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Rydell: “STCC is tougher than WTCC and BTCC”

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Former BTCC champion Rickard Rydell ranks the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship as tougher in 2011 compared to the FIA World Touring Car Championship and the British Touring Car Championship.
“It is going to be tougher to win STCC than WTCC and the level of the drivers beats BTCC by far,” said Rydell.

With factory and importer supported efforts from Chevrolet, BMW, Volkswagen and Volvo in STCC 2011, Rydell says the Scandinavian series even beats the WTCC in terms of competition level.

“In WTCC there is only Chevrolet and perhaps BMW with a chance to win. In STCC it is going to be tougher,” said Rydell.

With the confirmation of Colin Turkington yesterday as the third former BTCC champion moving to the STCC, alongside Rydell and James Thompson, Rydell has a hard time to point out the main title contender for STCC this year.

“Turkington is really skilled and knows the car, Thompson is a guaranteed front runner, everyone wants to beat champion Göransson and then we must not forget 2009 champion Rustad,” said Rydell.

Rydell says that one of the reason for STCC growing so strong this season is the move from a Swedish championship to a Scandinavian championship, joining the Swedish and Danish championships.

“STCC has been a strong championship for many years and the Scandinavian program, started last year, has helped a lot, especially with drivers such as Jan Magnussen and Casper Elgaard. The fact that the STCC has got strong marketing program has helped as well,” said Rydell.