Per Eklund
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Per Eklund, born on June 26th 1946 at Arvika in Sweden, is a Rally and Rallycross driver. His nick-name is "Pekka". In rallying he never made it to the very top but he has been very successful in his later rallycross career.
Saab works drive: Eklund was a Saab works driver from 1970 to 1979. In 1982, however, the year after Saab discontinued its official rallying involvement, He achieved the brand's last top position in a World Championship event, finishing fourth in the Swedish Rally driving a privately entered, Clarion-sponsored Saab 99 Turbo. He was always proud of that result, since the competition consisted mostly of four-wheel-drive cars, and the event was run in snow. This signified the end of the rally era at Saab, even though Eklund went on to drive an officially-entered Saab 900 Turbo in the British round of the 1997 World Rally Championship.
RAC Rally: He was a popular entrant in the RAC Rally but his best result was 3rd, in 1984, in a Toyota Celica Turbo. he was 7th in 1971, with a Saab 96 V4, helping to net the manufacturer's team prize for Saab. In 1977, he was 9th in a Saab 99 EMS. He also drove for British Leyland, taking 13th in the 1979 RAC Rally. By 1985, he had taken a drive with Audi, taking 4th place in the RAC Rally. In 1987, he was 2nd but disqualified on a technicality. He also finished a record 12th overall, when privately entering a Lancia Delta.
Swedish Rally: He often competed this rally and won the event outright in 1976. He was Swedish Champion in 1978, beating his team mate Stig Blomqvist.
Rallycross: Per Eklund started driving in Rallycross by winning the first ever Swedish Rallycross event at Hedemora, on 17th October 1971. He first drove a Saab 96 V4, then a Saab 99 in its various sporting evolutions. He was always prominent, became 7th overall respectively 4th overall in the first and second European Championship series of 1973 and 1974, but his greatest successes have been in more modern times. Nowadays he is one of the fastest competitors of the FIA European Championship for Rallycross Drivers.
Technical Specification of Per Eklund's Saab 9-3 1998 Rallycross car:
- Engine: Saab 4-Cylinder 2340 cc turbocharged 540hp
- Transmission: Prodrive 4- or 6-speed 4-wheel drive
- Weight: 1.100 kg
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 2.5 seconds
- Top speed: 180-230 km/h depending on gearing
Technical Specification Per Eklund's Saab 9-3 1999 Rallycross car:
- Engine: Saab 4-Cylinder 2.0 litre turbocharged
- Transmission: Prodrive 6-speed 4-wheel drive
- Other improvements: Per has worked hard to improve other aspects of his vehicle some of which include: A new front wheel geometry; a smaller wing, improved steering and suspension
His results have been:
- 2nd in 1998, 2002 European Rallycross championship
- Winner of 1998 Euro Masters in Holland
- 1999 Division 1 European Rallycross champion
- 3rd in 2000, 2001 European Rallycross championship
- 2nd in 2002 British Rallycross Grand Prix
- 2nd in 2001 Nordic Cup
- Swedish Champion 2004
In 2005, he drove a potent 550 bhp Saab 9-3 Aero Sport Saloon in his pursuit of the 2005 European Rallycross Championship. The four-wheel drive Aero can accelerate to 100 km/h in 2.2 seconds, which is faster than a Formula One car. It has been developed in co-operation with Saab Automobile and is sponsored by Clarion and Shell. The Sport Saloon bodyshape provides improved aerodynamics, with less drag resistance and lower high-speed lift forces than his previous 9-3 hatchback. The Saab 2-0-litre engine, developed by local engine tuner Trollspeed, has a remarkable 550 bhp output and 750 Nm peak torque. 
[edit] Track record
[edit] 1968
- Swedish Rally, 8th, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver ?
[edit] 1969
- Norska Vinterrallyt, 1st, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver ?
[edit] 1970
[edit] 1971
- Norska Vinterrallyt, 1st, ?SAAB 96 V4, co-driver ?
- 1000 Lakes, 7th, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver Sölve Andreasson
- RAC Rally, 7th, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver ?
[edit] 1972
- Firestone Rally (E), 1st, ?SAAB 96 V4, co-driver ?
- Dutch Texaco Rally, 1st, ?SAAB 96 V4, co-driver ?
- 1000 Lakes Rally, 5th, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver Sölve Andreasson
- Rally of Sweden , 8th, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver ?
[edit] 1973
- Swedish Rally, 2nd, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver Björn Cederberg
- 1000 Lakes Rally, out (driveshaft), SAAB 96 V4, co-driver Björn === 1974 ===
[edit] 1975
[edit] 1976
- Swedish Rally, 1st, SAAB 96 V4, co-driver Björn Cederberg
- 1000 Lakes, out (piston), SAAB 96 V4, co-driver Björn Cederberg
- RAC Rally, out (gearbox), SAAB 96 V4, co-driver Björn Cederberg
[edit] 1977
[edit] 1978
[edit] 1979
[edit] 1980
[edit] 1981
[edit] 1982
[edit] 1983
[edit] 1984
[edit] 1985
[edit] 1986
[edit] 1987
[edit] 1988
[edit] 1989
[edit] 1990
[edit] 1991
[edit] 1992
[edit] 1993
[edit] 1994
[edit] 1995
[edit] 1996
[edit] 1997
[edit] 1998
[edit] 1999
[edit] 2000
[edit] 2001
[edit] 2002
[edit] 2003
[edit] 2004
[edit] 2005
[edit] 2006
[edit] 2007
Biography: "You can´t give up" is Per Eklund's motto and also the title of his biography which was published in 1998.
[edit] External links
- Per Eklund fan page: [1]
