Sad news I'm afraid:
http://www.motorspor...n_08061104.html
Ove Andersson killed in a Rally crash
Started by
Felix
, Jun 11 2008 10:50
46 replies to this topic
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#2
postajegenye
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 10:51
Originally posted by Felix
Sad news I' afraid:
http://www.motorspor...n_08061104.html
Just read it... R.I.P.
#6
lukywill
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 11:11
way to go rallying in south africa at 70!
#7
Perigee
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 11:15
Sorry to hear the news.
(I am skeptical of the eternal damnation thing...and am certain any god would not impose that for any air-intake irregularities...so assume he will be in peace anyway)
(I am skeptical of the eternal damnation thing...and am certain any god would not impose that for any air-intake irregularities...so assume he will be in peace anyway)
#8
Hacklerf
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 11:22
That sucks big time, really sorry to hear this news
#10
Gilles4Ever
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 11:25
Originally posted by lukywill
way to go rallying in south africa at 70!
Its not a rally as in wrc style, they drive old cars between cities, its a sealed speedo/odo type rally.
Sad news indeed. Unfortunately our roads are death traps.
http://www.epherald....05_03062008.htm
#11
repcobrabham
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 11:33
that link (subject to update) is eerie. what happened to 'tubby'? and i guess volvos aren't so safe if they're 50 years old ... RIP ove.
#12
potmotr
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 11:46
Originally posted by Perigee
(I am skeptical of the eternal damnation thing...and am certain any god would not impose that for any air-intake irregularities...so assume he will be in peace anyway)
That is borderline humour my friend...
#14
Felix
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 11:49
what happened to 'tubby'?
Am told that Tubby is injured, but not life-threateningly so. Apparently the Volvo caught fire when a minibus taxi (the scourge of SA's roads) hit it head-on after overtaking a truck on a blind bend.
Am told that Tubby is injured, but not life-threateningly so. Apparently the Volvo caught fire when a minibus taxi (the scourge of SA's roads) hit it head-on after overtaking a truck on a blind bend.
#16
Perigee
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 12:00
Not really..and this is a tribute to OA and not a place to start a campaign. I just feel peope reel out the "Rest in Peace" line without considering what it means...and it only makes sense if you believe in:Originally posted by potmotr
That is borderline humour my friend...
a) an afterlife,
b) a painful / non-peaceful afterlife at that, and
c) that the person you are referring to is likely to qualify for the painful afterlife option.
I don't believe any of those 3 things, so it makes no sense for me (and I suspent many others...if they actually thought about the words) to say Rest In Peace.
What is it that makes so many people think Ove won't rest "in peace"?
My condolences to his family, friends and aquaintances.
#17
HP
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 12:02
Sad news indeed
Condolences to his family
Condolences to his family
#19
Ghostrider
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 13:17
Sad news, he always gave a very warm and nice impression.
#23
Jhope
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 14:56
Jesus...this is horrible. I've like Ove. He seemed to be the only human face to the Toyota team in their first season (besides Alan McNish).
#24
pingu666
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 15:01
salo was human too ;)
#25
F1Snapper
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 15:32
R.I.P. Ove was a good man
#26
donald29
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 15:36
RIP
Was shocked and saddened to see this
Was shocked and saddened to see this
#27
jaisli
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 15:42
I'm very sad to hear this news.
I remember Ove arriving at the Paddock from the parking lot at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in (2003?). He didn't just sign autographs and run in. He had an on going chat and conversation with a number of different fans for nearly 20 minutes. He was friendly, charming and all together enthusiastic talking about F1, the Toyota team and racing in general. When people would ask very specific technical questions he was much more forthcoming than I would have thought. And if it was too specific (how much horsepower does your engine make and at what RPM) he would simply chuckle and say around or about or that he couldn't say precisely.
A very approachable and amiable gentlemen.
I remember Ove arriving at the Paddock from the parking lot at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in (2003?). He didn't just sign autographs and run in. He had an on going chat and conversation with a number of different fans for nearly 20 minutes. He was friendly, charming and all together enthusiastic talking about F1, the Toyota team and racing in general. When people would ask very specific technical questions he was much more forthcoming than I would have thought. And if it was too specific (how much horsepower does your engine make and at what RPM) he would simply chuckle and say around or about or that he couldn't say precisely.
A very approachable and amiable gentlemen.
#29
Perigee
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 16:02
Nice storyOriginally posted by jaisli
I'm very sad to hear this news.
I remember Ove arriving at the Paddock from the parking lot at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in (2003?). He didn't just sign autographs and run in. He had an on going chat and conversation with a number of different fans for nearly 20 minutes. He was friendly, charming and all together enthusiastic talking about F1, the Toyota team and racing in general. When people would ask very specific technical questions he was much more forthcoming than I would have thought. And if it was too specific (how much horsepower does your engine make and at what RPM) he would simply chuckle and say around or about or that he couldn't say precisely.
A very approachable and amiable gentlemen.
#30
MarkWRX
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 16:09
He always seemed like a real gentleman to me. May he rest in peace.
#31
Jackman
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 16:11
I've been staring at this screen, trying to write something here for ages, but I keep failing: I just can't seem to get my head around this at all. Ove is gone? How is that possible? I always just assumed that he would outlast everyone somehow, that he would always be there, his eyes twinkling with mirth behind his sunglasses whenever I saw him again.
Ove was probably my favourite person in the paddock: it's not something you ever consider really, until something like this happens and the fact just smacks you in the face. I'm not alone in thinking this: he was probably about the most popular guy there for anyone who'd had the pleasure of spending any time in his company. Back in the day I would spend a lot of time in the Toyota motorhome and it always seemed like a family, with Chris Hughes out front and Richard Cregan and the boys wandering back and forth, but there was never any question who played Dad to them all.
I've spent most of the afternoon thinking back on all the conversations we had: Ove was always approachable, always ready to talk and answer any questions, and he just seemed so happy all the time. It can't have been easy building Toyota into an F1 team: the base was in the middle of Germany, they didn't have a natural pool of workers to pull from, they didn't even have a history in the series: but he was always smiling no matter what happened on track.
I guess he just knew he had a life that most would envy.
Anyone who went to a Toyota dinner knows what a natural host he was: they also know that he likes a drink and was not one for drinking alone. If I can't remember the end of some of those nights it's thanks to Ove, but I can remember plenty of fun before that. I'll certainly never look at the World's Strongest Man competition in the same way after hearing Ove's take on it.
Even after he retired I'd still see him around, and he'd always have a few minutes to chat, to give you his take on things and ask you for your view. I guess he kind of reminded me of my grandfather, and I guess I just assumed he'd be around forever, but I'm unutterably sad to hear of his passing, and I know I'm not the only one.
Cheers Ove.
Ove was probably my favourite person in the paddock: it's not something you ever consider really, until something like this happens and the fact just smacks you in the face. I'm not alone in thinking this: he was probably about the most popular guy there for anyone who'd had the pleasure of spending any time in his company. Back in the day I would spend a lot of time in the Toyota motorhome and it always seemed like a family, with Chris Hughes out front and Richard Cregan and the boys wandering back and forth, but there was never any question who played Dad to them all.
I've spent most of the afternoon thinking back on all the conversations we had: Ove was always approachable, always ready to talk and answer any questions, and he just seemed so happy all the time. It can't have been easy building Toyota into an F1 team: the base was in the middle of Germany, they didn't have a natural pool of workers to pull from, they didn't even have a history in the series: but he was always smiling no matter what happened on track.
I guess he just knew he had a life that most would envy.
Anyone who went to a Toyota dinner knows what a natural host he was: they also know that he likes a drink and was not one for drinking alone. If I can't remember the end of some of those nights it's thanks to Ove, but I can remember plenty of fun before that. I'll certainly never look at the World's Strongest Man competition in the same way after hearing Ove's take on it.
Even after he retired I'd still see him around, and he'd always have a few minutes to chat, to give you his take on things and ask you for your view. I guess he kind of reminded me of my grandfather, and I guess I just assumed he'd be around forever, but I'm unutterably sad to hear of his passing, and I know I'm not the only one.
Cheers Ove.
#32
Jackman
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 16:35
Oh, and Joe's got some fantastic stories about Ove over on his site:
http://www.grandprix...ft/ft20457.html
http://www.grandprix...ns/ns20456.html
http://www.grandprix...ft/ft20457.html
http://www.grandprix...ns/ns20456.html
#34
Deeq
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 17:33
RIP Ove
I can't really believe he is gone
I can't really believe he is gone
#35
sterling49
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 17:39
A great loss, a stalwart from the '60s and the guy responsible for so many good things in rallying and racing, he will be missed.
#36
Francesc
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 18:12
Big loss
A truly motorsport man, Rest in Peace
A truly motorsport man, Rest in Peace
#37
Jerome
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Posted 11 June 2008 - 18:20
RIP Ove.
A headon crash in a classic Volvo: sheer bad luck. I had four friends who crashed on Krete in a classic Volvo Amazone, and it rolled of a steep side of a road, about thirty meters. They survived without more than scratches.
A headon crash in a classic Volvo: sheer bad luck. I had four friends who crashed on Krete in a classic Volvo Amazone, and it rolled of a steep side of a road, about thirty meters. They survived without more than scratches.
#39
rmhorton
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 00:14
Wow, this is sad news and like Jackman I have only good memories of him.
I was covering F1 around the time of Toyota’s entry and he seemed to take all the craziness of F1 in his stride, there always seemed to be a twinkle in his eye when he observed the F1 paddock and all the frantic stories that had a 24 hour lifespan.
No doubt there will be much written about his life in the coming days, but I will always remember Ove Andersson as a damn good bloke.
I was covering F1 around the time of Toyota’s entry and he seemed to take all the craziness of F1 in his stride, there always seemed to be a twinkle in his eye when he observed the F1 paddock and all the frantic stories that had a 24 hour lifespan.
No doubt there will be much written about his life in the coming days, but I will always remember Ove Andersson as a damn good bloke.
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#40
Bouncing Pink Ball
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 00:31
I'm so sorry to read this. Goodbye Ove, and condolences to those who knew him.
#41
gerry nassar
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 00:41
Very sad news. RIP Ove
Nice write up there Jackman. Just seeing him in interviews is enough to convince you what a nice guy he was. You have first hand experience of that.
Nice write up there Jackman. Just seeing him in interviews is enough to convince you what a nice guy he was. You have first hand experience of that.
#42
taran
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 08:55
Originally posted by jaisli
I'm very sad to hear this news.
I remember Ove arriving at the Paddock from the parking lot at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway back in (2003?). He didn't just sign autographs and run in. He had an on going chat and conversation with a number of different fans for nearly 20 minutes. He was friendly, charming and all together enthusiastic talking about F1, the Toyota team and racing in general. When people would ask very specific technical questions he was much more forthcoming than I would have thought. And if it was too specific (how much horsepower does your engine make and at what RPM) he would simply chuckle and say around or about or that he couldn't say precisely.
A very approachable and amiable gentlemen.
In all the tributes or the mentions here what a wonderful gentleman he was, it is never mentioned that his team was caught cheating in rallying and banned for a year or that he was forced to leave the F1 team because of the fallout of the theft of Ferrari technical data.
Ove was not a saint or a gentleman (unless I have a different definition of such a being). He was a human being, warts and all. He was good at what he did, affable in personality and willing to cheat to gain success, which is not unique in motorsport circles.
By not mentioning the negative side of his career, only a one-sided picture emerges of one of the major characters in rallying.
#43
Jackman
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 09:14
TTE was kicked out of the WRC for a year because of the actions of the technical director (although, to his credit, Ove stated at the time that he would take the responsibility as he was the overall boss), and he wasn't kicked out of the F1 team at all but rather he retired, and in fact stayed with the team for a year longer than previously planned (and became the first person in Toyota worldwide, including the founder, to continue with the company past their mandatory retirement age).
Ove was no saint, but you might want to get your facts right in a thread like this.
Ove was no saint, but you might want to get your facts right in a thread like this.
#44
taran
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 10:09
Originally posted by Jackman
TTE was kicked out of the WRC for a year because of the actions of the technical director (although, to his credit, Ove stated at the time that he would take the responsibility as he was the overall boss), and he wasn't kicked out of the F1 team at all but rather he retired, and in fact stayed with the team for a year longer than previously planned (and became the first person in Toyota worldwide, including the founder, to continue with the company past their mandatory retirement age).
Ove was no saint, but you might want to get your facts right in a thread like this.
I think I have them right, you might want to google a bit to check yours.
Toyota's former team principal Ove Andersson, chief designer Gustav Brunner and the chief aerodynamicist were all charged in Germany for acquiring and using stolen technical data.
It has since been widely reported and has been the subject of much speculation that both Ove Andersson and Gustav Brunner were quickly sacked by Toyota to avoid a major investigation and prosecution of Toyota F1. The last thing they needed was another scandal, possibly leading to fines and exclusion from the championship.
Brunner disappeared and Andersson was moved to an ill-defined advisory role.
That does not detract from Ove's achievements or his importance in founding TTE. It does provide another view on his life.
There is nothing wrong with an eulogy but obituaries tend to provide a better picture of the man.
#45
rmhorton
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 10:23
Taran,
Jackman wasn't writing anything other than some initial reactions to a man's untimely death.
No doubt there will be plenty of words written regarding everything that happened in his motorsport life.
RH
Jackman wasn't writing anything other than some initial reactions to a man's untimely death.
No doubt there will be plenty of words written regarding everything that happened in his motorsport life.
RH
#46
taran
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 11:41
Originally posted by rmhorton
Taran,
Jackman wasn't writing anything other than some initial reactions to a man's untimely death.
No doubt there will be plenty of words written regarding everything that happened in his motorsport life.
RH
Fair enough, although one wouldn't expect it if you consider David Evans's "Ove Andersson, 1938-2008" article. Not a word about the 1995 exclusion or the later shenanigans at Toyota F1. If Ron Dennis suddenly dropped dead, would his $100m fine for cheating be similarly overlooked by Autosport writers?
Ove Andersson was a great rally driver who went on to found a successful racing company. That is as much a fact as his team cheating in competition (and being caught at it). A fair and unbiased view of his life should have mentioned both aspects of career IMO.
#47
Jackman
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Posted 12 June 2008 - 11:57
The problem is that you're wrong about his retirement: should they put a comment in his obituary about it even though he simply left because he was 66?
