In Memory of Stig Pettersson
December 21st 2022
We are saddened to announce the passing of our former colleague, Stig Pettersson. Stig was a valued member of the Öhlins family for almost 40 years, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and associates within the motorsport community.
A respected figure in motocross, off-road, and road racing, Stig was instrumental in forming the racing heritage that defines Öhlins to this day. After setting his personal racing ambitions aside in the late 1970s, Stig decided to pursue a career on the technical side of racing. He started off as the mechanic for World Motocross Champion Brad Lackey before joining Öhlins in 1983, when he was hired to be the suspension technician for Yamaha’s Motocross and Road Racing teams.
Over the following decades, Stig remained under contract with Öhlins USA, fine-tuning the suspension of some of the world’s top racing teams, including Fast by Ferrachi, Team Muzzy, Erion Racing, Ducati Austin, Vance & Hines, Yoshimura Suzuki, M4 Racing, Team Michael Jordan, and Team Corona. In 1990, using the knowledge and experience he gained from the racing circuits, Stig opened his own Öhlins dealership and service center, Pettersson Pro Suspension, in Anaheim, California.
In 2010, Stig accepted a full-time position at Öhlins USA and relocated to Hendersonville, North Carolina, where he stayed until his retirement in 2020. In addition to working with their team of motocross and off-road technicians, Stig lent his expertise to support with training programs and the development of new suspension components.
When remembering Stig, Kenth Öhlin said: “Stig was a beloved colleague who will be remembered for his technical gifts and contributions to the long legacy of racing at Öhlins. He devoted his career to helping all racers and riders, from everyday motorcyclists to World Superbike Champions, get the most out of their Öhlins suspension.”
At this time, our thoughts go out to Stig’s loved ones and everyone who had the pleasure of working with him.
More, from Stig Pettersson’s official obituary:
Stig Pettersson 4/22/43-12/18/22
Stig “Stiggy” Goran Pettersson died peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 18th, 2022 in Woodruff, South Carolina. He was 79 years old.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Deborah, his children Yvette Frost, Richard Jeffrey, Scott Pettersson, and his wife Stacey, and his son-in-law Lars Sjolander, his siblings Rolf Pettersson, Olle Pettersson, Ake Pettersson and Inga Schmidt as well as nine beloved grandchildren, cherished nieces and nephews and many life-long friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Gustav and Elsa Pettersson, his sister May Nilsson, and his daughter Malin Sjolander.
He was born in Strangnas, Sweden on April 22nd, 1943 to Gustav Pettersson and Elsa Selin Pettersson. In 1986, Stig moved to the United States as a permanent resident, settling in California. He married Deborah in 1988 and they settled in Orange County, CA. The couple enjoyed spending time with family and friends and traveling the beautiful USA and the world together.
He was a respected figure in the motocross, off-road, and road racing community. He started his career as a mechanic for World Motocross Champion Brad Lackey, he was then hired as the Öhlins suspension technician for Yamaha’s Motocross and Road Racing teams. He went on to fine-tune the suspension for some of the world’s top racing teams and in 1990 he and Deborah opened Pettersson Pro Suspension (PPS) in Anaheim, CA. In 2010 they-closed up shop and moved to North Carolina where Stig continued his career at Öhlins until retiring in 2020. They just recently relocated to South Carolina.
Stiggy will be remembered by his family and friends as a kind, honest, gentle and humble person and he will be missed by many people around the world.
A celebration of life is scheduled for his family, friends and colleagues on Saturday, January 21st, at 12:00pm and will be held at Öhlins USA, 703 S. Grove Street Hendersonville, NC 28792. Another celebration of life will be held in California on Saturday, February 4th at 12:00pm at Marina Pacifica Clubhouse, 6201 E. 2nd Street Long Beach, CA 90803. The family invites you to attend the celebrations of Stig’s extraordinary life.
The family would like to thank everyone for the condolences and kind words they’ve received. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to help with Stig’s medical costs and end of life expenses via PayPal @deborahpettersson or to a charity of your choice in Stig’s name.
