Håkan Andersson

Håkan Andersson (born 29 June 1945) is a Swedish former professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1966 to 1979. Andersson began his career as a member of the Husqvarna factory racing team before moving to the Yamaha team where he won the FIM 250cc Motocross World Championship in 1973. As a young boy, his father took him to watch local motocross races where he idolized Swedish riders such as Bill Nilsson, Sten Lundin, and Rolf Tibblin who dominated the sport of motocross in the 1950s and 1960s.

Andersson competed in his first motocross race in 1962 at the age of 16 riding a 175cc Husqvarna motorcycle. Andersson was a member of the victorious Swedish team at the 1967 Trophée des Nations, however he suffered a serious leg injury during the event.

1968: Breakout year At the 1968 season season opening Spanish Grand Prix, Andersson had retired from the first race, but showed his potential in the second race by catching and passing former World Champions Dave Bickers (ČZ) and Robert to finish in second place behind his teammate Hallman.

Move to Yamaha team Andersson's contract with Husqvarna expired at the end of the 1971 season so he took the opportunity to sign a contract to race for the Yamaha factory racing team replacing Torsten Hallman.

Andersson suffered a serious back injury at the beginning of the 1974 season but came back late in the year to post a series of second place results to finish the season ranked sixth in the 250cc World Championship. 1974 would mark the last year that Sweden was the Motocross des Nations Champion.

Andersson continued to be competitive in the 1975 250cc World Championship, however he would finish the season ranked second to Puch factory rider Harry Everts who rode a motorcycle which featured an innovative twin carburetor system. It marked the third time in his racing career that Anderson was the 250cc class Vice-Champion.

Later career In the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, sales of recreational vehicles decreased significantly, and Yamaha was forced to reduce their competition budget by withdrawing their motocross and road racing teams after the 1975 season.

He retired from motocross competitions in 1979 at the age of 34. Andersson won 22 individual heat races and 10 Grand Prix victories during his world championship racing career.