27 replies to this topic

[AAGR]

I've just heard the very sad news that Swedish rally superstar Erik Carlsson died this morning.

 

In the 1950s and 1960s, always driving Saabs, he was the world's very best and fastest rally driver - among other things winning the Monte Carlo rally twice and the RAC rally three times.

 

He married Pat Moss in 1963, and lived in the UK thereafter, untll his death.

 

I liked the man enormously, and will miss him. My very sincere condolences to his daughter Susie and the entire family.

 

RIP Erik.

 

AAGR

[Tim Murray]

Oh no, what very sad news. Another of my heroes has left us. I've often wondered what he might have achieved if he'd been less loyal to Saab during his career.

RIP På Taket

[GMiranda]

RIP

[Richard Jenkins]

Great shame, if not entirely unexpected. He was as a driver, and a person, a credit to rallying.

[cpbell]

Very sad - R.I.P.

[sterling49]

Very sad news.

[LotusElise]

Just found out the news. Stirling Moss has posted a nice little tribute, saying that Erik and Pat are now back together and "happily fighting" with each other.

[RTH]

SAd news That RAC win with Stuart Turner will always live in the memory along with the distinctive 2-stroke snarl..

[JacnGille]

Sad news

[Macca]

Very sad news, he was the first rally driver I ever heard of and was the superstar of the time when I first got interested in car sport; and he was also a nice bloke. He came to Goodwood sometimes and gave me a cheery smile when I saw him walking through the paddock.

 

RIP, reunited with Pat.

 

 

Paul M

[garyfrogeye]

Very sad news. RIP

 

Gary

[wolf sun]

Sad news again.

 

RIP Erik.

[Nanni Dietrich]

Sad news.

One of the greatest rallymen in history.

 

[Doug Nye]

Really, truly, sad news.  Dear old Erik was a great human being - in every meaning of the term.  I last spoke with him - on the telephone - about a month ago. I thought he sounded in good form...but I guess it's difficult to tell.  Lovely man. So nice to have known you, Pa Taket... Sincerest condolences to daughter Susie and all his other family and many, many friends.

 

DCN

[Graham Gauld]

Anyone who knew him would confirm he was a very gentle giant with a great sense of humour and wit. On one occasion when pounding through a Swedish forest in a factory Saab I shouted to him that I could not understand how he could go over blind brows so quickly. The laconic reply was "....well, the road must go somewhere".

Erik. We will miss you.

[Allan Lupton]

The laconic reply was "....well, the road must go somewhere".

Yes, one of his memorable statements.

Fatally flawed of course, as one couldn't steer the car towards the "somewhere" when airborne, hence "Carlsson på taket"

[Tim Murray]

... and well and truly på taket in the first photo in this obituary in C & SC:

http://www.classican...lsson-1929-2015

[Mark A]

Sad news.

 

Was lucky to have a short chat with Erik at Goodwoon in 1995 (I think) when we were both taking part in the rally stage, I was in one of the early Mini Coopers that he competed against at the time.

 

He was happy to talk to a 20 something youngster at the time about 60's rallying and about how Pat had no interest in cars anymore.

 

Was good to see him on TV recently in For The Love Of Cars.

 

Another Rallying great gone.

[Glengavel]

Yes, one of his memorable statements.

Fatally flawed of course, as one couldn't steer the car towards the "somewhere" when airborne, hence "Carlsson på taket"

 

Wasn't his other quote about not using the brakes because "they only slowed you down"?

 

Brakes also don't work when airborne...

[Henri Greuter]

Indeed sad news.

Also kind of sad to realize (depends on you look on it of course) that he actually managed to outlive Saab.

 

RIP

 

 

Henri

[D-Type]

RIP

Another of my heroes gone!  

The only man to voluntarily roll a rally car

(Safari 1964)

[P.Dron]

Just found out the news. Stirling Moss has posted a nice little tribute, saying that Erik and Pat are now back together and "happily fighting" with each other.

 

...on a reinforced bed, no doubt.

 

Two wonderful people, larger than life in every sense.

[Charlieman]

Fair well, Erik.

[Ray Bell]

Without his successes, would SAAB have gone the way of Wartburg?

He seemed to single-handed wrestle wins and great performances against much larger cars, and every car was larger, and fly the SAAB flag in places where it would never otherwise have been seen.

I hope Susie has some kids, this is one bloke who needed to have grandchildren to tell all his stories!

[RogerFrench]

Sad news. RIP

[GMiranda]

Peter Diekmann, experienced co-driver who partnered men such as Kalle Grundel and Kenneth Erikson also died yesterday night

[ReWind]

A small correction: Peter Diekmann passed away earlier. I haven't seen the exact date yet but first mentioning was on 24 May.

[GMiranda]

Thanks, it wa sonly noticed Friday night by Portuguese Autosport and other page; so I thought it was actual.