsen
Richard Göransson the season starter earlier this year at Knutstorp. The Flash Engineering-man took pole and held the lead from start to finish. Championship rival Fredrik Ekblom finished second, some four seconds behind with his team mate Robin Rudholm third.

The third championship contender Thed Björk failed to score points after an incident with Rudholm. Björk initially was second in the, but when Rudholm tried to pass the Honda-driver the both collided which resulted in a puncture for Björk.

The season so far
Ekblom leads the championship with 52 points, but the WestCoast Racing-driver has got two drivers chasing close behind. His main rival Göransson is only four points behind while Thed Björk is a further three points behind.

The previous race at Gelleråsen saw Thed Björk emerging as winner. The three championship contenders had a very close fight. Göransson managed to get out ahead of the both thanks to a very fast pitstop. But Björk was able to get past thanks to warmer tyres and only a lap later passed Ekblom to continue to the win.

Rudholm was a close third in the championship before the race at Gelleråsen. But the WestCoast Racing-man struggled in the race and finished outside the points.

A total of 30 points remains to be raced over. Ekblom, Göransson, Björk and Rudholm are the only driver that are able to take the title. The battle continues this weekend at Knutstorp, who will lead the championship when the dust settles on Sunday?

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