Norway is renowned for its abundance of talented and successful auto racing players. From Formula One to World Rally Championships, Norway’s racers have consistently proven their skills and prowess on a global level.
Many of these athletes have achieved impressive results, winning world championships and setting new records in the sport. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best auto racing players in Norway.
We’ll explore their careers, their accomplishments, and their impact on the sport. Additionally, we’ll discuss the factors that have contributed to the success of these amazing racers.
1. Ole Christian Veiby
Ole Christian Veiby is an incredibly talented rally driver from Norway. He is currently competing in the World Rally Championship’s WRC-2 category, which is the second tier of the championship, and he drives for Hyundai Motorsport.
Rally driving is a type of auto racing that requires a combination of speed and accuracy. Drivers must navigate a course that is comprised of both paved and unpaved sections while competing against the clock.
Veiby has been racing since he was a young child, and he has been able to make a career out of his passion. He began racing in Norwegian championships and eventually made his way onto the international stage.
With Hyundai Motorsport, Veiby has been able to further his career and compete against some of the best drivers from around the world. He has achieved multiple podium finishes and is considered to be one of the top drivers in the WRC-2 category.
Veiby’s success in the WRC-2 category has allowed him to reach the next level of competition. He has recently signed up to compete in the WRC-1 category and is now competing against some of the best drivers in the world.
It is clear that Ole Christian Veiby has a bright future ahead of him and will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of rally racing.
2. John Haugland
John Didrik Haugland is a renowned Norwegian former rally driver who was well-known for competing in 27 world rally championship events. He was usually seen driving a Škoda and managed to achieve four Top 10 finishes in his career.
Haugland began his rally career in 1965 and went on to have more than 100 class wins mainly during the 1970s and 1980s. This is an impressive feat and shows his skill as a driver. Throughout his career, John Didrik Haugland was an important figure in the rally-driving world.
He was able to achieve great success as a driver, despite the fact that he often drove cars that were not considered the best or most popular in the sport. His success is a testament to his skill and determination as a driver.
John Didrik Haugland was also known for his tenacity and will to succeed, no matter the odds. He was able to consistently produce results in his various rally events and was able to garner a great amount of success in the world of rally driving.
His longevity in the sport speaks volumes of his skill and commitment to the sport, and his legacy lives on today.
3. Andreas Bakkerud
Andreas Bakkerud is a professional rallycross driver from Bergen, Norway. He has been competing in the FIA Rallycross Supercar class since 2013, having participated in both the Euro RX and World RX.
In 2021, he expanded his list of racing competition by entering in the Nitro Rallycross and, two years later, in the Extreme E. His success in the racing world was rewarded when he became the European Champion in 2021.
It is worth mentioning here that Andreas Bakkerud is not related to former DTM driver Christian Bakkerud, despite having the same last name. This is an important distinction to make since the two drivers have achieved success in different racing categories.
4. Anders Krohn
Anders Krohn is a professional racing driver from Stavanger, Norway. He has an impressive racing career, having won multiple championships and series titles in the last decade.
His most notable success came in the year 2011 when he won the Formula 3 Euro Series Championship–the highest level of open-wheel racing in Europe at the time. He has also competed in many other series, including the World Series by Renault, the GP2 Asia Series, the GP3 Series, and the Indy Lights Series.
In addition, he has raced extensively in the United States, including a stint in the IndyCar Series. He has even made appearances in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Krohn is a highly accomplished driver who has made a name for himself in the racing world.
He is known for his speed and consistency, as well as his ability to stay calm under pressure. He is an excellent example of a successful international racing driver, and his career serves as an inspiration for aspiring racers everywhere.
5. Tord Linnerud
Tord Linnerud is an experienced rallycross driver from Gjøvik, Norway. With years of experience in motorsport, he has competed in the Swedish Touring Car Championship since the turn of the millennium and more recently in the World and European rallycross championships.
Linnerud is an accomplished driver, having achieved several podium finishes in these championships. He has also competed in several other competitions, including the RallyX Nordic Championship and the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
Linnerud has a long history of success in motorsports. He achieved a great amount of success in the Swedish Touring Car Championship, which he competed in from 2000 to 2003.
During his time in the championship, he earned several podium finishes, including a win at Karlskoga in 2002. After leaving the Swedish Touring Car Championship, Linnerud turned his attention to rallycross.
He began competing in the World and European rallycross championships, where he earned several top-ten finishes in both competitions.
In addition to his success in the World and European rallycross championships, Linnerud has also achieved success in RallyX Nordic Championship events. In 2018, he earned a third-place finish at Arvika, Sweden.
He has also earned several top-ten finishes in the FIA World Rallycross Championship. Tord Linnerud is an experienced and accomplished rallycross driver from Gjøvik, Norway.
With years of experience in motorsports, he has competed in the Swedish Touring Car Championship, the World and European Rallycross championships, the RallyX Nordic Championship, and the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
He has achieved several podium finishes in these competitions and is a highly respected driver in the world of motorsports.
6. Fredric Aasbø
Fredric Aasbø is a professional drifter and stunt driver from Ski, Norway. He is a world-renowned expert in the sport of drifting and has been competing in the Formula Drift Championship since 2015.
Over the years, Aasbø has achieved numerous successes in the series, including three championship titles in 2015, 2021, and 2022.
He is also the most successful driver in the series history, having won a total of eighteen races. Aasbø’s career in drifting began at a young age, and he quickly rose to prominence in the sport.
His commitment to the art of drifting has led to him becoming one of the best drivers in the world. Aasbø is an incredibly talented driver and has managed to stay at the top of his game for many years.
His skill and determination have allowed him to achieve success in both drifting and stunt driving. Aasbø is a great ambassador for the sport of drifting, and he continues to inspire and motivate other drivers.
His consistent success in the Formula Drift Championship is a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. His influence and achievements will continue to be celebrated in the drifting community for many years to come.
7. Marius Erlandsen
Marius Erlandsen is a talented and experienced Norwegian auto racing driver. He has had the opportunity to showcase his skills on an international level, competing in the British Formula Ford Championship, Swedish Touring Car Championship, and GT racing in a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
He truly made a name for himself in 2008 when he won the Norwegian Standard Production Championship. His success in this championship further illustrated his talent as a driver and propelled him to the forefront of the auto racing world.
As a result, he became a highly sought after driver and his reputation as one of Norway’s top racers was firmly established.
8. Harald Huysman
Harald Huysman is a former racing driver from Norway who has Dutch roots. He has had a long and successful racing career, competing in a variety of disciplines.
He has won major championships in Formula Ford 1600, Formula 3, the World Sports Car Championship and Le Mans, as well as competing in Indy Lights, Toyota Atlantic, Barber Saab Pro Series and the Porsche Supercup.
In Formula Ford 1600, he won both the Benelux and European championships, further demonstrating his success in the series. He also achieved notable success in Formula 3, competing in several European and international events.
Huysman also competed in the World Sports Car Championship and Le Mans, where he had a successful career, finishing in the top three on several occasions.
He also competed in Indy Lights, Toyota Atlantic, Barber Saab Pro Series and the Porsche Supercup, achieving notable success in each of these series.
Overall, Harald Huysman is a former racing driver from Norway with Dutch roots who has achieved considerable success in a wide range of motorsport disciplines.
From Formula Ford 1600 to the World Sports Car Championship and Le Mans, he has demonstrated his skill as a driver and his commitment to the sport.
9. Petter Solberg
Petter Solberg is a renowned former professional rally and rallycross driver from Norway. He began his professional career in 1998 when he made his debut in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
His racing talent was quickly noticed, and in 1999 he was signed by the Ford factory team. The following year, 2000, marked the start of Solberg’s successful partnership with the Subaru World Rally Team.
This team gave him the opportunity to showcase his undeniable skill in rally driving, and he quickly became one of the most successful drivers in the world.
He won the WRC Drivers’ Championship in 2003 and was the first Scandinavian driver to do so. Throughout his career, Solberg has achieved a remarkable number of accomplishments. These include 12 WRC wins, 13 podiums and 11 rallycross wins in the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
His skill and determination have earned him recognition all over the world. Solberg retired from professional racing in 2018, but his legacy in the racing world will live on for years to come.
His inspiring story serves as motivation for aspiring drivers, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
10. Dennis Olsen
Dennis Olsen is a Norwegian racing driver who is currently competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters with SSR Performance. He has had a long and successful career in the racing world and is a former Porsche Junior Driver.
This is a prestigious title, and it is earned by being one of the best young drivers out there. In addition to this, Dennis was also a member of the Red Bull Racing Simulator Development Program.
This program allows drivers to experience a virtual reality version of a Formula 1 race car, and Dennis was one of the select few to take part in it.
His success in the racing world shows his dedication and commitment to the sport, and he has become an inspiration to many aspiring drivers.
11. Stian Paulsen
Stian Paulsen is a professional race car driver from Norway. He is a competitor in the TCR Europe Touring Car Series, a series that features some of the best touring car drivers in the world.
Paulsen has also had experience in other series such as the TCR International Series, European Touring Car Cup, SEAT León Eurocup, and the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup. Paulsen has been racing for many years and has a great deal of experience in a variety of different series.
He has raced in some of the most competitive touring car series in the world, such as the TCR International Series and the European Touring Car Cup.
He has also raced in more niche series such as the SEAT León Eurocup and the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup. Paulsen’s experience in the racing world makes him a formidable opponent.
He has the ability to adapt to different series and conditions, meaning he can be competitive in any series he enters. His experience and success in the racing world make Stian Paulsen one of the most respected drivers in the TCR Europe Touring Car Series.
12. Eyvind Brynildsen
Eyvind Brynildsen is a Norwegian rally driver with experience in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship. He is currently looking for a place in the Adapta World Rally Team, where he would join his teammate Mads Østberg.
In 2011, he competed in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship in a Škoda Fabia S2000. During the 2012 Rally Sweden, he drove the second Ford Fiesta RS WRC.
He is an experienced driver with a passion for rally driving and is looking to find a place on the Adapta World Rally Team and compete alongside Mads Østberg.
13. Sverre Isachsen
Sverre Isachsen is a professional race car driver from Norway. He competes in the international rallycross series, which is a type of autocross racing that combines both dirt and asphalt racing.
Rallycross involves tight corners and fast straights and is often considered one of the most thrilling and exciting forms of motorsport. Isachsen has been racing since the late 1990s and has achieved a number of impressive results over the years.
He has won the Norwegian Rallycross Championship five times and has won the European Rallycross Championship twice. Isachsen is also a three-time winner of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, a title he last won in 2014.
He currently competes in the Supercar class of the championship, driving a Ford Fiesta for the OlsbergsMSE team. Isachsen is widely considered one of the best rallycross drivers in the world, and he continues to compete at the highest level.
14. Roger Moen
Roger Moen is a Norwegian retired auto racing driver who is highly respected in the racing world for his impressive career in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Moen started his racing career in the British Saloons, where he achieved great success.
In 1996, he won his class in the National Saloon 2000 championship with a remarkable seven wins, and he was runner-up in 1997. This success earned him a place in the BTCC, and he competed for several years until he retired.
During his time in the BTCC, Moen proved his skill behind the wheel and consistently performed well, further establishing himself as a talented and formidable driver on the racing circuit.
His career was marked by numerous successes, and he will no doubt be remembered for his impressive achievements.
15. Henrik Furuseth
Henrik Furuseth is an accomplished Norwegian racing driver. He is best known for his success in the U.S. F2000 National Championship, where he clinched the National Class title in 2012. This achievement is made even more remarkable by the fact that the U.S.
F2000 National Championship is a highly competitive series, with drivers from all over the world competing for the top spot. Furuseth started his racing career in his native Norway, competing in the various classes of the Norwegian Championship.
He quickly became one of the top drivers in the series, with several victories and podiums to his name. This success earned him an invitation to participate in the U.S.
F2000 National Championship. Furuseth quickly adapted to the new environment and was able to compete at the highest level. He won several races and was crowned champion in the National Class in 2012. His success in the U.S.
F2000 National Championship further strengthened his reputation as one of the top racers in the world. Since then, Furuseth has gone on to have an impressive career in other racing series.
He has competed in the Blancpain GT Series, the Pirelli World Challenge, and the European Le Mans Series. He is also a regular competitor in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The success of Henrik Furuseth is an inspiration to aspiring racers from all over the world.
His determination, skill, and ambition have made him an example of what can be achieved in the world of racing.
16. Andreas Mikkelsen
Andreas Mikkelsen is an accomplished Norwegian rally driver. He’s currently competing in the World Rally Championship-2 for the Toksport World Rally Team.
Before this, he was a factory driver for Volkswagen, Citroën and Hyundai in the World Rally Championship, achieving third place in the drivers’ standings for three consecutive years from 2014 to 2016. Mikkelsen’s rallying career began in 2006.
Initially competing in the Junior World Rally Championship, he won the championship in 2008. The following year he moved up to the Senior World Rally Championship, where he competed with the Volkswagen Motorsport team.
During his first year with the team, he achieved two podiums and finished eighth overall in the championship. In 2013, Mikkelsen signed with Citroën and raced with the factory team in 2014.
He achieved his first victory in the championship that year and went on to finish third overall in the drivers’ standings.
He then stayed with Citroën for 2015 and 2016, achieving two more podiums in the 2015 season and finishing third overall in the championship for the third consecutive year. In 2017, Mikkelsen moved to the Hyundai factory team and raced with them until 2019.
He achieved two more podiums in 2017 and 2018, but his best result was sixth overall in the championship in 2019. After leaving Hyundai, Mikkelsen signed with the Toksport World Rally Team and is now competing in the World Rally Championship-2.
He has had a successful career thus far and is sure to continue his success in the years to come.
17. Rune Dalsjø
Rune Dalsjø is a highly accomplished Norwegian rally driver. He has been competing in the sport since 1996 and has since gone on to achieve great success in the Norwegian Championship.
His career in rallying has seen him drive a variety of cars from different manufacturers, including Opel Ascona, Volvo 240, Mitsubishi Lancer Gr.
N, Subaru Imprezas and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 Gr. Each car he has driven has allowed him to hone his skills and gain valuable experience, allowing him to become one of the most successful rally drivers in Norway.
His ability to adapt to different cars and driving styles has proven to be one of his biggest strengths. With his impressive career spanning over two decades, Rune Dalsjø has become a well-known and respected driver in the rally racing community.
18. Martin Schanche
Martin Schanche is a renowned Norwegian former racing driver and politician. He is often referred to as “Mister Rallycross” due to his success in the sport.
Schanche has had an unprecedented career in Rallycross, having won the European Championship three times, the British Championship four times and the World Championship twice.
Schanche was also a successful politician, having served as a Member of Parliament for a Norwegian party in the 1990s. Throughout his racing career, Schanche was known for his aggressive driving style, which earned him the nickname “The Flying Norwegian”.
He was also famous for his unique car modifications, which he used to gain an advantage over the competition.
Schanche was a pioneer in the sport of Rallycross, and his success helped to popularize it across Europe. In addition to his success in racing, Schanche was also known for his philanthropy and humanitarian work.
He was an active supporter of a number of charities and founded the Martin Schanche Foundation to provide assistance to underprivileged children.
He was also a keen supporter of animal welfare and was a vocal advocate for animal rights. Martin Schanche’s legacy as a racing driver and politician will continue to live on, and he will always be remembered as “Mister Rallycross”.
His achievements on the track and off the track have earned him the respect of many, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of racers and politicians.
19. Dennis Hauger
Dennis Hauger is a young, aspiring racing driver from Norway. He is currently competing in the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship, driving for the MP Motorsport team.
He is also a part of the prestigious Red Bull Junior Team, which is a program that helps young drivers develop their skills and further their careers.
His list of accomplishments is impressive, having won the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship, as well as the 2019 Italian F4 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing.
This is a testament to Hauger’s talent and commitment to the sport, and he will no doubt be aiming to make an even bigger name for himself in the world of motorsport.
20. Oliver Solberg
Oliver Solberg is a Swedish rally driver and the son of a renowned World Rally Champion. His father, Petter Solberg, achieved the title of World Rally Champion in 2003 and is a well-known figure in the rally-driving world.
On the other hand, his mother, Pernilla Walfridsson, is also a former rally driver, making her a successful and noteworthy figure in the sport.
It is quite remarkable that two rally drivers such as Oliver’s parents have managed to produce a successful driver such as Oliver, who is quickly making a name for himself in the rally driving world.
21. Henning Solberg
Henning Solberg is a professional rally and rallycross driver from Norway. He is currently competing in the World Rally Championship with cars provided by the company M-Sport.
Solberg’s racing career has been supported by his female co-driver, Ilka Minor, who has been his partner since 2011. Solberg and Minor have made a name for themselves in the rally and rallycross circuits, with many notable achievements.
In the World Rally Championship, Solberg and Minor have achieved multiple top-10 finishes, with a best overall position of 8th in the 2018 Rally Sweden.
In the FIA World Rallycross Championship, Solberg and Minor have achieved multiple podium finishes, including a 1st place finish in the 2014 World RX of Germany. Solberg has also achieved success in other racing series, such as the Global RallyCross Championship, where he won the 2012 Global RallyCross Championship.
He has also competed in the European Rally Championship and the World Rally Championship 2. Overall, Henning Solberg and Ilka Minor have been a successful rally and rallycross duo, achieving multiple top-10 and podium finishes in the World Rally Championship and the FIA World Rallycross Championship.
With the support of M-Sport, Solberg and Minor are looking to continue their success in the future.
22. Thomas Schie
Thomas Schie is a renowned former racing and rally driver who has achieved great success in the world of motorsports. He has competed in a variety of racing series, such as the International Formula 3000, Swedish Touring Car Championship, and the World Rally Championship.
The International Formula 3000 is a single-seater racing series that is held in Europe, and it is considered to be an important stepping stone for drivers who wish to move up to Formula One.
The Swedish Touring Car Championship is a national touring car racing series held in Sweden, and it is the highest level of motorsport in the country.
Finally, the World Rally Championship is a rallying series that is held on a variety of surfaces, including gravel, snow, and tarmac, and it is the highest level of rally racing in the world.
Thomas Schie has been able to compete in all of these series, and his success in these championships has helped him to become a much sought-after driver.
His skill and experience make him a valuable asset to any racing team, and his knowledge of different racing surfaces and car setups is invaluable. He is a talented driver who is sure to have a long and successful career in the world of motorsports.
23. Anders Grøndal
Anders Grøndal is a Norwegian rally and hill climb driver who has achieved great success within the sport. He has earned five gold, three silver, and two bronze medals in the Norwegian championship.
He is the third generation of rally drivers in his family, and he was exposed to motorsport from a young age, growing up around it and developing a passion for it that has clearly paid off.
His co-driver is Trond Svendsen, and the two have had great success together in the sport. Grøndal is a respected and accomplished driver in Norway and is likely to continue to be successful as he continues to compete.
Conclusion
Norway has a long history of producing some of the best auto racing players in the world.
From the legendary Ingvar Carlsson to the current stars like Petter Solberg and Andreas Bakkerud, the Norwegian auto racing scene is sure to be a great source of inspiration for aspiring drivers.
With the right dedication and determination, any driver can become a champion in Norway.
