Posts
793
Joined
1/11/2015
Location
SE
Kawasaki-rider
7/7/2017 1:44am
7/7/2017 1:44am
Edited Date/Time
7/11/2017 5:42pm
Our Swedish hero Carla have passed away in sickness unfortunately.
For those of you that don't know, the 1979 husqvarna 250cc world champ and the 1983 yamaha 500cc world champ
Also known for his "beer-pitstop" in Namur.
Rest in peace.
For those of you that don't know, the 1979 husqvarna 250cc world champ and the 1983 yamaha 500cc world champ
Also known for his "beer-pitstop" in Namur.
Rest in peace.
https://youtu.be/ch3tNHw8uBk
The Shop
Hanging upside down between motos in special built stand (like swingers) to decompress his back, riding with broken bones etc.
Always loved the story about Hakan testing his works Yamaha at Lommel sandtrack Belgium, infront of their top Japanese technicians.
What did Carla think of their latest creation? He was so annoyed he got a spade from team Mercedes truck and proceeded to bury the bike to make his point!
I remember him riding with, I think, "Still Moving" on the back of his pants, on a privateer Kawi after Yamaha had let him go. They produced the Watercooled YZM500 in '87 after they'd given him the flick. What he could have done with that bike........
He raced here in Australia, after getting his 500 title for Yamaha in 83. I saw him at a Supercross at Penrith Panthers Football stadium, just across the river from where I live. He got involved in a first or second straight or turn pile up, and it was like watching The Terminator rising from the carnage - this enormous man, in the middle of a pile of bikes, throwing them off of his own. All while claret was streaming from his mouth, and spitting out a few teeth. Scott facemasks really didn't offer much facial protection.
The story about him asking for a shovel whilst testing a bike - in Japan I think - and then him digging a hole, putting the bike in it and shoveling dirt on it, saying "this is what we do with shit in Sweden - we bury it" (or something like that) is legendary - perhaps one of the reasons they didn't give him the chance to race the '87 /88 Alloy Framed bike?
Vale' Carla.
RIP Hakan
RIP Carla, you were a hero and a man among boys
Pit Row
RIP. What a badass.
RIP
For those not from Sweden I can tell you not only was he an mx legend but a sports legend in general here in Sweden back in the day. Everyone knew who he was, and it was great fun seeing his interviews on national TV.
He swore and spat and studdered, and if he felt something was wrong, even with him self, he let people know. Luckily there were no media coaches back then.
Another cool story about him. I think it was in 83 when be became the 500 champ. Just before the last race or so he broke a couple of ribs. He didn't want to take any pain killers and to ease the pain between moto one and two he stuck his head in an ice bucket, which he felt was more uncomfortable than the broken ribs so he forgot about them! Well, it gave him a world title so it obviously worked
You will always stay a hero and a legend as long as I live Carla!
Vila i frid Håkan
An awesome, hard rider and feared by many. He was a hero of mine, and certainly not someone I would have wanted to stuff out on the track. But he always raced fair.
In my experience he was a really nice guy. Always friendly and chatty, and always willing to help and give advice. He even welded my exhaust once at an international race.
So sad to hear of his passing. Hakan, you'll be missed.
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