Car # 1 returns to STCC. Reigning STCC-champion Richard Göransson returns to STCC earlier than planned after his violent crash in the season opener at Jyllandsringen in Denmark in April. The doctors estimated a recovery time of three months but Richard Göransson returns already this weekend for the city race in Gothenburg.
”This feels really good and I feel completely recovered and back in business again,” Richard says. ”The pain in my back went away relatively quick and I could start working on my fitness and start the recovery a bit earlier than planned. The bones are healed and I feel ready for a comeback.”

Richard will make his comeback in the city race in Gothenburg, a race he won last year which so far is the only BMW-win on the harbour city track. Richard drove a secret test with WestCoast Racing this week before the decision to return this weekend was taken.
”Gothenburg is one of those races you don’t want to miss and that has been a good motivational factor in my recovery and during the many hours at the gym. It was one of the races I won last year and it’s great to be back there again. I felt completely normal after just a few laps when we tested on Tuesday and after that we took the decision to return to racing this weekend.”

Richard praises the help he has received from Örebro Rehabcenter and the University hospital in his hometown Örebro, something he says has been a big contributing factor for a comeback earlier than previously thought.
”I really must thank Magnus Johansson at Örebro Rehabcenter and Ulf Nordström at the Universityhospital in Örebro. They have been absolutely amazing and extremely professional and that has been a big help in my recovery. My family and WestCoast Racing has also been a great support and to have had them to discuss my ideas and thoughts with have been invaluable. This means I feel very comfortable coming back to STCC now,” Richard finishes.

He will be driving a newly bought BMW 320 Si that WestCoast Racing has bought from BMW Motorsport. The car was used in WTCC by BMW Motorsport and Richard tested the car on Tuesday at Falkenberg race circuit.
”I never thought Richard would return already for Gothenburg,” team manager Dick Jönsson Wigroth says. ”It was a very serious accident and I’m impressed by his motivation and tenacity and the help he has received during his recovery. We always wanted to give Richard the best possible circumstances for when he would return and decided very early on that we would buy a new car. The test on Tuesday was very good and we could take this decision together after that test. His return and the fact that we once again are a two car team with both Richard and Martin Öhlin is something that lifts the spirit in the whole team.”