17 December, 2008

Eklund till attack mot rally-VM

Veteranen Per Eklund, 62, går till attack mot motorsporten i allmänhet och rally-VM i synnerhet efter den senaste tidens turbulens.– De måste komma ner på jorden, de har varit så långt från verkligheten man kan komma.

Per Eklund planerar i dagsläget för ännu en säsong i rallycross. Planen är att köra EM – och något av de inhemska mästerskapen.
– Det blir ju ett SM, men två tävlingar ska köras i Norrland. Jag vet inte om jag är så intresserad av att åka upp dit. Det finns även planer på en konkurrerande serie där två av tävlingarna ska köras i Norge, det låter mer intressant, säger Eklund.

Arvikalegendaren jobbar som bäst med att jaga pengar för ännu en satsning.
– Det blir hårdare och hårdare. Men jag tror allt att det ska kunna gå ett år till.Eklund riktar samtidigt skarp kritik mot pengakarusellen i motorsportbranschen, speciellt i rally-VM.
– Det är ofattbart vilka pengar det handlar om där numera. Att hyra en bil för att köra en tävling kostar lika mycket som en hel säsong, tio tävlingar, i rallycross-EM. Det borde de själva ha förstått att det inte är hållbart.

Kritiken är även besk mot dagens unga motorsporttalanger.
– De måste vara beredda att lägga ner lite jobb, få lite skit under fingrarna. Det verkar som de tror att allt ska vara serverat. Men de förarna blir inte långlivade, säger Per Eklund.
• Tror du rallycrossen klarar sig undan bilkrisen?
– Visst kommer det att märkas av och det blir svårt att få ekonomi i det. Men det kommer inte att bli som i rally-VM eftersom vi inte är lika beroende av tillverkarna, säger Per Eklund.

by Johan Hedlund

30 October, 2008

Dutch Per Eklund Trophee

The Dutch Saab Club introduced this year the "Per Eklund Trophy", a trophy for the best driver in four events in orientation rally's.


The Historic Saabclub rallyteam organize this year three orientation rally's and together with the annual 'Vikingtocht' the results count for the "Per Eklund Trophy". The person who collects the most points in the sports tour or class of that journey is the winner of this nice trophy.

This year the winner is Henri Dommerholt and Jens Håkansson, driving with a Saab 96 TT Monte Carlo from 1965.

Results Per Eklund trophy 2008 :

  1. Henri Dommerholt and Jens Håkansson, Saab 96 tt, 34 points
  2. Kjel Postema and Nittert Postema, 28 points
  3. Michiel Klinge and Jurryt Jannink, 22 points
    René Hut and Cobi ten Wolde, 22 points


Per Eklund with the Dutch Trophy, together with Esther Smith and Caroline de Greeff

10 October, 2008

Per Eklund demo from 2001

An nice video from www.motorsportmad.com












05 October, 2008

Last race 2008: Eklund A-final!!!

At the last race of the 2008 European Rallycross season, Eklund had a great weekend!

At saturday, in the timed practice he drove a 8th time overall. The car runs very well.
In the first qualification heat, Eklund took a great start and went first into the first corner.
He managed to hold his first position to the finish line and was ahead of the new european champion Kenneth Hansen. With this victory, he has a 4th time overall!


(c) http://www.erc24.com/: Eklund during the first heat, in front!

During the evening and the morning on sunday, a lot of rain came from above and the track was very wet. Conditions Eklund likes a lot.

Eklund drove in the 2nd and 3rd heat also very good, both a 5th time overall!
With these results, Eklund starts on the 5th position in the A-final!


Bad conditions during the second and 3rd heat.

Eklund starts the A-final with Jernberg, Eriksson, Hunsbedt, Smerud and c-final and b-final winner Walfridsson.
But luck didn't went with Eklund in the final. In the first lap, Eklund went off and could not go on.
He finished 6th on this last event of the year.

Results:

  1. Andréas Eriksson Ford
  2. Stig-Olov Walfridsson Renault
  3. Ludvig Hunsbedt Volvo
  4. Michael Jernberg Škoda
  5. Kjell Arne Smerud Citroën
  6. Per Eklund Saab
  7. Kenneth Hansen Citroën
  8. Olivier Anne Citroën
  9. Jimmy Holmkvist Ford
  10. Sverre Isachsen Ford


27 September, 2008

Last race SC: Eklund 8th

report from http://www.rallycross.de/:

Before Strängnäs five drivers in Division 1 were still able to obtain the title of '2008 Swedish Rallycross Champion in Division 1'. Michael Jernberg (Škoda Fabia) was on top of the standings with 108 points. Five points ahead of Andréas Eriksson (Ford Fiesta ST) who counted 103 points. Also Stig-Olov Walfridsson (Renault Clio RS CR1N) with 99 points, Tony Croon (Ford Focus) with 97 points and Per Eklund (SAAB 9-3 SportSedan) with 90 points had an option on the 2008 Division 1 title.

Walfridsson, Croon and Eklund all qualified for the 'B' final, with the first two sharing the front row. Eklund was on the second row. Peter Hedström (Ford Fiesta ST), Jokinen and Mats Öhman (Ford Focus) were the other 'B' final qualifiers. Öhman had a brilliant start and lead the final until the last lap when he went into the joker lap.
In the mean time Croon and Walfridsson were battling it out, however Walfridsson wasn't able to overtake Croon. When Öhman left the joker lap he re-joined the main track behind Croon but ahead of Walfridsson resulting in Croon and Öhman moving up to the 'A' final and a seventh place overall for Stig-Olov Walfridsson.
Eklund finished on a 8th place.

With this result, Eklund ends on a 5th place overall in this Swedish championship.

14 September, 2008

EC Poland: not a good weekend again

Again not a good result for Per Eklund at a European Rallycross round, this time at the Slomczyn track in Poland.
Things look great at the timed practice. The car runs good and with a 11th time the team was ready for the weekend.
But after the first qualification heat, things didn't look great afterall. Eklund lost a rear wheel of the Saab 9-3 Aero Sport Sedan. He managed to drive to the finishline, but the time wasn't good. A last position, a 22th time overall.



photos: (c) www.erc24.com

Eklund fought back in the second and third heat, but the results were not enough to take a position in the A, B or C final. He drove twice a 13th position overall in these heats.
With these results, he had a 17th position overall, just outside the c-final. Only the first 16 qualify for the finals..........

Resuls:

  1. Sverre Isachsen (N) , Ford Focus, 20
  2. Ole Kristian Nøttveit (N), Ford Focus, 17
  3. Andréas Eriksson (S), Ford Fiesta, 15
  4. Kenneth Hansen (S), Citroën C4, 13
  5. Ludvig Hunsbedt (N), Volvo S40, 12
  6. Michael Jernberg (S), Škoda Fabia, 11
With these results, Kenneth Hansen is for the 14th time European champion rallycross. Congratulations, Kenneth!!!

Next race: Swedish championship, September 27 at the Strängnäs Motorstadion.

08 September, 2008

EC Czechia: Eklund in B-final on 5th position!

Last weekend, Eklund drove the 9th race in the European rallycross season 2008 in the Czech Republic.



In the timed practice, he drove a 12th time overall.

The first qualification heat on Saturday, he took also a 12th time.
The sunday went better. Both heats, second and third he drove to a 8th time overall.
This gave him a 9th position overall, equals a 4th position in the B-final.


In this final, he drove with Jos Kuypers, Andréas Eriksson, Sverre Isachsen, Frode Holte and c-final winner Michael Jernberg.
At the start it was Isachsen with the best start. Eklund took a 6th position, but Eriksson went wide in the first corner and Eklund could pass. The rest of the final was very close racing. Eriksson tried to overtake Eklund, but didn't succeed.
Eklund went on 5th position over the finish line, a 10th position overall.

Look at the on-board film of Eriksson, see a clear view on Eklund! Great!


Thanks to: (c) http://www.mediasport.cz/rallycross/videa

Results:

  1. Kenneth Hansen Citroën C4 20
  2. Ludvig Hunsbedt Volvo S40 17
  3. Pavel Koutný Ford Fiesta ST 15
  4. Sverre Isachsen Ford Focus ST 13
  5. Olivier Anne Citroën C4 12
  6. Ole Kristian Nøttveit Ford Focus ST 11
  7. Jos Kuypers Ford Focus ST 10
  8. Michael Jernberg Skoda Fabia 9
  9. Frode Holte Volvo S40 8
  10. Per Eklund SAAB 9-3 SportSedan 7
  11. Andréas Eriksson Ford Fiesta ST 6
  12. Pat Doran Ford Fiesta ST 5
  13. Jean-Luc Pailler Peugeot 207 4
  14. Guttorm Lindefjell Skoda Fabia 3
  15. Stig-Olov Walfridsson Renault Clio RS 2
  16. Kjell Arne Smerud Citroën Xsara 1

Next weekend: Poland, round 10

02 September, 2008

Model news part 5: Triumph TR7 V8

The company IXO models released in July the Triumph TR7 V8 with number 15.
Per Eklund and co-driver Hans Sylvan drove this car at the 1000 Lakes Rally 1980.


Eklund drove to a third place overall in this rally

17 August, 2008

Not a good weekend for Eklund

Per Eklund didn't had a good weekend at the European Rallycross round 8 in the Netherlands.

With the results from the qualification heats (19th, 14th and again 19th) he didn't qualify for any finals. His overall position for this weekend is a 20th place.

10 August, 2008

EC Maasmechelen, day 2: Eklund 12th

The team worked until 22:30 with the gearbox and change the differential.
In the morning the wheather is very wet, a lot of rain. The team changed the car to wet setup by bchanging the roll bars, suspention and full wet tires.
Eklund has a good feeling about the setup of the car during the warm-up laps.



Heat 2:
Eklund starts with van Mechelen, Holte, Evans and Pauwels. The best start was for Eklund, just before Holte, Mechelen, Evans and Pauwels.
Eklund could extent his lead to almost 9 seconds ahead of Holte and the others drivers.
In the last lap Eklund took the joker lap and was still in front. In the corner on the Duivelsberg, Eklund went to wide and the car slips.
He could not drive away and the other cars were hold up, even some drivers hit the Saab 9-3. Eklund could manage to drive the car away and is still on first position. Van Mechelen managed to overtake during this action from last position to second. Eklund finished before van Mechelen, Holte, Pauwels and Evans. He has a 17th time overall, with a 3rd quickest laptime!
If he did not made the mistake, he probely had a 4th overall.

Results:
later

Heat 3:
Just before this heat, it starts to rain and the track who was drying up, is more slippery again.
Eklund starts with Bermingrud, Walfridsson, van Mechelen and Holte.
Per Eklund makes a good start and went second into the corner after Holte.
Holte and Eklund can drive easy at the front, Eklund has to drive very hard to catch up with Holte. In the second lap, Eklund takes the jokerlap and stays at second position.
At the finish it is Holte on first position, Eklund 2nd, Bermingrud 3rd, van Mechelen 4th and Walfridsson 5th.
Eklund has a 11th time overall. More rain is falling and the other topdrivers can't set a good time.
Results:

  1. A. Theuil (F), VW Golf, 3:08.623
  2. J. Kuijpers (NL), Ford Focus, 3:08.956
  3. K. Pauwels (B), Ford Focus, 3:09.694
  4. L. Hunsbedt (N), VOlvo S40, 3:10:138
  5. M. Jespersen (DK), Peugeot 206, 3:12.970
  6. R. Scheveneels (B), VW Golf, 3:15.290
  7. R. Munncih (D), Skoda Fabia, 3:16.486
  8. F. Holte (N), Volvo S40, 3:16.726
  9. H. Wild (D), VW Polo, 3:17.734
  10. E. Geraerts (B), Ford Focus, 3:17.966
  11. P.Eklund (S), Saab 9-3, 3:18.375

With a 12th, 17th and a 11th time. Per Eklund starts at the last position in the C-final (16th position).




C-final:

Nottweit, Holte, Munnich, Bermingrud, Kuijpers and Eklund start in this final. It is Holte with the best start, Nottveit second and Eklund from the back of the grid to third position. After the first corner, Eklund takes the jokerlap and has to let pass Kuijpers.

In lap 2 Kuijpers makes a mistake and takes the first corner very wide, Eklund can pass to position 3 again. In lap 3 Nottveit takes the jokerlap and Eklund can pass to position 2.
Eklund pushed very hard to get to Holte, but Holte can hold his first position when he crosses the finishline.

With his second position, Eklund is 12th overall.

Next weekend: EC Valkenswaard, the Netherlands


09 August, 2008

350th European race for Eklund!

According to Belgium rallycross fan Alex Schijvinck, today it is Eklund's 350 European rallycross race!

Per Eklund is the only driver who started from the beginning in 1973 until now. Some years, Per was not driving in European rallycross (1979 until 1989 and in 1992).

In this period, Eklund took one EC title, in 1999.

Photo: Alex is presenting the data to Eklund

EC Maasmechelen, day 1

Today it is sunny weather 25 degrees The last few days there was a lot of rain.
Eklund made some improvements the last 3 weeks after Höljes. The turbo has been inproved, also some electric systems. They found some extra horsepower!

Timed practice
The track was dry and sunny, with a lot of dust. Per had a clean run. He drove a 9th time overall.

Results:

  1. S. Isachsen, Ford Focus ST, 38,977
  2. M. Jernberg, Skoda Fabia, 39.342
  3. P. Koutny, Ford Fiesta, 39.493
  4. K. Hansen, Cirtoën C4, 39.515
  5. A. Eriksson, Ford Fiesta, 39.652
  6. O. Nottveit, Ford Focus, 39.725
  7. L. Hunsbedt, Volvo S40, 39.853
  8. M. Bermingrud, Citroën Xsara, 39.964
  9. P.Eklund, Saab 9-3, 39.984
  10. G. Lindefjell, Skoda Fabia, 40.000
Heat 1:
Eklund starts with Bermingrud, Lindefjell, Walfridsson and Evans. Lindefjell takes the best start and went first into the corner.Eklund on the inside on place 2, just before Evans, Bermingrud and Walfridsson.
Lindefjell and Eklund drove away fron the rest of the field. In lap 3 Lindefjell and Eklund took both the Jokerlap. Lindefjell holds his leading position, Eklund is passed by Evans.
Lindfjell takes the heat, followed by Evans, Eklund, Bermingrud and Walfridsson.


With this result, Eklund has a 12th time overall.

Eklund told: "I lost 3rd gear during this heat, I could drive better". The team replaced the gearbox after the heat and the car is ready for tommorow.

31 July, 2008

4th SC Strägnäs: Eklund 4th

After almost 3 weeks after Höljes, the 4th race fr the Swedish championship rallycross was held at the Strägnäs Motorstadion.

Eklund drove in the qualification heat a 5th, a 3rd and a 7th time. The last qualification he had a puncture. The times equals a 4th in the A-final.






In the A-final, Norwegian Sverre Isachsen started the A final from pole ahead of Michael Jernberg who set fastest time in the second heat. Andréas Eriksson and Per Eklund qualified third and fourth

Hedström then made a remarkable start and grabbed the lead of the A final away from Isachsen with Eklund initially running third. Eriksson passed Eklund to gain a podium finish, Eklund holding on to fourth place ahead of Croon and Jernberg, the latter retaining the championship lead ahead of Eriksson.

Results:

  1. Peter Hedström, Ford Fiesta ST, 30
  2. Sverre Isachsen, Ford Focus ST, 27+3
  3. Andréas Eriksson, Ford Fiesta ST, 25+1
  4. Per Eklund, SAAB 9-3 SportSedan, 23
  5. Tony Croon, Ford Focus, 22
  6. Michael Jernberg, Škoda Fabia, 21+2
  7. Stig-Olov Walfridsson, Renault Clio, 20
  8. Stefan Jansson, Hyundai Accent, 19
  9. Silvo Viitanen, Ford Focus, 18
  10. Guttorm Lindefjell, Škoda Fabia, 17
  11. Frode Holte, Volvo S40, 10

06 July, 2008

EC Höljes day 2: Eklund 9th with problems at start

Day 2 of the European championship Rallycross at Höljes (Sweden) ended for Eklund on a 4th place in the B-final, meaning a 9th place overall.




In the 2nd heat, Eklund drove a 8th time overall, in the 3rd heat a 11th overall.


Results heat 2:

  1. Marcus Grönholm Ford 03:18:83
  2. Michael Jernberg skoda 03:20:14
  3. Tony Croon Ford 03:20:83
  4. Ludvig Hunsbedt Volvo 03:21:03
  5. Andréas Eriksson Ford 03:21:77
  6. Kenneth Hansen Citroën 03:22:38
  7. Harald Sachweh Opel 03:22:55
  8. Per Eklund Saab 03:23:10
  9. Kjell Arne Smerud Citroën 03:23:41
  10. Sverre Isachsen Ford 03:24:14
Results heat 3:

  1. Andréas Eriksson Ford 03:14:36
  2. Michael Jernberg Škoda 03:14:96
  3. Kenneth Hansen Citroën 03:15:46
  4. Ole Kristian Nøttveit Ford 03:15:66
  5. Kjell Arne Smerud Citroën 03:17:15
  6. Stig-Olov Walfridsson Renault 03:17:58
  7. Marcus Grönholm Ford 03:18:38
  8. Linas Norkus Ford 03:19:21
  9. Jean-Luc Pailler Peugeot 03:19:23
  10. Olivier Anne Citroën 03:19:37
  11. Per Eklund Saab 03:20:29

With these results, Per Eklund has a 10th place overall, that will give him the 5th position in the B-final.

In the B-final he had to start with Pailler, Smerud, Walfridsson, Croon and c-final winner Nöttveit. At the start, the Saab 9-3 didn't move at all. Just after half a lap suddenly the car moved again and Eklund could drive his laps. Perhaps it was some moist sensor he told later.

It was Walfridsson who won the b-final, Smerud and Nöttveit did not finish. Eklund could not follow the man in front of him and went 4th over the finish.

Results B-final:

  1. S.O. Walfridsson, Renault Clio, 4.01,97
  2. T. Croon, Ford Focus, 4.02,50
  3. J.L. Pailler, Peugeot 207, 4.06,93
  4. Per Eklund, SAAB 93, 4.26,34
  5. K.A. Smerud, Citroën Xsara, DNF
  6. O.K. Nöttveit, Ford Focus, DNF

"Now it's time for some holiday, Christmas presents for the famlily and and to find 50 HP in the Saab before the next race", Eklund said. The next race will be in 3 weeks.

05 July, 2008

EC Sweden, Höljes day 1

It was a busy week for Eklund. The Saab 9-3 went back to Trollhattan for new electric wiring and the team in Arvika was very busy with the car of George Tracy.
At the press conference at thursday, Eklund arrived late after he worked the whole night on the car. But could drive at the press race and guess what, the fastest time!!
"It is just a practice", said Eklund "but the car is running fine. There is more in the car but we we have a busy scedule and there are just 24 hours in a day".

At the time practice this afternoon, Eklund could set a ninth time overall. The track was not dry. Some drivers made a false decision which tires they use.

In the first heat it was Kenneth Hansen with the fastest time, followed by the rallycross rookie and multi world champion rally driver Marcus Grönholm. Eklund drove a 9th time overall.

Results heat 1:

  1. K. Hansen, Citroën C4, 3.07,72
  2. M. Grönholm, Ford Fiesta, 3.09,11
  3. JL/ Pailler, Peugeot 207, 3.09,79
  4. L. Hunsbedt, Volvo S 40, 3.10,40
  5. M. Jernberg, Skoda Fabia, 3.10,55
  6. A. Eriksson, Ford Fiesta, 3.11,76
  7. G. Lindefjell, Citroën C4, 3.12,10
  8. S.O. Walfridsson, Renault Clio, 3.12,30
  9. P. Eklund, Saab 9-3, 3.12,82
  10. F. Holte, Volvo S 40, 3.12,85

And the weather forecast for tomorrow: rain!! Hopefully the chance for an A-final for Eklund!

04 July, 2008

Eklund sist men snabbast

RALLYCROSS: Inför Höljes by Bengt Bengt Sundler

Per Eklund var sist till presskonferensen. Men snabbast på banan.
– Allt kan vi inte ha gjort fel i alla fall, säger den 62-årige nestorn från Arvika.

Toppförare och hemmahopp i division I var samlade till torsdagens presskonferens med tillhörande uppvisningskörning (2x3 varv) på banan.”Men var är Per Eklund”, undrade alla.
När de andra förarna gick ut från pressrummet kom herr Eklund med andan i halsen.

– De var färdiga fem i morse med bilen i Trollhättan, pustade han. Man kan tro att Saaben var uppe i varv efter all stress, för det blev sannerligen åka av.
Nestorn från Arvika och tävlande för Finnskoga åkte ifrån alla de andra och lämnade storfräsare som Sverre Isachsen, trefaldig segrare i Höljes, Ludvig Hunsbedt, trea i årets EM-serie, EM-ledaren Kenneth Hansen, EM-tvåan Michael Jernberg, ”Stecka”, fransmannen Jean-Luc Pallier och EM-fyran Andreas Eriksson bakom sig.

Eklund avverkade snabbaste varvet på 45.83. Isachsen var tvåa med 45.99 och Hunsbedt hade 46.31.
Tiderna på ett pressrace har kanske ingen avgörande betydelse.
Men Per var klart nöjd med körningen.Han har inte varit tillfreds med bilen hittills och ligger bara tia i EM-tabellen, med blott en A-final (första tävlingen i Portugal).
Teamet hade jobbat med elektroniken på Saaben, men hann inte riktigt klart till Momarken.
Nu blev det färdigt i sista momangen i verkstaden i Trollhättan. Sju på morgonen var bilen i Arvika och då skulle skärmar och annat sättas på.
Enligt Per beror tidsbristen på att Trollspeed haft fullt upp med Steckas och Jernbergs bilar och att han själv hjälpt irländaren George Tracey med dennes WRC Peugeot.
Det handlar också om ekonomiska resurser.
– Jag har inte råd, svarar Per på frågan om varför han halkat efter konkurrenterna.
Det lär ha fattats 40-50 hästar i toppeffekt och och en del fattas fortfarande.
Pressracet gav dock ett värdefullt kvitto på att teamet är på rätt väg.Att Per Eklund inte hunnit träna på favoritbanan inför årets EM-lopp kompenserar han med otaliga års praktik.
– Jag körde här innan de andra var födda. Jag var med när banan byggdes, säger han.
Är det lika roligt nu när du inte är med i toppen?
– Jag ska vara med i toppen bara jag får ordning på motorn.Är det här roligaste tävlingen?
– Ja, det är ju tätt med folk här redan på torsdagen. Det kokar. Det är som Arvikafestivalen.

Per Eklund varnar för irländare och bilen han har byggt

by JOHAN ERIKSSON

Med nytt elsystem hoppas Per Eklund, 62, på succé i favorittävlingen.
Fast samtidigt höjer han ett varningens finger för irländaren George Tracy – i bilen Eklund har byggt.– Den bilen kommer ta starten varje gång, säger värmlänningen.

62 år gammal har Per Eklund fortfarande kvar suget för motorsporten. Men samtidigt kommer det inte något kaxigt svar i stil med ”jag kommer åka i från dem allihop” när han får frågan vad han siktar på under helgens EM-deltävling i Höljes.– Det gäller bara att köra så bra om det går, säger han istället ödmjukt.
Kanske till viss del med tanke på att våren varit ovanligt hektisk för honom. Förutom att hålla sin egen Saab 9-3 ASS ERC i kördugligt skick har Eklund och hans mekaniker haft fullt upp med att bygga och få till inställningarna på irländaren George Tracys Peugeot 307 ERC.
– Det är lika roligt fortfarande, men väldigt mycket jobb. Dygnet räcker inte till.Men Eklund är väldigt nöjd med det jobb han och hans kompanjoner gjort med Tracys bil.
– Det är den bilen som går bäst, den bilen som kommer att ta starterna varje gång.

• Så han kan överraska?
– Ja, senast vann han C-finalen före allihop. När vi testade i två dagar gick bilen riktigt bra, säger Eklund.
Men efter att han nu fått ordning på Tracys bil kunde han slutligen lägga ned lite extra kraft på sin egen. Under veckan har Saaben varit nere i Trollhättan där hela elsystemet bytts ut.Samtidigt innebär det att Eklund måste börja om från noll när det gäller inställningarna, därför var torsdagens träningsvarv extra viktiga för honom då de nu har lite färska data att analysera.
– Den här helgen kommer jag att ha de bästa förutsättningarna för i år. Bilen fungerar bra men samtidigt vet jag att det finns mer att hämta ur den framöver.
I fjol var Per Eklund på väg mot A-final i Höljes, men fick svartflagg och missade den. Givetvis hoppas han ta revansch i år.Den här helgen är som sagt den roligaste på hela tävlingssäsongen.
– Ja, titta i slänterna. Det är torsdag och redan proppfullt. Det kokar här i Höljes. Det är lite som Arvikafestivalen, säger Arvikabon Eklund.

14 June, 2008

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.

11 June, 2008

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

08 June, 2008

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