Wrapper

[greyrolla]

http://www.planet-f1.com/story/0,18954,3213_3677356,00.html

Ove Andersson dies in rally accident

Toyota Motorsport founder Ove Andersson, who led the manfacturer into Formula One, has been killed while competing in a car rally in South Africa.


The 70-year-old was contesting the Milligan Vintage Trial when the classic car he was driving suffered a frontal collision around a blind corner.


Toyota Motorsport chairman Tadashi Yamashina said: "Everyone at Toyota is extremely shocked and truly saddened at this terrible news.


"Ove was an inspiration to our team and to many in motorsport. His passion for motorsport was legendary and he is a great loss to our sport."


Andersson was instrumental in the founding of Toyota Team Europe, which grew out of his own Andersson Motorsport squad.


Toyota Team Europe later relocated to Cologne, and became Toyota Motorsport in 1993.


Under his leadership, Toyota successfully competed in the World Rally Championship, winning four Drivers' and three Manufacturers' Titles, and also took second place at the 1999 Le Mans 24 Hours.


Andersson acted as team principal when Toyota entered Formula One in 2002 before stepping back the following year to work as a consultant

_________________