Our thanks goes to Neste Oil Rally of Finland for supplying the following information. Their website is locted at: http://www.nesteoilrallyfinland.fi Then click on "In English" to enter their website.
The Rally Hall of Fame was opened today in Finland with the induction of Erik Carlsson, Paddy Hopkirk, Rauno Aaltonen and Timo Mäkinen to its gallery. From 2010 onwards, each year a new rally legend will be announced to join the ranks in the Rally Hall of Fame in connection with Neste Oil Rally Finland.
The theme behind these initial nominations is to focus on the period when rallying evolved into a top line sport. All honourees starred in an era when speed on special stages became decisive in achieving success.
Rally Hall of Fame is an initiative of Finland´s Automobile Sport Federation and Mobilia, the country´s national speciality museum of the automobile and transport. Nominations to the Hall of Fame are made by an international Committee.
The theme behind these initial nominations is to focus on the period when rallying evolved into a top line sport. All honourees starred in an era when speed on special stages became decisive in achieving success.
Rally Hall of Fame is an initiative of Finland´s Automobile Sport Federation and Mobilia, the country´s national speciality museum of the automobile and transport. Nominations to the Hall of Fame are made by an international Committee.
The members of the Committee are Kari O. Sohlberg (FASF Chairman), Michele Mouton (Chairman of FIA´s Women & Motor Sport Commission), Neil Duncanson (CEO of World Rally Championship promoter), Martin Holmes (journalist) and Pekka Honkanen (Director, Sports Museum Foundation of Finland).
Rally Hall of Fame nominations in connection with Neste Oil Rally Finland
The selection and announcement of new members to the Rally Hall of Fame will be a new yearly tradition at Neste Oil Rally Finland, says Jani Backman, Secretary General of AKK-Motorsport. In each summer, another legendary rally star will join his peer in connection with rallying in Jyväskylä.
The principle of Rally Hall of Fame is to host an exhibition celebrating the careers of new inductees and also to keep material in custody for posterity. This together with archive material will form a collection that keeps growing with new nominations.
Rally Hall of Fame is projected as a global institution and will reflect worldwide achievement in the sport of rallying. The Hall of Fame Gallery is located in Mobilia Museum´s premises in Kangasala, some 20 kilometres east of Tampere. The opening ceremony was attended by approximately 400 people.
Rally Hall of Fame Inductees:
Erik Carlsson, Sweden
Perhaps the first internationally acclaimed rally star. Synonymous with Saab, he epitomized the underdog who beat bigger and more powerful cars by applying supreme skill and bravery. Major victories: Rally Monte Carlo in 1962 and 1963, 1000 Lakes Rally 1957, RAC Rally 1960, 1961 and 1962, Acropolis Rally 1961, Swedish Midnight Sun Rally 1959, etc.
Paddy Hopkirk, UK
Taking the Mini´s first Monte Carlo win in 1964 made him another early household name, although he had already been a successful works driver with Rootes and Standard Triumph. A great ambassador of the sport and versatile with different types of car. Other major victories: Acropolis Rally 1967, Coupe des Alpes 1967, Austrian Alpine Rally 1966, etc.
Rauno Aaltonen, Finland
The ultimate professional and one of the first "Flying Finns", who perhaps drove for more manufacturers than any of his contemporaries. Arguably the most successful rally driver of the 60´s. Major victories: Rally Monte Carlo1967, 1000 Lakes Rally1961, Spa-Sofia-Liege1964, RAC Rally1965, Geneva Rally 1965, also European Champion in that same year.
Timo Mäkinen, Finland
Completes the trio of swinging 60´s Mini Cooper legends. The most flamboyant driver of his generation and to several experts also the fastest. Still had remarkable success in the 70´s with Ford and Peugeot. Major victories: Rally Monte Carlo1965, Tulip Rally 1964, 1000 Lakes Rally 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1973, RAC Rally 1973, 1974 and 1975, Ivory Coast Rally 1976.
This page last updated on 1 May 2010