Volkswagen team plan side-by-side test with PWR’s “illegal” exhaust

Volkswagen Dealer Team Bauhaus (Kristoffersson Motorsport) is going to conduct a test ahead of the next round of the STCC to verify if the exhaust configuration that PWR Racing were disqualified for last weekend gives a performance advantage.

“We have the same engine, the same gearbox and same suspension, the only things different are exterior,” said team principal Tommy Kristoffersson to Dagens Nyheter. “Then we have noticed during the year that we have had an disadvantage out of the corners, where we have lost about a car length and a half, and we haven’t really understood that.

“One would have to assume that this is the explanation. We are going to do a number of tests before we can know for sure. We are going to perform a test where we are going to drive on a circuit to see what power difference it is, because this could have affected the entire season.”

All of the classified PWR Racing Cupra TCRs were disqualified from the first STCC race of the weekend at Gelleråsen Arena following a protest filed by rival team WestCoast Racing. Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky was then disqualified from her victory in the second race due the same issue, after a protest filed by MA:GP Honda Racing Sweden.

“If it (the exhaust) has an increase in power, then this is very serious. That would question all results so far,” said Kristoffersson.

“…but I want to be very careful saying that before we know. These are speculations, it can also be the case that it did not make any difference.”

The PWR Racing team are adamant that the system does not give them a power advantage.

“I would not say that it gives a noticeable difference, but I understand that those opinions are out there, but there is no reason for us to cheat based on that,” said PWR Racing team manager Daniel Andersson to DN.

“Our feeling is 100% that we have done right, otherwise we would not have done it the way we have.”