Saab Automobile To Return To Racing In 2009

Posted on 27. Sep, 2008 by Ryan in 2000-2009, 9-3 SS

Photo Credit: Dealer Sport

I almost had heart failure as I heard this news as of late…

According to the Touring Car Times., Saab Automobile is officially returning to racing in 2009 beginning with the Swedish Touring Car Championship (STCC) with a red 2009 Saab 9-3 BioPower Sport Sedan.

The STCC began in 1996 and has never involved a Saab in the championship, so here’s some optimism for their involvement next year.

For the record, it was 1980 when Saab Automobile was officially engaged in racing, rallying & touring. However, since then, they have been funding private parties racing ever since, so let’s not forget about that. These activities included at least most recently, the Pikes Peak events in 1997, 2000 and again in 2002, the Michelin Race of Champions in 2000 and even the Saab Pearl team run in North America in 2006!

We have also had a number of Saab rally drivers over the years, most notably Erik “On the Roof” Carlsson, Stig Blomqvist, Per Eklund, Simo Lampinen and others.

Today, we have a growing younger audience and need a new face to racing for Saab Automobile, if this engagement in STCC and other events will be the first official return to racing since 1980.

If you recall from my recent interview with the former head of marketing and PR at the Saab Car Division of Saab-Scania, Sten Wennlo, Erik Carlsson was asked by him to race and be involved in the PR department. This took place back in the early days of SAAB, in order to appeal to getting younger drivers behind the wheel of the 96, and it worked
It looks like our new driver may be Jens Edman, which is good because he’s experienced yet young enough to once again help bring younger drivers to the Saab brand!

I’ve recently e-mailed Saab Automobile’s motorsport manager, Bjorn Berglof, but his e-mail has bounced, so I have responded by e-mailing Saab Automobile Sweden’s Communications department to see if they have some more material and insight into Saab Automobile formally competing in this race.

I am excited to see this car as you will read below, it is already being tested at Saab Automobile’s test track behind the Saab Factory in Trollhättan, the same one where the 9-X Air concept was driven recently.

Here is the press release by Touring Car Times:

By Johan Meissner Thursday, 25 September 2008 11:49 CET

The new manufacturer for the Swedish Touring Car Championship has been revealed: Saab.

A brand new Saab 93 BioPower has been build in S2000 specification by the team Dealer Sport. STCC race winner Jens Edman completed a shakedown of the car two days ago at Saab’s test track in Trollhättan, Sweden.

Edman was more than pleased with the first run of the new Saab and hopes to be back in the STCC next year.

“It was a perfect day, we had absolutely no problems at all with the car. We only did 15 laps, but the car felt great,” said Edman to TouringCarTimes.com.

Team boss and team owner Jan Warnestad was equally pleased with the first outing of the new S2000 Saab.

“We are more than pleased with the new STCC Saab! We think the car will be a strong competitor in the STCC-field, especially thanks to Saab’s strong position in the BioPower-area,” said Warnestad.

The team Dealer Sport, previously named Opel Team Sweden, ran an Opel Astra for Tommy Rustad in STCC 2007, but pulled out from the series ahead of the 2008 season. Edman was negotiating with the team ahead of the 2008 season, but if Edman will be behind the wheel of the car next year remains to be seen.

“We are discussing things for next year at the moment. It would have been really nice to be back in the STCC, I have been in Denmark for six years now. The STCC has grown really strong and I hope to be back for 2009,” said Edman.

Saab has backed the team during the building of the first S2000 Saab. Bt the level of official involvement from Saab in the team next year is unknown so far.

The engine of the car is Saab’s four cylinder, two liter engine and will be run on bio-ethanol. The gearbox is a six-speed sequential from Xtrac, the same one the team used in the Opel Astra.

The car will complete a test run during the final race of the STCC at Mantorp Park this weekend. Stay tuned for a video and more pictures of the car!

Tags: dealer, Driver, Erik Carlsson, head of marketing, motorsport manager, Saab factory, team Dealer, the Swedish Touring Car Championship, the Touring Car Times, Trollhättan