166 replies to this topic

[E1pix]

There’s a little more info in this very old thread:Susanna Raganelli - faster than Ronnie Peterson …
It would seem that she didn’t take her driving career much further. IIRC one of the others she beat to that 1966 World Kart title was a young Keke Rosberg.

Thanks Tim!

Reminds me, I sure miss Cirrus’ posts.

[Sterzo]

Edit: Sterzo, Beyond Suzy the Raganelli name in general is really familiar, did the family name carry on in racing and/or in international business?

I'm afraid my post contained the sum total of my paltry knowledge!

[E1pix]

I can only admire anyone admitting their limit. ;-)

[Myhinpaa]

Ronnie had a new kart for 1963, father Bengt built a much improved chassis fitted with a 273cc Bultaco engine. 

 

 

During the season it was steadily improved, getting a disc brake, magnesium wheels etc.

 

 

 

[nexfast]

Ronnie was actually third in the Kart World Cup, some other Swedish guy called Leif Engstrom came in second. Rosberg was a discreet 15th. Toine Hezemans who had a long career in touring cars was fifth.

[PCC]

There’s a little more info in this very old thread:

Susanna Raganelli - faster than Ronnie Peterson …

It would seem that she didn’t take her driving career much further. IIRC one of the others she beat to that 1966 World Kart title was a young Keke Rosberg.

I didn't know this story before, but it jogs a very old memory. Some time around the mid '70s, a journalist - maybe Pete Lyons? - did a quick informal poll of the F1 grid on the question of whether a woman could ever be a competitive F1 driver. I recall that some were ambivalent, some (especially Fittipaldi) rejected the idea outright. Ronnie, though, saw no reason why a woman couldn't succeed at that level. Perhaps Susanna Ragnelli's ability in karts made a lasting impression?

[Michael Ferner]

Being Ronnie, apparently he wasn't resentful; he started going out with her instead. 

 

If it had been Prost instead, people would be saying: "Being Prost, he started going out with her to convince her to stop racing"  

[Tim Murray]

Posted on behalf of Tampaguy. No info available on the photo - anyone recognise the location?

[Collombin]

Looks like Kyalami to me.

[FlyingSaucer]

I admit to a low knowledge of Ronnie’s racing origins.

Did he race in rallies before starting in road racing?

 

Last month, I did for 8W Forix a report about the 1967 Swedish F3; which, even though it wasn't Ronnie's first experience in F3, ended up being important as it was the driver's first full season in a single-seater category. Furthermore, it was in this season that the first real 'clashes' between Ronnie and Reine took place. You can check it through this link: http://8w.forix.com/swedishf3-67.html

 

In the attached acknowledgments section of the text (scroll down to the bottom), I recommend checking Rickard O. Lindström's website (ointres.se) which has a lot of information regarding Ronnie's first steps in motor racing.

Edited by FlyingSaucer, 20 February 2024 - 00:45.

[tampaguy]

Thanks Tim ! Hopefully we will learn more about the photo ? 

[TecnoRacing]

Looks like Kyalami to me.

Yes!

That photo and this other one of Ronnie in same shirt showing the distinctive wall along the pit straight are both on Motorsportimages dated as March 4th, 1972.

 

 

https://www.motorspo...-gp/1019543187/

https://www.motorspo...-gp/1019543189/

 

Edited by TecnoRacing, 21 February 2024 - 03:55.

[E1pix]

Last month, I did for 8W Forix a report about the 1967 Swedish F3; which, even though it wasn't Ronnie's first experience in F3, ended up being important as it was the driver's first full season in a single-seater category. Furthermore, it was in this season that the first real 'clashes' between Ronnie and Reine took place. You can check it through this link: http://8w.forix.com/swedishf3-67.html

Yours is a wonderful article!

Freddy Kottulinsky had a semi-factory Lola sponsorship in Super Vee here in 1974, the year before a surrogate dad of mine took over that ride and won the title. The very idea that Ronnie struggled to beat Freddy *at any point* going up the ranks is quite mind-blowing!

Well done!

[tampaguy]

Tecno thanks for the info on that photo..Jack 

[barrykm]

Yes!

That photo and this other one of Ronnie in same shirt showing the distinctive wall along the pit straight are both on Motorsportimages dated as March 4th, 1972.

 

 

https://www.motorspo...-gp/1019543187/

https://www.motorspo...-gp/1019543189/

 

 

Definitely Kyalami. Taken on the pit apron.

[Myhinpaa]

Someone alerted me to this photo posted on a Facebook Group.

 

Unmistakably Ronnie!

 

 

From Glory Days of Racing on Facebook

 

As per usual on Facebook photos just get posted without any additional information....

[Sterzo]

^

"Wow, you were sideways, Ronnie." 

"Was I?"