Oliver Söderström: “I have dreamt of this ever since I was a kid”

22-year-old Oliver Söderström raised many eyebrows in the STCC TCR Scandinavia paddock as he claimed pole position and won the first race of the Gelleråsen Arena season opener for Lestrup Racing Team.

“I have dreamt of this ever since I was a kid, the feeling is incredible,” said Söderström.

“I took my first ever pole yesterday and today my first STCC win. The team has done an amazing job and to be on the podium together with Rob Huff is almost unreal.”

Söderström heads the drivers’ championship on 52 points, four ahead of team-mate Rob Huff and seven ahead of reigning champion Robert Dahlgren.

Team-mate and former world champion Huff took two podium finishes from the three races.

“I’m really pleased with the weekend. The team has worked 24 hours a day for two weeks as we have had some issues,” said Huff.

“It was such a relief when we could put in quick laps during qualifying. And the races have been fantastic, not only for myself but for my team-mate Oliver as well. To give the team a reward with this result feels great. A big thank you to everyone in the team for all their hard work.”

The team changed no less than five engines ahead of the first qualifying session but still managed to claim the lead of the drivers’, teams’ and juniors’ championship.

“We have two amazing drivers that have delivered really well,” said Fredrik Lestrup, co-owner of Lestrup Racing.

“That Oliver won the first race really shows that we have got a package that works. I am really proud over his efforts, as well as Rob’s, he clearly shows why he is a touring car world champion. We’re heading home in the lead of all three championships and that’s just so cool. But we need to keep working to stay ahead, our competitors are not resting, but neither are we.”