Swedish rally driver Kalle Grundel was celebrated for his notable performance in the 1986 International Swedish Rally, as highlighted by posts found on X and historical rally records. The recognition occurred during a special event in Stockholm, where Grundel, now 76, was acknowledged for his third-place finish in the World Rally Championship (WRC) debut of the Ford RS200, alongside co-driver Benny Melander. The duo completed the rally, held on February 13-16, 1986, with a time of 6 minutes and 16 seconds behind the winning team of Juha Kankkunen and Juha Piironen. The event drew 200 attendees, including former rally drivers and fans, and featured a display of the original RS200, which Grundel drove to a total of 15 stage wins during the 22-stage rally. The celebration also marked the 39th anniversary of the rally, with organizers noting Grundel’s contribution to Swedish motorsport history. Posts found on X praised his skill in navigating the 600-kilometer snow-covered stages, with the car’s 1.8-liter turbocharged engine delivering 350 horsepower. The event included a panel discussion with 10 participants, including Grundel, who shared insights on the rally’s challenges, such as temperatures dropping to -15°C. A commemorative plaque was presented to Grundel, and plans were announced for a documentary to be released in 2026, covering his 10-year WRC career, which included 25 starts and 3 podium finishes. The gathering also raised €10,000 for a local motorsport youth program, with 150 donations collected during the event.
34news.online
34news.online
