STCC: Seat confirmed - 5 different manufacturers for STCC 2003

JMeissner · 3 Feb 2003, 18:50 (Ref:495183)

SEAT confirmed!
STCC 03/02/03

Podium - Picko Troberg Racing has today confirmed that they will run two Seat Toledo in the STCC 2003. The cars are built according to the ETCC Super 2000 rules by Seat Motorsport in Spain. "We hope on a long, and for all parts a giving co-operation. Not only with Seat Sport in Barcelona but also with Seat Sweden and all of the Seat retailers," said Lennart Pehrson from Podium - Picko. No details have been released on which drivers that are competing for the two available seats. Picko Troberg had a few words about this: "Now the final negotiations with the drivers commences and the queue is long. Shortly we will be able to introduce our two drivers in the STCC 2003."

Johan Meissner
johan@meissner.se

JMeissner · 3 Feb 2003, 18:58 (Ref:495198)

4 Audi
5 BMW
1 Honda
2 Seat
2 Volvo*
1 Opel*
= 15 cars

*= Not officially confirmed

Volvo are very much likely. Flash Engineering has just recently said that they are preparing two cars for the STCC 2003. What other than Volvo cars?

Opel are very much likely as well. A Vauxhall Astra from the BTCC 2002 is supposed to have been sold to Sweden. Also there are strong indications from Opel Norway are having Rustad on the verge of signing a contract. Another thing is that Opel Sweden has on their website a picture of a covered racecar and a text saying "What will happen in 2003? Will Opel Team Sweden be on the scene?" Would they write that without having something lurking about? Don't think so...

Other than that the only remaining rumours are one Alfa Romeo and one privately build Mercedes C-Class...

Seems to be a good STCC season coming up!

**touringlegend** · 3 Feb 2003, 20:25 (Ref:495291)

I must say, the STCC is turning out to be one of the most promising championships of the year at the moment. Now, if only we could see it on TV here.

**Craig** · 3 Feb 2003, 20:38 (Ref:495300)

Any idea which Astra has been purchased? Presumably one of the Barwell Astras?

**touringlegend** · 3 Feb 2003, 20:45 (Ref:495308)

Barwell did advertise their Astras as "suitable" for the STCC

JMeissner · 3 Feb 2003, 20:54 (Ref:495320)

Don't know which Astra, but I guess the Barwell is likely. Though since Opel seems to be officially involved in this I guess it could be an ex works Astra?

JMeissner · 3 Feb 2003, 20:58 (Ref:495331)

Another new thing to be posted on TouringCarTimes tomorrow:

The Danish Peugeot team, with their two 307's, could move from the DTC to the STCC since the team are unhappy with the changed DTC rules. The Swede Jens Edman, who signed for Peugeot DK just recently, has confirmed this. He will drive together with Jason Watt in 2003.

**Craig** · 3 Feb 2003, 21:00 (Ref:495334)

I'd hazard a guess it was one of the Barwell cars as Triple Eight are said to be still working on running a fourth car next season despite Matt Neal upping sticks and moving to Honda.

kmchow · 3 Feb 2003, 21:27 (Ref:495377)

Wait! A BTCC car(Astra?) is easily(???) converted to STCC specs??

JMeissner · 3 Feb 2003, 21:29 (Ref:495384)

It won't have to, BTC cars are allowed...

**touringlegend** · 3 Feb 2003, 22:24 (Ref:495457)

So will the STCC have a seperate class for BTC cars? Or are the differences so small they're negligible?

JMeissner · 3 Feb 2003, 22:27 (Ref:495463)

No, they will run in the same class, the difference of the rules will be equalled with weights.

Have a look at this link for a walk through of the new STCC rules.

racer69 · 4 Feb 2003, 11:50 (Ref:495918)

Awesome news.

The switch of rules doesn't seem to be affecting the strength of the STCC.

kmchow · 4 Feb 2003, 19:22 (Ref:496433)

Quote:

Originally posted by racer69
The switch of rules doesn't seem to be affecting the strength of the STCC.

Well, considering the STCC is being very accomodating to anyone wishing to race in the series, I'm not suprised it seems to have a more enthusiastic support. OTOH, if they're letting all these classes race, I'm suprised they haven't included a set of weights to allow ST cars to race as well. I guess the ST cars would be the most powerful cars on the grid???

JMeissner · 4 Feb 2003, 20:48 (Ref:496550)

The ST cars would be too powerful and having far better handling. The difference is too big to equal with weights I'm afraid.

rustyfan · 5 Feb 2003, 11:53 (Ref:497165)

JMeissner, in your opinion, do you think there's a chance some of the now-defunct ST cars finding their way into the SLC series (perhaps after having some modifications made to them)?

JMeissner · 5 Feb 2003, 12:27 (Ref:497191)

Yes, endeed. I know for a fact that there are some on the way to the series. And SLC had ST cars already last season...

racer69 · 5 Feb 2003, 12:54 (Ref:497209)

Quote:

Originally posted by kmchow
Well, considering the STCC is being very accomodating to anyone wishing to race in the series, I'm not suprised it seems to have a more enthusiastic support. OTOH, if they're letting all these classes race, I'm suprised they haven't included a set of weights to allow ST cars to race as well. I guess the ST cars would be the most powerful cars on the grid???

How accomodating have they been though? As far as i was aware they were only allowing FIA Super 2000, Super 2000 spec cars homologated in Sweden, and now apparently BTC Touring as well.

JMeissner · 5 Feb 2003, 13:18 (Ref:497230)

Quote:

Originally posted by racer69
How accomodating have they been though? As far as i was aware they were only allowing FIA Super 2000, Super 2000 spec cars homologated in Sweden, and now apparently BTC Touring as well.

Only?

And other than these series also Super Production, DTC and the series organisers have made clear that it is possible for cars from other series to get special clearance...

Now that is quite accomodating to me...

rustyfan · 5 Feb 2003, 13:33 (Ref:497242)

I wonder if we'll see some part-time entries during the year (other than Jens Edman that is).

Shouldn't some of the SLC teams, for example, be eligble to take part in some STCC races if they wanted to give it a shot (and managed to get the special clearence)?

Peter S · 5 Feb 2003, 13:33 (Ref:497244)

DTM cars and Aussie V8's will be allowed in next!!!! At least they can claim they have a global touring car formula. Sounds like a free for all!

JMeissner · 5 Feb 2003, 13:46 (Ref:497264)

Hey, lets not get carried away too much here now...

DTM cars, etc would be too far off. You would have to load a DTM car with extra weight to get it comparable with the Super 2000, etc cars in laptimes...

kmchow · 6 Feb 2003, 01:41 (Ref:497999)

The STCC is becoming a Swedish version of Formula Saloons!

JMeissner · 11 Feb 2003, 12:17 (Ref:503257)

Opel confirmed
STCC 11/02/03

Last Friday Opel Norway PR-boss Reidar Brustad confirmed that Tommy Rustad will drive a Opel Astra (ex. Vauxhall Astra from the BTCC) in the STCC this year. Today Opel Team Sweden confirmed it them self: "The car, the team, the budget - here are all conditions for us to do something really good. But it looks harder than ever, it will take giant effort to get results. And we are prepared for that," Tommy Rustad said in a press release.

Johan Meissner
johan@meissner.se

Koffe · 15 Feb 2003, 10:59 (Ref:507435)

Hi there, Volvo is confirmed. Jan Nilsson and Magnus Krokström will join the STCC. Last year Krokström drived a Volvo S40 in STCC with a own team. Jan Nilsson will drive in ETCC and STCC, Krokström will only drive the STCC.

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