STCC returns to wet Anderstorp
The Scandinavian Touring Car Championship heads back to former F1 track Anderstorp this weekend for the first time since 2007. While some of the teams have raced with the cars at the track in the 2012 season with TTA, there are many unknowns ahead of the races.
Adding to the drama is that heavy rain is forecasted for both days and the teams have very little experience of racing in the wet with the current cars. Championship leader Thed Björk is nonetheless confident and hopes to extend his lead.
”The first race in Skövde went really well and I’m in a good flow that I am eager to continue in Anderstorp. I am fast no matter the conditions,” said Björk.
His closest rival in the championship is Dacia Dealer Team driver Mattias Andersson who had a strong season start with two podium finishes.
”I have never been on the podium twice in an STCC weekend before. But we need to improve at the same time as Thed needs some bad luck in order for us to beat him. The challenge this weekend is to find a setup that provides grip in the corners without losing speed out onto the long straights,” said Andersson.
BMW driver Fredrik Larsson is third in the championship ahead of Anderstorp and left the season premiere in Skövde three weeks ago disappointed.
”That wasn’t a great start to the season. We tried some new things with the setup that we can asses in retrospect weren’t right. But I like Anderstorp and I am aiming high, we need to gain points in the championship,” said Larsson.
Another driver chasing for points is Björk’s Volvo Polestar Racing team mate Fredrik Ekblom who claimed pole for the first race in Skövde but was passed by Björk in the race and then retired after a puncture in the second race.
”I had speed but no luck in Skövde. My goal is of course to win and gain on the championship lead. I do like Anderstorp, it is a proper circuit and I have had many strong results here in the past,” said Ekblom.
Another driver crashing in the second race was Team Tidö driver and four-time STCC champion Richard Göransson.
”The season start was a disappointment and not what we hoped for. But on the positive side I really feel that we have taken a step forward as a team. We are going to be back in the top this weekend,” said Göransson.
The STCC weekend at Anderstorp Raceway starts on Friday with testing and qualifying, followed by two races on Saturday.
2015 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship Entry List
No – Driver – Team Name – Car
#1 – Thed Björk – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
#3 – Richard Göransson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
#4 – Fredrik Larsson – WestCoast Racing – BMW SR
#6 – Erik Jonsson – Sportpromotion – BMW SR
#8 – Roger Samuelsson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
#9 – Kevin Aabol – Team Kia – Kia Optima
#10 – Erik Johansson – Team Kia – Kia Optima
#11 – Fredrik Ekblom – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
#13 – Carl Philip Bernadotte – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
#20 – Mattias Andersson – Dacia Dealer Team – Dacia SE
#37 – Daniel Haglöf – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
#93 – Emma Kimiläinen – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
#95 – Emelie Liljeström – Team Kia – Kia Optima*
# – Rasmus Mårthen – Team Kia – Kia Optima*
* = Not entered for full season
STCC Anderstorp Timetable
Friday 29th May
11:00–11:30 Test 1
13:50–14:20 Test 2
17:20–17:35 Qualifying 1
17:40–18:00 Qualifying 2
Saturday 30th May
12:40–13:10 Race 1
15:25–15:50 Race 2
All times are in CET.
