John Campbell To Sweden

Published: August 16, 2014 12:12 pm EDT

John Campbell, North America's all-time leading money winning driver, will be competing for one day only in Sweden on Wednesday.

The Ahlsell Legends Race at Solvalla features some of the world's most famous names, including Stig H. Johansson, Berndt Lindstedt, Olle Goop and Heinz Wewering. The drivers have combined for more than 50,000 lifetime wins, with more than 10,000 of them belonging to the multiple-Hall Of Fame inductee that hails from Ailsa Craig, Ont.

"They had asked me to come last year but I just wasn't able to," Campbell told Trot Radio's Norm Borg. "They extended an invitation this year and it worked out much better for me."

It's going to be a quick trip for Campbell; with stakes races aplenty in August, there won't be time for much other than business. He leaves Monday afternoon from Newark, N.J. and returns Thursday morning.

The race was won last year by famed French driver Jean-Pierre Dubois, who is unable to attend. Instead, Italian driving master Giancarlo Baldi will take his place. Baldi won Sweden's Elitlopp 40 years ago with Timothy T., and returned the following year to repeat as champion. At age 81, he's still competing. Campbell recognizes and respects the talent in the group assembled, especially one driver that he's competed against in North America for decades.

"The first one that comes to mind is Berndt Lindstedt," said Campbell. "I've competed against Bernie a long time here and I consider him not only a world class driver but a world class person. He's a great guy and always so professional on and off the track."

Ahlsell Legends - 1-5/16 miles
Post - Horse - Driver
1. Perfect Power - John Campbell
2. Oliver Kronos - Olle Goop
3. O.P.'s Flirt - Stig H. Johansson
4. Gitano - Lennart Forsgren
5. Val d'Amour - Erik Berglöf
6. Costatantisoldi - Berndt Lindstedt
7. Need For Speed - Thomas Nilsson
8. Checco Boko - Helen A Johansson
9. Vici Lane - Giancarlo Baldi
10. Renate Bowl - Heinz Wewering

Before Campbell heads to Sweden, he has a number of stakes drives on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack in divisions of the Eternal Camnation and the Nassagaweya. To listen to the full interview, including his thoughts on his Saturday stakes drives, click the play button below.


Trot Radio - Episode 326 - John Campbell
Audio Format: MP3 audio
Host: Norm Borg


The opinions expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.

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