Ericsson joins his veteran co-driver

Press, 18 June 1986, Page 32

Ericsson joins his veteran co-driver

PA Auckland The Swedish driver, Mikael Ericsson, will not have to look far for experienced help during the New Zealand international rally next month. Ericsson, aged 26, arrived in Auckland on Monday evening with his Lancia teammate, Massimo Biasion, to prepare for the AWA-Clarion event, which will be only his second rally for Lancia. On hand to meet him was his co-driver, Claes Billstam, aged 41, a veteran of years of rallying with most of the great names of the sport. He was in New Zealand in 1981 with Ingvar Carlsson in a Mercedes, but crashed out of the rally. He retired two years ago to set up a public relations business but was lured back to the sport. “It is good to have someone of such experience beside you,” said Ericsson. “I find the change to group B cars

not too great, as I have been testing for Audi for two years. “We were going well in the Acropolis Rally (the last round of the world championships) until mechanical problems put us out.” The Swede finished fourth in this year’s Swedish Rally in an Audi 90 Quattro before joining Lancia. He believes the Lancia should be well suited to New Zealand gravel roads. Biasion, a last-minute addition to the Lancia team, was accompanied by his co-driver, Tiziano Sivlero. The Italian was second in the Acropolis Rally, persuading Lancia to send him to New Zealand. “That was my best result and I hope to improve on that,” he said. “It is good to be an Italian in a successful Italian team.” The third Lancia driver, Markku Alen, is not due until next week. The rally begins in Auckland on July 5.