Volvo Polestar and Robert Dahlgren secured a strong sixth position in the penultimate round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship in Japan.
"This feels really good, the car performed really well on this track and this is a perfect kick off for next year," said Dahlgren.
The WTCC weekend in Japan offered drama from start to finish. A Typhoon-warning, engine change and pouring rain provided for challenging conditions for Volvo Polestar and Dahlgren that never before had been on the Okayama-track.
Dahlgren started from 24th position for the first race after having been moved down ten places because of an engine change. Dahlgren started a furious chase up through the field, equalled the fastest lap of the race and finished 10th, just a second behind experienced touring car driver Alain Menu.
Dahlgren started from 10th on the grid in the second race and provided a stable drive on the rain soaked track. Dahlgren crossed the line as sixth and secured his and Volvo Polestar's best ever WTCC finish.
"There were oceans of water on track, I had to "double brake" before and after the puddles. The results of today feels like a great end to the season, not only for me, but also for everyone at Volvo Polestar. We have had setbacks in our previous WTCC races, this weekend gave us the boost we need for 2011," said Dahlgren.
Dahlgren matched the pace of the factory drivers from BMW, Chevrolet and SEAT in both races despite the team's limited experiences of the track and the series.
"We are more than pleased with the weekend. Everyone has worked very hard on this project and we got a good confirmation of the fact that we can match the top of WTCC. This gave us a taste for more and a good feeling ahead of the coming season," said Christian Dahl, MD for Volvo Polestar.
The race in Japan is the last part of this year's preparations ahead of 2011 when Volvo Polestar and Dahlgren are going to do a full season of WTCC as evaluation for an official participation in 2012.
"It has been great to see Polestar Volvo working continuously forward to these results. They are more than ready for their development season in WTCC and we are looking forward to follow their progress on track next year," said Magnus Jonsson, Chairman of the Motorsport Board at Volvo Car Corporation.
WTCC - Race 1 - Okayama, Japan
1 Rob Huff Chevrolet Cruze 16 varv
2 Andy Priaulx BMW 320si +2.977
3 Yvan Muller Chevrolet Cruze +4.931
4 Augusto Farfus BMW 320si +8.596
5 Norbert Michelisz SEAT Léon +9.742
6 Colin Turkington BMW 320si +11.310
7 Gabriele Tarquini SEAT Léon +13.876
8 Michel Nykjær SEAT Léon +14.901
9 Alain Menu Chevrolet Cruze +30.022
10 Robert Dahlgren Volvo C30 +31.077
WTCC - Race 2 - Okayama, Japan
1 Augusto Farfus BMW 320si 16 varv
2 Colin Turkington BMW 320si +0.275
3 Yvan Muller Chevrolet Cruze +0.724
4 Rob Huff Chevrolet Cruze +2.097
5 Alain Menu Chevrolet Cruze +3.101
6 Robert Dahlgren Volvo C30 +3.440
7 Michel Nykjær SEAT Léon +4.449
8 Norbert Michelisz SEAT Léon +5.707
9 Tom Coronel SEAT Léon +6.176
10 Darryl O'Young Chevrolet Lacetti +7.336
