Pure Racing Breed Now Within Reach the Alchemists Kenth Öhlin

PERFORMANCE ÖHLINS ADVANCED SUSPENSION TECHNOLOGY #2 2006

Kenth Öhlin -The Soul of the Brand Meet the man behind the Öhlins brand. Since 1976, he has been dedicated to offer the best possible suspension technology for motor enthusiasts around the world. The Alchemists

From the deep forests of the Swedish inland, the most exquisite components are made by passionate hands. Performance Magazine visits the alchemists that turn metal into gold. Pure Racing Breed Now Within Reach A new era is just about to change the way we look at high tech front forks. The FGR700 is nothing but pure racing technology. Dear reader

I am very proud to present this second issue of PERFORMANCE in connection to our 30-year anniversary here at Öhlins Racing.

We will of course present our new technologies and products that will be launched during this autumn but we will spend quit some time to look back in the rear-view mirror, with interviews with members of the staff that has been a part of our company since the beginning. We also want to give you the inside stories of some of our most faithful suppliers and distributors.

It has been quit a journey, from the day I started this company back in 1976 up until today with approximately 200 employees, hundreds of suppliers, more then 20 OEM partners, distributors in 50 countries and thousands of dealers that can offer our products to the enthusiasts on the street and off-road all over the world. I must not forget all the great professional riders, drivers and teams that put their faith in our products and support in the outermost demanding situations where every second counts and every flaw is the difference between winning and loosing. It is here, out on the racetrack, where we find our motivation and zealous focus on quality.

It is therefore in it’s place to send a warm thanks to all of our suppliers that are totally devoted in the quest of deliver- There would not be a 30-year ing the products that we want, anniversary to celebrate without the with the highest of demands in tolerance, colour, shape and fantastic dedication from all members endurance. We are the pickiest of the staff during all this time. client to almost every supplier but it is of mutual interest. We get the best products available on the market and the suppliers get the opportunity “ to trim their staff and set even higher standards towards other future clients. Finally I would like to take the opportunity to send a warm salute to the employees in the Öhlins Racing family. There would not be a 30-year anniversary to celebrate without the fantastic dedication from all members of the staff during all this time.

It is with great confidence when I look into the future! Much is yet to be done and as I write these words, new exciting projects are under way here at Öhlins racing, yet to be presented to the large racing family around the world!

Yours sincerely

Kenth Öhlin President

20 16 Print: Värnamo/Sweden Punkter, Fyra 04 24

Editorials: Dala Media AB; Henrik Samuelson Features: 2fast – 2furious On the very top of the food chain He has been in the game for some 30 Nothing but the best… that’s the motto 08 years. Crashes, championship medals 20 for the Yamaha MotoGP factory team and endless amounts of test runs later he when it comes to components and can look back on a fast life in the materials. Its not by chance that Öhlins

Art Director: Mattias Johansson toughest of sports. products are a part of that concept.

Bengt Ohlsson – a story about Probably the best racing travelling, cop killers and trust experience in the world 11 Phileas Fogg did the classic trip around 22 In the shadow of the MotoGP, the the globe in 80 days. Bengt Ohlsson Superbike series hosts massive makes the same journey, several times a amounts of spectators, charismatic month, all year round. riders and tons of first class racing.

Mr Ohba – Our man I Japan TTX46 McPherson Without dedicated, strong distributors the – Born to Live in the fast lane 18 Öhlins brand would be a well kept secret. 26 After endless hours of engineering and One man realised a dream… meet our testing the touring and GT car

PERFORMANCE #2 2006 PERFORMANCE Väsby/Sweden Upplands Öhlins Racing & published by AB, is produced PERFORMANCE Editor-in-chief & Publisher: Henrik Samuelson, [email protected] man in Japan. suspension package is complete.

03 Kenth Öhlin – The Soul of the Brand person and as a result Kenth Öhlin is a competitive way. In spite of 30 years the company works the same technology there is in the forefront of suspension the best products still a 100 % focus on delivering in the world.

First logo, 1976 1978 1980 1981 Kenth Öhlin is inspectingKenth a shock absorber in a service 1970´s. America in the late bus on a trip to

1986 Present company logo, 1991 Racing Logo, 1996 2005 1 2 1. Price cermony at Hedemora circuit, Swedish national championship, 1968. 2. Kenth on a practice run at the Järva Field, 1968. 3 3. Kenth in France for a competition, 1973.

-For sure it has happened that riders have got things free from other companies and left us. But they have for the most returned to us after a month “or two, says Kenth.

Kenth Öhlin himself was a pretty fair moto- forefront in development and competition Carlqvist is special and we are still good cross rider who didn’t quite make it to the was not that great. The choice was not friends. prestigious titles. Things got better when difficult for me. he began to help others. Already before Already then Kenth Öhlin had made the starting the Öhlins Company in 1976 he Öhlins’ shock absorbers were fitted for decision that still holds today. Those riders was constructing exhaust pipes, engines the first time on a world champion bike in that wanted help had to pay for parts and – and shock absorbers. 1978. The rider was the Russian Gen- service. Sponsoring with free parts has nady Moiseev who rode a KTM in the never occurred. On this point Öhlins dif- When he started up his own company moto-cross 250cc class. fers from other competitors. he was also a retailer for motorbikes and mopeds and business grew like wildfire. -A wonderful memory; at that time I was -For sure it has happened that riders have Too fast as it turned out, the company out on the race tracks more than today. got things free from other companies became too diversified and Kenth was Worked Monday to Friday at the company and left us. But they have for the most forced to choose direction at the begin- and then drove out with the service bus to returned to us after a month or two, says ning of the nineteen eighties. competitions all over Europe at the week- Kenth. ends. Sometimes one of my work mates -With so many activities going on at the would keep me company so I didn’t have Another important period for Öhlins was same time we had too much money to drive myself, Kenth tells. when Kenth Öhlin decided to sell 50 locked up. I discussed this with my ac- percent to Yamaha in 1987. Up until then countant and chose to discontinue with -The most appreciated prize was Håkan Öhlins had been mostly associated with everything except shock absorbers, he Carlqvist’s first world championship title motocross but the yellow shock absorb- says. that he won in 1979. We had known each ers had even moved over to asphalt other a long time and even occasionally racing with good results. In 1984 Eddie -We were already at that time well to the competed against each other. Håkan

06 2 1 3

1. Kenth is doing a wheelie. 2. A typical day at work for Kenth back in the 90´s 3. From a young entrepreneur to a multimillion dollar company CEO in 30 years time.

Lawson won the 500cc class in road Kenth Öhlin’s own role in the company -We have good people in all parts of the racing on a Yamaha with Öhlins shock has changed over the years. At the begin- company, I have always been careful with absorbers. ning he was the brain behind the prod- that and we will continue to be first in ucts, nowadays he is more “the spider in development. If I had wanted to run the -In fact it wasn’t a difficult decision to the web” that leads the company forward. company just for economic gain I would sell to Yamaha. We had a lot of contact have done it differently, concludes Kenth over the years and we were in agree- - We made a big reorganisation a couple Öhlin. ment about how the collaboration should of years ago and recruited two assistant function. I had no anxiety about selling managing directors to make the company but saw the advantages of collaboration more dynamic. But I am still involved in all with a multinational company. I haven’t areas within the company. I don’t design ever had any regrets about my decision any more but am responsible for the either, says Kenth. In recent years Öhlins vision of the way technology will develop have made their entry into the automotive five years ahead and I still have the feel segment, Kenth sees great advantages that enables me to see if something is with this. wrong. At least an hour a day I try to be on the factory floor, he says. -When people look back on Öhlins in 20 years I think they will see us as a com- -In order to continue to be market leaders pany that developed shock absorbers for Öhlins invests every year around 16 per- the car industry, in spite of it not really be- cent of the turnover on developing new ing our goal. 20 years is the time it usually products. That means almost 50 million takes before racing products begin to be Swedish Krona. used in standard cars, he continues. 2006 2 Fast - 2 Furious in absorber first rider to test Öhlins’ shock Thorleif Hansen was the all on the series. He was the fastest of the motocross world champion too strong. champion . His will to win was track but never became world as a test rider. Now he is back in the company

If we turn the clock back some thirty tion spread very quickly among the riders. Hansen turned up full throttle and a bit years, there was still a large amount of My role at that time was to test out the more. improvement to be made to moto-cross ideas that Kenth had. bikes. Engine power was sufficient but -My team mate thought the throttle had shock absorbers didn’t match up. After Even if he “only” got a silver medal in stuck fully open when he saw me. a couple of laps the shock absorbers 1978, there was no one that could match When the official times came in, I was began among other things to lose in Hansen’s speed on the track. He won five seconds faster than Moiseev, so I performance, which made the riding more practically all the time trials and therefore said to my mechanic that if they wanted difficult for the competitors. started in pole position. The reason why me dead it would be better to shoot me. he missed the gold medal was that he I never got an answer as to why they -The biggest difference was between Öh- wasn’t satisfied to safeguard a good posi- pushed me that much. Perhaps they lins and other makes. When other makes tion but always wanted to get ahead. wanted to find out how fast I could ride. began to fade Öhlins held for the whole heat. Kenth Öhlin had already then found -Sometimes it was me that wore out, When the 1978 season ended Hansen the best solution to the problem. sometimes it was the bike. It wouldn’t decided to quit. This was despite the fact The difference was so big that it could have been a bad idea to have a coach that he was faster than ever before in his be measured in seconds per lap, says that gave me a ticking off sometimes and career. Hansen resolutely. told me to calm down a bit, but we didn’t The motivation was not there any more. Instead he became a test rider for Öhlins. Sometimes it was me that wore out, He stayed there until 1987 when he de- sometimes it was the bike cided to make the change to the concrete industry.

The best merit in Hansens career is the have that sort of thing in those days, he -I wanted to try something new but con- world championship silver medal from says. tinued a bit for Öhlins as a freelance 1978. The Russian Gennady Moiseev tester. But the tests started to pile won the“ gold medal and he also had Proof of Hansen’s speed was when the up and in the end Kenth wanted Öhlins dampers on his bike. mechanic spurred Hansen during a time me to begin fulltime again and trial in France. Hansen was satisfied after so I did back in 2004. -Öhlins’ business concept was that their his first lap but was told that Moiseev was products should be available to everyone faster. Hansen rode out and was even and if Moiseev hadn’t had Öhlins I would faster, but was told that he was presum- have been world champion. Instead I was ably only as fast as Moiseev. the first of the losers and that’s nothing to -I began to wonder if Moiseev was write home about, says Hansen. doped or the like, he didn’t usually ride that fast. -When Öhlins dampers arrived and Out on the track again worked as well as they did, their reputa- and this time

08 As a test rider Hansen has a lot of influ- ence on Öhlins’ products. As far as products for the final market are concerned he tests and compares even competitors’ products.

-In my opinion Öhlins are still in the front of the technological development. It’s really unbelievable how innovative and produc- tive the company has become during all these years. I have an interesting role as a test rider with great possibilities to comment on design and function, says Hansen.

In spite of the fact that he is getting close to sixty he is still fast on the track during testing.

-These days I don’t take any chances because I know how much it hurts to take a fall. But if my body was twenty years old again I would still be able to win a world championship heat, he says in the end of our interview.

09 10 Bengt Ohlsson a story about Travelling, Cop killers and Trust He has been a part of Öhlins Racing AB’s long and successful journey as an employee from the very first day. He is also the person who makes the longest journeys in the company’s service. Australia, USA and Brazil are just a few of the countries where he sells Öhlins’ products. -I am treated with great respect when I say which company I represent. The trademark is very strong and that is naturally inspiring, he says.

11 Bengt Olsson has been an employee of -I’m happiest when I’m on my way some- As Öhlins grew as a company so did the Öhlins Racing from the very first day when where, it doesn’t really matter so much market. Today Bengt Olsson considers the company got its name. Some months where. Although I’ve never dared to count four markets to be more important than before he had already started his career how many days I travel per year, he says. others: Sweden, Italy, Japan and the USA with Kenth Öhlin’s dad in his company. -Throughout all of these years I’ve man- but there are positive developments in In the beginning he worked in the shop aged to avoid accidents. For sure there many countries. and sold all that the company had to offer. Thirty years later he can, to say the least, -I’m happiest when I’m on my way somewhere, it look back on a working life full of variety. doesn’t really matter so much where. -I have had practically all the positions in the company. From sending price lists to have been incidents, like when an es- -The countries where we have most packing and delivering goods, I’ve also caped convict tried to hitch a lift with me recently established our presence are done a bit of warehouse work, he says. in the Italian Alps. He had shot a police- Guatemala, where we sell MC parts and The first business trip was to a trade fair in “man before I saw him and I heard on the in Peru, where we sell car parts. I think Cologne. Since then it has just increased radio that the police were out in full force. South America and especially Argentina and business trips are now more frequent I tipped off the police as to his wherea- will be very expansive markets for us in and longer. Nowadays he has the whole bouts but don’t know if they managed to the future, says Bengt. world as his field of activity. catch him, Bengt tells.

12 Bengt Ohlsson is pushing the Formula 4 – Brabham BT41 to its maximum at Kinnekulle Ring back in 1983.

-I thought there’d be a bit of travel for me During the years he was a salesman If Bengt should choose his favourite des- when I started work at Öhlins, but I could Bengt also sold Öhlins’ products to buy- tination in the world, he is quick to name never have guessed that it would be this ers that he didn’t at all think would be Brazil, even if he would gladly see a lot much. But the company has grown the presumptive customers, far from racing more of the South American country that whole time and we have to thank Kenth on two or four wheels. Huddinge hospital is best known for football. Öhlin for that. His unbelievable energy has in Stockholm is an example. spread to everyone else in the company, -Brazil is fantastically beautiful, but also a says Bengt. -I remember that they had problems with very dangerous country to be in. But it is trolleys that bumped together too hard the same with Brazil as with all the other Throughout all of his years of travel Bengt on their way through a washer so that the countries I have been to on business has been a sounding board for many in contents tumbled off. We began by selling trips; the day I stop travelling on business the Öhlins’ organisation. His contact net 100 dampers that worked well, then a I would like to return and see what there covers the whole world and nowadays 100 more and then another 100 units. really is to see. he has a good idea which people he can -We have even supplied to the sawmill trust. industry and the dampers that we sold to them were used in connection with -The mistakes I made in the beginning I’ve sorting of the raw timber. These are two had a lot of use of later and now I know customers I didn’t think we would be the value of being selective, he says. selling to.

13 Hall of Fame 1978 - 2005 RIDERS AND DRIVERS USING ÖHLINS SUSPENSION HAVE OVER THE YEARS CAPTURED OVER 100 WORLD AND OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES. THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!

2004 Valentino Rossi MotoGP World Champion Yamaha Mattias Ekström DTM Audi Antonio Liuzzi FIA Formel 3000 Lola Jussi Pinomäki European Rally 2005 Valentino Rossi MotGP World Champion Yamaha Tony Stewart NASCAR Nextel Cup Joe Gibbs Racing Janne Tapio Snowcross World Champion Lynx Toshi Arai Production Car World Rally Subaru Team Arai Dan Wheldon Indy Racing Leauge Chip Ganassi Yvan Muller, Paul Bouriom Andros Throphee Lehto/Werner/ Kristensen LeMans Audi R8 / LMP1 Cross Championship Renault James Toseland Superbike Ducati Buddy2003 RiceTom IndianapolisKristensen, Rinaldo 500 Team Capello, Rahal GuySeiji SmithAra/Tom Le MansKristensen/Rinaldo 24 h Bentley MartinCapello Rowe Le Mans Production 24 h Audi Cars Sport WRC R.Kelly/G.Murphy Subaru Scott Dixon Bathurst IRL G-Force/Toyota 1000 Kmart Racing Paul TeamTracy RichardCART Ford-Cosworth/Lola Lyons Formula Nippon DoCoMo Dandelion Gerd Riss Speedway Longtrack Jawa Frame Neil Hodgson Superbike Ducati Manuel Poggiali GP 250cc Aprilia Robert Barth Speedway Longtrack Jawa Frame Erica Roth Enduro EC Suzuki Adam Raga Trial Indoor WC Gas Gas Peteri Pojamo Enduro WC Gas Gas Brice Tirabassi Rally Super 1600 2002 Marco Melandri MotoGP 250cc Aprilia Arnaud Vincent Troy Bayliss MotoGP Superbike 125cc Aprilia WSB Frank Ducati Biela, G. Pozzo Tom Kristensen,Rally GrN Mitsubishi Emanuele Gil Pirro de FerranLeMans Cart 24H Team2000 Audi Juan PenskeR8 Tony Pablo Helio Stewart Montoya Castroneves NASCAR Indianapolis IndyWinston 500 500 TeamCup Gil Joede Penske Ferran Gibbs James CARTRacing EllisonBobby Sam Renault JJ Lehto/Johnny Herbert ALMS Audi 2001 Hornish Jr. Indy Racing League Panther Racing Tony Richardson World Champion, Speedway European Superstock Champion Suzuki Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen, Emanuele Pirro LeMans 24H Audi R8 Karling Racing Team European champion, Super Twin Top Fuel Harley Davidson Labonte NASCAR, Winston Cup Brendan Gaughan NASCAR, Winston West Tony Kasemets SCCA Formula Continental Larry Connor SCCA Formula Atlantic Jeff Clinton SCCA S2000 Sceible and Hughes SCCA, Pro Rally Gr N Manfred Stohl World Rally Gr N Mitsubishi Kenny Roberts jr RR 500 cc Suzuki Roberto Locatelli RR 125 cc Aprilia Peter Lindén and Warvic Nowland Endurance Suzuki Frank Biela , Tom Kristensen and Emanuele Pirro Le Mans 24 h Audi R8 Harri Luostarinen FIA European Supertruck 1999 Tommi Mäkinen Rally WRC Mitsubishi Juan Pablo Montoya CART Reynard Bill Baird ARCA Chevrolet Tony Hirschman NASCAR Modifieds Pontiac Anthony Lazzaro Toyota-Atlantic Swift Mattias Ekström STCC AudiA4 Gustavo champion Caterpillar TRD 1997 Tommi Mäkinen Rally WRC Mitsubishi Alex Zanardi CART Trelles Rally GrN Mitsubishi Lancer Manufacturers Championship Rally WRC Toyota Carl Fogarty Superbike WSB Ducati Valentino Rossi RR 250cc Aprilia Gerd Riss WC Speedway Longtrack GM Vesa Kytönen Enduro 250cc 4-stroke Kawasaki Petteri Silvan 1998 Tommi Mäkinen Rally WRC Mitsubishi Alex Zanardi CART Reynard Mike Stefanik NASCAR Modifieds Chevrolet Eddie Cheever Jr. Indianapolis 500 Dallara Rickard Rydell BTCC Volvo S40 Fredrik Ekblom STCC BMW Enduro +250cc 4-stroke GAS GAS 1996 Tommi Mäkinen Rally Mitsubishi TimSteele ARCA Ford Patrick Carpentier Toyota-Atlantic Ralt Steve Knapp FF2000 320 Gustavo Trelles Rally GrN Mitsubishi Kasuto Sakata RR 125cc Aprilia Loris Capirossi RR 250cc Aprilia Carl Fogarty Superbike WSB Ducati Gianmarco Rossi Enduro 250cc 4-stroke Honda Reynard Tim Steele ARCA Ford Alex Barron Toyota-Atlantic Ralt Laurent Aiello STW Peugot 406 Paolo Casoli Super Sport 600cc Ducati VanDiemen Emanuele Pirro STW Audi A4 Frank Biela BTCC Audi A4 Rinaldo Capello Champinato Italiano Superturismo1995 Max AudiA4 Biaggi RRJordi 250cc Gene Aprilia Campenato Carl Fogarty de Espagna Superbike Superturismos Ducati Kari Audi Tiainen1994 A4 TerryCarlEnduro Fogarty Moss +500cc SouthAfrican Superbike Husqvarna Ducati Touringcar Petteri Kazuto Silvan Championship Sakata Enduro RR 125cc125cc Audi Husqvarna ApriliaA4 Jean- Kari Francois Hemroulle Belgian Procar AudiA4 Brad Jones Australian Super Touring Championship Audi A4 Steve Parrish EM Truck Racing Mercedes Max Biaggi RR 250cc Aprilia Troy Corser Superbike Ducati1993 PaulTetsuyo Edmundson Harada RR Enduro 250cc +175cc Yamaha GAS-GAS Scott Russell Anders Eriksson Enduro 400 cc 4-takt Husqvarna Peter Jansson Enduro +500 cc 4-takt Husaberg Gerd Riss 1000 m Jeff Nilsson Enduro 125cc KTM Kari Tiainen Enduro +500cc Husqvarna Donny Schmit Anders Eriksson Enduro 350cc Husaberg Stephane Mertens / Jean Michel Mattioli Endurance Honda “Slim” Borgudd EM Truck Racing Mercedes Janne Tapio EM Snowmobile1992 Lynx Tiainen Enduro +500cc Husqvarna Paul Edmundson Enduro 125cc Gas Gas Bob Moore Motocross 125cc Yamaha Markus1991 Hansson Jeff NilssonMotocross Enduro 500cc 125cc Honda KTM Toni Kari Haikkonen Tiainen Enduro EM Snowmobile 250cc Husqvarna Lynx Kent Karlsson Enduro 350cc Husaberg Sven-Erik Jönsson Superbike Kawasaki Jacky Martens Motocross 500cc Husqvarna Sven-Erik Jönsson Enduro 350cc Husqvarna Nigel Mansell USA - Indy Car Newman- Haas-Lola. 1990 Kari Tiainen Enduro 250cc Suzuki Peter Hansson Enduro 500cc KTM1988 Anders Jan Erikssonvan der Berk Enduro Motocross +500cc 250ccHusaberg Yamaha John ChristofKocinski Husser RR 250cc / Andreas Yamaha Husser Wayne Motocross Rainey RR Motocross 250cc Yamaha Wayne Rainey RR 500cc Yamaha Doug Polen Superbike Ducati Marcel Gerhard 1000 m Godden 1982 Enduro 500cc Husqvarna Wayne Rainey RR 500cc Yamaha1989 Doug Christof Polen Husser Superbike / Andreas Ducati Husser Motocross side-car VCM-KTM Fred Merkel Superbike WSB Honda 500cc Yamaha Raymond Roche Superbike WSB Ducati 1986 Jacky Vimond Motocross 250cc Yamaha Christof Husser / Andreas Husser Motocross side-car VCM-KTM Eddie Lawson RR 500cc Yamaha Fred Merkel Superbike 1983 Håkan Carlqvist Motocross 500cc Yamaha Emil Bollhalder / Karl Büsser1981 Motocross Neil Hudson side-car Motocross EML- 250ccYamaha Yamaha Carlos AndréLavado Malherbe RR 250cc Motocross Yamaha 500cc side-car VCM-KTM Eddie Lawson RR 500cc Yamaha Fred Merkel1984 Superbike Eddie Lawson WSB HondaRR 500cc Yamaha 1978 Gennady Moiseev Motocross 250cc KTM WSB Honda 1985 Pekka Vehkonen Motocross 125cc Yamaha Eric Geboers Motocross 125cc Suzuki Danny La Porte Motocross 250cc Yamaha Brad Lackey1979 Motocross Håkan Carlqvist 500cc MotocrossSuzuki E Bollhalder 250cc Husqvarna / K Büsser Graham Motocross Noyce side-car Motocross EML- 500cc Yamaha Honda Honda Georges Jobé Motocross 250cc Suzuki André Malherbe Motocross 500cc Honda

...BUT THE MAJORITY IS JUST ORDINARY RIDERS AND DRIVERS WHO HAVE DISCOVERED WHAT THE ULTIMATE IN SUSPENSION IS ALL ABOUT.

1. Gennady Moiseev 1978 2. Carl Fogarty, 1994-1995 & 1998-1999 3. Nigel Mansell, 1993 4. Troy Bayliss, 2001 5. Audi R8, 2002 6. Scott Dixon, 2003 7. Valentino Rossi, 2004-2005

2 5 1 4 7 3 6 Hall of Fame 1978 - 2005

...BUT THE MAJORITY IS JUST ORDINARY RIDERS AND DRIVERS WHO HAVE DISCOVERED WHAT THE ULTIMATE IN SUSPENSION IS ALL ABOUT. One of the experienced welders in the process of making a steel strut for a rally car. 16 The Alchemists From the North to Jan Uddén AB in Mora. of aluminium is delivered Every year 47 tons 180,000 components are classic ski district, around After machining in the been Öhlins’ faithful Väsby. The Mora company has sent to Öhlins in Upplands . supplier from the beginning are much greater than with Öhlins, the demands -It’s special working together Jan Uddén. as a challenge , says the owner from others but we see this

Mora lies about 300 kilometres north of the start we got a number of semi- makes no bones about the fact that his Stockholm and is best known as the finish manufactured products that we machined company to a large extent stands or falls of the Vasa ski race, the 90 kilometre trial and returned. with Öhlins. But there has never been any of strength for cross-country skiers that question of selling his operation to Öhlins. every year attracts 15,000 participants. -Since then times have changed, and the work. Nowadays we make all -I think it can be said that we are A few strong strokes of the ski poles the components for Öhlins from raw independent of each other and that the from the ski race finish you will find Jan materials. Last year we purchased 47 collaboration has worked well throughout Uddén AB that at the present time has tons of aluminium for the production of the years. I also know that Kenth 25 employees. Every year many drawings articles for Öhlins alone. Certain parts are doesn’t want to have any component are sent here from Öhlins and in return made in long series, up to 80,000 units. manufacturing within his company and come cylinder heads, fork legs, reservoirs Sometimes it’s a matter of making a single I’ve never had a thought of selling my and other components found in shock component, he tells. company. absorbers and front forks. The components for Öhlins are Every week two or three lorry-loads of -The major part of our production is for manufactured in lathes and milling components are dispatched from Jan Öhlins and during some periods it is the machines that are computer controlled. Uddén AB to Öhlins. But it has happened whole of the production, says Uddén. Some of the lathes can be fitted with that we have been forced to use air During the nineteen seventies Uddén up to 60 different tools. The precision is transport when we have been short of collaborated with Kenth Öhlin’s father measured in hundredths of a millimetre time. There is in fact a small airport even Seth, both had engineering shops outside and the demands on the components are in Mora. Stockholm and they exchanged a number rigorous. of jobs with each other. Contact was -I remember once when there was established between Jan Uddén and -It works very well for us having Öhlins as absolutely no time to lose. Öhlins was Kenth Öhlin. But shortcomings with the our main customer. We are well-drilled due to supply parts for a road racing test premises in the Stockholm area caused with the way they want their components. in Malaysia. We were running out of time Uddén to set his sights northwards. The demands are really tough but we see and we had to pack all the components this as a challenge. we had produced in my Dodge van on -I moved my operation to Mora in 1976, the way out to the airport. We managed to at the same time that Kenth started Öhlins -I remember how it was when we turned delay the flight a few minutes and got the and we have been involved in producing the lathes and milling machines by delivery away, he says. components for Öhlins ever since. At hand, good heavens how times change, says Uddén spontaneously. Jan Uddén

17 Mr Ohba – Our Man in a Japan from man that took a giant step … that came true. Meet the He had a dream . As Öhlins distributor on a new life as self-employed secure employment to arrozzeria to he founded the company C the important Japanese market . with the very best of services provide Japanese motor enthusiasts

18 Mr Ohba – Our Man in Japan Research and development are not the business meeting in Japan with Rolf Blixt, of the building are also an exhibition only components to create successful Öhlins’ managing director at that time. that displays Öhlins’ products and a business for a company. Without conference section. professional and dedicated distributors - Öhlins has always been quick to the products would be a well kept secret. understand what the Japanese market Mr Ohba’s company Carrozzeria has In Japan Öhlins Racing collaborates with needs. At the beginning there was not during certain periods sold more products Mr Ohba. The Japanese market is big much in the product range that suited the than estimated, more than Öhlins have and accounts for about 20 percent of Japanese market but since Öhlins started acctually been able to manufacture. Öhlins’ total production. manufacturing special applications for the These are situations that have also been Japanese market sales have increased solved. - We are very satisfied with the every year, says Ohba. collaboration with Mr Ohba, - The workers in the Swedish factory have says Öhlins’ managing - I have always seen to it that the worked both night and day so that we director, Kenth Öhlin. He products that are sold are of high quality, should receive the products we required is not afraid of a venture and Öhlins’ has had the same philosophy. and they have succeeded. I have been and he always succeeds Already at the start of our collaboration I impressed, says Mr Ohba. with his projects. Mr Ohba understood that it would be a success, is, as an example, the only Mr Ohba continues. Mr Ohba has also struggled physically distributor that has gone in to make Öhlins a well-known brand in for TV commercials for our Besides products of quality and high Japan, especially during the first years as company. demand Mr Ohba has taken care to have a distributor. An example of this is when a good organisation in his company. he and his personnel during an eight hour Mr Ohba was for many In different stages he has seen to it to race on the Suzuka race track handed years employed at Yamaha acquire the best sales people, the best out 10,000 advertising stickers to every in Tokyo, his last position in the company was as managing director of the sales Nowadays the goal is not to increase the department with responsibility market share but to increase the size of for everything except music. At this stage Mr Ohba had the entire market overall responsibility for around 800 employees in a company with a turnover engineers and a strong network for other conceivable potential customer. Mr Ohba of 50 billion yen. In 1986 he made the services. lost three kilos in weight during the race! decision to further his career by himself. “ As an extra service mr Ohba launched the - Nowadays the goal is not to increase - I left because I had a dream of starting Uno Per Uno concept in Japan, for the the market share but to increase the my own business, I wanted to be able to sole purpose of giving his customers full size of the entire market. It’s a question decide on what was to be done on my attention when buying an Öhlins product. of explaining to customers how they will own, says Mr Ohba. improve the enjoyment of their own travel The customer quite simply drives in by car or MC when they use products During his time as manager at Yamaha Mr with the vehicle on which he wishes to from Öhlins, says Mr Ohba. Ohba had no direct contact with Öhlins, change or adjust the dampers and can but about a year after he had left Yamaha purchase components and at the same contact was established. Mr Ohba had a tine get them installed. Within the walls

19 On the Very Top

of the Food Chain. Imagine that you have the most the best riders in the world Imagine being one of members by your side. mechanics and dedicated team devoted technicians , zealous most advanced , custom made for you with the You have a state of the art machine of fanatic sponsors and hundreds of thousands technology there is. Demanding … it is a must. you make. Winning is not an option supporters follows every turn

Valentino Rossi was the first rider in the tory and on the track with our own test to test the TTX damper, a slightly world to compete with Öhlins TTX40-TR team before the competition in Barcelona, different version, TTX 36. when he won in Barcelona in June 2005. he continues. -For sure we were a bit nervous before -The difference between TTX 40 and the competition. But we knew that Rossi During the competition in Barcelona, TTX 36 is that the pressure surface is had been satisfied with the trials, says Rossi was a long time in second place slightly less and the diameter of the Mats Larsson, Öhlins’ R&D manager behind one of the home favourites, Sete piston is a little smaller. But TTX 40-TR within racing. Gibernau, the distance between them is specially made for Yamaha and TTX both was a couple of seconds with a 36 is much easier to apply to more A year later Rossi is not alone with the few laps left. Normally Gibernau wouldn’t models. Each team was offered two TTX technology. When the other teams have had any problem to stay ahead. He sets after the season and it wasn’t got the chance to use the TTX dampers should have been standing there with the long before all those that had wanted the acceptance was enormous. winner’s trophy held high over his head to carry out a test wanted to purchase receiving the crowd’s ovations. our services for the 2006 season, says When TTX dampers were developed by But he got second place instead. While Larsson. Öhlins’ designers, they were first used on Gibernau lost speed for each lap, Rossi cars. But the MC engineers also saw the kept up his speed, caught up with the -Customers have found that the TTX 36 advantages with the new technology and Spaniard easily, passed him and won by dampers are very easy to understand also succeeded in finding solutions that over a second. and use. The interplay and understand- enabled the TTX dampers to be used on motorcycles.

When a rider decides to try something new in technology there is always a sort ALL RIDERS GAZE OVER THE HORIZON TO ENABLE of nervousness at the manufacturer. THEM TO ADVANCE THEIR POSITIONS. When the rider is the one that is most often in the limelight this causes an even further increase in pulse rate. Valentino Rossi had at the beginning of the 2005 -Rossi says that the TTX damper has the ing between rider and engineer have also season successfully used Öhlins’ TT44 advantage“ at the end of a race. When the improved as a result. damper. But when the TTX damper was tyres began to be worn he could still keep available he wanted to test it even in control over his bike without having to For Öhlins it is naturally both a challenge competition. slow down, Larsson tells with satisfaction. and an asset that the world’s best road The 2005 season became one long racing rider uses the company’s compo- -All riders gaze over the horizon to enable triumphal march for Rossi. He won the nents. Mats Larsson is very satisfied with them to advance their positions and Rossi world championship after eleven victories the way the collaboration works. is no exception. That’s exactly the same of seventeen possible and was on the way we designers think, says Mats Lars- winners’ stand for a further six competi- -Collaboration with Rossi works very well. son. tions. He is very professional and never comes in to the pit after one test lap. He always -We had tested the TTX40-TR damper Rossi’s competitors, except for the Honda drives five or six laps in order to really form thoroughly ourselves both in the labora- team, was offered after the 2005 season a proper opinion and he has the talent for

Yamaha Factory Racing, standing on the grid at the Le Mans race, 21 of may 2006. 21 of may Mans race, the Le at standing on the grid Racing, Factory Yamaha

telling how the motorcycle behaves and better, to push forward the limits so that forward to the next, says Larsson. how he wants it to behave, tells Larsson. riders are able to ride even faster on the -In other words he doesn’t tell the tracks. Öhlins’ TTX 36 dampers are being used engineers what to do, instead we have in the 2006 Moto GP series not only in to solve this with the help of his reports, -In spite of our shock absorbers being the heaviest classes. Even the 125 and Larsson continues. the very latest in technology, there is 250cc riders and a few of the World Su- always something to refine and this work perbike teams use the latest technology In spite of the fact that Öhlins has the goes on all the time. Sometimes it feels from Sweden. advantage over the competition after the as though development is slowing down breakthrough with the TTX technology, a bit but then something new turns up. work continues all the time to be even When we’ve reached one horizon we look

21 Probably the best racing experience in the world

Superbike ! The name alone sounds big and hefty. And the series is big all over the world, in some C OUNTRIES even bigger than the MotoGP series. -It’s the rockers’ own class. The products from Öhlins that the riders in the Superbike series use are available to all of our customers , says Anders Andersson , Öhlins own test rider.

The idea of the Superbike was born in the The Superbike class is also an important is much higher at the Superbike competi- USA at the end of the nineteen seventies instrument for all MC manufacturers. tions, with Moto GP there are more cars and rapidly became a success. The se- When new flagships are introduced onto and busses, says Andersson. ries has not only attracted a large amount the private market it is important that they of spectators all over the world, the vari- can be seen even in competitions, not Just as in all other markets, Öhlins has ous Superbike series have also fostered only in show rooms and advertisements. introduced their TTX dampers within Su- riders that have become legends, like perbike. In spite of this, work continues in Eddie Lawson and Carl Fogerty. -Superbike is the rockers’ own class. developing the more conventional damper In England the Superbike World Cham- ST46 that has been a faithful servant for -The simplicity is appealing to many. Re- pionship attracts more spectators than many years. move the lights and trim the engine a bit MotoGP and the difference is even seen and you are ready to join in and compete, if you look at the parking areas outside -Superbike is important for Öhlins. We says Anders Andersson. the arena. The proportion of motorcycles put a lot of effort into the series and at the

22 Troy Bayliss in the World Superbike race at Monza, 7 of may 2006. Courtesy by Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A Copyringt ©2006 Copyringt Motor Holding S.p.A 2006. CourtesyDucati Monza, at by 7 of may Superbike race World in the Bayliss Troy

same time get closer to our customers, Öhlins have more than 50 percent of the -We have a sound lead over our competi- says Anders Andersson. riders in all of the big Superbike series all tors, that’s for sure. At the same time we over the world. In the world champion- don’t hold it against anyone who wants to The number of riders in the Superbike ship series the figure is between 60 and compete with us, it just spurs us on more series that use dampers and front forks 70 percent. Among these you find Troy in our development work, he continues. from Öhlins is impressive. Öhlins also Bayliss who leads this prestigious class Experience from our work with racing concentrates on providing service for their hands down on his Ducati, he also won teams even benefits the man in the street customers in the best way. Just as in the the series last year. when he buys new components for his MotoGP series, there is a large service trailer at all of the competitions in Europe and when the world championship series -Superbike is the rockers’ own class. is held on other continents spare parts are flown in to the race tracks. -At the same time Öhlins has also in- private motorcycle. The products that are -We have five engineers that follow up the creasingly begun to keep an eye on the bought privately from Öhlins could just Superbike series fulltime, a couple less slightly smaller classes in MC racing, be- as well have been installed on one of the compared with MotoGP. In addition there cause“ even the young, less experienced Superbike series. is usually an engineer on the spot during riders and teams need our products and competitions, says Andersson. technical support in order to develop and reach the top, says Andersson.

23 Pure Racing Breed Now Within Reach It has purely been an exclusive product for the top riders in the M otoGP this season… but things are about to change. A limited edition of the massive FGR700 front fork is just about to hit the streets for serious riders with their hearts set on winning.

FGR700 is the very essence of front fork Mats Larsson, R&D Manager for motor- “It is a very special situation when we technology and is the evolutionary result cycle racing at Öhlins, is a frequent guest launch the new FGR700 front fork this from the FG470, FG570 and FG670. The in almost all MotoGP racing teams and autumn”, says Magnus Eriksson, Product FG470 was the very first pressurized front he was very pleased by the way that the manager for the Motorcycle division at fork made by Öhlins with its roots deep in FGR700 was received by the top riders. Öhlins Racing. “Once in a while the time the racing culture that was launched back between factory racing and aftermarket in 2004. - Almost all riders found the FGR700 very release is almost the same which of easy to understand and handle. It works course is a great treat for all motorcycle The new and improved FG570 and like an efficient intermediary between the enthusiasts… this is the case with the FG670 that took over after the FG470 track and the rider giving vital information new FGR700”. were all new in some technical aspects about the grip. It is hard and stabile, yet but the new FGR700 is a giant leap in the smooth and pliant. To emphasise this unique situation a evolution of high tech front fork systems. parallel can be made to engine kits, high This technology was just available for the performance tires and other top of the line It is of course pressurised as its pred- absolute elite in MotoGP racing last sea- products from serious manufacturers that ecessors but now it is equipped with the son but already know, merely a year later seldom or never reaches the enthusiasts latest TTX-technology. its up for grabs on the aftermarket. on the street.

24 Loris Capirossi on the grid at the Qatar MotoGP race, 8th april 2006. Courtesy by Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A Copyringt ©2006 Copyringt 8th april Motor Holding S.p.A 2006. CourtesyDucati by MotoGP race, the Qatar at on the grid Capirossi Loris

“The reason why we travel all around the of having almost identical suspensions as FGR700 is more than willing to accept on world together with some of the best the MotoGP riders on the grid today. their state of the art front fork. riders and teams there are, spending thousands of hours on racetracks is for the sole purpose of producing the best If you see one of these front forks suspension technology there is to all mounted on a bike, be sure that the enthusiasts out there. Racing is not a business area of it’s on for us at Öhlins. owner is a connoisseur looking for Everything is up for grabs… sooner or nothing but the best. later.” Magnus Eriksson states.

The main focus of the first limited batch of The “only difference between the racing If you see one of these front forks 100 sets of FGR700 is semi-factory rac- equipment and the aftermarket products mounted on a bike, be sure that the ing teams and national teams with a seri- is an even more thorough choice of owner is a connoisseur looking for nothing ous interest in claiming the top positions. materials and some adjustments to make but the best. But there are of course demanding private the Öhlins production lines more effective, customers in search of that special thrill trifle little details that a proud owner of a

25 TTX46 McPherson

– Born to Live in the Fast. Lane new possibilities TTX46 McPherson gives racing teams The waiting is over. Öhlins in almost at the same time it can be adjusted TTX46 M cPherson is easy to use and four million different ways.

TTX46 McPherson is a new product from possibilities can produce almost four understand but also has good durability Öhlins Racing that targets the Touring and million different settings. If that shouldn’t and just like all other products from GT series. Öhlins can now present a full be enough anyone who is still not satisfied Öhlins it can be serviced and modified as range of TTX products in this segment. with this has the possibility of changing required, says Kärr. The earlier, already existing, price winning the damper’s settings by unscrewing the TTX40 has got its equivalence in the adjusters and re-setting them. The new technology is TTX46 McPherson strut. an innovation in itself, but there Öhlins has a lot of customers within this With the Valving Reference Program are further segment already but the new series will - VRP, which could be described as advantages of course boost the possibilities within a test Dyno in a with TTX46 these racing segments. It feels great to Computer McPherson be able to offer our customers a complete that will follow TTX package, says Peter Kärr, Product further down Manager at Öhlins Automotive the road. Division. For the moment Öhlins is producing the - Racing teams all TTX46 McPherson for the around the BMW E46 and E90 but soon there world have will be an increased volume of cars that been waiting can use the new TTX technology. The for us to secret is to have a universal strut that can present a be equipped with mounting details to fit a full range software, vast variety of installations for all kinds of of products the TTX46 models. with the thrilling McPherson owner can TTX technology. I have received a get detailed information about the -We are going to supply complete bolt on lot of phone calls during this time, all of dampers behaviour and dyno curves units for BMW and Porsche to start with, them about when we can deliver the TTX depending on the settings without large then we will supply mounting kits for many McPherson strut. Now when the range is amounts of test runs on the racetrack. other makes too. If there is just a small complete our order books are starting to This computer program is yet another demand, the Öhlins distributors are going fill up. step forwad by Öhlins to provide teams to be able to manufacture the installation with the best possible tools to maximise kits that Öhlins don’t have or even the The four different adjustments on the the performance of their new TTX46 teams can make them themselves, tells TTX46 McPherson strut are two each McPherson. Peter Kärr. for compression, low and high speed, and rebound low and high speed. In -We see a lot of advantages with the total these four individual adjustment TTX46 McPherson. It’s not only easy to

Prototype of the TTX46 McPherson. 26 The Öhlins soul is to always look around the corner, walk the extra mile and explore new materials in the quest for perfection. We count our success in medals, championship points and satisfied customers… not in hours, days, months and years.

Öhlins Racing has been a part of more than 100 championship titles since 1976… that’s an achievement worth celebrating.

Kenth Öhlin, President Öhlins Racing AB