Motor Sport

Double delight for marque

January 10 - 16, 2018
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Gulf Weekly Double delight for marque

Gulf Weekly Kristian Harrison
By Kristian Harrison

Volvo Cars secured a sweet double as the marque claimed prestigious international titles for the first time in its racing history.

Thed Björk and Polestar Cyan Racing, the Swedish manufacturer’s official factory auto-racing arm, claimed two FIA World Touring Car Championship titles in a season finale in the Gulf region.

Björk became the first ever Swedish racing World Champion as Volvo Cars, Polestar and Cyan Racing claimed their maiden motorsport World Titles.

The 2017 World Touring Car Championship was the 13th since the series was revived in 2005. Racing took place across the globe including courses in Morocco, Italy, Argentina and China.

Björk said: “I can’t put words to my feelings right now but this is by far the greatest moment of my racing career. The season finale went according to our plans and I want to extend a massive thank you to everyone in the team, they are as much World Champions as I am!”

Two flawless races at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar saw Björk finishing the season as drivers’ champion by 28.5 points over title rival Norbert Michelisz, and Polestar Cyan Racing as manufacturers’ champions by the same margin over Honda.

Nicky Catsburg ended the season on the podium with third position in the final race of 2017 as four-time WTCC champion Yvan Muller also brought vital points to the team from both races.

Catsburg said: “A massive thank you to everyone in the team and congratulations to Thed, you are a very worthy champion. I am very happy to see this outcome after the struggles we had at the beginning of the weekend. I had a good final race and to end the season with a podium feels great.”

Proud team boss Alexander Murdzevski Schedvin could not hide his delight at seeing the fruits of his team’s efforts finally bloom.

He explained: “We entered the championship last year with a five-year plan to become World Champions. We did it in just two years. We have exceeded all of our expectations and goals this season.

“Thed Björk has done an awesome job this season and is a worthy champion. The team has put down thousands and thousands of hours to together claim the World Title, I can’t thank them enough. This is the proudest moment in the history of our team and I am so proud to be able to say that we are the World Champions!”







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