TTA completes first test in Sweden

The Touring Car Team Association, TTA, has completed the first test on Swedish soil with the new TTA-car. A total of four teams and six drivers, in addition to the four teams of TTA, took part in the test at Mantorp Park yesterday.

Each driver got to drive about ten laps with one of the two test cars, equipped with a standard Solution-F body shell that is going to be replaced with specially designed shells from TTA for each individual car model.
“We have had a successful test day along with some of the best drivers and teams in Sweden. The car worked great and the response has been positive,” said Christian Dahl, TTA representative and MD for Polestar Racing.

2006 STCC champion Thed Björk was one of the first drivers to test the new car and was happy after his run.
“My first impression is positive of the TTA car. It is a real racing car that has got the latest within new technology and that is challenging to drive. This is just what I am looking for, you want to go to the tracks knowing that you have the same conditions as everyone else to win. The best driver and team is going to win in this concept,” said Björk.

Reigning STCC privateer champion Andreas Ebbesson was next man to drive the car.
“It was a fun car to drive overall. It really shifts when going on the power and brake. There is a lot to learn, you can’t just go in the car and be quick instantly. It is going to take a while to find that little extra and that is the way it is supposed to be. The concept is overall really interesting and it is a lot of value for the money,” said Ebbesson.

Alfa Romeo driver Mattias Andersson completed about 10 laps with the car and says that it is a great difference between the TTA car and the S2000 cars of today.
“It was really a different experience, I have driven an Alfa Romeo for many years and the TTA car is a really big difference compared to what we have to day. The car is fun to drive, a bit more power and a bit quicker lap times. Although I prefer the current touring cars of today, I think the concept seems to be sound and I think it is going to be hard to find anything providing more performance for this kind of money. I want to be on the top level of Swedish racing next year and I hope that STCC and TTA can work together for 2012,” said Andersson.

IPS Motorsport driver Johan Stureson, who shares team with Andersson in the STCC this year, was positive after the test.
“My first impression of the car is that it was stable and that everything worked perfectly when it comes to gearshifts and similar things. It feels like a complete car. The brakes were excellent and the power curve was rich. Overall I think the concept is good, you do not want to be beaten ahead as drive because of what you are driving. This is all about the driver and you do not need any penalty weights, that is positive,” said Stureson.

TTA founder and driver Jan “Flash” Nilsson drove a couple of laps towards the end of the test day.
“At last I got to drive a fast car that is challenging, I completed just four laps, otherwise I am going to shift my focus from the last STCC races of 2011. The most fun was to see the faces of the invited STCC drivers as they returned to the pits after their laps. They were happy again, we have succeeded with the car. We just need to convince STCC AB of what we saw today. The motorsport is going to be sporting and challenging again, as it once was,” said “Flash”.

The negotiations between TTA and STCC are still ongoing for a solution ahead of the 2012 season.
“We are still talking with STCC and our ambition is to find a common solution for next year,” said “Flash”.

TTA reports in a press statement that all teams have been provided with an economical calculus as well as a contract for the new TTA car. Next up for TTA is further testing in Sweden.

Present teams at the test day:

Brovallen Design
Ebbesson Motorsport
Flash Engineering
MA:GP
IPS Motorsport
Polestar Racing
RTech
WestCoast Racing

Present drivers:

Andreas Ebbesson
Daniel Roos
Jan “Flash” Nilsson
Johan Stureson
Mattias Andersson
Robert Dahlgren
Roger Eriksson
Thed Björk
Tobias Johansson