Dennis Strandberg has been announced as the last-minute replacement at Maximum Motorsport’s BTCC outfit, in place of the recently departed Josh Cook, the team have revealed.
While Croft represents the BTCC race debut for Strandberg, it is not his first time driving Maximum’s Focus ST, having tested their NGTC machinery during the Snetterton tyre test last year.
Strandberg currently pilots a Volkswagen Golf in the TCR Scandinavia series, lying seventh in the championship standings.
With only 16 full time competitors in his home series, the BTCC presents a tougher challenge still than that he faces on a regular weekend.
“I’ve watched the championship for years, so I know how competitive the field is,” remarked the Swede. “I think results this weekend will be hard to predict but I’m wanting to preform at my best with the preparation I’ve had for this opportunity”
While he has experience racing in Britain, thanks to appearances in the British GT Championship, Ginetta GT4 Supercup and Ginetta GT5 Challenge, Croft presents a second unknown to go with the most recent iteration of the NGTC Focus he will be racing.
“I’ve tested the car last season, but I understand its a different machine after the upgrades it had over the winter,” he explained. “I’ve never raced at Croft, but I’m looking forward to the challenge, and look forward to taking to the grid with some very well respected drivers.”
Strandberg arrives at the team following the departure of Josh Cook, who moved across to MG Triple Eight Racing shortly after the last round of the championship at Oulton Park, in place of Dan Lloyd who has moved to the TCR International Series.
How long Strandberg will be piloting the lime green Ford Focus is still unclear; with the Knockhill and Silverstone BTCC rounds clashing with the TCR Scandinavia series’ outings at Karlskoga and Mantorp Park respectively.
