Former Toyota exec Andersson dies in rally

LONDON, June 11 (Reuters) - Former Toyota Formula One team principal Ove Andersson died in a car crash in South Africa on Wednesday while competing in a classic car rally, the Cologne-based Toyota team said.

The 70-year-old Swede, a former rally driver who led Toyota into Formula One in 2002, was driving a 1957 Volvo in the Milligan Vintage Trial when he was involved in a head-on collision on a blind corner.

"Everyone at Toyota is extremely shocked and truly saddened at this terrible news," said Toyota Motorsport chairman Tadashi Yamashina in a statement. "Ove was an inspiration to our team and to many in motorsport. His passion for motorsport was legendary and he is a great loss to our sport."

As a rally team boss, Andersson led Toyota to four drivers' and three manufacturers' titles in the world championship. He also guided them to second place in the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race in 1999 before taking the Japanese manufacturer into Formula One.

Andersson retired as team principal in 2003.