Photo: Nika Racing

Néstor Girolami to replace Rickard Rydell at Nika Racing

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Reigning Argentinian Super TC 2000 champion Néstor Girolami is going to replace Rickard Rydell at Nika Racing for two of the upcoming rounds of this year’s World Touring Car Championship, after the original plan for the 25-year-old to take over Proteam’s unused Honda Civic fell through with the team withdrawing from the championship.

“I am really, really happy about this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started. I have a lot to learn about the car, the tracks and the championship so I will be taking things step-by-step,” said Girolami.

Girolami, who won last year’s Super TC 2000 Championship with Peugeot, is going to drive in the Slovakian and Portuguese rounds of the 2015 WTCC.

The Argentinian tested the factory Lada Vesta the week following the Hungarian round of the WTCC, testing alongside current drivers Rob Huff and Jaap van Lagen, and immediately impressed team principal Viktor Shapovalov.

While Girolami works towards a factory programme in 2016, most likely with Lada, Girolami was ready to take over the Honda Civic of Proteam Racing on an independent basis, with the seat having been left vacant after Dusan Borkovic departed the team during the Morocco race weekend. However, following Proteam’s decision to withdraw from the WTCC, another berth has been found for the Argentinian star at Nika Racing.

“I would love to come to the WTCC next year and race a full season. It is a very big and professional championship with a race in Argentina and I want to be a part of it. Big thanks to WTCC promoter Eurosport Events and to Honda Racing team Sweden for all their help in making this happen,” said Girolami.

Rydell scored points on his WTCC return in Argentina back in March, before he was sidelined for three races due to a case of Thyroiditis, returning to the grid last weekend where he finished just outside the points at the Moscow Raceway.

”As good as it was to get back in the car in Russia last weekend, this decision was made before my return and I fully support it. I have missed three rounds this year and there is very little we can achieve in terms of the championship, so this will have no effect as far as that is concerned. On the contrary, this will benefit us in the longer term as we explore ways for the team to grow. I would like to welcome Néstor to the team and there is no doubt that he will do a good job for us. I will be back in France and for the final rounds,” said Rydell.