Göransson takes “unbelievable” victory in his return

Richard Göransson really is back with a vengeance in the STCC after scoring his 35th victory at a soaking wet Gothenburg City Race Arena. The reigning champion started from pole and managed to stay ahead despite attacks from Tomas Engström.
“Just unbelievable. I am so pleased and I did not think we would step up on top of the podium in my first race weekend since my crash,” said Göransson.

Honda man Engström was just three tenths behind Göransson over the line and put hard pressure on Göransson towards the end of the race. But both Göransson and Engström had their share of mistakes, with Engström touching the wall in the exit of the final corner and Göransson taking the escape route of the first corner on the final lap.

Fredrik Ekblom fought his way to third in a battered Volkswagen Scirocco, moving him up to just two points behind new championship leader Rickard Rydell.

Tommy Rustad initially held second, but was passed by Engström and Ekblom to finish fourth. Rydell crossed the line as fifth, setting the fastest lap of the race on his way up through the field from eighth on the grid.

James Thompson secured sixth ahead of a storming Patrik Olsson. The Volkswagen driver started 13th and fought his way to seventh over the line.

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