Richard Göransson returns in Gothenburg

Reigning STCC champion Richard Göransson returns for the races at Gothenburg this weekend after being away since the premiere due to back injuries.
“It feels like a victory to be back earlier than we expected,” said Göransson to TouringCarTimes.

The quadruple STCC champion crashed heavily at Jyllandsringen due to brake problems and injured his spine. Göransson has been completely out of racing for eight weeks, until yesterday.
“It has been tough being off racing for eighth weeks, like an involuntary vacation. The first four weeks was mainly about resting while the final four weeks has been all about rehabilitation,” said Göransson.

The initial reports stated that Göransson was going to be off racing for at least three months.
“The pain in my back disappeared early and I was able to start my rehabilitation much sooner than expected. I have also had a great dialogue with my rehab team and the hospital in Örebro. I feel comfortable to return with their consent,” said Göransson.

Göransson completed a test day at Falkenberg yesterday, his first ever laps in a race car since the crash.
“I felt a bit nervous going on the brakes for the first time at full speed. It is a tough phase mentally to pass after a crash where the unexpected happens, the brakes disappears. It would have been different if I would have been taken off by another driver or something similar, it would have been a more basic cause to it. But I got back rather quickly in to the driving at the test day and it was really great. I had the track completely to my self and was able to take it in my own pace,” said Göransson.

WestCoast Racing has acquired a BMW 320si E90 from BMW Motorsport, with the facelift, for Göransson to drive in the remaining part of the STCC season, as the old car was too damaged to repair.
“The team has provided me with the best possible conditions for my return and it feels great,” said Göransson.

While Göransson is back behind the wheel with more than half of the season left, he is more than 70 points behind current championship leader Tommy Rustad.
“I know that I cannot win the championship and I know that I am going to have 0 points in 33% of the races this season. I have not set up a clear goal for the rest of the season yet, it feels like a victory to just be back. But I am always in it to win and if I can get in to top five of the championship, that would be a great performance in my eyes. I am going to make things difficult for the other drivers and go for outright race victories,” said Göransson.