Racing into Community Life

Engines roar, music plays, the scent of food trucks and grills fills the air, the announcer calls out a candy shower for children, and the crowd streams into Boden Motor Stadium under a warming late-summer sun. The folk racing competition Jocke’s Memorial Race attracts drivers from all over northern Sweden to Boden and is a festival for all ages. On this particular day, Michael Koegel became the first American ever to line up for a Swedish folk racing competition.

Michael’s Swedish motorsport journey began last winter, when he came from Sinton in southern Texas to Sävast in Boden. What brought the family here was his job offer as head of mechanical maintenance at the new steel plant Stegra, currently under construction in Boden.

The family – Michael, Rachel, and their two children, Charlotte and Morgan, arrived in the middle of winter, straight from 35°C heat to a sparkling cold Arctic winter.

They have bought a house here and are one of the growing number of families who are relocating for the first time to follow a family member offered a job within their expertise worldwide. The goal for both the municipality and Stegra is for as many as possible to choose to settle and stay in Boden. A crucial factor for families to thrive and remain is the reception they receive and how they integrate into life in Boden. Civil society, neighbors, schools, associations, and more play a decisive role in this.

AFTERWORK WITH ASSOCIATION INFO

The Koegel couple soon visited the recurring international afterwork in Boden. This time, among other things, it was announced that Boden would host the Swedish Rally Championship.

“I’ve always loved motorsport and raced Vintage racing in the USA. When I heard about the Boden rally, I was immediately interested and wanted to know if there was any way I could help.”

Through Boden’s municipal relocation service, Michael was connected with Norrbotten’s Motor Society (NMS) in Boden. It is a large and active association with a wide range for all ages and several different motor orientations.

For the Rally-SM, they needed many officials, and Michael was offered a position as a volunteer. To make it possible, the association arranged a separate official training in English, so he could receive and understand the information he needed.

“They made it super easy for me to understand the rules and how the rally works. I had never experienced rally before, and it was fantastic,” says Michael, who quickly took on his new winter assignment. He shares how his participation there led to new friends and that he has since been able to work in private garages and even ride along in rally competitions.

“I made friends there, and from there, doors just opened. The entire motor community has been extremely welcoming.”

FROM RALLY TO FOLKRACE

When folk racing started to be discussed, a new seed of curiosity was sown. Could he, as the first American, venture onto a Swedish folk racing track and nudge his way between experienced Norrbotten drivers who had lived with dented, repainted folk racing cars all their lives? Of course! The folk racing section of NMS Boden made sure to provide a car for training – he got one training session. Then both the track and car would rest until the competition.

Before he could get behind the wheel, a license was required, and once again, the association ensured that Michael received training in English. For the competition, the association had arranged loaner cars for beginners to test driving, also an active choice to broaden the sport and welcome more people.

On a windy late summer evening, a group of supportive motor enthusiasts gathered to instruct and encourage Michael as he was about to practice. It was a cautious start where he then increased the pace and accelerated so that the gravel flew and the tires screamed against the asphalt sections. When he finally stopped and got out of the car, it was with a blissful smile and an “This was awesome!”

TOWARDS NEW GOALS

A few days later, Michael was one of the first-time competitors in a real race. Despite experience with much faster and well-polished cars, the pulse was high. His wife and children were there. Neighbors and new friends were there to cheer him on. There was no victory on the podium this time, but Michael fought well and still became a hero, cheered on by both the audience and others in the pit. Now he is even more eager to continue with motorsport in Boden. He is fascinated by how the sport in Boden has been built around community and accessibility.

“I think it’s really cool that they manage to make racing cost-effective and create a community that everyone can be a part of. It’s very family-friendly, and I never thought you could do this in Boden.”