JWRC Champion 2006!
Name: Patrik Sandell
Born: 1982-04-21
Length: 184 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Lives: Östersund - Sweden
Occupation: Rally driver & Drivers instructor
Strength as a driver: Focused and aggressive
Email: patrik@patriksandell.com
Patrik started rallying at the age of 17 with an old standard VW Golf Gti Mk 1. During the first years he and his father spent more time in the garage than on the special stages, trying to get the car ready after the crashes. This in fact, made him a better driver over time, knowing the limits Patrik was ready for bigger challenges. After stepping up to a more sophisticated standard cars, he started to fight against the Swedish elite. At 2004 Emil joined him for the first time. Together they started to work more intensely to fulfill their dreams – become World Champions!
Emil about Patrik
“Patrik is extremely focused on his target. Many drivers have a lot to learn from him, especially in that aspect. We spend a lot of time together, so at some times I believe I know Patrik better than he does himself.”
Fast fact:
Your most emotional performance in sports?
It must be when we won the JWRC title in 2006 after a real drama. We have had a good debut season with great results, but on the last day of the last rally we went off road. On the same stage our biggest rival to title also went off road. We managed to get the car to the finish on a tow truck. Everything was nerve wrecking, but thanks to the regulation we ended on 5th place, which was enough to be awarded JWRC Champion!
What do you prefer to do when you have a day off?
Then I load the trailer with my Polaris snow mobile and go for a trip to the mountains. The combination of freedom, speed and the absolute silence from nature is relaxing and gives me the maximum energy.
What´s your best tip to young rally drivers?
The most important thing is to realize that you can only affect your own situation and your own times. Don’t care about the others and always do your own rally to 100 percent! Hopefully it’s enough to stand on the top of the podium – and in the end it’s all about believe in yourself… and your codriver!
Which is your favourite rally?
I got two – Finland & Jämtrallyt! The rally in Finland is always a challenge, with the superfast stages and the incredible atmosphere. You have to be in the right mood for this rally. When you go absolutely flat over the jumps – then, again, it’s just to believe in yourself…
Jämtrallyt is the local summer rally and it’s always amazing to compete on the stages where I’m born and raised as a rally driver.
Your most unforgettable flying experience?
On the Saturdays’ last stage in New Zealand 2008 Emil read “big crest keep middle”, but our speed was a bit higher than expected – without warning we just took off… I thought we never gonna’ land. Luckily we had the right line and landed on the road, realizing that the next corner was coming quickly. But from now on I feel safe, knowing that I got my wings…
Name: Patrik Sandell
Born: 1982-04-21
Length: 184 cm
Weight: 72 kg
Lives: Östersund - Sweden
Occupation: Rally driver & Drivers instructor
Strength as a driver: Focused and aggressive
Email: patrik@patriksandell.com
Patrik started rallying at the age of 17 with an old standard VW Golf Gti Mk 1. During the first years he and his father spent more time in the garage than on the special stages, trying to get the car ready after the crashes. This in fact, made him a better driver over time, knowing the limits Patrik was ready for bigger challenges. After stepping up to a more sophisticated standard cars, he started to fight against the Swedish elite. At 2004 Emil joined him for the first time. Together they started to work more intensely to fulfill their dreams – become World Champions!
Emil about Patrik
“Patrik is extremely focused on his target. Many drivers have a lot to learn from him, especially in that aspect. We spend a lot of time together, so at some times I believe I know Patrik better than he does himself.”
Fast fact:
Your most emotional performance in sports?
It must be when we won the JWRC title in 2006 after a real drama. We have had a good debut season with great results, but on the last day of the last rally we went off road. On the same stage our biggest rival to title also went off road. We managed to get the car to the finish on a tow truck. Everything was nerve wrecking, but thanks to the regulation we ended on 5th place, which was enough to be awarded JWRC Champion!
What do you prefer to do when you have a day off?
Then I load the trailer with my Polaris snow mobile and go for a trip to the mountains. The combination of freedom, speed and the absolute silence from nature is relaxing and gives me the maximum energy.
What´s your best tip to young rally drivers?
The most important thing is to realize that you can only affect your own situation and your own times. Don’t care about the others and always do your own rally to 100 percent! Hopefully it’s enough to stand on the top of the podium – and in the end it’s all about believe in yourself… and your codriver!
Which is your favourite rally?
I got two – Finland & Jämtrallyt! The rally in Finland is always a challenge, with the superfast stages and the incredible atmosphere. You have to be in the right mood for this rally. When you go absolutely flat over the jumps – then, again, it’s just to believe in yourself…
Jämtrallyt is the local summer rally and it’s always amazing to compete on the stages where I’m born and raised as a rally driver.
Your most unforgettable flying experience?
On the Saturdays’ last stage in New Zealand 2008 Emil read “big crest keep middle”, but our speed was a bit higher than expected – without warning we just took off… I thought we never gonna’ land. Luckily we had the right line and landed on the road, realizing that the next corner was coming quickly. But from now on I feel safe, knowing that I got my wings…
