Bengt Ronald "Ronnie" Peterson is considered to be one of the best Formula 1 drivers of the 1970s. The Swede joined the top tier of motorsports in 1970 and already the year following clinched the runner-up spot in the fight for the World Championship title. In the 1973 season he achieved third place and his team colleagues included names, such as Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi and Jacky Ickx. He demonstrated his great flexibility by also participating in the DRM (German Motor Racing Championship). In the 1977 season he entered the starting grid in group 5 behind the wheel of the 300 h.p. BMW 320. Ronnie Peterson had taken part in more than 120 Formula 1 races when in September 1978, through no fault of his own, his racing career was brought to an abrupt end after becoming involved in a multiple-car pile-up.