ROJA Motorsport will field two new drivers in ADAC TCR Germany, following the departure of its lead driver Jessica Bäckman.
Bäckman had been the closest challenger to points leader Martin Andersen for the drivers’ title, but she suffered from a disastrous weekend at the Lausitzring – including retiring from race one when Team Principal Robin Jahr crashed into her.
The Swede has since left the German team, which has instead recruited Tim Rölleke and Kai Jordan as it expands to four cars for the first time.
Jordan is returning to TCR Germany for the first time since 2019, the 53-year-old having previously contested the first three seasons of the German championship.
Team Manager Andreas Klinge admitted that he was surprised with the decision of Bäckman to leave the team.
“Since Jessica’s decision surprised us last week, we are all the more pleased to be able to start with two other drivers at such short notice,” said Klinge.
“Tim is a very motivated young driver who surprised us in a positive way during tests at the Nürburgring and we now want to give him the chance to prove his talent in the ADAC TCR Germany under racing conditions.
“I have known and respected Kai Jordan for more than 20 years. He has already had several successes in my previous team, such as in three 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and in TCR Malaysia.
“We wish Jessica Bäckman all the best for her future career and are proud that she had by far her best and most successful season in touring cars with our team.”
With Bäckman leaving the team, unless she continues in TCR Germany elsewhere, it means that Andersen has one hand on the drivers’ title, with team-mate Szymon Ładniak the next-best ranked driver in the standings, 88 points adrift with four races to run.