Lotus Cyan Racing are set for a new start in the 2018 Swedish GT premiere at the twisty and challenging Knutstorp circuit in the south of Sweden this weekend. Drivers Prince Carl Philip and five-time STCC champion Richard Göransson will join forces for the first race weekend in the all-new Lotus Evora GT4.
”I am excited ahead of the season start and I have a good feeling after the pre-season tests. I have done plenty of laps and while the car is completely new for me to learn, it feels easy to drive and I have made big improvements on my lap times. I think we have the potential for a strong opening weekend of the season,” said Prince Carl Philip.
Prince Carl Philip will have the most successful STCC driver ever as co-driver in the form of Richard Göransson who has claimed five titles, the most recent in 2016 with Cyan Racing.
”I definitely think there is potential in the car to win in our first weekend. The car is fun to drive, has a lot of grip and a good engine character. We will head to Knutstorp with a white sheet of paper as we have never raced with this car before. But we have a World Champion team behind us and I feel confident,” said Richard Göransson.
The season start marks the debut of the new constellation of Geely Group Motorsport and Cyan Racing, the reigning double World Champions of touring cars, running a Lotus in the Swedish GT championship that runs alongside the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship for five race weekends.
”We are headed for the start of a new programme and a new season with great excitement. We are especially glad to continue our relationship with Prince Carl Philip who for this year will drive a new brand within the Geely Group in the form of Lotus. The pre-season tests have been very positive and we are looking forward to the season start,” said Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin, Head of Motorsport at Geely Group Motorsport.
The 2018 Swedish GT season opener starts on Friday May 4th with testing and qualifying, followed by two races on Saturday May 5th with mandatory pit stops and driver changes.
Prince Carl Philip will be joined by reigning touring car World Champion Thed Björk as co-driver later during the season.
Schedule – Knutstorp
(Times in CEST)
May 4th
12:10 – Test
17:15 – Qualifying
May 5th
11:30 – Race 1
14:40 – Race 2
2018 Swedish GT Entry List
5 Otto Gullberg Ginetta G55
7 Kari Mäkinen Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4
8 Martin Sokolski Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
10 Simon Sjöö Porsche Cayman GT4
13 Carl Philip Bernadotte Lotus Evora GT4
13 Richard Göransson Lotus Evora GT4
13 Thed Björk Lotus Evora GT4
14 Johan Carlström Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
14 Joel Jakobsson Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
59 Robin Nilsson Lotus Exige
59 Robin Jensen Lotus Exige
72 Mats Ek Tidstrand Mercedes AMG GT4
2018 Swedish GT Calendar
04-05/5 Knutstorp
16-17/6 Anderstorp
18-19/8 Karlskoga
08-09/9 Rudskogen
21-22/9 Mantorp Park
TV Schedule
May 5th
13:30-15:55 – Sportkanalen/www.cmore.se