TTA vs STCC – Important choice for Scandinavian teams

With the split being confirmed between the STCC organisation and the TTA teams, that have confirmed a new championship for 2012, the other Scandinavian teams has got an important choice ahead of them selves.

The four TTA teams, Brovallen Design, Flash Engineering, Polestar Racing and WestCoast Racing leaves with eight cars and drivers. That leaves seven teams with 11 drivers that are yet to decide:

Chevrolet Team Sweden – 2 cars
Team Biogas – 2 cars
IPS/MA:GP – 2 cars
Danielsson Motorsport – 2 cars
Seco Tools Racing Team – 1 car
Ebbesson Motorsport – 1 car
BMS Event – 1 car

Mattias Andersson, who currently drives an privately owned Alfa Romeo 156, says that he currently is leaning towards the STCC next year.

“It is sad that there is so much prestige involved and that no one wants to give in. Most of all I would of course see that there was no split, I would cheer if they finally agreed. TTA has got a lot of good ideas that I agree with, but STCC has got a strong brand and I am for example attracted by the race at Solvalla. I want to drive where there is strongest competition and today that is STCC,” said Andersson to Corren.se.

Independent Honda driver Tomas Engström, who finished third in the ETC Cup this year, is glad that a decision has been taken.

“We do not have room for two series in Sweden, so this is unfortunate. The positive thing is that STCC has taken a decision so we can for real start working for next year and the decision was what I expected,” said Engström to Dalademokraten.

Joakim Ahlberg, who currently is second in the Semcon privateer’s cup of STCC, is yet to decide.

“I have waited for a decision so we can start working for next year. We have had contacts with an importer to build a car after STCC’s concept, but the discussion between STCC and TTA has made everything stop. It is too soon to say where we will be next year, but what I can say is that I am not going to drive the car that I have now,” said Ahlberg.

IPS Motorsport driver Johan Stureson, currently placed fourth in the championship and best BMW driver, is concerned over the number of teams that will leave with TTA.

“STCC is going to be considerably worse, it is at least eight cars that disappear. And to drive an eroded STCC with worse competition might not be that interesting. I have tested the new car that they are going to drive in the new series. It was good and it is a lot faster,” said Stureson to skanskan.se.

Stureson also points out the difficulty for the TTA teams to start a new series.

“I do not doubt their competence, but they still have to start a completely new series and it is a lot of work. It is not just to push a button and start. STCC is well established and everything rolls on. We can continue to drive our existing car in the STCC while we have to sell it if we are going for the new series,” said Stureson.

But Stureson and IPS Motorsport has not taken a final decision yet on the plans for 2012.

“We have thought about it, but I do not know what we are going to do at this moment. It is not only up to me, we need to have all partners and sponsors onboard on what we decide to do. We are going to decide within a month,” said Stureson.

The TTA has announced that they are going to reveal new information on the 2012 season shortly.