Swedish Speed Merchants

Gunnar Nilsson

Y’all know my most overused vernacular, not to be Cornfuzed with “Veniculi,” Err Italian People mover – Hya! But it’s hard to believe that almost two-year’s has slipped by since I passed over that pesky Eyjafjallajökull volcano en route to Vaxjo, Sweden – home of not one, but two ex-Gran Primo Piloto’s - as another story has finally escaped the irresistible gravitational pull of the NoFenderz Wormhole Vortex...

Thus here’s the “second-two-last” story I haven’t finished yet from that wonderful Swedish outing with my ‘Mega Tourista’s Tanja & Alvin; as little did I know I’d be going to the Hometown of two of Sweden’s Formula 1 drivers: “Stevie Johnson,” aka Stefan Johansson and Bjorn Karl Michael Wirdheim; both from Vaxjo. As I’d previously witnessed Stevie in action first at the USGP at Phoenix when he drove the beautiful Onyx F1 car... Then I later saw Johansson and “Wardhamm” plus “the Brackster” (Kenny Brack) all at Portland Int’l Raceway prior to my first visit to Sweden...

Swedish Daytrippin’

Which naturally made me ‘wunder just how many ‘Swede’s have been Formula 1 and/or CART or Champ Car drivers? To which I unearthed the following Intel which I’ve tried scribblin’ chronologically...

(10) ‘Swede Drivers:

Anderson, Conny; Bonnier, Jo; Borgudd , Tommy “Slim;” Brack, Kenny; Eriksson, Marcus; Johansson, Stefan; Nilsson, Gunnar; Peterson, Ronnie; Wirdheim, Bjorn; Wisell, Reine.

(1) Jo Bonnier

Series: F1

Teams: Maserati; Scuderia Centro sud; Jokim Bonnier Racing Team; BRM; Porsche;  Rob Walker Racing Team; Lotus; Brabham; Anglo-Swiss Racing/Ecurie Bonnier; Honda.

Years: 1956-71

Wins: 1

 

Jokim “Jo” Bonnier was Sweden’s Debutante racing driver to enter the rarefied Air of Formula 1 making his Debutante Grands Prix for the Werks’ Maserati team in the 1956 Italian Grand Prix. Next He drove for the Scuderia Centro Sud team before forming his own racing team. Then spending time with BRM and Porsche where Jo had his best success, claiming two wins total.

 

Bonnier was the only swede’ to race both front and rear engine F1 machinery. And became the first Swedish Driver to win a Formula 1 race when triumphing in the front engine BRM P25 at the 1959 Dutch Grand Prix.

 

Jo also won the 1960 German Grand Prix on the famed Nurburgring’s shorter Susschleife circuit, appropriately behind the wheel of a Porsche 718. Although it was a Formula 2 race in preparations for the forthcoming 1961 Formula 1 regulation changes to F2 machinery, and was the only German Grand Prix held on the shorter circuit.

 

Bonnier’s last Full season in Formula 1 was in 1968 before making sporadic “One Offs” for Lotus, Brabham and Honda, with his last F1 race being the 1971 United States Grand Prix.

 

Like almost All Formula 1 Drivers of this era, Jokim also competed in Sports Car and Can Am racing, winning the legendous’ Targa Florio twice, (1960, 1963) along with the 1962 12 Hours of Sebring. He also finished Runner-up in the 1964 24 Heurs du Mans with Graham Hill in a Ferrari, with his final major Sports Car victory being the ’66 1000km Nurburgring race with Phil Hill in Jim Hall’s Chapparal. Sadly Jo was Killed during the 1972 24 Hours of Le Mans when striking a Privateer Ferrari at High Speed exiting the Mulsanne Straight.

(2) Ronnie Peterson

Series: F1

Teams: March; Tyrrell; Lotus.

Years: 1970-78

Wins: 10

Ronnie began his ascent to the Pinnacle of Motorsport (Formula One) the traditional way, winning several Go-karting titles before graduating to single seater racing, where he won the 1969 European Formula 3 title – prior to joining the March (Factory) “Works” Team alongside a rebellious Austrian known as “The Rat.” (Niki Lauda)

After his 3-year contract was up, Peterson switched to Lotus for the first of his two stints with Colin Chapman, winning seven times alongside main teammate Jacky Ickx; plus Jim Crawford, John Watson and Brian Henton. He then returned to March for one further season in ’76 before moving onto partner Monsieur “De-Pie-eh” (Patrick Depailler) in those revolutionary Tyrrell P34 Six-wheeler’s. (In the far better paint scheme of First National...)

Then in ’78, Ronnie returned to Lotus as it’s number two driver behind Mario Andretti, as the ‘Swede won his final two race victories before perishing from accident at Monza, Italy the same day that Andretti became World Champion...

(3) Reine Wisell

Series: F1

Teams: Lotus; BRM; March.

Years: 1970-74

Wins: 0

There seems to be little offered ‘bout “Rennie,” (Reine) other then perhaps he was simply a victim of timing... As he was trying to carve out a Formula 1 career at the same time as Peterson – not to mention being overshadowed by Lotus teammate “EMMO,” (Emerson Fittipaldi) as for example; upon scoring his lone podium finish, a fine third place on his maiden Grand Prix outing at Watkins Glen, instead the media focused upon Emerson scoring his first victory. Wisell made his 22^nd and final “Official” Formula 1 start in his Home race, the 1974 Swedish GP...

(4) Conny Anderson

Series: F1

Teams: Surtees; BRM.

Years: 1976-77

Wins: 0

Very little information upon this ‘Swede – albeit he was a Motorcross rider before toiling in Formula 3 for nearly a Decade; then with backing from Rotel, he ran a pair of Privateer March’s in the European F3 Championship beginning in 1975 – when he won the Monaco event, yet was stripped of victory for jumping the start and being given a time penalty of 1-minute. Yet he still finished fourth and then won at Anderstorp before losing the title to ‘Aussie Larry Perkins.

Then in ’76, Conny won a total of four European F3 races: Nurburgring, AVUS, Croix-en-Ternois and Knutstorp, but once again lost the title, this time to a rising Italian named Ricardo Patrese.

Anderson made his Formula One debut at the Dutch Grand Prix for the Surtees Team, before finally fading from the racing landscape after he failed to qualify for the ’77 French GP...

(5) Gunnar Nilsson

Series: F1

Teams: Lotus

Years: 1976-77

Wins: 1

It seems to me that Gunnar’s career is  overshadowed by nemesis Ronnie Peterson, who effectively “stole” Nilsson’s seat at the rapidly improving Lotus concern. Gunnar did win the 1975 British Formula 3 Championship

And was Mario Andretti’s teammate at Lotus, winning once in the wet at Zolder, site of the Belgian Grand Prix – passing Niki Lauda’s Brabham for the victory. Having signed to race for Arrows in ’78; sadly, Gunnar was never healthy enough to race for this new Start-up team, and ultimately died from testicular cancer at the age of 29...

Portrait of Gunnar Nilsson

To continue reading, see: Swedish Speed Merchants (Con’t)

WRC: Ford and Mini continue playing Catch-up to Citroen in the 2012 World Rally Championship

Whale; I must say I definitely didn’t receive any Memo’s ‘bout those three new for ‘Twenty-eleven World Rally Championship makes last year – especially since after all they’re part of Fenderzland, eh? Albeit I’d really enjoy being able to watch these BLINKIN’ WRC Piloto’s back upon le Telescreen – are Yooze listening Versus; Err NBC Sports Network? As I still say that somebody should pick-up the TV Broadcasts, I mean, C’mon! NBC Sports and SPEED cannot find 90-minutes of Airtime for this racing series?

If Versus were Smart?

As I was then unawares that the WRC had felt compelled to regress its rules package for the previous season – while it seemed that it was an even larger travesty NOT having le Monty (Monte Carlo) Rally as part of the WRC Championship, which thankfully returned to its rightful place this year after a three-year hiatus.

(BMW) Mini

A year ago I mused to myself that Mini’s return to Rallying was undoubtedly the best news the World Rally Championship (WRC) could receive. As David Richards Prodrive operation returned to the ranks with ex-Citroen ‘Works driver Dani Sordo at the helm of the brand new Mini Countryman, with Chris Meeke as his teammate, as the squad would only run a limited schedule in preparations for its Full-time WRC assault in 2012.

But what I was unaware of was that these “Works” BMW Mini’s were being called the John Cooper Works WRC Team, which is apparently a tie-in to past Mini glory, as the Mini Cooper S took to Rallying in the 1960’s and scored a Hat-trick of victories at the sport’s crown jewel; winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, ’65 and ’67, along with the Acropolis and 1000 lakes Rally’s.

As Y’all may be aware of the name Cooper, which won both the Formula 1 Drivers and Constructors Championships consecutively with Sir ‘blackjack, nee Jack Brabham in 1959-60...

Citroen

The new ‘N improved smaller, swelt Citroen DS3 WRC car was unveiled to the public in 2011, when the dominant Rally Car manufacturer had to remodel its world conquering chassis to fall into line with last year’s BASTARDIZED World Rally Championship rules package...

Yet even these sweeping rules changes couldn’t slow down reigning 8-times WRC Champion Sebastian Loeb who’s simply obliterated the World Rally record books! As Loeb has picked up where he left off by winning this year’s Monte Carlo Rally and definitely appears set to once again throw down upon his compatriots in the World Rally title hunt, whilst chasing a record ninth Drivers crown

And Loeb gained another new teammate this year when last season’s co-hort Sordo apparently fell out of favour with the Citroen bosses. Thus longtime Ford driver Mikko Hirvonen has taken up the dutiful role of Wingman, a la some Boyz named “IRV the SWERVE” (Eddie Irvine) and ‘Rubino (Rubens Barrichello) did for ‘DER TERMINATOR, aka Michael Schumacher at Scuderia Ferrari...

And as we learned during this year’s “Peacock-lite” half hour Dakar vignettes, 2011 DAKAR champion Nasser Salih Nasser Abdullah Al-Attiyah will campaign a third “Works” Citroen under the banner Qatari World Rally Team for the full season excluding the “Monte” which apparently was too close to this year’s Dakar. Thus Nasser will ironically begin his World Rally career in Sweden by learning how to bounce off of Snowbanks - Ya Sure Yuh Betcha! Which I’m guessing will be a whole new style of driving for the Qatari, right?

Ford

Once again, the primary Blue Oval ‘Works Team will be the Ford World Rally Team run thru Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sports operation, with Finland’s Jari-Matti Latvala the lead driver behind the keyboard of its Ford Fiesta RS WRC racecars.

Meanwhile 2004 WRC Champion Petter Solberg of Norway being the last person to defeat Sebastian Loeb for the WRC title... As the ‘Nordski who is reputedly known as "Mr. Hollywood" returns as a FoMoCo “Works” driver, although he claims his solitary role at M Sport is to serve as Jari’s ‘Wingman.

And I’m assuming that America’s Ken Block will return again with his Monster Fiesta RS WRC in a limited schedule? As all I could find was an NON “Works” entry listed for Go Fast Racing, which I’m ASS-suming is the ‘Yank’s mount this season...

While it SUCKS that BMW wasn’t willing to Pony up for a two-car works team, letting Meeke’s twist in the wind a wee bit and taking the easy route of Paid drivers instead, in surely what cannot be a good sign towards Mini’s ability to defeat Citroen or the “feared” Volkswagen Polo WRC effort in 2013...

Thee Fluffy, Happy, Poufy Time of Year!

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias

And that’s before we even get to Mr. CandyMann’s Rah-Rah Cisk-cuh-boom EVERYTHINGS GURR-REAT!!! In Indy Cars speech; Hoohah!

As the other day I had a great chuckle reading Grizzled ‘Journo Joe Saward’s story about this being the FLUFFY time ‘O year in F1, albeit the word Fluffy makes me immediately think of the very funny comedian Gabriel Iglesias who coined the phrase “I’m NOT Fat, I’m Fluffy!” As Gabriel shouldn’t be Cornfuzed with ‘HULIO; NO, NOT that ‘HULIO as in “Castro-nervous,” but that great singer Julio José Iglesias; Hya!

But back to the Grand Prix rant, as in this fluffy speak is in regards of you know when ALL of the Formula 1 Constructors release the balloons with great lors ‘O pontification about how this could be the year they GO ALL THE WAY... But the funny thing is - there are twelve teams all blowing Hot Air as currently there’s really only three Constructors who have a realistic shot at the title; which I’d decree is Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari... And henceforth, as Joe sez; DON’T get too excited over the times posted during the mini-winter Olympics, nee Winter Testing.

The Fluffy time of year

And speaking ‘O Fluffy, whilst I know that thee Rhythm Professor, aka Neil Peart has stated that ‘KanaDuh only has two seasons; winter and road construction; Hya! Cymbol crash; Err Drum solo please Mr. Peart!

Thus I was genuinely surprised on my recent ‘Walkabout to go buy some overpriced ink cartridge for ze printer; hey, don’t they always run out when Yooze needs to print ‘Somme-thun important, eh?

And thus, I was taken off guard when the sidewalk suddenly seemed to disappear; WTF? As I swear there had been a bevy ‘O telephone poles freshly installed in the middle of what once was the sidewalk... As I bumbled my way along thru the restricted space with my trusty ‘Ol white cane at a reduced rate ‘O speed to the far away store and then made the return trip only to run into a section of sidewalk obnoxiously covered with a multitude ‘O orange traffic cones with fresh ‘Ash-fault being laid, before a construction worker took pity upon me after I started to walk towards the fresh tar since I had NO idea if the cones meant the sidewalk was closed? Before I mused to the Bank teller I thought road construction wasn’t supposed to begin until summer?

As its funny how I used to look exceedingly forward to this time of year, when all of the ne Formula 1 cars were unveiled, yet I really cannot say I’m overly excited - as I seemingly tire faster of everybody’s PR-Speak these days, although I guess I’ve still got ‘Formel-ein-itus coursing thru my veins as I still rush to attempt seeing what the new cars look like online, whilst its very early Dazes indeed, yet nice to see thee ‘Kimster’s name atop the time sheets...

KIMI & his ‘OOMPHLATTS lead the way on Day-1 of the First Test

HRT confirms Karthikeyan, leaving Barrichello without any F1 seats now...

On the heels of Rubens Barrichello successful and enjoyable two-plus day test with KV Racing Technology at Sebring aboard its new Dallara-Chevrolet IndyCar, alongside his good friend, “brother” and fellow countryman ‘TK “follow-your-Schnoz” Kanaan; the ageless ‘Rubino’s debutant outing in such machinery - comes word that Hispania F1 has confirmed Narain Karthikeyan, dubiously dubbed thee ‘Speediest Indian by Dr. Colin Kolles; NOT our bee ‘Luv-ed No. 90 Seahawks player Colin Cole; Hya! Which see’s Karthikeyan taking HRT F1’s second seat, also the final open race seat for the 2012 Formula 1 season - which means it appears the doors have firmly closed upon Barrichello’s Grand Prix career.

Thus, with this announcement, I for ‘Juan certainly hope that ‘Rubino will indeed decide to come stateside and take up residency aboard the No. 5 KVRT IndyCar mount!

And with Narain’s signing, apparently the Spanish team will pay off Vitantonio Liuzzi, who is reportedly under contract for 2012, who I guess is now looking for either a Reserve Driver role, although I still think he’d be a good fit at Caterham, or perhaps rejoining his ex-boss in Sports Cars?

Meanwhile, the esteemed Dentist; Err, Dr. Colin Kolles has turned his attentions to Sports Car racing with his new venture Kolles’s Kodewa just having been named the Lotus “Works” LMP2 effort for 2012 and will campaign a Lola coupe with “Lotus-by-Judd” power in the now overly used black & gold livery… Hmm? Perhaps ‘Tonio ‘N Jerome d'Ambrosio could be its pilots when not busy flogging virtual miles in simulators, eh?

Father Time?

And with thee tolling of the Belle’s - having rung in another New Year, alas awhile ago, eh? I decided to try putting pen to paper; Err, fingers to keyboard to scribble my thoughts ‘bout this year’s Senior’s class on the Formula 1 circuit.

And who am I to be so contrite as trying to tell a Gran Primo Piloto when to Exit Stage Left; BUTT! For some strange reasons - I’m really hoping that JarNo will go quietly into the wilderness this winter and make way for Vitaly ‘VO5 Petrov instead...

Begrudgingly, I’ll attempt not blatherin’ on this year ‘bout Herr Schumacher’s demise, as Good for You Michael for actually managing to stick out your three-year Farewell Tour with Mercedes, Norbert (Haag) and your dear friend Ross Brawn... After all, Messer “SkewMocher” will continue leading the “AARP Brigade” as the F1 Circuses elder statesman at the tender age of 43-years young - having celebrated this anniversary one day after Robby Gordon’s 43^rd birthday; Hya!

Pedro de la Rosa will attempt turning thee clock back upon his stillborn F1 career by returning to the grid with Hispania, along with turning 41 on February 24^th. I just hope for Pedro’s sake he’s getting a B-I-G FAT cheque for signing to drive the recalcitrant HRT F1 chassis at the back of the grid, as potentially he’ll be taking up the Tail-gunner Charlie position now that the “Speediest Indian” has been confirmed as his teammate...

And ‘Rubino will become the BIG 4-Oh on May 30^th, although now that the Formula 1 grids been filled, he’ll need to look elsewhere to continue his racing career.

And I’m not sure why I’m so Hell Bent on leather to see the ‘Scrumptious ‘Juan, aka Jarno Truli, who’s currently 37 and will celebrate his 38^th birthday on July 13 leave F1; BUTT! I’ve just groan tired of his constant ‘Wingeing on last year about the woes of the Team Lotus mount he was driving. C’mon Jarno, it’s a FREAKIN’ Loti with NO KERS... Hence, I guess you could say that I feel that Trulli’s time in the spotlight has passed, eh?

And coming in number five on the Elder’s list is Mark ‘Handlebarz Webber, who’ll turn 35 on August 27^th. As Webber’s surely feeling the HEAT from Red Bull’s ‘lil Seester Toro Rosso’s Young Guns Daniel Ricciardo and rookie Jean-Eric Vergne, eh? Although the youngsters will need to perform themselves in order to not get the Junior Driver Academy Jettison experience. Then again if he continues breaking limbs, Helmet Marco may be willing to toss him out with the (STR) bath water, eh?

Let’s see what Bones we can Break this time...

Indy Raptured in Superbowl Fever...

Here’s a few pics (below) from ‘Offical No Fenders Photographer ‘CARPETS chronicling some of the Pre-Superbowl Hypefest... As Indy’s main drag (Meridian) was renamed after the Seattle Seahawks! This was done reputedly in honour of Seattle’s NFL Franchise having a BETTER record then the Hometown Colts; Hya!

While I’d really haveda enjoyed being on the main drag near thee (Monument) Circle; Hangin’ around checking out all 33 of those Sharp Lookin’ DAllara’s... Although Curt Cavin alluded to there being some even older G-Force chassis in the mix of Supercarz, as I’m guessing their all devoid of their Fire breathin’ Honda lumps...

Supercarz Welcome NFL Crowds to Indianapolis

And apparently the high fuhlootin’ JW Marriot in Downtown Indianapolis is the buzz of the town with it’s ‘Mondo Vince Lombardi trophy flanking the buildings side, as there’s been NO word on whether or not Indy will hire King Kong to take the trophy down after the Superbowl game?

As for Mwah, the Superbowl’s already been played - with the lining up of 33 Indy Cars and hence I will NOT submit myself to this weekend’s overly LONG winded TV menagerie! Not to mention such frivolous FLUFF as the Today Show being taped live with the crowds going wild over Ann Curry’s white poufy trench coat, ‘cause it was cold... Along with Al Rope-uh-Dope Roper riding a Zip-line; SHEISA!

Hence, I’ll gorge myself upon my seven-plus hours ‘O Memorex I recorded from last weekend’s exhilarating Daytona 24hrs instead...

Lombardi trophy Dwarfs Marriott

I feel Sorry for whichever Team hasta host this trophy aloft upon winning Superbowl XL VI...

(Photo Courtesy of No Fenders ‘Offical Photographer ‘CARPETS)