The Volvo 850 Racing team is to take up the BTCC gauntlet again this year, with one aim
firmly in mind - the podium. The team took to Britain's racing circuits during the 1994
season with the Estate version of the highly successful Volvo 850, breaking all publicity
records with the interest that this choice attracted. The new aerodynamic and roof line
regulations in place for next season, however, have made the saloon the more competitive
version of the race car for 1995. The driver line-up, meanwhile, features former BTCC
Champion Tim Harvey and, for his second year on the team, Swede Rickard Rydell.
Tim Harvey, like his team mate, first made a name for himself in karting, making the
switch to Rover touring cars in 1986. Just a year later, three outright wins in a Vitesse
ensured that he was the BTCC class winner. Tim also clinched the BRDC Sports Car
Championship (198811989) and the British Touring Car Championship in 1992. In 1993
and 1994 he raced for the Renault BTCC team, achieving a maiden victory in each season.
"I am very pleased to be working with the 850 Racing team for 1995," says Harvey. "I
tested the Estate at the end of last year and was impressed with its handling. I've talked
with the design engineers, and they definitely know what they're doing with the new car."
Rickard Rydell made his debut in touring cars with the Volvo 850 Racing team in 1994.
The former Swedish kart champion (1984-1985) had raced successfully in F3 in his native
country, the UK and Japan; he is now making a name for himself in the UK motoring press
as the rising Scandinavian star of British Touring Cars. His best performances during his
first season included qualifying third during only the fourth round at Snetterton and
finishing in fifth place at Oulton Park. "My operation during October for a collapsed lung
set me back at the end of last season and, to be honest, I was a little down," says the
Swede, "but now I'm fighting fit and, with a promising new car, looking forward to next
season."