Swedish premiere at Knutstorp – Preview

The STCC heads to the track Knutstorp this weekend for the first race on Swedish soil. Knutstorp is a special track, described as a “mini Nordschleife” by TouringCarTimes expert Duncan Huisman.
“Knutstorp is like a very small Nürburgring Nordschleife with very fast corners and elevation changes. I enjoyed racing there and the track often produces entertaining races,” said Huisman.

Volvo-driver Robert Dahlgren heads the championship standings coming to Knutstorp after a win in the first race two weeks ago at Jyllandsringen.

Last time STCC visited Knutstorp there was a lot of controversy. Richard Göransson won the first race, but the incident in race two between Robert Dahlgren and Thed Björk sparked a lot of controversy.

Björk was leading on the penultimate lap when Dahlgren crashed with him and put the both in gravel. Dahlgren was later penalized with -10 points in the championship for the incident.

It remains to be seen if the controversy between the both continues this year, but both drivers are going to be on maximum ballast weight of 40 kilos this weekend.

The bio-gas powered Volkswagen Scirocco’s of Fredrik Ekblom and Patrik Olsson are going to be light at Knutstorp. The team has tested at Knutstorp during the pre-season and reported a strong pace.

Another driver that should be up for a top finish is Mattias Andersson in the MA:GP/IPS Alfa Romeo 156. The Swede was quick last time the series visited Knutstorp and has got a weight reduction of 20 kilos ahead of this weekend.

Although the weather could play a trick this weekend. Rain is forecasted ahead of the weekend which could mean tricky conditions for the teams to setup the cars.

Follow all the action from the weekend at TouringCarTimes.com!

Weight list for Knutstorp

1210 kilo – BMW 320si E90
1199 kilo – Volvo C30
1180 kilo – Opel Astra*
1180 kilo – BMW 320i E46*
1170 kilo – Volkswagen Scirocco
1145 kilo – Chevrolet Cruze
1130 kilo – Alfa Romeo 156
1130 kilo – SEAT Léon

*=Did not take part in the premiere which automatically gives +40 kilo

Previous Winners at Knutstorp

2009 – Race 1: Robert Dahlgren, Jan Nilsson
2009 – Race 2: Richard Göransson, Johan Stureson
2008 – Race 1: Richard Göransson
2008 – Race 2: Richard Göransson
2007 – Race 1: Robert Dahlgren
2007 – Race 2: Alexander Storckenfeldt
2006 – Race 1: Thed Björk
2006 – Race 2: Richard Göransson
2005 – Race 1: Tommy Rustad, Thed Björk
2005 – Race 2: Robert Dahlgren, Johan Stureson