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The rally second Hannu Mikkola (right) and winner Walter Röhrl in Monte Carlo 1982
Photo:
picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS
With 123 world championship appearances, 18 overall victories and the world championship title in the Audi quattro, Hannu Mikkola was one of the big names in the rally scene.
Now the Finn died of cancer at the age of 78.
This was announced by his two sons, and the umbrella organization of the World Rally Championship published an obituary.
“Most know him as a rally great in the golden years of the sport.
For me he was the father - and an incredible one, ”tweeted his son Vesa.
The "flying Finn", as Mikkola was also known, was a nickname given to several Finnish athletes who were known for their speed.
This made Mikkola one of the defining figures in rallying well into the 1980s.
During this time he was one of the great rivals of the two-time rally world champion Walter Röhrl.
In the two World Cup triumphs of the Regensburger in 1980 and 1982, the Scandinavian took second and third place.
In 1983, Mikkola became the longest-serving driver, at the age of 41, in an Audi himself.
He was also the first driver to win the World Rally Championship in a four-wheel drive car.
After Audi left, he started for Mazda, but was never able to win another championship round.
In 1993, Mikkola made his last World Championship appearance in a Toyota.
In 2011 he was inducted into the Rally Hall of Fame.
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mjm / sid