Photo Credits: http://www.erc24.com/

Per Eklund appears to be grooming a young protege who will be joining Eklund Motorsport. A Finn, by the name of Toomas “Topi” Heikkinen who will be racing in this year’s Finnish rallycross according to enthusiast, Mike Jager

It’s nice to see experienced professionals realizing that for continuity sake, a younger generation needs to be transitioned in.

Finn Toomas “Topi” Heikkinen has made the move from circuit racing to Rallycross and will take part in this year’s Finnish ‘Super Rallicross’ championship in an Eklund Motorsport Saab 93 ERC.
Heikkinen (18) will contest a full season in the Finnish championship as well as driving the Saab in the Finnish round of the ERC in July. Further outings will be considered on the basis Heikkinen’s progress. Starts in the Swedish ERC round, and late season ERC events that fall after the end of the Finnish championship are under discussion.

Having raced karts since the age of eight, Heikkinen progressed to cars in a fairly conventional career path and drove in Formula Renault events in 2008 and ’09. The move to Rallycross is not unique; Finland’s most recent European champion, Jussi Pinomäki, was also an accomplished racer before switching codes.

“It is great to start taking part in a sport in which Finns have a fantastic history and several European champions. My team manager, Per Eklund, has also won the European championship, and Matti Alamäki, the living legend of Rallycross and a five-time European champion, is still driving in the Finnish championship. In company like that, you just have to grab the wheel like a man!” said Heikkinen, “Obviously there is a huge amount to learn. Just to start with, I’m not familiar with the high-powered engine and four-wheel drive of my car. During the winter I have been learning to drive a four-wheel drive vehicle in a Mitsubishi rally car on various Rallycross tracks. Rally driver Riku Tahko has been sitting beside me, and I’m starting to get the hang of it.” In kart racing Heikkinen was a contemporary of Timmy Hansen, Tom Blomqvist and Marcus Ericsson, he was a race winner during the 2009 Formula Renault NEC Cup season.

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Photo Credit: RallyCross.com

Per Eklund, long time Saab rally driver wins the Solberg Extreme Motor Show according to RallyCross.com

The first edition of the ‘Solberg Extreme Motor Show’ has come to an end at the Telenor Arena at Fornebu.

Tommy Rustad (SAAB 9-3 from Eklund) won the final of the ‘Golden League’ from Marcus Grönholm (Ford Fiesta Mk7) after Rustad won from P-G Andersson (Ford Fiesta Mk7) in the semi-final. Grönholm won his semi-final from Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta Mk7).

In the ‘Real Deal’ class Per Eklund beat Sverre Isachsen (Ford Focus ST) in the final after both drivers won their semi-final from respectively Morten Bermingrud (Citroën C4) and Camilla Antonsen (Ford Focus).

Andreas Mikkelsen (Ford Focus ST) succeeded on Anders Grøndal (Subaru Impreza) in the final of the ‘WRC’ class while Stian Haugan (Citroën Xsara) beat Terje Morstad (BMW M3) in the final of the Super National class.

Photo Credit: RallyCross.com

Per Eklund Wins FIA RallyCross Championship In Finland in his Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan.

Here are the details below thanks to Mike Jager.

Eklund wins in Finland!

This weekend (October 3-4) the third and final 2009 Candidate Event for the FIA European Rallycross Championship takes place at Kouvola in Finland. Greinbach (Austria – May 16-17) and Stjørdal (Norway – June 20) were the other Candidate Events that went underway earlier this season.
The evaluation of those three Candidate Events together with the evaluation of the past ten 2009 events will be discussed among the members of the FIA Off-Road Commission in order to be able to release the 2010 calendar. It is expected that the 2010 calendar will be announced on October 14 following the next FIA Off-Road Commission meeting.

The Finnish event was run in mixed weather conditions and won by Per Eklund who led home new Finnish champion Atro Määttä (Focus) and Harri Arola (Mitsubishi Lancer E6).

Results Division 1

1. Per Eklund (S), SAAB 9-3 SportSedan
2. Atro Määttä (FIN), Ford Focus
3. Harri Arola (FIN), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
4. Jari Järvenpää (FIN), Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
5. Sami Pakkala (FIN), Honda Civic Type-R
6. Ilkka Kiviniemi (FIN), Toyota Corolla

Photo Credit: Per Eklund

Per Eklund, who was out of a few races due to a race accident recently, welcomes the Koenigsegg race car company as a buyer to Saab Automobile according to Mike Jager.

Motor legend Per Eklund, 62, has competed in a Saab since 1965. Today he runs SM-premiere in rallycross in Svampabanan. Eklund welcome mate Christian von Koenigseggs purchase of the Swedish biljätten. – Will it be we’ll be really funny, I can promise, “he says.

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Photo Credit: ERC24

Per Eklund is out of the rallycross for a few races due to a recent accident during the first day of an Austrian European RallyCross Circuit.

Here are the details from Mike Jager, and for the replay of the actual video footage of the accident, take a look at this link as well.

I wish Per Eklund well in a recovery of his car and glad that he made it out alive.

The third of the five Division One races in the first qualifying heat was stopped after a crash involving Jussi Pinomäki, René Münnich and the car of Per Eklund.
The incident has brought the first day of the Austrian ERC event to a premature end, the Stewards of the Meeting suspending racing in the wake of the crash and holding over the re-run of the third race as well as the last two races in the heat until tomorrow.

There was pushing and contact between several cars in the first corner of the race, the result of which was that Per Eklund’s Saab was left stranded in the middle of the track just at the end of the downhill gravel section.

“Someone hit me in the first corner, it broke the steering and the car was stopped in the middle of the track. I couldn’t move it so I got out and ran away. When they come round again, Walfridsson and Procter just missed it but then there was dust and Pinomäki had no chance. He hit my car flat out and then Münnich hit Pinomäki. My car is complete finished. There should have been a red flag when I stopped there, it’s crazy,” said Eklund.

The incident happened in full sight of many competitors from Divisions One-A and Two, as well as team members who had gathered to watch the race at the point.”I was watching from the top of the hill and half-a-lap before the cars came back here I knew this was going to be a big accident,” said D2 racer Knut Ove Børseth, “The race should have been stopped immediately that Eklund stopped, his car was in the middle of the track.

“The crash followed a controversial incident in the fourth D1-A race in which Johan Larsson rolled in the long gravel corner at the end of the lap. “I told the organiser that they are not thinking about our safety because it was the same in our race,” said D1-A racer Timur Timerzyanov, “Larsson’s car was left in the middle of the track, it was on the racing line and we had to drive round it. And then this…

“Clerk of the Course Karl Staudinger denied that a red flag had been necessary in the D1 race. “The marshal said that the car [Eklund's Saab] was outside the racing line so I let the race continue but with two yellow flags on that post,” he said.

Münnich got out of his car by himself but then collapsed on the ground where he was treated by the medical team who fitted a neck brace before removing him on a stretcher. Pinomäki was kept in his car talking with the medics until they were ready to move him to a stretcher.

Photo Credit: (C) 2009 by www.erc24.com

Our Per Eklund fan, Mike Jager has some new coverage of Per Eklund’s finish at a European Championship in Hungary.

EC Hungary: 10th place for Eklund!

Eklund is working hard in the economic circumstances and has been hit by the troubles surrounding General Motors and the impact that has had on Saab.“There’s nothing from Saab this year, that is a mess. It looks like it might get sorted out in a few weeks but the Swedish government does not want to give any money to GM, so perhaps Saab will go bust and then start again as a new Swedish company,” said Eklund.

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Photo Credit: Jakob QBA Nitka

Longstanding Saab rally driver, Per Eklund has made it to 10th place in the European Rallycross Championship recently.

For more information on these standings, please visit Mike Jager’s Per Eklund site.

Photo Credit: TTELA

This past weekend, our friend Erik “On the Roof” Carlsson celebrated his 80th Birthday on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at the Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan, Sweden.

TTELA has provided an incredible report, of this joyous celebration for this legendary personality for Saab Automobile.

Carlsson ‘On the Roof “filled 80

TROLLHÄTTAN Mr. Saab – Erik Carlsson “On the Roof” – has gone and been 80 years. This was celebrated on Saturday with an open house at the Saab Car Museum where lots of friends, fans and Saab Enthusiasts came to pay tribute to rally legend.

- I believe in the Saab. Do not worry, it will be all right, “ said a noticeably moved Erik.

One of many for Erik in the celebrations was to be invited to a delicious oysters from Grebbestad.

Lots of friends and admirers who came to celebrate Erik Carlsson “On the Roof”. One of these was the friend Gösta Karlsson. “We have known each other in 50 years, he is a good friend,” said Gösta.

Saab’s CEO Jan-Ã…ke Jonsson was in place to pay tribute to Mr. Saab.

- I can not understand why so many have taken the time to come and celebrate me. It is not wise! Erik said while he was busy with the hugging, cheek KISS and sign books.

Already a 11.00 in the celebration began, the ring a long queue to the table where Erik was to receive the tribute. It was old and young, acquaintances, admirers and friends.

Gösta Karlsson, known Erik for many years, presented with Bertil Stener a big beautiful orchid and shook hand with his friend.

- Here’s a little flower Erik. It is almost to the day 50 years ago that we met the first time. Do you remember where?
- Yes, said Erik.

Gösta began to tell and both log:

- We pulled a isbanetävling in Vilhelmina, Erik won and I finished third. After the race when I was about to wrap stuff in the car, Erik came up and said: “You can call me a week and I’ll arrange for you to buy a car at discount prices. Then we became friends. “

- I am old racing driver who drove for Saab 1960-1966 and was drivng with Eriks cars. Erik and I have also run the midnight sun races together Рhe is a very nice and good old friend, said G̦sta and smiled at Erik.

Then it was time for the birth of the child’s next surprise.

- Can Erik imagine a little light brunch? said Per Olofsson, site manager for Saab restaurants, and put up a big dish with delicious oysters.
- Oh, yes! Is the Irish or what?
- No they are from Grebbestad, said Per and opened oysters while Erik on a conveyor belt devoured itself.
- They were really fine you. Many thanks.

Per Olofsson told that Erik is a big oyster lover and that over the years talked a lot about this common interest.
- I took me five and Erik had easily consumed five to. I promised to take me ten, when he turns 85.

After that it was time for the anniversary that is canvassed by Saab’s Managing Director, Jan Ã…ke Jonsson, and the management team.
- Hey. Did you have time to go here? said Erik.
- Yeah, good to see that Erik had to eat oysters, “said Jan Ã…ke Jonsson and told a little anecdote:
- At a meeting in Ireland decided to Erik for the two of us would eat oysters. Erik ordered in 20 pieces. I had two – he is about 18!

Jan Ã…ke Jonsson was then a tribute speech in which he told me about Erik, and how he has been extremely significant for Saab through the years.
- The gift you get this picture and a general overhaul of the property you think so much about, “said Jan Ã…ke Jonsson, aimed at Eriks little red Saab 96 he was 50th birthday of Saab.

After century, it became so may he live, and a generally smooth in the room cheered.
- The most important thing is not that I live a hundred years without light that Saab continues to live long after that! Many thanks to all Saab Employees. I believe in the Saab, it will go. It probably makes most of those who are here, otherwise, you had not come here! said Erik and received applause and smiles said everything.

Congratulations Erik, how does it feel to be 80 years?
- I am 80? No, now you all kidding. Thank you it is incredibly nice to be canvassed in this way. I never thought so many would take the time to come here.

And there is certainly no doubt that you believe in a future for Saab?

- Not a second. We have good cars, good people and an incredibly talented director, Jan Ã…ke Jonsson. This will go.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

Peter Bäckström, curator of the Saab Car Museum, has for the first time, posted a press release this time celebrating Rally Legend Erik “On The Roof” Carlsson’s 80th Birthday!

Happy Birthday or in Swedish (Bra Födelsedagen) Erik!

Here is the press release below:

2009-03-02

Rally Legend Erik Carlsson Celebrates 80th Birthday

Erik ‘Mr Saab’ Carlsson is 80 years young this week (March 5) and still employed by Saab, making him the Swedish manufacturer’s longest-serving employee.

As international rallying’s first real superstar, Erik’s career with Saab spans six decades and today he remains actively involved as an international ambassador for the brand, attending Saab launches, dealer and customer events around the world.

The names of Carlsson and Saab are inextricably bound together. Born and bred in Saab’s home town of Trollhättan, Erik first sprang to fame in the early Sixties, as ‘the big man in a little car’, taking two back-to-back victories in the Monte Carlo Rally (1962-63) and a hat-trick of wins in the British RAC Rally (1960-62). His ‘David and Goliath’ exploits against more powerful cars were the springboard for launching Saab as a global car brand.

As a young boy, Erik used to stand on the perimeter of the local airfield in Trollhättan and admire the aerobatics of Saab aircraft flying overhead. Little did he know that Saab would soon start manufacturing cars, and that he would play such a key role in promoting its products.

He bought his first car, a second-hand Saab 92, in 1955 and it was a development of this car, the Saab 96, which took him to his most famous rally victories. Over the years, he has driven thousands of Saab cars and been involved in the development and testing of many of the models. There is probably no man on the planet who has driven more Saabs than Erik.

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Photo Credit: Eklund Racing

Per Eklund, longtime Saab rally driver, who said he was determined to rally again in 2009 earlier this month, is now reported to be engaged in the Nordic RallyCross.

According to the Per Eklund fan site run by enthusiast, Mike Jager, this event will be held on four tracks, crossing Norway and Sweden beginning on May 16th and ending on August 22nd.

For more information, please visit the site directly.

Here is the calendar below of the dates:

The racing calender 2009:

1. May 16, Arvika, Sweden
2. June 20, Trondheim Norway
3. July 25, Strägnäs Sweden
4. August 22, Lyngas

For the latest news, see the official homepage: http://www.rallycrossnorden.se/