“Slim” Borgudd, a former F1 star and truck racing champion who also worked with music legends Abba, died at the age of 76 after a long battle with illness.
Karl Edward Tommy Borgudd, a popular Swede whose full name was Karl Edward Tommy Borgudd, was not only a good race car driver but also played drums for a global supergroup during his wild and unique career.
Borgudd has always been very interested in motorsports, but he began his career as a musician because he was very good at playing the drums. He started out playing in Swedish jazz-rock bands before he realized he could combine his two favorite things, driving and playing the drums.
But he had trouble making money from racing, and it wasn’t until Abba became famous that he was able to make a surprise late rise to the top of motorsport.
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Borgudd was good friends with Bjorn Ulvaeus, one of the people who started the band Abba. While he was still racing, he became a session drummer for the band.
And finally, Ulvaeus made Borgudd’s F1 dream come true in 1981 when Abba paid for the 34-year-old to drive for the ATS team with the band’s name on his car.
Borgudd, who wasn’t expected to do well and didn’t have much experience, even got a World Championship point when he came in sixth at Silverstone that same year.
After two years in F1, Borgudd got good at something else and became the European champion in truck racing. This was the last time he raced a car.
People have been saying nice things about the man who was able to reach such high levels in two very different fields.
racing author Richard Jenkins wrote.
“So sorry to hear Slim Borgudd has died,” “A charming, engaging man, he was in fine form in June 2022, but sadly he became ill thereafter. One fan added: “RIP Slim Borgudd. ABBA drummer, F1 driver. Wild but excellent combo.”
Alex Kapadia, a race car driver, said,
“Drummer, F1 driver, truck racing champion, team owner the list goes on,” “He had more cool stories than I can remember. He taught me a lot, but the thing he showed everyone is how to live a full life.”
Matt Bishop tweeted:
I’m sad to hear of the passing of Slim Borgudd, 76, one-time jazz drummer, mate of Björn Ulvæus, & therefore sponsored by #Abba during his brief #F1 career (pic: ’81 ATS HGS1). He was more successful in truck racing than he was in single-seaters. #RIPSlimBorgudd pic.twitter.com/5X4vJkKXcD
— Matt Bishop 🏳️🌈 🏁 (@TheBishF1) February 23, 2023
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