Stecka vann 75.000 efter riktig fräckis

Det blev Stig-Olov ”Stecka” Walfridsson, som triumferade i den stenhårda Div 1-klassen vid Xtreme SM i Kalix. EM-ledaren Mikael Jernberg såg länge ut att även vinna årets första SM-seger, men när han på sista varvet gick in i alternativspåret, kunde ”Stecka” med minsta möjliga marginal smita förbi i sin Renault Clio Sport. Då kom han direkt från segern i B-finalen.
- Otroligt härligt och kul att min chansning gick vägen, skrattade ”Stecka” när han tog emot den stora segerchecken på 75.000 kronor.
Det blev stor dramatik direkt efter starten, när Per Eklund kom först in i första kurvan, men fick en riktig ”kyss” av Andreas Eriksson, tappade ledningen och till slut kom in som femma.
- Andreas är en j-a skitstövel, dundrade Eklund efter målgången. Nästa gång ska jag sätta dit honom rejält.
Mikael Jernberg blev tvåa, vann 50.000 kronor, medan Andreas Eriksson tog tredjepriset på 25.000 kronor.
Xtreme SM i Kalix blev återigen en riktig folkfest i strålande solsken. 6450 åskådare njöt av fart, fläkt och dramatik i alla klasser, samt en premiärstreakare med bara hatten på rätt ställe.

Ove Andersson killed in rally crash

Former Toyota team principal Ove Andersson was killed on Wednesday in an accident during a classic rally in South Africa.

The Swede, who managed Toyota's European motorsport arm for over 30 years, is believed to have been involved in a head-on collision with a truck during the Milligan classic rally.

Andersson oversaw Toyota's Formula One programme when the Japanese manufacturer made its grand prix racing debut in 2002.

He left his role as team principal in 2003, becoming an advisor to the team.

Eklund rates Ove Andersson to one of his favourite people in motorsport. He says about former Toyota rally boss: "He was a mastermind of African rallies like the Safari and Ivory Coast"

Andersson was 70.

Our sincerest condolences go to all he knew him well - especially his family and his beloved wife.

Mike Jager

EC Austria: Eklund 9th

In the time practice, Eklund could drive a third time overall.

The first heat, It was Eklund with the best start in dry conditions. In the first lap he could hold of Eriksson, but not for long. Eriksson could set the fastest time overall, Eklund took the 9th position overall.

Eklund first in heat 1. (c) www.erc24.com

During the second qualifing heat, it starts to rain. Best conditions for Eklund, here we see the experienced rally drive at his best. He took a good start and could hold of Kenneth Hansen. Eklund went first over the finish, just half a second before Hansen. Eklund had a 6th time overall.

Eklund enjoys the rain in heat 2. (c) www.erc24.com

The third heat, it was still a wet track. Eklund drive a second time behind Jernberg, 5th time overall.
This results in a 7th place overall, a second position in the B-final. Other drivers in the b-final are Hansen, Hunsbedt, Anne, Walfridsson and the winner of the c-final Lindefjell.


Results finals:

1. Michael Jernberg Škoda 20,
2. Ole Kristian Nøttveit Ford, 17
3. Andréas Eriksson Ford, 15
4. Guttorm Lindefjell Ford, 13
5. Jean-Luc Pailler Peugeot, 12
6. Sverre Isachsen Ford, 11
7. Ludvig Hunsbedt Volvo, 10
8. Kenneth Hansen Citroën, 9
9. Per Eklund Saab, 8
10. Stig-Olov Walfridsson Renault, 7

Only a 15th place at EC Hungary

A disappointing weekend for Per Eklund. At the third race for the European Championship rallycross 2008 at the Nyráid circuit in Hungary he finished only on a 15th place.

(c) 2008 by www.erc24.com

The qualification heats he has a 13th, a 13th and a 8th time overall. This gave him a pole position at the C-final.

In this C-final he had the lead until the last lap, looking for a start in the B-final. But Eklund had to take the jokerlap and took this alternative in the last lap. Homedriver Zoltan Harsányi took the leed, when Eklund just 15 meters before the finish hit the tirewall and could not move the Saab 9-3 to the finish.

Eklund is leading the C-final, (c) 2008 by www.erc24.com

With this 15th place he took just 2 points. In the ranking he moves down to the 11th place.

Results:

1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën, 20


2. Michael Jernberg Skoda, 17


3. Andréas Eriksson Ford, 15


4. Jean-Luc Pailler Peugeot, 13


5. Frode Holte Volvo, 12


6. Sverre Isachsen Ford, 11


7. Ole Kristian Nøttveit Ford, 10


8. Guttorm Lindefjell Ford, 9


9. Zoltán Harsányi Mitsubishi, 8


10. George Tracey Peugeot, 7


11. Morten Jespersen Peugeot, 6


12. Linas Norkus Ford, 5


13. Jos Kuypers Ford, 4


14. Péter Kotán Ford, 3


15. Per Eklund Saab, 2


16. Olivier Anne Citroën , 1