Rydell to race for Volvo in Swedish tin-tops

Rydell, who turned down a Mercedes DTM seat to stay with long-term employer Volvo, will race an S40 but also develop the company's Prodrive-built S60 for a return to European racing slated for 2002. He will be joined in Volvo's STCC effort by Jan 'Flash' Nilsson and Jens Edman.

The 33-year-old Swede finished third in last year's BTCC when he was loaned to Volvo's parent company Ford, but has been a Volvo-contracted driver since the marque first entered the BTCC in 1994.

With the BTCC switching to new, low-cost rules for 2001, the STCC is now the world's leading Super Touring-based tin-top series. The grid is expected to boast 27 cars, with official entries from Alfa Romeo, Audi, Chrysler, Honda and Nissan joining Volvo and privateer entries from BMW, Ford and Vauxhall/Opel.

Volvo's main opposition is expected to come from Nissan driver Carl Rosenblad and the Audi of former British GT series ace Magnus Wallinder.

The series consists of 10 double-header rounds in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, starting on May 6 at Falkenberg.