By Adam Hamilton
Superstar Swedish driver Bjorn Goop will bring some serious European flavour to the inaugural Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Challenge at Albion Park on February 20 and 21.
Goop, 49, is harness racing royalty with a Swedish record 8000-plus wins and joins North American-based megastars Yannick Gingras and Dexter Dunn to give the series stunning firepower.
Goop revealed he actively chased a spot in the 20-race series himself.
“I read about it on ‘X’ (Twitter) and wanted to be part of it,” he said.
“I rang the club (Racing Queensland) and looked into buying a slot, but the club came back and said one of the slot owners was keen to partner with me.”
That was Tumby Park’s Scott Whitton, who has long been a fan of Goop’s genius.
“I’d heard the North American drivers were queuing-up to be part of it, but I felt the series could do with a European driver, too. Bjorn was a really attractive option, especially knowing he was so keen to be part of it.
“This is a fantastic concept and I’m always going to support innovation. If I can help it succeed by thinking a bit outside the square with the driver for my slot, then I’m all for it.”
Goop has only been to Australia once and even then just Victoria when he finished third in the 2007 World Driving Championship, held jointly between Victoria and New Zealand.
“It was such a great experience and it met so many wonderful people,” he said.
“But I remember it was so cold in Victoria and NZ.
“I hear it’ll be very different in Brisbane in February. You’ve got to remember; I’ll be leaving snow in Sweden at that time of year.”
Goop said the opportunity to compete against Gingras, Dunn and some of the best drivers from Australia and NZ was a huge lure.
“Those two guys, Yannick and Dexter, I drive against them a lot in the US and here (Europe), they’re sort of like my friends,” he said.
“But I know you’ve got some great drivers down there, too.
“I’m really excited about it. I see it as an adventure, but a big challenge as well.
“It’s just great to see a club trying something new and different like this.”
Racing Queensland Senior Racing manager David Brick added: “We’re thrilled to Bjorn in the series. He’s a rock star in Sweden, has driven more winners there than anyone else and it’s really important to add European interest to this event.”
Goop is the eighth confirmed of the 10 drivers in the series. The others are: Gingras, Dunn, NZ’s Carter Dalgety, WA’s Gary Hall Jr, NSW’s Brad Hewitt and Queensland pair Nathan Dawson and Angus Garrard.