Erik Carlsson

Erik Carlsson ( born March 5, 1929 in Trollhättan ) is a former Swedish rally driver.

Carlsson on the roof

Erik Carlsson was the personalized rallying in the 1950s and 1960s. With him and his driving style, this form of motor sport became popular in Europe. The name Carlsson is also closely connected to the car brand Saab. The driven from him Saab 93 and Saab 96 received at this time automotive cult status. His spectacular driving style, which resulted not infrequently that the piloted by him Saabs again found on the roof, gave him - in allusion to the character in a novel by Astrid Lindgren - nicknamed Carlsson on the roof. To the speed to keep up with the Saab two-stroke engines, Carlsson slowed down with the left foot, while the rights to the gas pedal remained. Today he is considered the father of the links brakes.

Career in motorsports

After some successes at national rally events in Finland Carlsson celebrated in 1957 with the overall winner of the 1000 Lakes Rally, Rally Finland today, his first major international success. 1959 won the Rally of Sweden in 1962 and 1963 at the Monte Carlo Rally. Three times in a row - 1960 to 1962 - he triumphed in the RAC Rally. In 1964 he won also the Rally de 'Fiori, the predecessor organization of the San Remo Rally. Carlsson denied until the early 1970s rallies. His last major success was the victory at the Barum Rally Zlín in 1967 on a Saab 96

Private

Erik Carlsson was married to Pat Moss (1934-2008), the sister of the British jüngerern racer Stirling Moss. Her daughter, Suzy Carlsson is a well known Swedish show jumper. Together with his wife he wrote in 1965 the book: The Art and Technique of Driving.