Sebastian Schou strengthened his grip on the Radical Cup Scandinavia title with a dominant victory in Race 1 of the Grande Finale at Mantorp Park.
The STEP Motorsport driver made a clean getaway from the first row and immediately began to edge clear of the chasing pack, never looking back as battles unfolded behind him.
Ludvig Bäck launched well at the lights to slot into second, but he soon came under intense pressure from Mikael Bern, Stevan Petrovic and Morten Dons. Petrovic dispatched Dons with a clinical move into Turn 1, before a fierce three-way fight for the remaining podium positions developed.
Bern found a way past Bäck under braking into the F2 chicane, only for Petrovic to immediately pounce with a decisive dive into the final corner, elevating himself into third. The RCR Sweden driver then hunted down Bern and made a clean move for second into Turn 1 after the latter ran marginally wide.
Further back, the fight for fifth raged between Bäck, Dons and Morten Strømstedt. In a strategic move, Dons allowed teammate Strømstedt through on the final lap to challenge Bäck. The gamble almost paid off, with Strømstedt launching a bold move into Mjölby to grab the place. However, a mistake just a few corners later while defending into F2 allowed Bäck back through to reclaim the position.
At the front, Schou controlled the race flawlessly to take the chequered flag and extend his championship lead heading into the final two races of the season. Hedberg had to settle for second after a poor start, with Stevan Petrovic completing the podium following consistent pace throughout the 14-lap encounter.
Radical Cup Scandinavia season continues this afternoon with Race 2 at Mantorp Park.
