Photo: Mediaempire.se

Richard Göransson is the new champion!

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Richard Göransson is the new Swedish Touring Car Championship champion! The Flash Engineering-driver secured the title today with a third place at Våler in Norway when his main rival Fredrik Ekblom crashed with Tommy Rustad during the first couple of laps.
“I had tears in my eye when I crossed the line! We have fought so hard and finally it all pays off. It is almost unbelievable,” said a very happy Göransson.

Robert Dahlgren won his first race in the new Volvo C30, crossing the line behind the safety car due to privateer Dick Sahlen rolling his BMW 320i E46 during the final couple of laps.
“We have waited the entire season for this win! A lot of guys thank their team when they win, but this time I think everyone understands that this really is a team victory for us after the thousands of hours we have put in to this new car,” said Dahlgren.

Roger Eriksson took his best place ever in second with his privately owned SEAT Léon.
“At the start of the season things were quite difficult. But that is gone now. We have one race left this year and I want another podium,” said Eriksson.

Norwegian Tomas Schie secured fourth ahead of previous title contender Thed Björk. Jan “Flash” Nilsson, once again getting the fastest pitstop of the field, was sixth ahead of Tomas Engström and Robin Rudholm.

While the Schie scored points in his home race in Norway, Volvo-man Tommy Rustad failed to score despite starting third. Dahlgren passed Ekblom early in the race. Rustad was clearly faster than Ekblom as well and was about to pass when the both collided.

Rustad went for the inside in the final corner, but Ekblom turned in and the both went off in to the gravel. Ekblom managed to recover, two laps down, while Rustad got black flagged.

Tobias Johansson scored a fine ninth which secured the privateers title. Johansson had a hard fight with Dick Sahlén during the race, a fight that was over the privateers title. But Sahlén made an overeager move on Johansson which resulted in Sahlén rolling several times out in the graveltrap and retiring from the race. Fortunately Sahlén was okay.