Martin Schanche

by Eddi Laumanns |

Although Kenny Hansen has won far more titles the name Martin Schanche remains synonymous with Rallycross.

With who else but “Mister Rallycross” should we start this series of telegram style portraits of the greatest personalities of this motorsport’s history? For our readers we like to offer on a sporadic base and in loose following order info and pictures of those superstars who left their marks on Rallycross, to start off with the multiple European champions.

 

Martin Schanche

  • Nickname: in the 1970s “Villmannen fra Tana” [the wild man from Tana], 1980–present “Mister Rallycross”
  • DOB: 01.01.1945 at Trondheim (N)
  • Nationality: Norwegian
  • Status: married with Birgit from Germany, one daughter (Melissa); one son (Martin Jr.) and one daughter (Elisabeth) from a previous marriage
  • Early life: grown up at Leirpollskogen, Austertana, Finnmark (N)
  • Occupation: first Haulage Contractor, Professional Racer from 1977 till 2001, currently Racing Consultant: http://www.schanche.com/
  • Motorsport career: from 1972 till 2001
  • Make and modell of first racing car: PMC Skyline 200 GT-R [PMC = the Japanese ‘Prince Motor Company’, in 1966 merged with Nissan]
  • Make and modell of first Rallycross car: Opel Rallye-Kadett B Gp1
  • Most important results: 6 times FIA European Rallycross Champion (1978, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1991, 1995); 8 times runner-up; 2 times third
  • First ERC round: April 24 1977 at the Rallypista Santo Spirito at Gropello-Cairoli near Pavia in Italy
  • Last ERC round: September 30 2001 at the Estering at Buxtehude in Germany
  • Number of ERC rounds: official 231/unofficial 232* (*1996 he left Mondello Park in Ireland after engine failure already on Friday eve)
  • Number of won ERC rounds: 74 (Record!)
  • Number of all ERC points ever scored: 2,955
  • Other motorsports: Iceracing, Hillclimbs (PPIHC 1984), Rallying (Sweden Rally 1980, RAC Rally 1982), Group C2 WC (1985–1988)

 

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