Former Toyota Formula 1 Team Principal Ove Andersson Dies While Competing In Vintage Rally
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Jun 13, 2008
Toyota have expressed their profound sadness at the untimely death of their former Formula One team principal Ove Andersson, aged 70. Andersson was involved in an accident whilst competing in the Milligan Vintage Trial in South Africa, when the classic car he was driving suffered a frontal collision around a blind corner.
Tadashi Yamashina, Chairman of Toyota Motorsport GmbH, said: “Everyone at Toyota is extremely shocked and truly saddened at this terrible news. Ove was an inspiration to our team and to many in motorsport. His passion for motorsport was legendary and he is a great loss to our sport. The thoughts of everyone at Toyota Motorsport are with Ove’s family at this difficult time.”
The accident occurred outside Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. The Milligan Vintage Trial is a rally for classic, pre-1960 cars.
“We all knew him as a very genuine, down-to-earth person who really could inspire confidence. It is extremely tragic.” Hans-Eric Almeback, the chief executive of Toyota said.
During his rally career in the 1970s, Andersson won the Monte Carlo Rally, Rally Sanremo, Osterreichische Alpenfahrt, Acropolis Rally, Safary Rally and gained seven podium places in the World Rally Championships.
He also made a successful switch to motorsport management when he took over the role of team principal of the emergent Toyota formula one operation, which made its world championship debut in 2002. He was responsible for shaping Toyota’s international motorsport presence over a period of 30 years, initially behind the wheel but increasingly as a top-class administrator and strategist.
He came from a humble background. He was born in Uppsala and grew up on a remote farm, cycling four miles each way to school on his mother’s old bicycle. After his father acquired a 98cc motorcycle, he developed an interest in machinery - and in speed. While studying engineering, he saw his first ice races and was soon working as a marshal on the Hedemora circuit, where the Swedish grand prix was held for cars and bikes. But he left college early and worked as an assistant blacksmith while continuing his education with a correspondence course. Moving on to a local automobile repair shop, he impressed the owner with his abilities on a motorbike, who encouraged the youngster to go racing.
