Photo: Martin Öberg
Fredrik Lestrup and Fredrik Larsson took yet another victory in the penultimate round of the Swedish GT Championship when they won the race at Anderstorp. This was their second victory together and Fredrik Lestrups and WestCoast Racings third straight victory in the championship. Lestrup is leading the championship and WestCoast Racing heads the team championship before the final round at Knutstorp in two weeks.

Fredrik Larsson put the BMW Z4 GT3 on pole in qualifying and Fredrik Lestrup then took the opening stint in the one hour long race. He initially lost a place at the start to the second placed Audi but then stayed closed behind the Audi before overtaking later in the stint and building  gap ahead of the pit stop. He went into the pits and handed the car over to Fredrik Larsson in the lead.
“Because Daniel Roos in the Audi had the inside line in the start he could take the lead in the first left hand corner. I chosed to stay behind him in the beginning and save the tyres. After a while he started going slower so I overtook him and started building a gap before the pit stop. Fredrik Larsson then had to maintain that lead in his stint and he did a great job on worn tyres. Even though I saved the tyres as much as I could in my stint they were pretty much worn out at the end of the race. Anyway, we took the victory again and we are now leading both championships ahead of the final race at Knutstorp!” Fredrik Lestrup said.

Fredrik Larsson didn’t have much grip towards the end and Andreas Simonsen in the challenging Audi R8 closed the gap after they had changed to new tyres in their pit stop. Larsson could keep them at bay and took his second straight win together with Fredrik Lestrup.
“We chosed to use the same set of tyres the whole race and een though the Audi team put new tyres on they couldn’t get ot us. We arrived at Anderstorp leading the championship and we leave Anderstorp maintaining the lead. That feels great, we now look ahead to the final round at Knutstorp. It will be a lot of fun,” Fredrik Larsson said.

It’s time for a new race weekend in Swedish GT and WestCoast Racing heads to the former F1-track Anderstorp in the lead of both championship after two straight victories. Fredrik Lestrup and Fredrik Larsson will for the second weekend pair up in the BMW Z4 GT#, the two of them won the race at Falkenberg two weeks ago and championship leader Fredrik Lestrup looks forward to this weekend.
“It’s going to be fun to drive at Anderstorp, one of the best tracks we have in Sweden and it’s especially fun to share the driving with Fredrik Larsson again. It went as expected at Falkenberg and our goal is of course to increase the championship lead this weekend and the best way to do that is by winning the race. It won’t be easy though, the Audis are fast at Anderstorp but I’m looking forward to this weekend!”, Fredrik says.

Fredrik Larsson will drive his second race in the championship and after the victory at his home track in Falkenberg he looks forward to another race weekend with WestCoast Racing and Fredrik Lestrup. Like his teammate he has a clear target for the race.
“Nothing else but a victory! The Audis are close behind us and will be fast on the long straight at Anderstorp men hopefully we will gain on them in the corners. It’s going to be real fun to continue working with WestCoast Racing and Fredrik Lestrup, we arrive at Anderstorp as championship leaders and we will leave Anderstorp as championship leaders,” he says.

Swedish GT will have three test sessions in Friday at 09:00, 11:00 and 15:00.

Qualifying will be held on Saturday at 10:30 followed by the one hour long race that starts 13:45.

WestCoast Racing had a victorious weekend at Falkenberg. Despite difficult conditions, Fredrik Lestrup and Fredrik Larsson secured the second straight victory for the team in the Swedish GT series.

Fredrik Larsson took pole position but the team received a penalty when the car was found to be too light. This meant having to start the race from the last row. Fredrik Lestrup, who was to take the start and drive the first stint, therefore had to charge through the field. He made a good start and followed through with the plan, going from second to last to first in just eight minutes.

He was able to extend his lead to more than 35 seconds before the pit stop and driver change. The timing was perfect since it had started to rain and the team was able to switch to rain tyres for Fredrik Larsson’s stint.
“It went according to plan. I had no choice but to go for full attack. It really shouldn’t have been possible, but Fredrik and I make a very good driver team and we were able to make our way through the field. A great victory, our second straight win. We’re now leading the championship and we just have to keep going like this”, says Fredrik Lestrup.

Fredrik Larsson took over the wheel half way through the race and drove the final stint. He was able to maintain the lead and extend it even more until heavy rain descended on Falkenberg. Near the end of the race the conditions became too difficult to handle and the one-hour race was red-flagged with 10 minutes to go. Driving at his home-track Fredrik Larsson crossed the finish line as the winner in his first race for WestCoast Racing.
“All I had to do was get the car safely across the line. We decided that Lestrup should do the first stint and he did a very good job and gave us a good lead. I found my pace and drove inside the margins without taking any chances. Even so we were able to extend the lead. The car was really nice to drive both in the dry and in the wet and I got good feedback from the pits. Towards the end, though, it became completely undrivable, so it was the right decision to stop the race. A great victory with WestCoast Racing,” Fredrik Larsson said in summation.

In addition to the overall victory WestCoast Racing also won the GTC class with their second car, a BMW M3 GT4 driven by Richard Trange and Lars Weigl.
“A good day at the office, I have to say,” said team manager Dick Jönsson Wigroth. “Fredrik and Fredrik did a really good job. Both cars are intact and won, and you can’t ask for anything more than that. Now it’s time for a holiday.”

The next race is at Anderstorp on the 6th and 7th of August.

Result, Swedish GT Falkenberg

WestCoast Racing is at their home track this weekend. The third race in the Swedish GT-championship is held this weekend at the fast race track in Falkenberg. WestCoast Racing has from this weekend a new driver in Fredrik Larsson, previous Carrera Cup and Indy Lights-driver, who will share the car with Fredrik Lestrup.
“This will be fun and I’m looking forward to the weekend. I think my home track will suit the BMW well and is a track where we can take advantage of the downforce in the car. It’s gonna be a fun weekend, it looks like it will be rainy which probably won’t be to our disadvantage even though the margins will be smaller,” Fredrik Larsson says.

He will share the car with Fredrik Lestrup who won the last round at Mantorp and who drove for WestCoast Racing in their first race in the German GT Masters at Nürburgring two weeks ago.
“I’m second in the championship and my goal is to be in the lead after the weekend. It will probably rain this weekend which won’t be a disadvantage. I look forward to share the car with Fredrik Larsson, he is very fast and experienced and we will be strong,” Fredrik Lestrup says.

Team manager Dick Jönsson Wigroth believes the team will have a good weekend at the home track.
“After a good weekend at Nürburgring and after our victory at Mantorp we look forward to race at home with the Z4. This will be our first race weekend with Fredrik Larsson driving for us and he and Lestrup will be a strong pairing. We are looking forward to this weekend,” he summarizes.

The race weekend will start with free practice on Friday followed by qualifying on Saturday 10:00 am followed by the one hour long race after mid day.

WestCoast Racing finished 17th in the second GT Mastersrace at Nürburgring. Fredrik Lestrup drove the first stint and took the start from 16th on the grid. After losing two spots being caught outside in the first turn Lestrup started to chase down the cars ahead and overtook several cars.
“Probably one of the best races in my career. We were among the fastest on the track and the car worked great. As soon as I caught someone I could overtake them and chase down the next one. It was a lot of fun!” Fredrik said.

Fredrik Lestrup were involved in a lot of close fights during the stint. He entered the pits a little more than 30 minutes into the race and was seventh on the track and around 12th overall including pit stops.
“The racing was crazy and unfortunately a lot of drivers didn’t really drive that smart and closed the door all the time. I could overtake them eventually but we both lost time when they were so defensive. I’m happy with my driving, I could push a lot harder today and drove faster in the race compared to qualifying. It was a good race and we got a lot of good experience for the coming races,” Fredrik finished.

Lars Stugemo took over the driving with 25 minutes left of the race and drove a safe last stint, finishing 17th overall. Two positions better than yesterday.
“Unfortunately I took a bit too long time to get up to speed when I drove out and I’m not pleased with that. After that it went well and I could find a pace matching the others in front of me. Fredrik did a strong effort and this weekend has been a good and challenging experience. WestCoast Racing is a very professional team that you also have a lot of fun with. It’s been a fun experience,” Lars concludes.

The first weekend in GT Masters netted a 17th and 19th position. Team manager Dick Jönsson Wigroth feels it’s been a valuable first weekend in GT Masters.
“We came here to watch and learn for the future and we’ve done exactly that. Fredrik and Lars kept out of problems and we will return home with an intact car that finished both races. With everything in place I’m convinced we can fight at the top, Fredrik showed there’s speed in us and the car for that in todays race. We will return home pleased and with a lot of experience from this weekend,” he said.

Result, download file Race 2 Nürburgring