Photo: STCC Media

Daniel Haglöf leads PWR Cupra 1-2-3 in Knutstorp Race 1

Daniel Haglöf lead team-mates Robert Dahlgren and Philip Morin to a 1-2-3 finish in the first race of the weekend at Knutstorp, making the most of a good getaway off the line in a safety car-shortened race.

Haglöf made the perfect launch from second on the grid to take the lead into Turn 1, while Johan Kristoffersson also got away from third on the grid in his KMS Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR, but was held back by pole-sitter Philip Morin, who defended the inside into Turn 1 which allowed Robert Dahlgren around the outside of the pair of them and into second.

Haglöf quickly began to build a lead over team-mate and reigning champion Robert Dahlgren, while there was trouble for the Brink Motorsport Audi pair of Micke Ohlsson and Tobias Brink on lap three, with Ohlsson running wide at Turn 2 and into the gravel, with Brink almost following him off and losing ground.

Ohlsson’s car was recovered without the need for a safety car, but one lap later Albin Wärnelöv crashed out from 13th in his Volkswagen Golf and the race was then suspended behind the safety car.

The race resumed on lap nine, with Dahlgren immediately on the offensive, attacking race leader Haglöf into Turn 1 with light contact but was unable to make his way past.

The safety car was soon called again as the WestCoast Racing Volkswagen of Andreas Bäckman crashed out on the way up to Turn 6, and required recovery.

The race resumed on lap 12, but was now running to time as the 19 laps wouldn’t be complete before the race length limit was hit.

Haglöf won the race by 1.7 seconds ahead of Dahlgren, with Morin completing the podium lockout for PWR 2.9 seconds behind, holding off the Volkswagens of Johan Kristoffersson and Fredrik Ekblom to the finish.

Andreas Wernersson crossed the line sixth in his Lestrup Volkswagen, with Hugo Nerman seventh in the KMS Volkswagen entry. Lestrup’s Oliver Söderström, Micke Kågered Racing’s Andreas Ahlberg and the Honda of Mattias Andersson completed the top ten, with Andersson just grabbing the final point ahead of Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, who drove from 21st to 11th.

The second race is scheduled for 15:30 CEST, with Wernersson set to start from pole position.