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Lestrup Racing Team has headed to the north of Sweden for the Midnight Sun Race at Skellefteå Drivecenter Arena and the second round of the 2020 STCC TCR Scandinavia season.

The team celebrated a sensational season start at Gelleråsen Arena two weeks ago with pole position, a victory and the lead of all three standings.

”It was almost unreal to leave the season opener with such an amazing result, especially as we had so many issues in the weeks before. Everyone in the team performed at their absolute best,” said Fredrik Lestrup, team co-owner.

”The season opener has boosted our confidence and we are in a championship mode with our sights set on more wins. But we are under no illusions that it will be easy at Skellefteå, we need to continue pushing forwards as our competitors are not standing still.”

Oliver Söderström made his mark on the STCC paddock in the season opener by beating the established drivers and claiming the championship lead.

”The amazing feeling from the first race weekend is still with me. But I am humble ahead of the Skellefteå race and I take nothing for granted. It’s going to be really tough this weekend and we have to keep working hard,” said Oliver Söderström.

Team-mate and 2012 world champion Rob Huff is second in the drivers’ championship, just four points behind Oliver Söderström.

”Skellefteå is another new challenge for me, as all circuits are for me this year. I’m excited after what was the best opening weekend we could ask for and we need to continue the momentum this weekend,” said Rob Huff.

”We have some added weight this weekend that obviously will make the challenge harder. But all of us at Lestrup Racing Team are up for the challenge and I am confident that we are going there with a well-balanced car.”

The Skellefteå event is held over just one day, with free practice, qualifying and three races, meaning a really intense day for the team.

The circuit was opened in 2019 and is the longest circuit in Scandinavia, measuring 4100 meters.

All three races are broadcast live at STCC+: https://plus.stcc.se

Schedule – Gelleråsen Arena
Saturday 29th August
09:30 – Free practice 1
10:40 – Free practice 2
13:00 – Qualifying 1
13:25 – Qualifying 2
14:45 – Race 1
16:45 – Race 2
18:15 – Race 3

Driver championship standings
1 Oliver Söderström 52 points
2 Rob Huff 48 (-4)
3 Robert Dahlgren 45 (-7)
4 Andreas Ahlberg 35 (-17)
5 Emil Persson 34 (-18)
6 Tobias Brink 33 (-19)
7 Mattias Andersson 32 (-20)
8 Hannes Morin 18 (-34)
9 Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky 15 (-37)
10 Mikael Karlsson 4 (-48)
11 Albin Wärnelöv 2 (-50)

Team championship standings
1 Lestrup Racing Team 100 points
2 Kågered Racing 69 (-31)
3 PWR Racing 60 (-40)
4 Brink Motorsport 51 (-49)
5 Honda Racing Sweden 32 (-68)
6 Experion Racing 2 (-98)

Junior championship standings
1 Oliver Söderström 75 points
2 Hannes Morin 54 (-21)
3 Magnus Gustavsen 24 (-51)
4 Isac Aronsson 10 (-65)

The STCC TCR Scandinavia season opener at Gelleråsen Arena went from nightmare to a dream as drivers Oliver Söderström and Rob Huff delivered a pole position, victory, four podiums and the lead of all three championships.

Oliver Söderström claimed his career-first STCC pole position on Saturday and followed up with his maiden victory in the first of three races on Sunday.

”I have dreamt of this ever since I was a kid, the feeling is incredible. I took my first ever pole yesterday and today my first STCC win. The team has done an amazing job and to be on the podium together with Rob Huff is almost unreal,” said Oliver Söderström, who also heads the junior standings.

Rob Huff managed to overcome an array of issues with his race car to secure two podiums and is placed second in the drivers’ championship, just four points from team-mate and championship leader Oliver Söderström.

”I’m really pleased with the weekend. The team has worked 24 hours a day for two weeks as we have had some issues. It was such a relief when we could put in quick laps during qualifying. And the races have been fantastic, not only for myself but for my team-mate Oliver as well. To give the team a reward with this result feels great. A big thank you to everyone in the team for all their hard work,” said Rob Huff.

The week leading up to the season opener had the team racing against time to sort several issues related to engine and electronics.

The team changed engine on Rob Huff’s car with seconds to spare ahead of the qualifying session start.

But the hard work of the team paid off, with Lestrup Racing Team holding the teams’ championship lead on 100 points, 31 points ahead of Kågered Racing after the first race weekend of 2020.

”We have two amazing drivers that have delivered really well. That Oliver won the first race really shows that we have got a package that works. I am really proud over his efforts, as well as Rob’s, he clearly shows why he is a touring car world champion. We’re heading home in the lead of all three championships and that’s just so cool. A massive thanks to everyone in the team, their commitment is fantastic, especially as none of them are full-time employed. But we need to keep working to stay ahead, our competitors are not resting. but neither are we,” said Fredrik Lestrup, co-owner of Lestrup Racing.

Next up is the second round of the STCC TCR Scandinavia at Skellefteå Drivecenter Arena on August 28-29.

Results Race 1

Results Race 2

Results Race 3

Lestrup Racing Team drivers Oliver Söderström and Rob Huff fought back to a 1-2 in the first STCC TCR Scandinavia qualifying session of 2020 at Gelleråsen Arena as the team fought technical issues.

”It feels quite nice to be able to say that I have claimed an STCC pole position, it is definitely a tick in the box,” said Oliver Söderström.

”I wanted to challenge for the top in the second qualifying session as well, but unfortunately I lost a wheel and had to park the car. I want to win tomorrow of course, but I have to be humble as there are so many good drivers in the championship.”

Rob Huff claimed second position in the first qualifying session (Q1) and third in the second (Q2) qualifying session and was a happy man.

”I’m unbelievably happy with the result considering that the team has worked 24 hours a day for the last two weeks and that we had to change engine just before qualifying,” said Rob Huff.

”To give the team a reward with second and third, it’s not the best we could have done, for sure. But with what we have handled for the last two weeks, I’m really pleased for myself and for the team.”

The start of the STCC premiere week began with technical issues and the team fought hard to secure a perfect car for Rob Huff ahead of qualifying.

”Rob and Oliver have delivered a fantastic result under immense pressure and I am so proud of them and everyone in the team that have fought so hard to get where we are now,” said Fredrik Lestrup, co-owner of Lestrup Racing Team.

Oliver Söderström was fastest in the first qualifying session and will start from pole in the first race with team-mate Rob Huff right behind in second place, setting the positions for the second race.

Rob Huff was third fastest in the second qualifying session while Oliver Söderström was sixth fastest as he had to abort his second attempt when a wheel came loose.

Championship points are awarded for the top five drivers of the second qualifying session, meaning that Rob Huff has secured three points so far.

The first race of the season opener weekend at Gelleråsen Arena starts at 11:10 CEST tomorrow August 16th and can be watched live at: https://plus.stcc.se

Results Q1

Results Q2

Schedule – Gelleråsen Arena

Saturday August 15th
09:40 – Test 1 – 30 min
13:00 – Test 2 – 30 min
16:55 – Q1 – 20 min
17:20 – Q2 – 10 min

Sunday August 16th
11:10 – Race 1 – 17 laps
14:00 – Race 2 – 17 laps
15:40 – Race 3 – 17 laps

Entry list 2020 STCC TCR Scandinavia

1 – Robert Dahlgren – PWR Racing – Cupra León Competicíon
7 – Oliver Söderström – Lestrup Racing Team – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
12 – Rob Huff – Lestrup Racing Team – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
19 – Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky – PWR Racing – Cupra León Competicíon
20 – Mattias Andersson – Honda Racing Sweden – Honda Civic Type-R
21 – Andreas Ahlberg – Kågered Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
22 – Albin Wärnelöv – Experion Racing Team – Hyundai i30 N TCR
45 – Emil Persson – Kågered Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
48 – Mikael Karlsson – Kågered Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
51 – Hannes Morin – Brink Motorsport – Audi RS 3 LMS
59 – Poker Wallenberg – PWR Racing – Cupra León Competicíon
70 – Isac Aronsson – Isac’s Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
71 – Tobias Brink – Brink Motorsport – Audi RS 3 LMS
91 – Magnus Gustavsen – Brovallen Design – Audi RS 3 LMS

Lestrup Racing Team will make its STCC TCR Scandinavia return this weekend at the Gelleråsen Arena opener with drivers Rob Huff and Oliver Söderström. And the team is aiming high.

”We want to win and be in the very top with both drivers, there is no doubt about that,” said Fredrik Lestrup, co-owner of Lestrup Racing Team.

”We have a great line-up with Rob and Oliver, they complete each other really well with vast experience and young hunger. We feel ready after a really good pre-season with plenty of testing.”

The team has completed five test days with its pair of Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR race cars in the weeks leading up to the season opener and 2012 touring car world champion Rob Huff is keen to make his STCC debut.

”I am very excited to get into the first race weekend and we are here to win, we’re not here for anything else,” said Rob Huff.

”I have full confidence with Lestrup Racing Team and that they can provide me with a car that I can win with. I am relieved and very happy to be able to take part in the new season and congrats to the STCC organisation on putting together a new season quickly and conveniently for all the teams and competitors.”

Oliver Söderström impressed during the official pre-season test at Gelleråsen Arena in July where he was fourth fastest during the shootout and is hopeful but humble ahead of the season start.

”I think we have a really solid package and we will be strong. But I say that humbly as I know the competition is going to be so tough,” said Oliver Söderström.

”I have made progress during the testing and got my head wrapped around a lot of new things, especially the Yokohama tyres that I haven’t raced on before. The goal for the team is to win the the team championship and I will do my very best to contribute to that.”

The season opener weekend starts on Saturday with testing and qualifying, followed by three races on Sunday.

All of the races will be broadcast live on the online platform STCC+ as no spectators will be allowed on site at Gelleråsen Arena due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

”We will miss the spectators on site but we are really happy over the TV coverage that the STCC organisation has secured through STCC+,” said Fredrik Lestrup.

Schedule – Gelleråsen Arena

Saturday August 15th
09:40 – Test 1 – 30 min
13:00 – Test 2 – 30 min
16:55 – Q1 – 20 min
17:20 – Q2 – 10 min

Sunday August 16th
11:10 – Race 1 – 17 laps
14:00 – Race 2 – 17 laps
15:40 – Race 3 – 17 laps

Entry list 2020 STCC TCR Scandinavia

1 – Robert Dahlgren – PWR Racing – Cupra León Competicíon
7 – Oliver Söderström – Lestrup Racing Team – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
12 – Rob Huff – Lestrup Racing Team – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
19 – Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky – PWR Racing – Cupra León Competicíon
20 – Mattias Andersson – Honda Racing Sweden – Honda Civic Type-R
21 – Andreas Ahlberg – Kågered Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
22 – Albin Wärnelöv – Experion Racing Team – Hyundai i30 N TCR
45 – Emil Persson – Kågered Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
48 – Mikael Karlsson – Kågered Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
51 – Hannes Morin – Brink Motorsport – Audi RS 3 LMS
59 – Poker Wallenberg – PWR Racing – Cupra León Competicíon
70 – Isac Aronsson – Isac’s Racing – Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
71 – Tobias Brink – Brink Motorsport – Audi RS 3 LMS
91 – Magnus Gustavsen – Brovallen Design – Audi RS 3 LMS

Lestrup Racing Team completed its first official STCC TCR Scandinavia test day of 2020 at Gelleråsen Arena with drivers Rob Huff and Oliver Söderström.

”We have completed a lot of kilometres with both cars without any issues. That is a strong proof that everyone involved in the team has done a good job so far,” said Fredrik Lestrup, team co-owner.

”It was rewarding to combine our experiences from the 2017-2018 STCC season with Huff’s experiences from the WTCR and to see that we were not far off from each other.”

Two days of testing were followed by a one-lap STCC Official Shootout session where the 22-year-old Oliver Söderström impressed by claiming the fourth fastest time overall.

”I am pretty pleased with my shootout lap, especially as I have never done anything like it before,” said Oliver Söderström.

”I am super pleased to have completed so many laps done and to work together with Rob and the team. I realise that I have a lot still to learn, especially about how to convey and understand more regarding the setup work of the car. But I am eager to continue the preparations and I have a really good feeling.”

2012 world champion Rob Huff got his first taste of the Swedish circuits and was pleased after two days of testing, finishing seventh overall.

“It was nice to be back after seven months of no driving and we had two good days of testing in mixed conditions which was nice for me to learn the circuit,” said Huff.

”We had a test plan for each day, both of which we completed and we made good progress. I am really impressed with the team. They are working to a high level and are very professional and friendly. They really made me feel part of the team.”

The team will continue the pre-season testing in the south of Sweden next week in preparation for the STCC season start on August 15-16 at Gelleråsen Arena.

”The results from the first official test have boosted our morale, we are on the right track. But we are humble ahead of our task, there is no rest in our work to prepare ourselves for a really challenging season ahead,” said Fredrik Lestrup.

Rewatch the STCC Official Shootout at: plus.stcc.se

Lestrup Racing Team has unveiled its new design that 2012 world champion Rob Huff and the upcoming talent Oliver Söderström will carry during the 2020 STCC TCR Scandinavia season.

”We are really pleased with the new design,” said Fredrik Lestrup, co-owner of Lestrup Racing Team.

”Unveiling the new look is always a sign that the season is getting closer and it feels especially great after the unusually long break. The design is an interpretation and combination of our previous STCC design and the one we had on our endurance race car last year.”

Rob Huff has spent the past week in Sweden, getting to know the team ahead of the first test days later this week.

”It’s a striking design and it reminds me of my championship winning car from 2012,” said Huff.

”I’ve been in Sweden with the team for five days preparing for the test and I’m impressed so far with what I’ve seen. I’m looking forward to getting back into a race car after a few months at home and eager to get going.”

The team is going to field two Volkswagen Golf GTI TCRs for the 2020 STCC season and the new design was unveiled at Volkswagen Smista in Stockholm, a long-standing partner of the team.

Lestrup Racing Team is currently headed for Gelleråsen Arena for the first official STCC test of 2020 that will be held on July 2nd ahead of the season start at the same circuit on August 15-16.

Parts of the test, including a shootout, will be broadcast live on STCC+. Follow the test at: plus.stcc.se

Oliver Söderström gör STCC TCR Scandinavia-comeback och ansluter världsmästaren Rob Huff hos Lestrup Racing Team inför säsongen 2020.

– Det här är en otroligt stor möjlighet för mig. Det känns fantastiskt att inleda mitt tredje år med Lestrup Racing och att få Rob Huff som teamkompis, säger Söderström.

– Jag har väldigt mycket att lära mig från Rob och jag hoppas att kunna ta nästa steg framåt som förare i år tillsammans med teamet och honom. Min målsättning är JSM-guldet och att ta några segrar.

Söderström gjorde STCC-debut med Lestrup Racing Team 2018 och säkrade bronsmedaljen i junior-SM under sin första säsong i mästerskapet.

Under 2019 körde 21-åringen GT4 Scandinavia för Lestrup Racing Team och säkrade silvermedaljen i mästerskapet.

– Vi är grymt stolta att kunna presentera Oliver som förare för oss i STCC 2020, han blir ett utmärkt komplement till erfarne Rob Huff, säger Fredrik Lestrup, delägare av Lestrup Racing.

– Vi kommer till start med förutsättningar för att kunna fightas om segrar med två förare och det finns nu några självklara mål för oss. Att vinna STCC, JSM och teammästerskapet. Det är höga mål men vi skulle inte sätta upp dem om vi inte trodde det var möjligt!

Söderström gjorde en första comeback bakom ratten på teamets Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR under Dubai 24-timmars tidigare i år där han tillsammans med teamet säkrade klass-pole position och en pallplats.

– Kontinuitet är väldigt viktigt och Oliver har verkligen utvecklats under de senaste två åren med oss och det vi vill skörda frukten av tillsammans, säger Totte Malmkvist, chefsmekaniker, Lestrup Racing Team.

– Oliver passar otroligt bra in i vårt familjära team och vi skall göra allt vi kan för att ge honom och Rob Huff de bästa förutsättningarna att vinna race och mästerskapet.

Härnäst väntar det officiella STCC-testet på Gelleråsen Arena för Söderström tillsammans med teamet.

– Det ska bli sjukt kul att köra igen, senast var Dubai 24-timmars och det känns bra att vi avslutade på topp då, säger Söderström.

– Jag har köpt en gokart för att hålla igång fysiken och även kört mycket fysträning samt simulator. Vi har en oerhört spännande och intensiv säsong framför oss och det känns extra bra att teamet har tagit ett stort steg framåt på alla plan.

STCC TCR Scandinavia-säsongen startar den 15-16 augusti på Gelleråsen Arena och sänds live på: plus.stcc.se