Ove Andersson
Encyclopedia
Ove Andersson was a Swedish
rally
driver and the first head of Toyota's F1 program
. His nickname was "Påven" ("the Pope").
and grew up on a remote farm. His father bought a 98cc motorbike, and Andersson said this was where he first fell in love with speed and machinery. He went on to begin studying engineering in Uppsala, and also began marshalling ice races. He dropped his engineering course and began working as an apprentice to a blacksmith in the city. He then went on to work in a car repair shop, the owner of which encoruaged Ove to begin racing after showing him his skills with a motorbike.
In 1958, Andersson completed his military service with the UN peace keeping force on the Gaza Strip
. During this service he survived typhoid and a fire. Upon returning home he attempted to rejoin the UN but with little success. A friend encouraged him to join him on a rally, on which the pairing finished in 6th place. Local rally drivers saw that he had potential, but as Ove had little money he could not afford to race. His friend Bengt Soderstrom became a Saab factory rally driver, and Andersson was able to borrow parts to make his car more competitive. The UN eventually offered him the opportunity to serve in the Congo, but he turned it down to concentrate on his rallying career
whom Andersson believed was given better machinery by Saab. In 1965 he raced the first three rounds of the championship with Lancia
, finishing 3rd in all of them. He also drove in the Swedish Rally Championship, and won the Swedish World Rally in a Lotus Cortina. In 1967, he won the Monte Carlo Rally with Lancia.
Despite being signed to Ford for 1968, Andersson competed in Daytona 24 hours with Lancia and also on the Monte Carlo Rally. At the end of the 1970 season, he was approached by Alpine who he began to race for in 1971. Andersson won the Monte Carlo Rally
, Rallye Sanremo
, Österreichische Alpenfahrt
and Acropolis Rally with an Alpine A110
, taking Alpine-Renault to the International Championship for Manufacturers
title. In 1972, he came second on the Monte Carlo rally with Jean Todt
as his co-driver. After the inauguration of the World Rally Championship
in 1973, Andersson, driving mainly a Toyota Celica
, achieved seven podium places in his 28 outings in the series and won the 1975 Safari Rally
in a Peugeot 504
, co-driven by Arne Hertz
.
TTE did not have regular rally victories until the 1980s with Juha Kankkunen
and Björn Waldegård
. The 1990s provided the bulk of success in World Rally for TTE, with Carlos Sainz
, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol
providing success for the team. In 1993, Toyota Team Europe was purchased by the Toyota Motor Company and renamed Toyota Motorsport GmbH. For the 1995 TTE was famously banned for 12 months from the WRC
for cheating by designing a on the ST205 that included both a bypass mechanism and spring-loaded devices to conceal it from scrutineers.
In addition to the World Rally exploits of Toyota Motorsport, the team attempted to win the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. The team created the Toyota GT One race car, which was entered into the 1998 and 1999 races achieving a best result of second place.
Afterwards, the Cologne factory was sent into overdrive for a Formula One project. Andersson was set to oversee the new team, which designed and produced its first car in 2001. The Toyota TF101
was only a test prototype car to be used around the world before Toyota launched a formal attack on F1. It was driven by Mika Salo and Allan McNish who would also drive the car in its first competitive season, 2002. In charge for the troublesome first few years, Andersson retired in 2003 but was retained as a consultant to Toyota Motorsport GmbH.
Andersson died in a vintage rally crash on 11 June 2008 near George
, South Africa
.
The Toyota F1 Team paid tribute to Andersson in a variety of ways. Toyota Motorsport GmbH boss at the time Tadashi Yamashina said he was shocked and saddened by the news, while at the 2008 French Grand Prix, both Toyota's ran black stripes on the car. Jarno Trulli scored a podium finish at the event, and he dedicated it to Andersson.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
rally
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
driver and the first head of Toyota's F1 program
Toyota F1
Panasonic Toyota Racing was a Formula One team owned by Japanese car manufacturer Toyota and based in Cologne, Germany. Toyota announced their plans to participate in F1 in 1999, and after extensive testing with their initial car, dubbed the TF101, the team made their debut in 2002...
. His nickname was "Påven" ("the Pope").
Early life
Andersson was born in UppsalaUppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
and grew up on a remote farm. His father bought a 98cc motorbike, and Andersson said this was where he first fell in love with speed and machinery. He went on to begin studying engineering in Uppsala, and also began marshalling ice races. He dropped his engineering course and began working as an apprentice to a blacksmith in the city. He then went on to work in a car repair shop, the owner of which encoruaged Ove to begin racing after showing him his skills with a motorbike.
In 1958, Andersson completed his military service with the UN peace keeping force on the Gaza Strip
Gaza Strip
thumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
. During this service he survived typhoid and a fire. Upon returning home he attempted to rejoin the UN but with little success. A friend encouraged him to join him on a rally, on which the pairing finished in 6th place. Local rally drivers saw that he had potential, but as Ove had little money he could not afford to race. His friend Bengt Soderstrom became a Saab factory rally driver, and Andersson was able to borrow parts to make his car more competitive. The UN eventually offered him the opportunity to serve in the Congo, but he turned it down to concentrate on his rallying career
Rallying career
In 1963, Andersson raced for the first time as a works driver at the Swedish Rally in a Mini. He impressed the team boss, Stuart Taylor, for him to be given a Mini Cooper S for the RAC rally. He went on to race for Saab in 1964 and 1965 but he felt he was in the shadow of Erik CarlssonErik Carlsson
Erik Carlsson, aka "Carlsson på taket" , was born March 5, 1929 in Trollhättan, Sweden and was a rally driver for Saab. Because of his public relations work for Saab, he is also known as Mr. Saab....
whom Andersson believed was given better machinery by Saab. In 1965 he raced the first three rounds of the championship with Lancia
Lancia
Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1906 by Vincenzo Lancia and which became part of the Fiat Group in 1969. The company has a long history of producing distinctive cars and also has a strong rally heritage. Some modern Lancias are seen as presenting a more...
, finishing 3rd in all of them. He also drove in the Swedish Rally Championship, and won the Swedish World Rally in a Lotus Cortina. In 1967, he won the Monte Carlo Rally with Lancia.
Despite being signed to Ford for 1968, Andersson competed in Daytona 24 hours with Lancia and also on the Monte Carlo Rally. At the end of the 1970 season, he was approached by Alpine who he began to race for in 1971. Andersson won the Monte Carlo Rally
Monte Carlo Rally
The Monte Carlo Rally or Rally Monte Carlo is a rallying event organised each year by the Automobile Club de Monaco which also organises the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix and the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique. The rally takes place along the French Riviera in the Principality of Monaco and...
, Rallye Sanremo
Rallye Sanremo
Rallye Sanremo is a rally competition held in Sanremo, Italy. Except for the 1995 event, the event was part of the FIA World Rally Championship schedule from the 1973 season to the 2003 season. Currently, it is a round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the Italian national rally...
, Österreichische Alpenfahrt
Österreichische Alpenfahrt
The Österreichische Alpenfahrt was a rally that was part of the inaugural World Rally Championship in 1973.- History :...
and Acropolis Rally with an Alpine A110
Alpine A110
The Alpine A110, also known as the "Berlinette", was a sports car produced by the French manufacturer Alpine from 1961 to 1977. The A110 was powered by various Renault engines....
, taking Alpine-Renault to the International Championship for Manufacturers
International Championship for Manufacturers
The FIA International Championship for Manufacturers was a rally series culminating in a champion manufacturer. The championship was run from 1970 to 1972 and it was replaced by the FIA World Rally Championship in 1973...
title. In 1972, he came second on the Monte Carlo rally with Jean Todt
Jean Todt
Jean Todt was born on February 25, 1946, in Pierrefort, Cantal, France. After a successful career as a rally co-driver he made his reputation in motor sport management, first with Peugeot Talbot Sport, then with Scuderia Ferrari, before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ferrari from 2004...
as his co-driver. After the inauguration of the World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
in 1973, Andersson, driving mainly a Toyota Celica
Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica name has been applied to a series of coupes made by the Japanese company Toyota. The name is ultimately derived from the Latin word coelica meaning "heavenly" or "celestial"....
, achieved seven podium places in his 28 outings in the series and won the 1975 Safari Rally
Safari Rally
The Safari Rally is considered by many to be the world's toughest rally. It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II...
in a Peugeot 504
Peugeot 504
The Peugeot 504 is a large family car manufactured by French automaker Peugeot between 1968 and 1983, with licensed production continuing until 2006.-1968 — introduction:...
, co-driven by Arne Hertz
Arne Hertz
Arne Hertz was a Swedish co-driver in motor rallying.His name first became prominent when co-driving for Stig Blomqvist , with whom he first won the RAC Rally, in 1971. With Blomqvist, in the same year, he also won the Hankiralli, the Swedish Rally and the 1000 Lakes Rally...
.
WRC victories
| # | Event | Season | Co-driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  23rd Safari RallySafari Rally The Safari Rally is considered by many to be the world's toughest rally. It was first held from 27 May to 1 June 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II... |
1975 | Arne Hertz Arne Hertz Arne Hertz was a Swedish co-driver in motor rallying.His name first became prominent when co-driving for Stig Blomqvist , with whom he first won the RAC Rally, in 1971. With Blomqvist, in the same year, he also won the Hankiralli, the Swedish Rally and the 1000 Lakes Rally... |
Peugeot 504 Peugeot 504 The Peugeot 504 is a large family car manufactured by French automaker Peugeot between 1968 and 1983, with licensed production continuing until 2006.-1968 — introduction:... |
Toyota Team Europe
In the early 1970s, Andersson was also the owner of his own rally team Andersson Motorsport, which later became the Toyota Team Europe. In 1979 he moved the team from Uppsala to Cologne, Germany where operations were based for an assault on the World Rally Championship.TTE did not have regular rally victories until the 1980s with Juha Kankkunen
Juha Kankkunen
Juha Matti Pellervo Kankkunen is a Finnish former rally driver. His factory team career in the World Rally Championship lasted from 1983 to 2002. He won 23 world rallies and four drivers' world championship titles, which were both once records in the series...
and Björn Waldegård
Björn Waldegård
Björn Waldegård from Rimbo is a former Swedish rally driver, and the winner of the inaugural World Rally Championship for drivers in 1979...
. The 1990s provided the bulk of success in World Rally for TTE, with Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz Cenamor is a Spanish rally driver. He won the World Rally Championship drivers' title with Toyota in 1990 and 1992, and finished runner-up four times...
, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol
Didier Auriol
Didier Auriol is a French rally driver.Born in Montpellier, and initially an ambulance driver, Auriol made his name as a French rally driver in the World Rally Championship throughout the 1990s. He became World Rally Champion in 1994, the first from his country to do so...
providing success for the team. In 1993, Toyota Team Europe was purchased by the Toyota Motor Company and renamed Toyota Motorsport GmbH. For the 1995 TTE was famously banned for 12 months from the WRC
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
for cheating by designing a on the ST205 that included both a bypass mechanism and spring-loaded devices to conceal it from scrutineers.
In addition to the World Rally exploits of Toyota Motorsport, the team attempted to win the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. The team created the Toyota GT One race car, which was entered into the 1998 and 1999 races achieving a best result of second place.
Afterwards, the Cologne factory was sent into overdrive for a Formula One project. Andersson was set to oversee the new team, which designed and produced its first car in 2001. The Toyota TF101
Toyota TF101
The Toyota TF101 was a Formula One car used solely for testing purposes during the 2001 season, in preparation for the team's full scale assault on the series in 2002. The car was designed by Toyota F1's chief of chassis Jean-Claude Martens and was driven by Mika Salo and Allan McNish...
was only a test prototype car to be used around the world before Toyota launched a formal attack on F1. It was driven by Mika Salo and Allan McNish who would also drive the car in its first competitive season, 2002. In charge for the troublesome first few years, Andersson retired in 2003 but was retained as a consultant to Toyota Motorsport GmbH.
Death
George, Western Cape
George is a city with 203,253 inhabitants in South Africa's Western Cape province. The city is a popular holiday and conference centre and the administrative and commercial hub of the Garden Route.- Location :...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
The Toyota F1 Team paid tribute to Andersson in a variety of ways. Toyota Motorsport GmbH boss at the time Tadashi Yamashina said he was shocked and saddened by the news, while at the 2008 French Grand Prix, both Toyota's ran black stripes on the car. Jarno Trulli scored a podium finish at the event, and he dedicated it to Andersson.