Peter Olsson (motorsports driver)

For other people named Peter Olsson, see Peter Olsson (disambiguation).

Roy Peter Lovenkjaer Olsson (born 17 July 1971 in Höja, Sweden) is a former professional racing driver, now a chiropractor, resident in the United Kingdom. Olsson competed in the British Formula Two Championship in 1992, finishing sixth overall in the Drivers' Championship.[1] He also raced several times in the British Formula 3000 Championship in 1991 and the International Formula 3000 Championship in 1994 and 1996.[2]

Early life

At the age of six, Olsson moved to the UK with his parents. He grew up in Sevenoaks, Kent, and his first love was karting, which he took up in 1985. Preferring to race rather than study, Olsson left school without completing his A levels.

Racing career

Olsson received both his novice karting licence and International Short Circuit licence in 1985 and went on to win the South of England Championship in two consecutive years shortly after. In 1988 he was awarded a ‘super national’ license, which was the highest possible ranked license in karting. This was the same year that David Coulthard received his license, and that year he also placed sixth in the Super 1 National Kart Championships – the premier karting championship in the UK. Before moving into racing full-time, Olsson was briefly a high performance driving instructor at Brands Hatch race circuit in 1988. The following year, at the age of 18, he moved to racing cars, competing in the European Vauxhall Lotus Championship. In 1990 he finished third at the British race at Silverstone in the same championship.

Between 1991 and 1996, Olsson competed in races[3] in both the British and International F3000 Championships. He represented the Edenbridge racing team, as well as Gosselin Competition and Omegaland,[4] and drove Reynard cars. He celebrated his finest achievement in racing when driving for the Phoenix F3000 Racing team in the 1992 British Formula Two Championship, finishing sixth in the overall Drivers’ Championship[5] and second in the final race of the season[6] at the Donington GP circuit. He also gained a podium finish as third place finisher[7] in the Round 6 race at Oulton Park.[8]

Retirement

Olsson retired from racing at the age of 26, when he was crippled in an accident.

References

  1. ↑ "Unofficial F3000". British F2 1992. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  2. ↑ "Driver Database". The racing career of Peter Olsson — in detail. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
  3. ↑ C.C.N (Weds, October 16, 1991). "British F3000 Championship Round 11 - Donington Park". Motoring News. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ↑ "Peter Olsson - Career and Success:". Speedsport Magazine. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  5. ↑ C.C.N (Weds, Jan 27, 1993). "1992 Halfords British Formula 2 Championship Review". Motoring News. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ↑ C.C.N (Weds, Oct 14,1992). "Halfords British F2 Championship - Round 10 - Donington Park". Motoring News. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ↑ C.C.N (Weds, Jul 22, 1992). "British F2 Championship Round 6 - Oulton Park". Motoring News. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ↑ "Unofficial F3000". British F2 1992. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
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