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In the early years of the championship, Corsica was so specialized event that only french drivers were considered to have any chance of a success there. That magic has since dissipated but high-speed Rally Finland has seen only handfull of non-scandinavian winners over the years. Besides finns, swedes were only ones to score wins before Carlos Sainz made history in 1990 by winning both this famous event and a place in the hearts of finnish fans.
What exactly it is that makes this rally so difficult? There are three major factors which are in no particular order: numerous crests and yumps, high speeds and strong local entries. Besides Safari, Finland has been fastest rally of them all over the years. Roads are smooth, allowing very wide lines and super-fast top speeds.
But yumps are what make Finland famous. Over blind crest at high speed where cars frequently are in the air, being on correct line is absolutely vital as after take-off car is not under control. Rally Finland has been dubbed "Grand Prix on gravel roads" for apparent reasons. Hesitate once and you can say goodbye to any success, sprint nature of this rally means that a dozen competitors just went past you.
Last but not the least difficulty is what is known as the finnish "rally mafia". This small nation has produced more WRC winners and champions than any other, effectively meaning that for every foreign entrant there is one seasoned and skilled finn. On top of that, they know this event inside out.
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Rally plate with oil company Neste as title sponsor, used 1994 - 2006.
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| 1973:
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Makinen, Timo
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Ford Escort RS1600
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105.57 km/h
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| 1974:
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Mikkola, Hannu
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Ford Escort RS1600
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107.51 km/h
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| 1975:
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Mikkola, Hannu
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Toyota Corolla
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99.80 km/h
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| 1976:
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Alen, Markku
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Fiat 131 Abarth
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102.60 km/h
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| 1977:
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Hamalainen, Kyosti
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Ford Escort RS1800
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102.12 km/h
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| 1978:
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Alen, Markku
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Fiat 131 Abarth
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105.06 km/h
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| 1979:
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Alen, Markku
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Fiat 131 Abarth
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105.73 km/h
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| 1980:
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Alen, Markku
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Fiat 131 Abarth
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106.97 km/h
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| 1981:
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Vatanen, Ari
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Ford Escort RS
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106.69 km/h
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| 1982:
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Mikkola, Hannu
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Audi quattro
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109.04 km/h
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| 1983:
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Mikkola, Hannu
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Audi quattro A2
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107.48 km/h
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| 1984:
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Vatanen, Ari
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Peugeot 205 Turbo 16
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110.27 km/h
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| 1985:
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Salonen, Timo
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Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
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108.57 km/h
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| 1986:
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Salonen, Timo
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Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2
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107.69 km/h
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| 1987:
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Alen, Markku
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Lancia Delta HF 4WD
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95.97 km/h
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| 1988:
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Alen, Markku
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Lancia Delta Integrale
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108.10 km/h
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| 1989:
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Ericsson, Mikael
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Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
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108.03 km/h
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| 1990:
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Sainz, Carlos
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Toyota Celica GT-4 (ST165)
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112.69 km/h
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| 1991:
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Kankkunen, Juha
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Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v
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113.61 km/h
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| 1992:
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Auriol, Didier
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Lancia Delta HF Integrale
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115.45 km/h
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| 1993:
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Kankkunen, Juha
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Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD (ST185)
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115.41 km/h
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| 1994:
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Makinen, Tommi
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Ford Escort RS Cosworth
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114.58 km/h
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| 1996:
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Makinen, Tommi
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III
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117.05 km/h
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| 1997:
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Makinen, Tommi
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV
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116.62 km/h
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| 1998:
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Makinen, Tommi
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Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
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117.02 km/h
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| 1999:
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Kankkunen, Juha
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Subaru Impreza WRC99
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119.82 km/h
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| 2000:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Peugeot 206WRC (2000)
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121.46 km/h
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| 2001:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Peugeot 206WRC (2001)
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119.99 km/h
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| 2002:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Peugeot 206WRC (2002)
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121.80 km/h
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| 2003:
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Martin, Markko
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Ford Focus RS WRC 03
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121.62 km/h
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| 2004:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Peugeot 307WRC
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114.51 km/h
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| 2005:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Peugeot 307WRC Evo2
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122.86 km/h
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| 2006:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Ford Focus RS WRC 06
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122.06 km/h
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| 2007:
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Gronholm, Marcus
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Ford Focus RS WRC 07
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121.85 km/h
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Rally is fast, yes, but yumping is what Rally Finland is all about.
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On the very fast roads drivers are constantly on the limit and at times a over the edge. Sainz with Corolla WRC in 1999 slightly too fast on junction.
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In nail-biting fights every inch of the road and routinely even inches outside the road are used to improve times.
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Driver wins
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Gronholm, Marcus (7)
Alen, Markku (6)
Makinen, Tommi (4)
Mikkola, Hannu (4)
Kankkunen, Juha (3)
Salonen, Timo (2)
Vatanen, Ari (2)
Auriol, Didier (1)
Ericsson, Mikael (1)
Hamalainen, Kyosti (1)
Makinen, Timo (1)
Martin, Markko (1)
Sainz, Carlos (1)
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Manufacturer wins
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Ford (8)
Peugeot (8)
Fiat (4)
Lancia (4)
Mitsubishi (4)
Toyota (3)
Audi (2)
Subaru (1)
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