ERC
Ice hockey stars get a taste of ERC excitement
Swedish ice hockey stars Per Åslund and Magnus Nygord enjoyed the ultimate FIA European Rally Championship experience ahead of round two of the season getting under way.
They were treated to high-speed passenger rides during shakedown for BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia yesterday afternoon and relished the opportunity.
Åslund and Nygord, who play professionally for Karlstad team Färjestad BK, accompanied top Hankook-equipped Swedish ERC drivers Isak Reiersen and Calle Carlberg respectively.
“It was amazing, an unbelievable feeling,” Åslund said after riding alongside JC Raceteknik Škoda-driving Reiersen through the 6.42-kilometre Träfors shakedown stage. “Sometimes it was very scary but Isak was really good and it’s going to be interesting to follow him this weekend.”
It was amazing, an unbelievable feeling
After accompanying reigning Junior ERC champion Carlberg in a GK Door Team Sweden Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, Nygord said: “It was the top three best thing I’ve done in my sporting life, never done anything like it, what a great experience and so happy and honoured to have a chance to jump in with Calle.
Nygord relished co-drive with Junior ERC champion Carlberg
© Sebastian Bourghardt
“I’m from Karlstad so I have the rally heart from the Swedish Rally back in the day. I’m a big rally fan but this was the first time joining in the car and it was absolutely amazing.
“I’d love to ride again and for sure I’d do it but driving I think I’d leave it to Calle. First of all he’s a very talented driver and what I know now the connection between him and Jørgen [Eriksen, his co-driver] is great and the future is bright.
“Hopefully he can find some strong financial people around him who can support him, that’s a big part of the sport and I can just enjoy to follow him and wish him all the best. It will be fun to follow him from now on and into the future.”
