Martin Öhlin had an eventful first STCC-weekend as he and the team endured a dramatic weekend at Jyllandsringen in Denmark. Martins teammate Richard Göransson crashed heavily in the first race and was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with fractures to two vertebras and will have a three month long recovery. Martin had a difficult qualifying where he spun on his fastest lap on his way to top eight and Q2. He lined up 12th on the grid for the first race.

In the first race Martin lost a couple of places around the outside on the first lap and was later forced to retired with a broken front end as he battled his way up the field. For the second race Martin lined up 16th on the grid and had a much better start. He could gain four places on the first lap and was after that one of the fastest cars on the track and managed to climb to seventh place in the end and gain his first STCC-points.
– It was fun to race and the car was fantastic in the second race, Martin said afterwards. I felt totally at home in the car and it was nice to be able to gain some revenge after the first race.

Martin left Denmark on Sunday morning and summarized a eventful first race weekend in the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship.
– I have a lot of impressions with me from this weeekend. One of them is that I must improve my qualifying. But we could show we already have the speed so I’m very optimistic. But first of all I hope my team mate Richard recovers quickly, it was a nasty accident and I hope he will come back as soon as possible.

Team manager Dick Jönsson Wigroth seeks comfort from Martins strong second race in what proved to be a very dramatic season opener for WestCoast Racing.
– This was a different weekend for us but we showed strong dominating pace in both races, he said. Richard did an amazing first race and Martin was equally strong in the second race. The weekend did not work out as planned with Richards terrible accident but Martin could give us a strong finish. He showed we have the speed in both cars and he will build on this. Our thoughts are now with Richard Göransson as he will recover from the injuries.

Richard Göransson led the first race with over eight seconds to second place when he on the penultimate lap had a violent crash into the concrete wall at the first turn. He was concious and was taken to the hospital where they confirmed fractures on two vertebras. The length of revocery is estimated to at least three months but Richard Göransson could take his first steps at the hospital on Sunday. The cause of accident is yet unknown and the team will undertake a complete technical investigation of the car to determine the cause of the accident. Martin Öhlin andWestCoast Racing supports Richard Göransson in his recovery. Richard Göransson will most likely be released from the hospital on Wednesday and return home to Sweden. WestCoast Racing will continually provide updates on his condition and the investigation at www.westcoastracing.se

The next round is Knutstorp in Sweden in two weeks time.