2014 STCC kicks off at Knutstorp with new generation of drivers

The 2014 Scandinavian Touring Car Championship starts this weekend at Knutstorp and while the line-up is two drivers smaller compared to last year, there are five new drivers below the age of 25 on the list this year.

Defending champion and Volvo Polestar Racing driver Thed Björk is older than 25 at the age of 33 and is planning to make life hard for the newcomers.

”It is good to see new and young drivers joining the championship. But they will have to fight hard to catch me. My sight is set firmly on becoming the first driver in nine years to take a second consecutive title,” said Björk.

The newcomer who showed best form in pre-season testing at Knutstorp was BMW team WestCoast Racing’s Philip Forsman who made his STCC debut in the season finale last year.

”I am looking forward to the season start, we had a really good pre-season test which actually went over expectation. I am hoping to mix it in the top this year,” said Forsman.

There are not only new drivers in the championship this year, Kia has entered the championship with three cars for young drivers Mattias Lindberg, Andreas Wernersson and Linus Ohlsson.

”I am driving to win, there is no other goal. I have beaten the other drivers before and I can do it again. The decision to join Team Kia came late and I am very grateful to the team. I know how I want the car and I showed with Team Tidö in 2012 that you can win in a team with smaller resources,” said Ohlsson.

Another new manufacturer in the championship is new Saab owners Nevs. PWR Racing has received official support from them this year and will field one car, so far, for Finnish female racer Emma Kimiläinen who impressed in pre-season testing by being close to the top drivers.

”I like the STCC cars, they suit my driving style as they are very fast. I have some things to improve still, but I am very much looking forward to the season start,” said Kimiläinen.

There are not only new drivers in the championship, one of the main title contenders is Volvo driver and three-time STCC champion Fredrik Ekblom who had a tough season last year.

”Last year was a disappointment for me, the speed was there but I had no luck. We are going to turn that around this year and I am going for the title, there is nothing else,” said Ekblom.

The most successful STCC driver ever, Richard Göransson, has switched team for this year, leaving WestCoast Racing and joining Team Tidö to drive a Saab 9-3.

”It is going to be fun racing with a new team. We’ve had limited time to prepare, but I am heading to Knutstorp with the ambition to score a strong weekend in terms of points. It is difficult to predict any results because of the new regulations, but we need to get through qualifying and the races in the best possible way,” said Göransson.

The format for qualifying and races have been changed for 2014. Points will be awarded in the first Q1 session of qualifying. Q1 decides the grid for the first race, but with the top ten drivers in reversed order. The second Q2 session is going to be held in a Super Pole format for the eight fastest drivers of Q1, meaning one lap per driver to set a lap time. The result from Q2 decides the grid for the second race.

”I have never before raced in a championship where qualifying is worth as much as a race, but I welcome the new setup and the regulations with reversed grid should be good for me,” said Dacia Dealer Team driver Mattias Andersson.

Andersson starts his second season with Dacia and is aiming to reach top five in the championship this year.

”The goal is to finish among the five first in the championship overall. I’m also aiming to take my first podium for Dacia, as well as the first victory, as fast as possible,” said Andersson.

There are several title contenders and potential race winners, despite a relatively small field of 13 drivers this season. A clear dark horse for the title fight is BMW driver Fredrik Larsson who so far has only got budget set for the first race, but is aiming for full season.

”I think the new regulations are going to be to my advantage. The pre-season testing felt really good and I was fastest overall for both days. This is my third season in the category, lets hope it is the third time lucky!” said Larsson.

The STCC premiere starts on Friday with testing and qualifying, followed by two races of 20 minutes each on Saturday.

2014 STCC Herex Race Day Ring Knutstorp Entry List

No – Driver – Team Name – Car
1 – Thed Björk – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
3 – Richard Göransson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
4 – Fredrik Larsson – WestCoast Racing – BMW SR
6 – Erik Jonsson – WestCoast Racing – BMW SR
7 – Philip Forsman – WestCoast Racing – BMW SR
8 – Roger Samuelsson – Team Tidö – Saab 9-3
9 – Mattias Lindberg – Team Kia – Kia Optima
10 – Andreas Wernersson – Team Kia – Kia Optima
11 – Fredrik Ekblom – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
13 – Carl Philip Bernadotte – Volvo Polestar Racing – Volvo S60
20 – Mattias Andersson – Dacia Dealer Team – Dacia SE
93 – Emma Kimiläinen – PWR Racing – Saab 9-3
95 – Linus Ohlsson – Team Kia – Kia Optima

2014 STCC Herex Race Day Ring Knutstorp Timetable

Friday 9th May
10:20 – Test 1 (30 min)
11:30 – Test 2 (30 min)
13:25 – Q1 (15 min)
13:45 – Q2 (20 min)

Saturday 10th May
12:10 – Race 1 (25 min)
14:05 – Race 2 (25 min)