Exion Racing signs 16-year-old for STCC programme

Månz Thalin will be the youngest driver on the grid for the 2024 STCC season after signing a deal to compete with the Exion Racing team.

The 16-year-old will be at the wheel of a BMW i4 for his debut campaign as he makes the move up from the NXT Gen Cup, where he finished eleventh in the standings with a best finish of fifth.

Thalin sampled the BMW for the first time during the official test at Mantorp Park, with further tests planned before the season gets underway.

“It will be crazy fun to make my STCC debut with Exion Racing when the championship becomes electric, especially since I have already competed in the electric junior series NXT Gen Cup,” he said.

“It’s really a big difference compared to the cars I’ve raced with before and the BMW is really fun to drive, it’s easy to control and at the same time challenging. Just like all the other drivers talk about, it’s special with the street tyres, but it’s the same for everyone and I really think it will give good racing with limited grip level, long braking distances and a lot of power.

“It will be insanely fun to continue learning the car during the tests before the premiere in Gothenburg, which I’m really looking forward to!”

Team boss Kevin Engman said he was pleased to welcome the youngster into the team for the new season.

“We are happy to be able to welcome Månz to the team, a young talent who also has experience in electric racing,” he said.

“We now have three strong young drivers ready in the team with Månz, Viktor Gustavsson and Calle Bergman as an important part of our investment to build both the team and Swedish motorsport in the long term.”