Rydell to make full-time WTCC return

Nika Racing has revealed that Rickard Rydell will spearhead its assault on the World Touring Car Championship next year. The Swedish outfit is running a Honda Civic for Yukinori Taniguchi on a part-time basis in the TC2 category of the series this season and now plans to join the main TC1 class in 2015.

Using a Civic once again, the project is due to operate under the Honda Racing Team Sweden banner, with full co-peration from the Japanese manufacturer. Rydell, a former British and Swedish Touring Car champion, said he is relishing the opportunity to lead the all-Swedish team in the WTCC next year.

"This project is one of great promise, and I'll approach it with full dedication," he commented. "The WTCC is highly competitive and lots of fun, and the new TC1 rules will provide us with an interesting technical challenge. I'm looking forward to getting testing underway later this year."

Team principal Nicklas Karlsson was similarly enthused saying: "This is an exciting step into the future for NIKA Racing. The prospect of fielding Rickard Rydell is obviously highly inspiring for everyone involved, and the TC1 rules have opened up the door to some even more intense racing."

Rydell, 46, competed in the WTCC last year with Nika, driving a Chevrolet at Shanghai.