Rickard Rydell to make full-time WTCC return in 2015
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-operation 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.
Citroen boss backs dual progamme in the WTCC and WRC
WTCC: Tom Coronel shocked by the condition of his crashed car
Why joker laps are entering the mainstream
This season the World Touring Car Championship looks certain to bring joker laps to a circuit-racing world championship for the first time. And it need not be the daft gimmick people may think
The making of the world's best tin-top driver
He has been overshadowed at Citroen for the last three seasons, but the retirement of Yvan Muller means the world says farewell to one of touring-car racing's finest talents
Volvo's plan to conquer the WTCC
Volvo gave the World Touring Car Championship a major boost when it announced it would enter the series, but its ambitions don't stop there. JACK COZENS examines its programme, the S60 and what its arrival means for the WTCC
The WTCC's Nordschleife gamble paid off
A 17-car field on a 13-mile track - the WTCC's Nurburgring Nordschleife gamble wasn't going to be easy to pull off. STUART CODLING explains how the series made it work
Insight from a Nordschleife master
World championship racing returns to the Nordschleife this weekend. STUART CODLING got a lesson from one of the legendary track's few masters
Becoming world champion for £100k
The 2012 World Touring Car champion says he never had the money to race cars. Yet 2015 is his 11th season in the WTCC. He talks STUART CODLING through his journey from motorsport fan to paid professional - for little more than £100,000
Can the vanquished champion bounce back?
The World Touring Car Championship kicks off in Argentina this weekend, and Yvan Muller bids to reclaim his throne from Citroen team-mate Jose Maria Lopez. He talks to STUART CODLING
The top 10 WTCC drivers of 2014
Citroen had no rivals during the 2014 World Touring Car Championship, and 'rookie' Jose Maria Lopez hit the ground running to emerge as a worthy champion. PETER MILLS rates the field