Mikael Karlsson shines in Skellefteå qualifying as the team races against time
Mikael Karlsson continued his strong form in the twilight STCC TCR Scandinavia qualifying session at Skellefteå with a pair of fourth place finishes – his so far best result. Lestrup Racing Team meanwhile raced against time to get Oliver Söderström back on track after a technical issue.
”It felt great to finally get everything together! A massive thanks to the team that has coached me to this level and provided me with a perfect car. Now it’s time to reload and get ready for three intense races tomorrow,” said Mikael Karlsson.
Oliver Söderström’s first qualifying session ended abruptly as a driveshaft broke on the out lap. This forced the team to a race against time to repair his Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR before the end of the session.
The team only just managed to get the car together and enabled Oliver Söderström to finish seventh and make it onto the final Q2 session.
”An unbelievable effort by the team to get me back out again. Then how I managed to get that lap together to make it onto Q1, I do not know. I was sliding all over the place in almost all of the corners. Then there was something not quite right for the Q2 session that we have to analyze for tomorrow. We need to try and bounce back in the races,” said Oliver Söderström.
Robin Knutsson secured yet another solid top ten finish in what is his first ever visit to the 4.1km circuit in northern Sweden.
”I am pleased with the progress we have made today. There are a lot of impressions for me to digest ahead of tomorrow and I hope that we can take another step forward in the races,” said Robin Knutsson.
The first race of three starts at 14:50 CEST tomorrow and is broadcast LIVE on: plus.stcc.se
Results
Qualifying 1
Qualifying 2
