Bjorn Rune Gjelsten
Bjørn Rune Gjelsten
World champion
1998 Offshore Class 1
2002 Offshore Class 1
2003 Offshore Class 1
2004 Offshore Class 1
2006 Offshore Class 1
European champion
1998 Offshore Class 1
2002 Offshore Class 1
2003 Offshore Class 1
2006 Offshore Class 1
Middle East champion
2003 Offshore Class 1
2004 Offshore Class 1
2006 Offshore Class 1
2007 Offshore Class 1
Other medals
2000 Offshore Class 1 World III
2001 Offshore Class 1 World III
2002 Offshore Class 1 Middle East II
2004 Offshore Class 1 European II
2007 Offshore Class 1 World II
2007 Offshore Class 1 European III
Norway
Born: 17.9.1956
Classes: Offshore Class 1
First race 1994 USA Jacksonville with Jim Dyke
Retired 2007
In 1996 he formed Class 1 most successful partnership with throttleman Steve Curtis (GBR). Boat they used had name "Spirit of Norway". They won 5 World Champion titles and Class 1 pole position championship 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007.
2004 he retired form powerboating and sold "Spirit of Norway" to Bård Eker, who won Class 1 World Champion title 2005 with Steve Curtis. 2006 he was back as Eker wanted to concenrate on his business and he himselve missed racing. In his comeback season 2006 he won with Steve Curtis all possible titles in Class 1: World championship, Europen championship, Middle East championship and pole position championship.
He had 82 races in Class 1, 34 GP wins and 37 pole position wins.
2002 he was awarded the Seagrave Thropy with Steve Curtis. This award winners are also Lewis Hamilton, Damon Hill, Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Donald Malcolm Campbell, Colin McRae, Richard Branson etc.
As succesful businesman Gjelsten bought with Kjell Inge Røkke (one of the richiest people in Norway and also Class 1 driver) British Wimbeldon Football Club and moved it to Milton Keynes, which made a lot of "noise" in GBR. Now this team name is Milton Keynes Dons.
Spirit Of Norway 2007