Danish Hot Rod Racing - 1972

Carl-Erik Kristensen 1972

Carl-Erik Kristensen 1972

Arnold Larsen leads Barry Lee Ipswich 1972

Barry Lee & Bob Howe lead Arnold Larsen 1972

Carl-Erik Kristensen at Ipswich 1972 (Frank Love pic)

Arnold Larsen 1972

Carl-Erik spins,Steen Gudmansen leads (1972)

Arnold Larsen 1972

Søren Meder 1972

Preview text from the race programme... This week ses the main part of the return visit to our raceways of that sensational Danish Hot Rod team - the Vikings. On their first visit last year they came very close to beating the British team and surprised us all with their skilful driving in cars which were mostly underpowered compared to those used in England. The Vikings' team manager, Jorgen Holm, must be well pleased with his team, however for this year's Vikings are the same as last year's with only one change.

You will remember No 1 Steen Mikkelsen for his incredibly fast Fiat Arbath. 32 year old Steen is from Odense and is a motor mechanic by trade. One of the best known drivers in Denmark, Steen was Danish Champion last year. No 2 is Palle Christiansen. Burly 30 year old Palle comes from Sonderberg and is in the building trade, and as you will recall from his racing last year and goes all out to make his NSU TT cross the finishing line before anyone else. The new face on this tour belongs to No 3, Carl-Erik Kristensen. Mechanic and garage proprietor, ex Stock Car driver Carl is a bit of an unknown quantity - but with his experience plus the Ford Escort he's bringing with him he's definitely a man to watch. No 4 is Steen Gudmansen, the petrol station proprietor from Copenhagen, who runs a very fast Austin Cooper 1300. Quite a character is Steen. Søren Meder runs Sunbeam Imp No 5, which was painted in black and yellow zebra stripes (ever seen a black and yellow zebra?). Temperamental and fast (ask George Polley), 28 year old Søren is an engineer but also designs clothes. No 6 is the quietest member of the team but the one who gave us the most headaches in his incredibly fast Renault 1300 - Arnold Larsen. Three time Danish Champ, 37 year old Arnold is a mechanic in Esbjerg and won several of the races here last year, as well as putting up the fastest time for Hot Rods at Ipswich.

The teams are racing for a cash bonus from Castrol for the winning team and a fine Castrol trophy for the top individual points scorer which will be presented on the deciding night of the tour (Wimbledon) by Castrol's assistant publicity manager John Seal.

15th/16th July 1972, Ipswich The first day saw a practice team race with Barry Lee winning from Arnold Larsen's renault followed by Dave Bozzard, Graham North, Carl-Erik Kristensen, Bob Howe, Søren Meder and Paul Smyth. England won the first match on the Sunday - race wins went to Arnold Larsen, Carl-Erik Kristensen, Mick Collard, Steen Gudmansen and Barry Lee.

19th July 1972, Eastbourne Denmark levelled the series with a win. Barry Lee retired from the final with engine problems. The race was won by Arnold Larsen. Paul Smyth also had engine problems. Final score England 41, Denmark 58

20th July 1972, Aldershot Barry Lee's car was not ready for this event and so Derek Green came in as reserve. Paul Smyth's Mini dominated the wet conditions and won every race he started. Final score England 69, Denmark 31

21st July 1972, Walthamstow Section one - three laps 1st Barry Lee, 2nd Søren Meder, 3rd Carl-Erik Kristensen 1st Palle Christiansen, 2nd Arnold Larsen, 3rd Paul Smyth 1st Graham North, 2nd Steen Gudmansen, 3rd Bob Howe Section two - five laps 1st Carl-Erik Kristensen, 2nd Barry Lee, 3rd Palle Christiansen, 4th Bob Howe, 5th Dave Bozzard 1st Graham North, 2nd Søren Meder, 3rd Steen Gudmansen, 4th Paul Smyth, 5th Mick Collard Section three - five laps 1st Barry Lee, 2nd Dave Bozzard, 3rd Carl-Erik Kristensen, 4th Graham North, 5th Steen Gudmansen 1st Barry Lee, 2nd Graham North, 3rd Palle Christiansen, 4th Paul Smyth, 5th Søren Meder Section five - 12 laps 1st Barry Lee, 2nd Carl-Erik Kristensen, 3rd Graham North, 4th Paul Smyth, 5th Palle Christiansen, 6th Arnold Larsen, 7th Mick Collard, 8th Søren Meder Final score England 59, Denmark 42

22nd July 1972, Wimbledon England won all the races at this meeting and won on points by 60-32. Carl-Erik Kristensen was driving Leon Smith's car for the meeting. Barry Lee won four races, Mick Collard 2 with Graham North and Dave Bozzard taking the other two.

Top ten points scorers from the 1972 series: 1st Barry Lee (70 points), 2nd Graham North (67), 3rd Arnold Larsen (48), 4th Dave Bozzard (43), 5th Carl-Erik Kristensen (41), 6th = Paul Smyth, Steen Gudmansen & Søren meder (27), 9th Bob Howe (25), 10th Mick Collard (21).

Larsen on the grid

Kristensen in action

Palle Christiansen

Kristensen in action