Susann Hansen – Team Manager at Team Hansen, European Rallycross Cup Champion 1994, FIA World Rallycross Champion for Teams 2015 and 2019 & Kenneth Hansen – Team Principal at Team Hansen, 14 times FIA European Rallycross Champion, FIA World Rallycross Champion for Teams 2015 and 2019

(photo credit: ©World | Red Bull Content Pool)

“You can never be first by walking in someone else’s footsteps.”

There must be something in the Swedish genes, making people and companies successful. Susann and Kenneth Hansen can undoubtedly be called legends when it comes to the rallycross profession – both with their own championship titles as well as with their family rallycross team. They are, let’s face it, in excellent Swedish company with giants such as ABBA, IKEA, Ericsson or Spotify – not to forget Greta Thunberg! -, to name just a few (a comparison, by the way, that they would never make for themselves). And that’s not all, they have passed on their genes to their sons Timmy and Kevin who are successful rallycross drivers in their own right.

Susann and Kenneth met at a rallycross circuit and bonded over a book by Norwegian sport psychologist and professor of performance psychology Willi Railo (1941-2010), “Best When It Counts”. Kenneth, who had already climbed the rallycross ladder, attributed his success to the book’s teachings, so Susann, newbie in the profession, borrowed it to accelerate her own development. When it came to giving the book back, she decided to not to – and ended up keeping the book as well as its owner … 😉

Talking to the life and business couple, we found out about their view of the world, their healthy insight into their team dynamics, their incredible sense of self-assessment – and learnt that the first words coming to our mind in connection with rally drivers does not necessarily have to be “speed” and “hunger for victory”, yet “fairness”, “kindness” and “respect”.

Susann and Kenneth, it is fair to say that you two are the most successful couple and probably the most successful family in motorsports. Has that sunk in in any way – and how does it feel?

Kenneth: I still can’t believe that I was able to bring in 14 European Championship titles. Thinking back to all the success that we had feels unreal – with the latest achievement, the World Championship in 2019, both for drivers (editor’s note: Timmy Hansen 1st, Kevin Hansen 3rd) and for teams. And Susann’s European Championship title back in 1994 before she took over the team management.

Which characteristics do you think make you successful – individually, and as a team?

Kenneth: Passion – and the aversion to lose. Passion leads to doing things well, to really being into it, to doing everything that is in your power.

Susann: As individuals, we are good at different things that we bring to the team. Kenneth is more on the technical side, good in constructing things, planning the driving etc. – and a very skilful driver. Given that a company cannot succeed without promotion and letting the world know that they exist, I took over the Communications part as I am good at writing. The combination of our skills turned out to be a good one.

As a couple, we have the same values when it comes to racing and our company. Having this same attitude is also what fuels us to push each other for the next success. We know – and always remind each other – that we should never underestimate our competition, that we have to keep ourselves on the go and invest at least the same level of commitment and work for the next victory. We never rest on our laurels.

Could we say that one of your success factors is to approach all things – and people – with respect?

Susann: Absolutely. We have respect for other drivers, for each other. Also respect for the money. Rallycross is a very money consuming sport, so we have to spend it wisely. However, we learned to be efficient with it over the years, and we understand our priorities, so we know where to put it to maximise results. And we were lucky to have good partners who have stood by our side for many years.

Kenneth: We are also aware of the fact that money is no replacement or guarantee for performance. Budgets only will never make you win, so we never let ourselves be fooled by them. There was always respect for competitors, and I rarely underestimated them – yet if I did, I sometimes got pushed back.

Fairness in sports is also something that we highly value.

When we look at the role allocation in your team, how can we imagine the process of (strategic) decision taking – Kenneth being the team principal/CEO/overseeing ‘everything technical’, and Susann being the team manager/COO/overseeing ‘everything else’?

Susann laughs, straightaway pointing at Kenneth

Kenneth: (laughs): Normally, we take decisions together, but sometimes, I think, I’m too much into it and I already made the decision, because I think it’s right – which is obviously wrong, and then we fight …

Susann (still laughing): This makes me very happy to see that Kenneth finally comes to some insight about his own personality! If there is ever anything we argue about, it is the decision making. Kenneth thinks that I always agree with him, and to be fair, 99% I do. In any case, it is safe to say that after 30 years, we have become more equal, and we always find a compromise in the end.

It also depends whether we have eaten or not – we are both very sensitive to low blood sugar levels …

Kenneth: Yes, we try not to have big discussions before lunch, so from 11:30am we know that it is better to wait until 1:30pm … 😉

Susann, you say that ‘it is not only about winning a race – the biggest victories in a team are never shown on TV’. What are those biggest victories in a team?

Susann: I think that the biggest victories you can achieve are those after a crash, a comeback after something had broken, or the start from a bad position. The victory lies in the ability to line up again in the first place, to stand at that start line again. Coming back is an achievement in itself, a victory over your doubts, your fears, your frustration. The biggest victory for the drivers is to be prepared again, ready in their minds, and to have the motivation, the mental strength to rise from a setback. Having the willingness to succeed and the belief that you can, again and again, is the real victory.

Kenneth: Last year, making the decision to enter the World Championship as a private team again was the biggest moment of the whole project, a big, big return – and a victory for us that was not shown on TV. We started the project with nothing. However, we sat down with our partners Peugeot and Red Bull and together committed to try. It seemed impossible at the beginning, however, we managed, and on top of that, we then also won the World Championship (editor’s note: a victory that WAS shown on TV 😉). I feel, for us, the decision to even compete, to put the entry in, that was the big victory. And almost as good a feeling as to actually win the World Championship.

Susann: I also think of the amazing job that is done in the background, away from the spotlight by our mechanics and the other team members. Without their commitment, it would be impossible to do it. We need the commitment of all of them, all the time. Their dedication – after a crash, in the rain, or after any other frustration – is also a victory that is not shown on TV.

What pushed you more forwards in your careers: victories – or setbacks?

Kenneth: Definitely both. When we win, we always want to be better. We also need to keep on our toes, especially when the competition gets closer. And if we lose, we have to find out why, turn the odds around and make it a success again. Both scenarios make us very creative, and we never think that we are good enough to get laid-back.

During the years when Susann and I were competing, we always tried new things, added a little extra and subsequently won a lot – to the extent that sometimes the regulations were changed, hence we were even pushing the limits of the sport.

Susann, years after you were the first – and only ever – woman to win a European Cup title in Rallycross (1994) yourself, you were also awarded a ‘Motorsport Mum of the Year’ (2011) distinction. How did that come about? And has there ever been a ‘Motorsport Dad of the Year’ award?

Kenneth: I believe that the prize was actually meant to recognise everything that women do in the background of motorsports. In this case, Susann had been awarded the prize for the way she has supported me as well as our two sons to international successes all around the world. Sadly, there are not so many women competing, and the prizegiving has always been about the guys. It was an attempt to create a better balance, no need to have a prize for the best dad.

Do you see the award as an acknowledgement for the saying “Behind every great man is a great woman”? How would you interpret the saying for yourself?

Kenneth: I have been thinking about this a lot, and I can say that my success, the 14 titles, would never have been there without Susann, a hundred percent. The saying absolutely has its truth. The success in sport cannot be seen isolated, it is all down to balance. Balance that comes from a good family, from generally feeling good in life.

Susann: The same is true for me. I wouldn’t have achieved the things I have without a great man behind me. Sometimes, Kenneth believed in me more than I believed in myself and lifted me up – and I did the same for him. We lifted each other up, especially in the most difficult times, and enhanced each other’s strengths.

Kenneth: This is something that also goes for Timmy and Kevin as brothers. Yes, they are racing against each other. However, part of their success is the fact that they are best friends, and whilst competing on the track, they still raise each other’s performance level.

Susann: They are generous with each other. It is a competition, and still, the relationship is more important than to win at all costs.

Kenneth: A lot of people think that it must be so difficult for them to compete. Of course, there are difficult moments, but the positive outweighs them by far. And we allow them to race, which brings a lot of beautiful moments with really good fights, overtaking each other, making the most of the sport. They have enormous respect for each other, so as long as it is fair, we trust them one hundred percent. And it is fair, and it’s good fun.

Looking how your sons make their own way in the world – would you say it was ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’ how they are today?

Susann: It was certainly both. What we wanted to teach them was what we believe is the right way to approach other people, how to behave towards them and how to respect them. My biggest hope is that we taught them to be nice to people, to be kind, to be fair, to have good intentions and leave people with a positive feeling.

And we all know that as a family, we stick together. The more difficult the times, the closer we get. There is no doubt whatsoever that we fully support each other, it’s like an instinct. We know that they will always be there for us – and they know that we will always be by their side.

Your sons are very successful rallycross drivers themselves. Was their path in rallycross business mapped out by you?

Susann: When we had our children, we were in the middle of our careers. That they would be successful was not planned by us. Our life was what it was, and they naturally became a part of it. Travelling, meeting people, etc. – the motorsport environment has been a very natural place for them to be. Eventually, they started to show an interest in karting – and we were just ordinary parents, supporting the boys in their sport. We really liked that.

Kenneth: We were very much newcomers, even though I had done karting many years ago. It was a great time, especially when they were between 10 and 13, that’s a lovely age in karting. And for them, it was all about fun, they did not approach it with the same seriousness as we parents. I remember one time when we were all waiting at the grid to go to the final – all the parents were there with the kart –, only to discover that the top-10-drivers were not there. They were all in the forest playing, having completely forgotten about the race.

Kenneth, you call the cockpit of your Rallycross cars your boy’s ‘offices’. Is it better than a dream come true that your sons are successful Rallycross drivers – or, in hindsight, would you prefer them to be in a calmer, less risky, office?

Kenneth: I think they are actually in a safe environment, and we are involved with FIA when it comes to safety development. Of course, there is a certain risk, however, things can happen everywhere, so I feel that they are safe in a race car, also when I look back at all those years (editor’s note: knocks on wood).

Susann: I have more mixed emotions about that. I know that it is not like taking a stroll in the forest what they work with. There are risks. At the same time, you balance your own fears with their joy. When they come back after a good race, and I see their smile and excitement, and I know they looove this – should I be the one telling them: ‘You can’t do what you love.’?

As Kenneth said, we are able to have an impact on safety in our sport, be it in the car or around the tracks, and we use our influence for these important things.

Kenneth: It is very reassuring to see how Timmy and Kevin themselves pay attention to safety. They were born into this environment and saw all the development made for safety, like the neck protection that helped me to survive an accident once. When it came to planning the new season, it was Kevin who immediately made the first suggestions and plans for safety measures. It feels great and I am very proud that he takes that initiative and responsibility.

With your sons, you not only form a family yet a veritable company. What is important to function in both constellations? How do you separate business and family life?

Susann: When we are together, it is not black or white, it is very much a grey area. Business and private go hand in hand, and ultimately, it is what we are all passionate about. Having said that, we do understand that in order to have a healthy life balance, we must make space for other things that we equally enjoy. Not everything is about racing, and we all add other things to our lives. Being with friends, having other hobbies and interests like art, cooking, wine or physical training is refreshing and interesting, opens our mind, lets us express our personality as well as explore our curiosity and capacity to learn. Ultimately, all our activities will enrich us and make the teamwork and the company even better.

Kenneth: Also, speaking of family life, we have a 2 year-old addition to our family, our grandson Sam, Timmy’s son. Just mentioning his name makes us get away from work in seconds …

Susann: No matter the setbacks – coming ‘back to earth’, back to basics, is easy with him. When we had our own sons, we were just about to build our careers and did not realise how quickly the years would go by. In a way, Sam makes us relive that time with them all over again, bringing back all the memories: the feeling of a hug, a smile … how blessed we are to have healthy children.

Kenneth: Grandchildren it is different from having children – you can spoil them rotten, and when they start to get difficult, you just give them back 😉. The other day, we had some fun with cross cars, and Sam was on Timmy’s lap when he went to the starting point. Sam absolutely loved it, so we’ll see what will happen…

What would you see as your top priority in life? What’s important to you?

Susann: At the end of the day, it will always be family and health. Without that, you don’t have anything, it’s the foundation that enables you to everything else. Family motivates me, it’s what gives meaning to my life. Sometimes, we might think it is the end of the world not to win, yet in the end, it doesn’t matter.

Another prime concern for us is environmental protection. Again, respect plays an enormous role here, and we try to do our bit. The way we see and treat nature, treat the oceans, and ultimately take responsibility for our planet is really close to our hearts, and we want to have an impact as positive as possible to shape the future of this planet. We were lucky enough to experience some really cool things – snorkelling, diving, swimming with dolphins -, and we want these things to still be possible for our children and grandchildren. This planet Earth is an amazing place!

Susann, how does it feel to succeed like you did and do in a men’s world? And how do you see the role that you play in this world?

Susann: First of all, I think me being here in a male dominated world and showing up the way I do is important. Secondly, I can use my position to raise awareness. We are all equal, no matter the gender, the colour, our mental or physical ability. It is about being human, and I hope that I can influence opinions in the way that people see that we all can be in the place we want to be. For me that means speaking up, standing my ground, standing tall for what I believe in, not backing off.

It is anything but easy, and sometimes I feel as if I would never ever want to go back on the racetrack again. And then I think: ‘But no, I want to be here. I want to be here for my sake – and for my family’s sake, why shouldn’t I? It is such a wonderful business.’ Sometimes, it is a question of resilience. And sometimes, it is a question of alliances. Kenneth and I have the same understanding, and he backs me up, supports me in the fight against imbalance and injustice and for more gender equality. And sometimes, him doing this as a man does the trick …

I see that there is a change going on in the world and seeing how Timmy and Kevin treat their wife/girlfriend gives me hope that I had some impact on their values regarding gender equality.

What are your next plans – professionally and personally?

Kenneth: In Rallycross, we are in discussion to go fully electric. It’s a positive, big and exciting project, and we hope that we will be a part of it.

Susann: Company-wise, we would like to involve the boys even more, if they too want it, and run the business together. And on a personal level, many more grandchildren …

Do you have a favourite quote that has accompanied, maybe even shaped and supported you throughout your life – or over a large period of time?

Susann: There is a something in Willi Railo’s book that goes: “I can. I dare. I want.” that we both like.

Kenneth: The emphasis is on ‘want’, our attitude towards things we do. We don’t need to do something. We are free to do it. It’s our choice.

Susann: As a company, we live by the motto “You can never be first by walking in someone else’s footsteps.”, meaning to challenge ourselves, to be brave and go new ways. For us, it was a brave decision to be teammates. We walked an untravelled path by heading the company together, something that in the rallycross business had not been done before. By heading the ‘road not taken’, we gave ourselves the chance to be first.

Kenneth: We are also aware that it is very windy and lonely at the top, and we remind ourselves regularly that some competition, being chased – and unfortunately certain comments on social media – are a normal side effect of it. So, in order to keep that important respect for the competition – and also to keep our sense of humour intact -, we like to laugh about something that a friend of ours, Indy500 winner Kenny Brecht, once said: “If you want a friend in racing, you better buy a dog.”

(published 24th June 2020)