Mads / Jonas – fruitful cooperation

The collaboration between Sweden and Norway are increasing in terms of arranging WRC rallies. But in some rally cars, it is fruitful norwegian-/swedish cooperation. Mads Östberg (24) and Jonas Andersson (35) placed in the same Ford Fiesta RS WRC is shining examples of it.

Norwegian Mads was a sensation during the Rally Sweden last year. He led the race after the first day, thanks to good driving and a good starting position in the snow. By his side sat Jonas Andersson, from Gunnarskog. Eventually they ended in second place just 6.5 seconds behind the winner Mikko Hirvonen.

Jonas, a former junior world champion, and Per-Gunnar Andersson, started its cooperation with the Norwegian coming man Mads in 2009.
– Our first race together was Aurskog / Høland in the Norwegian Rally Championship in 2009, and ended with the victory. So we kept together and have a very good Swedish / Norwegian cooperation in the car, says Jonas Andersson. 
-The cooperation between us works perfectly. There will be a mix of Norwegian, Swedish and English in the notes. The important thing is that we understand each other, says Jonas.

Both Mads and Jonas are also very positive about the plans for further cooperation between Sweden and Norway in the World Cup round in the rally for the future.
– Both Sweden and Norway are so small nations, so in the fight against the big, I think it’s important that we stand together to make a very good World Cup round, says Jonas Andersson.
– I completely agree. There are few differences between Norwegians and Swedes.The culture is the same, on the human level, we are very similar and we have almost common language. If we manage to keep a Nordic World Cup game is cooperation the right way to go, says Mads which of course will do its best it becomes a Norwegian victory in this year’s Rally Sweden.

Jonas Andersson
Born: 1 janaur 1977
Location: Gunnarskog
The first World Cup race: Rally Sweden 2002 with PG Andersson
Best World Cup result: 2011, 2 place Sweden and Wales with Mads
Brain for map readers in 2011

Mads Östberg
Born: October 11, 1987
Location: Våler in Østfold
The first World Cup race: 2006, Rally Sweden with Ragnar Engen
The first World Cup points: 2007, Rally Finland, 8 space
The first stage victory in World Cup: 2007, Rally Sweden
Best World Cup result: 2011, 2 place Sweden and Wales with Mads

Text och Photo: Hallgeir Raknerud