Photo: Mediaempire.se

First STCC victory since 2004 for Rickard Rydell

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Rickard Rydell scored his first STCC victory since 2004 in the first race of the day at Gothenburg City Race Arena. The Chevrolet man crossed the line one second ahead of Fredrik Ekblom.
“I am really pleased, the car was really strong,” said Rydell.

James Thompson started second but lost one position to Ekblom in the first lap. The Brit was caught up by Honda driver Tomas Engström at mid-point of the race, but was able to stay ahead.
“I enjoyed this race and I feel that I have the pace to be in the top and challenge for podium positions from now on,” said Thompson.

Johan Stureson crossed the line in fifth ahead of Viktor Hallrup and Tommy Rustad. Richard Göransson fought his way to eight and pole position for the second race with a couple of aggressive overtaking maneuvers.

Roger Eriksson and Jan “Flash” Nilsson rounded off top ten, with Colin Turkington in eleventh.

Mattias Andersson started eighth but lost a lot of places in the first lap after getting caught up in the traffic jam for the first corner.