Photo: STCC

Andreas Bäckman fastest in first Mantorp test on STCC return

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Andreas Bäckman makes his STCC TCR Scandinavia return with Brink Motorsport in the penultimate 2021 round at Mantorp Park this weekend and started in style by setting the fastest time of the first test.

The Brink Motorsport driver lapped the 3.1km circuit in 1:20.164 and was four tenths faster than local hero Mattias Andersson of MA:GP.

Points leader Robert Dahlgren topped the times initially but fell down to third position, 0.568 seconds from Bäckman.

Bäckman’s team-mate Tobias Brink, who is placed third overall, was fourth fastest, just eleven thousands of a second behind.

Lestrup Racing Team driver Oliver Söderström was fifth fastest ahead of Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky who caused a safety car session.

The PWR Racing driver was fastest in the first part of the test but went off into the gravel at the Mjölby corner just after setting her best lap. Åhlin-Kottulinsky was forced to sit out the remainder of the session.

Albin Wärnelöv and Andreas Ahlberg rounded off the top eight, 1.1 and 1.2 seconds from the top time respectively.

The second test of the weekend starts at 12:25 CEST.