A role model with a clear focus

By Odd Borgestrand

Rigorous and fully focus on the task is a prerequisite for success. In addition, it is important for me to be a role model for youth by having clear goals for their own lives and engagement for children and young people in developing countries. For me it means specifically to support health and education for street children in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

21 year old Eyvind Brynildsen follows in his father's footsteps. He is today one of Norway's leading rallydrivers, just like his father was 10 years ago. The last 4 years he has worked as an operator on Wirtgen machines in his father's company Asfalt Remix AS, and the job calls for a lifestyle.

His dream

is to make the best possible in both World Rally Championship (WRC) and the firm, so that his performance also can generate greater commitment and focus on education and health for children and young people in the developing world.

First machine from Wirtgen

came to Asfalt Remix when the company started in 1995. It was a W 500, and today the company has 5 machines of the type, which is now called W 50 DC.

The first year of operations the company purchased two machines before they had secured a job, but progress has been very good and today Asfalt Remix has 15 Wirtgen-machines in various sizes from W 35 DC to W 2000.

"We have tried the competitors, but there is no doubt about which brand is best. We find that Wirtgen is an open organization and we feel as a part of the group”, says managing director Per Erik Brynildsen.

The few times it has been problems operating, Wirtgen company has always been there to solve the problems, either in Norway or Germany. The company is open to proposals for development and improvements. Eyvind is running a W 50 DC, and it is a enjoying working with.

"The nivelleringen on this machine is incredibly accurate with their data management", he says.

Transition

from a Wirtgen W 50 DC to a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 9 may seem enormous, but Eyvind believes the common features are many. In both systems is the high teck. It's about precision and concentration. It's about using a short time and deliever the best results, - but there is something faster in a rally track.
There are always different missions to perform. No day is equal to the other. There are major challenges both in my daily work and rally. You seldom have two options. You must do the job correctly on the first try”, he emphasizes.

The aid and mission

The main reason for involvement in Ethiopia is that the family and our company has the opportunity to support a specific project in Ethiopia. An uncle of Eyvind has been engaged in work among street children in the capital Addis Ababa for the past 10 years, and today it is built up a large work in cooperation with the Evangelical Church in Addis Ababa.

Approximately 20,000 children and young people are rescued from an unworthy life on the streets during these years, and many sponsors in Scandinavia helps through this project, called Hope for Children.

We are located in different areas in the world, and my position is to be a role model and make an effort for children and young people, says Eyvind.

Asfalt Remix has over the years supported development and mission projects in Asia, Africa and South America. It is important that we have close monitoring of the projects we are engaged in. We must have a heart for what we do, and not just "buy us good conscience", says father Per Erik Brynildsen.

Rally around the world

Now Eyvind will concentrate even more on the rally. As a 15-year-old, he became the Scandinavian champion in go-cart, and 17 years old, he started with racing. The first year he drove into five victories in Sweden, and 18 years old he made his debut in WRC in Rally Sweden.

In 2007 he was No. 2 in both Rally Norway and Rally Catalonia in Spain and No. 4 in Rally Sweden. 2008-season was no success, until he came back with a win in the Norwegian championship at the end of the year. I started this season with a 2nd place in Rally Norway, and now I`m in the lead of the Norwegian championship after three out of eight rounds. Now it is fully focus on the World Cup rounds in Portugal, Argentina, Italy, Australia and Wales. The goal is to take points in all the World Cup rounds, and then we may end up with a top three-position. "But first I have to drive”, emphasizes the young and sympathetic rally-driver.

Between WRC-rounds

the rally driver will continue on his Wirtgen W 50 DC, but it had been fun to have the Wirtgen logo on the white rally car. It will remind me that I have a job at home, and equipment I am proud to serve. Then I'm happy to promote it on TV stations around the world also”, he says with a smile.