Tribute Page for Svein `Gotten' Gottenberg

We were devastated to hear the terrible news that our good friend and Supertwin Top Fuel Bike racer Svein Gottenberg passed away this afternoon following a top end incident at the Mosten Raceday in Denmark. Suffice to say that our thoughts are with Anne, Christoffer, his crew man Gunnar and all their friends and family at this terrible time. This page is for you to post tributes for one of the most kind and friendly racers we have ever had the pleasure to know. Please send your tributes to ian@kingracing.com

Ian King
www.kingracing.com

Next to my family and friends I love racing the most. But the best is when you can race together with your family and friends. And Svein along with Anne and Gunnar were friends to all in our small family of racers. You will be dearly missed, Godspeed Svein.
Ian King
King Racing Top Fuel

Svein was the nicest, kindest, most helpful guy I ever met. It was Svein and Anne that convinced me I could move to top-fuel and helped me with parts, knowledge and contacts from the start. I don't know what to say, I sincerely loved that guy, he was the best, my thoughts are with Anne and Gunnar. Gotten made a real impact on my life and I will think of him always, I can't believe this has happened. Who will we share our coffee with on race mornings now?
Ian Turburville

Lost for words! Still can't believe it...
Marius van der Zijden

Our deepest sympathies go to Anne, family and friends. No words can describe the loss of a true racer and a friend in the pits. Rest in peace!
Henrik ”Hobbe” Karlsson, Suzzi Heleander, Nettan Heleander, Håkan Heleander

VI BLE VELDIG TRISTE DA VI FIKK HØRE AT SVEIN OMKOM I DANMARK I DAG. VÅRE TANKER GÅR TIL ANNE, GUNNAR OG SVEINS FAMILIE.
The sad message from Denmark about Svein came as a shock to us today. Our thoughts go to Anne, Gunnar and Svein's family.
BEST REGARDS.
MED VENNLIG HILSEN ISLANDERS RACING TEAM - FRØYA.

There are news that one refuse to believe in! Our thoughts are with you.
Peter and Anki Ström

"I read the news today oh boy..." our thoughts and love go out to Anna and all those close to Gotten at this sad time; his cheerful and sunny outlook will be so sorely missed by everyone involved in European drag racing and the Super Twin pits will seem tragically empty next weekend.
Ivan & Rose

Dear Anne and Gunnar, after speaking to Ian, I was shocked to hear of the tragic news from Mosten, it seems impossible to believe that news like this could come from what I remember from last year was such a fun place to be, My most vivid memory of Svein was to see him dancing and singing, having his own private party, watching him with Anna, Ian and Gunnar last year at Mosten's evening entertainment. My deepest sympathy goes to Anna, Gunnar and the rest of Svein's family, my thoughts also go out to all the Supertwin racer's, Svein will be terribly missed. My very best wishes
Chris Powell (King Racing)

Hello, this is Benni, the German motormouth at Hockenheim and -sometimes- guest commentator for Super Twin Top Fuel at Santa Pod. This sad news is surely a shock to me, and leaves me almost without words. His empty pit space at the European Finals in Santa Pod will be the place to memorize a very friendly racer, always willing to answer my questions about his bike and racing. My kindest regards go to his family and race team.
Benni Voss

I just can't accept that such a tragic accident happens to the nicest guy in the dragracing community. I just cant accept that Gotten wont be inviting me in the pits for a coffee and few minutes chat anymore. I just cant accept that Anne is not going to hug her loved one anymore. I just cant accept that it happens to a rider that always used his head and drove in a safe way every time he was out on the track. Miss you so much Gotten. Thinking of you Anne, so much that it hurts.
Christer Abrahamson

This is a tragic loss for all the dragracers. We will always remember Svein and his smile, and all our thoughts will go to Anne and Gunnar.
Svein Arne Skjervø (RDBK), Hilde & Eirik

This is very, very sad news to hear, I want to give all my wishes to his family for this hard times.
Mike Kraaij

Sometimes is it hard to write things, specially then trying to make it after an accident then you lost a personal friend. I have known Svein since 1982 then he started racing. He started racing in 1982 in Anderstorp in Sweden on a Kawasaki. Then over to a Hedlund and a double Triumph before he ended on a Harley. Svein has always been the one you could go to and sit down some minutes. For me would it be very empty after this. I am also thinking very much of Anne and all other people around them. Svein rest in peace, I always will remember you.
Lars Andersson

I was very shocked when I heared the bad news. Svein was definitely the nicest guy at the racetrack, he helped me a lot when I started to race in Supertwin. I almost can't believe what happened. My thoughts and all my best wishes go to Anne and Gunnar. We will miss you all Svein!
Lorenz Stäuble & Erbacher Racing Team

This is about the tenth attempt at writing this, and my fingers are still shaking, I can't believe it, I can't believe it! In just about every letter you read you see the word "kind", and that word is the one that keeps popping up when I think about Svein, my prayers go out to his family and freinds, and Svein I'll see you in Nitro Heaven!! For the rest of you, RIDE SAFE, please. With Love and Respect
Karl Thiecke & Family

Dear Anne, To find some words that can give you a little bit comfort on the day like this is hard. But you are in our thoughts and we hope and know that you are strong enough to carry on. We are going to miss Svein a lot but we have our nice memories of him and the time we spent together.
With love
Kakku, Jaana & Tatu

We are very sorry to hear and read about Svein's deadly accident. For now this is the only way to show our respect and send our condolences to Svein's family. I would also like to forward condolences in the name of the Hells Angels Motorcycle club Westport Holland. With great respect!
Stefan Iwanowitsch Hells Angels Racing Team Holland

This is so tragic, we can't believe it! The nicest guy in the pits, always smiling. All our thoughts go to Anne and Gunnar and Sveins family.
Linda, Patrick, Arnfinn, Jan Arve, Odd Erik, Svein Arne, Jeanett,Trine, Eirik.
Nygård Motorsport

Our condolences to the family and friends in this terrible time. With love and respect
Canadian John, TopGas 31

I was shocked when I heard this very bad news. Svein was such a nice guy, it is unbelievable that he is gone. Our deepest sympathies go to Anne and Gunnar and to his family and friends. Gittli - Peter Schöfer Racing

Svein "Gotten" Gottenberg.
The first time we met Svein was many years ago. It was at a race at Mantorp Park in Sweden where he was struggling with the ignition of his Hedlund V-Twin. I tried to help him out but don't recall if it worked. What I do recall is we sat down afterwards, had a beer and talked about racing for quite sometime. Over the years we became good friends and whenever we met at a race track we had a coffee (or something else in the evening) and talked about racing at his or our camper. Svein had a very warm personality and was loved by everyone that knew him. We all know that racing has it's risks but never expect that something as devastating as this will happens to one of us. We always expect that we drive home to our family after the race. We lost a very good friend and Svein will always be in our memory. Our thoughts are with Anne & Christoffer, his family, Gunnar and all the ones that were very close to him.
The Pels family

This morning we were shocked when we heard what happen to Svein. I still cannot believe it. We are all very sorry for what happened. We are sharing the pain with you. We wish you for the future a lot of strength and all the best. We will miss the team at the races.
Urs Erbacher and Team.

We are in a state of shock!!!! We have no words.......! We are thinking of you Anne, Christoffer and Gunnar.
Christian, Viktoria, Liv, Charley and Carina

My deepest sympathy to Sveins family.
Carsten Andersson

Our warmest thoughts to family and close friends. Every time Svein left the lights we have cheered and felt why we enjoy dragracing so much. We all know that motorsport can be dangerous. We also know that we deeply will miss Svein Gottenberg.
On behalf of Trysil Bilberging, Vidar Aas, Terje Langflon, Jan Moen.

Svein Gottenberg, a friend that we have we lost.
It was a great shock to hear about the loss of Svein "Gotten" Gottenberg. He was one of the nicest guys around. His loss is a big tragedy and he will be in our minds and hearts forever. Rest in Peace Svein. Our thoughts are with Anne, Christopher and Gunnar and Family.
Roel and Monique Koedam, Marius van der Zijden, Bauke Strobos, Peter van de Bosch and Betsy de Bruijn.

A great friend and racer has left us. We will forever cherish our memories of one of the nicest guys who cruised the pits and tracks. We will miss you enormously. Anne, our thoughts are with you. With Respect,
Peter, Tore, Mats, Kajsa, Jane, Pelle 38:an Super Twin Top Fuel Racing

We are deeply shocked and sorry to hear what happened at Mosten. Gotten, the best and kindest of all sportsmen is gone. We will remember you as the happy, ever smiling and joking friend from Norway. You will always stay in our thoughts........ Our condolences to Anne & Christian, his Family and Gunnar.
Team Servex Racing, Stefan Junerud

There are no words that can describe the sadness we feel at he loss of Svein Gottenberg, one of the great dragrace drivers we'll know in the dragrace world. Our thoughts go out to his family and nearest friends.
Joey Bon Racing Team (Joey, Carien, Paul, Gerbelien, Alex, Bas)

We will miss you Svein.
I had the pleasure of working together with Svein for several years. Since Lazy Boyz AS was one of his sponsors, it was my job to get the parts he needed for his bike. We talked just a couple of days before he was going to Mosten. They were always together with us at our Open House arrangements, it was strange to see that they were not in the same spot they have always been. We was devastated to hear the terrible news on Friday, I could not believe it…..I still can’t! Our deepest sympathies and thoughts go to Anne, Gunnar and Svein’s family in this time of sorrow. We took the opportunity on Saturday at 11:00 before we launched the 2007 Harley-Davidson models to remember Svein a minute's silence. I am grateful that we could do this together with the hundreds of people attending our Open House, but I must say it was a sad day… The world is a much poorer place after losing Svein Gottenberg! You will be deeply missed.
Best regards,
Tom Glosli Lazy Boyz AS Harley-Davidson Oslo, Norway

I did not know Svein personally and I never had the honour to race with him. I and thousands of others loved to watch him race and will miss doing so.
Deep Respect,
Ian Carruthers & the Rush Racing team

In memory of Svein
May the gods be with you
Love and respect from Willem Been and family

Having been a few days without looking at bike news , and being pretty busy with cars, I saw the devastating news about Svein. He was truly one of the kindest of many drag racers I have ever met and who spoke to me, not as a "mere 9.90 bike rider" (and a lady to boot!???) but did give me plenty to think about..... My thoughts go out out to his family at this time.
Lizz McCarthy

I did not know Svein personally (I wish I did). He sounded like they guy you'd just love to have as a friend. To Anne, family, friends and his fellow racers, my thoughts are with you all, this is not only a sad day for the bike class, but for drag racing! May you rest in peace Svein. There will be heavy hearts next weekend. What a terrible loss, very sad :(
Michael Veskovich

There are no words that can express the feelings and we just cannot believe that Svein is no longer with us. R.I.P Svein, you are deeply missed. Our thoughts go to Anne & family and Gunnar.
Arvid,Tore,Jan Vidar,Pål Henning,Bjørn Arild, Christian, Westside Racing

I was truly shocked when I got the sad phonecall friday afternoon. My deepest condolences to Anne, Gunnar, his family and his team. Words are not enough. Rest in peace, Gotten!
Regards, Lars-Erik

It is with sadness and shock we received the message of Sveins deadly accident. We will all miss him and nobody will fill the gap as he did it. Let Svein`s kindness and smile be an inspiration for all of you. Our thoughts are with Anne, family and friends.
Speedy Rescue Team v/A.Raaer

We always hope that someday, after having survived all the narrow escapes, tire shakes, lane crossings and engine explosions, every racer can put away his helmet and look back at the pictures of a beautiful career. It is very sad and unfair that the nicest guy on the track has not been given that chance.
Job Heezen and family.

Gotten thanks for 25 years of friendship! Life will never be the same without you my friend. My thought is with Anne and the families, also with you Gunnar at this hard times.
Christer Carling

We are deeply shocked and sorry to hear what happened at Mosten. There are no words that can express the feelings and we just cannot believe that Svein is no longer with us. Our thoughts go to Anne, Christian, his Family and Gunnar.
Thunder Valle Rescueteam v/ Jan Helge Refsnes

No words, cant believe it! My best friend for all those racing years. My thoughts are with Anne, Gunnar and Family!
Kruse, Roli, Nory, Güggi and the Hells Angels Racing Team Austria

On Saturday morning at the Finnish Finals everybody was shocked to hear the news at the drivers meeting. Me and my son Mika couldn't think about anything at that moment. We had known Gotten since '90 and all the time he's been a helping, always friendly and a very kind of a person. God Speed Gotten! And our deepest sympahy to all the closest ones. We'll really miss you, Gotten! R.I.P.
Asko, Mika and Baldie Racing Team.

We´re so sorry to hear the sad news. I don´t know him but the dragrace family is too small to lose People like him. Our thought´s are with his family and friends.
Best regards
Thomas Team Joker

The news hits us Saturday morning. “Gotten” is no longer with us. It's hard to find words when a former and percents racer leaves our drag racing family. Our thoughts are with Anne and Gunnar.
Peder “Pedda” Eneroth, Sweden (Former) Competition Bike #33
Alex Eneroth, Sweden Junior Dragbike #33

It is sad to read that we lost one of the real enthusiasts in Dragracing. Svein, his family and Gunnar put all possible energy into Dragracing. Can't find the words to say how sorry we are for this. Our thoughts go out to Anne, his family, team and his friends. We will always remember you "Gotten".
Best Regards,
Roger Lyrén and from all of us at MotoSpeed Sweden.

I am now back from Denmark and after Svein`s crash Friday it was a hard weekend, But the racers stayed together and tried to talk abut it. I still cannot believe it, but we do our best to try to understand. There was a minutes silence for Svein on Saturday, and some of us put flowers and made a small memory sermon at the place where Svein crashed. I have raced together with Svein for more than 20 years, and I don't think Norwegian drag racing will be the same without Svein. He was a 100% dragracer and drag racing was his life. I have seen many people start and stop drag racing but Svein has always been there. I also think he will be with us at the next race. Right now our thoughts are with Anne, Christoffer, Gunnar and the family. Team Sverre Dahl.

On behalf of the officials at Mosten Race Day I would like to express our deepest sympathy with family and friends of Svein. He was an outstanding example for the the sport, we all love. It was a hard decision to take to continue the race Saturday at Mosten Strip, but we felt it was right to honour Svein that way.
Jens Olaf Hersom (Laffi) Chief of race - Mosten Race Day

Svein it is hard to believe you left us too early, just spoke with you at Gardermoen races and now I know it will never happen again. We all in Walkka MC Racing will miss you and our deepest condolences to Anne, Gunnar and families
Harry Räikkönen

Svein Gottenberg was one of the first memories we can recall from a top fuel team on our first visit to Santa Pod five years ago. We had only exchanged a few words while watching him check and adjust the air gap of his Bentec clutch between rounds with a long feeler gauge. We loved the fact he was racing a Buell. Later that night we were talking about racing and more stuff with his super friendly teammates and the other guys in the big bus during Ian King's birthday party. The last memory I have from him is the relieving hug with his partner after the huge explosion last year in the finals. Devastated as we are from his passing, we will keep thas picture in our heads for the future. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Wish we had a chance to race together.
Panagiotis Zarifopoulos and Yla Galani Athens-Greece

I am more or less speachless, my head is empty, my heart is hurting,I will from the bottom of my heart say thank you Gotten for more than 25 years of friendship. On the racetrack of course, sharing ideas (a lot) drinking early morning coffee with the fellow racers, on the road to the races, sharing a coffee, talking about this coming race and how great it will be, on the way home, talking about the race, not always turned out so good but always very optimistic about the next race. Sharing “secrets” in the workshop during the wintertime, Svein was always coming up with some good ideas. I remember helping him carrying his double Triumph complete up the stairs from his cellar/workshop, painting it with spraycans outside, then carrying it down again (a piece of cake for Svein). I remember late night coffee (very late) with Svein and Anne, looking at pictures, reading the latest dragbike magazines from the states, (remember this was long before internet) so the magazines were 1-2 months old, trying to figure out how they could run 7 secs with a shovel or a iron sportster... I remember going to Drachten with Svein in the mid 1980`s, sometimes a lot of rain and no racing, but fun yes, a lot of fun. I remember Svein as one you could ask to borrow anything. We did not run in the same class the last years, in the beginning it was Competition Bike, but if needed something just ask Svein- he never said no to anyone, never! I will remember You for the rest of my life Svein Ivar Gottenberg. All my best to those remaining, Anne, Cristopher, sister, mother, father and Gunnar his very good mechanic. Godspeed Gotten
Jan Egil Kongsrud - Team Jon Leret Racing

We would like to extend their condolences to all who knew Svein. As a drag racer and ACU scrutineer Les has scrutineered Svein's bike in the past and remembers him as a really nice guy and fellow Super Twinner. Our thoughts are with you at this very sad time.
The Les Harris Dragracing Team

It was my first time in Mosten to Dragrace in the Harley Class with my Buell, and I was looking at how Svein started his bike. Amazing, what power, I never saw a Top fueller from so close. I will never forget the moment I saw him making the run and going off the track, I still can't believe that happens to a fellow dragracer. My thoughts and all my best wishes go to his family and friends. With Respect
Dris Hammadi
www.dragbike.nl

Facing problems was the strongest side of Gotten and Anne. Always together, coming back time and time again. This problem he will not be able to overcome, Anne has to face this one alone. But I hope she can take the energy doing this from sympathy, support and love from all teams and riders, together with Christofer, the family, Gunnar and all friends. He was widely loved and an ambassador for Super Twin dragracing. Losing one off my best racefriends racing will never ever be the same for me again.
Gerard Willemse

It is hard to understand we will never see "Gotten" make another pass down the track. We spoke a few words the day before, it will never happen again...........
Pieter Hof
Netherlands

We gone miss you Svein. Rest in peace.
Gerd og Petter

Dragbike Club Denmark would like to extend their condolences to Anne, Gunnar and Sveins family. We were proud to have a dragracer of his kind driving in Denmark. Our deepest sympathies
Dragbike Club Denmark
Pia Dall Petersen

When we arrived at Mosten on Thursday I was over and talked to both Svein and Gunnar and everything was great, next day he was gone. Its unfair and hard to believe. Our thoughts are with you Anne, Gunnar and the rest of the family.
Team BikeLine Racing
Ulf Ögge
Sweden

We can`t believe this tragedy. It"s been hard to race against "GOTTEN", but its hard to accept that we never can do it again. We will miss one of the nicest Super Twin Racers!!
Our deepest sympathy to Anne,Gunnar and family. Only the forgotten ones are dead.
ACKA, Jörg, Sascha, Spatze, Matze, Olli, Siggi.

The National Association of Supertwins in England would like to extend their sympathy to all who have been affected by the sad loss of such a great drag racer - our thoughts are with you. On behalf of NAST

I met Svein many years ago at a "Midsummer Festival" race on my trip to Finland. Svein was quite young then and I can't remember what type of bike he was racing but I remember it being a V-Twin and I think I remember it running on nitro. I remember Svein being very pleasant, sincere and he seemed like a really nice guy. I saw him several more times in later years, mostly at races in the US. Each time we would see each other, we would talk and talk about Nitro Harleys and what was going on Here and in Europe.
From me, and all of Team Mancuso, we want Svein's family and the European racing community to accept our sincere condolences on such a tragic loss. Godspeed, Svein!!
Johnny Mancuso
Team Mancuso PowerSports

I used to work for Sunspot Productions and Lima Television as the production manager. Just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about Svein, I remember him as one the nicest drivers along with his partner Anne. Not only did he make my job that much easier as you know how difficult certain drivers can be, but he was very good to me helping me out when ever I needed it and taking that extra time to get to know me and explain things. I really mean it when I say what a lovely guy he was. It is indeed a tragedy.
Take care
Isabel Randisek
Production Manager
BITETV Ltd.

I have no words to describe how sorry I am for the loss of such a great person such as Svein was! Our thoughts go to Anne, his family and friends.

Siw & Tor Nystad

It seems like it could not have been possible to happen. Racer, who had so much positive influence in all the racers feelings at the pitlane, is gone. Svein was always sharing good vibrations with his smile and help. Even if there was hurry, like there very often is, he had time to chat and laugh. Also he was giving his best shot to make it possible to us and other racers to get their bikes to be ready for next run, even if it ment that he had to share his spare parts, tools, knowledge or hands. We will be missing him. Races will never be the same anymore, when he is not there.
Jaska Salakari and the Salakazi Racing Team

We are still in shock since we got the message at the drivers meeting at Alastaro on saturday morning . Nothing will ever be the same for anyone. Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time.
Carina Esa Daniel MarjaRacing, Team C70

It is always sad when a racer dies, but when a well repected and liked racer goes, doing what he enjoyed most, well, words fail.
Sincere condolences to family and friends and all who knew Gotten.
Tony Hodgson
Chairman
National Sprint Association Ltd

Last weekend in Mosten , we raced for the first time on the track with our Harley. Normally we just race the European series Top Gas. We didn’t know Svein personally, but enjoyed his runs in the Top Fuel class for several years.
At the start , we were standing in the line up. And of course we took a look at the brilliant V-twin machine from very close. When the burnout was being done right , many cameras flashed.
We were shocked to see what happened next…. Couldn’t believe it…..
Our thoughts go to the family and friends.
Respect
Dragteam The Route (Belgium) TG 533