The four-time winner of the World Rally Championship is rightly called the âFlying Finnâ. The unique ability to feel the car and fly to the limit allowed the Finnish race car driver to leave a significant mark in the history of motorsport.
Biography
Tommy MÀkinen (Fin. Tommi Antero MÀkinen) was born on June 26, 1964 into a large family in the small town of Puppola, which is located on the outskirts of JyvÀskylÀ. The father of the Yucca MÀkinen family was a farmer, and Tommy was involved in agricultural work from a very young age.
Most of all he was interested in various farm equipment, and as soon as the boy had grown up enough, his father entrusted him with the control of the tractor. Since childhood, Tommy was surrounded by a variety of vehicles. The farm had mopeds, broken cars, combines and tractors.
The house was not far from the lake, and in winter it was possible to practice riding on ice. One of the neighboring guys rode his Saab 96 and gave a ride to 15-year-old MĂ€kinen. Tommy, who had never driven a car, was a few seconds faster on the first try. Even then, he had a unique ability to feel the car and fly to the brink.
After graduating from high school, Tommy MĂ€kinen began working on deforestation. This hard work paid well and allowed to save up money for a rally car.
In 1985, the future champion acquired the Ford Escort RS 2000 and immediately began to take part in races. The next year was very busy for the young rider. He constantly improved and went to the start in 20 races per season. Such a schedule allowed Myakinen to make useful acquaintances and even assemble a small team.
In the same year, a fateful meeting took place with rider Juha Kankkunen, who, after a series of tests, stated that Tommy Myakinen was an experienced and promising pilot.
Career
The first successes and self-confidence allowed Tommy Miakinen to build ambitious plans. The main goal was to win the Championship of Finland in the category N, as well as performances in the international rally.
These goals were achieved in 1988, but the long-awaited sponsors did not appear. To secure the opportunity to compete in a large number of international rallies, MĂ€kinen was forced to take a loan from a bank.
The turning point was 1989, when Timo Jouhki, a businessman from Helsinki, took over the financing. Tommy Myakinen took part in the FIA ââGroup N championship, piloting the Mitsubishi Galant Group N, and his experienced navigator was Seppo Haryanne. The rider took third place.
In 1991, a contract was signed with Nissan, but the company did not continue to participate in the World Rally Championship, and in 1994 Tommy MĂ€kinen, despite his excellent athletic form, played in the British Championship. According to the rider, he was ready to quit the rally.
The driver was lucky when Miki Biazion refused to perform at the Finland rally, and the Ford team needed a replacement. Driving a Ford Escort RS Cosworth MĂ€kinen won the WRC for the first time in his career.
In 1995, the Finnish driver signed a contract with Mitsubishi and began to dominate the WRC.
in 1996, Tommy Myakinen won the first title in two stages before the end of the season. The next 3 seasons, despite all sorts of difficulties, also ended in the victory of MĂ€kinen.
In 2000, the driver confidently went to the fifth title in his career, but he was let down by an unreliable car.
The last victory in the world rally championship took place in 2002 in the Monte Carlo Rally as part of the Subaru team.
Tommy MĂ€kinen ended his sports career in 2003 after the UK Rally. During this time, he went to the start 139 times at the stages of the WRC and won 24 victories. He managed to become the first in the Rally of Finland 5 times in a row and 4 times in the Monte Carlo Rally.
Victories at the WRC
After retirement
Having completed his racing career, Tommy MĂ€kinen created Tommi MĂ€kinen Racing. She is located in his hometown of Puuppola and is preparing a rally car in collaboration with Subaru. In 2005, the company was directly involved in the development of the Subaru WRX STISpec-C2006MY gr.N.
In 2015, the athlete himself took part in the tests of a new car. At the wheel of a Subaru WRX STi, he managed to set a new Nurburgring record.
Since 2017, he became the head of the Toyota rally team and was directly involved in the development of the Toyota Yaris WRC 2017.
Awards and titles
1988 - Finland rally champion (group N).
1996,1997,1998,1999 - World Rally Champion.
1999 - Winner of the "Nations Cup" in conjunction with J.J. Lehto and Kari Tiainen.
2000 - Winner of the "Race of Champions".
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 - The best rally driver according to AUTOSPORT magazine.