Obituary: Hannu Mikkola 1942 – 2021
www.wheelswithinwales.uk Obituary: Hannu Mikkola 1942 – 2021 Published: 4th March 2021 Author: Ken Davies Online version: https://www.wheelswithinwales.uk/obituary-hannu-mikkola-1942-2021/ Finland’s Hannu Mikkola, who died on 26 February aged 78, was one of the most successful and versatile international rally drivers during a 31-year career in a variety of cars from Volvo PV544 to state-of-the-art Group B Audi S1 and a few others in between, writes Ken Davies. Born 24 May 1942 at Joensuu, Finland, like many Scandinavian drivers of his period, Hannu started competing in a Volvo PV544 but by the 1970s became associated with Ford, clinching the 1972 East African Safari Rally, not yet a WRC event, in an Escort RS. In 1974 he won his first championship rally, the daunting 1000 Lakes, again in an Escort. In www.wheelswithinwales.uk 1975 he triumphed in Morocco, co-driven by current FIA president Jean Todt, in a Peugeot 504, before winning another 1000 Lakes, this time at the wheel of his Toyota Corolla. In 1977 Hannu hooked-up with Swedish co-driver Arne Hertz and the duo was immediately successful in a partnership that would endure for 13 years, initially with his own team using Toyotas and Peugeots, and then in 1978 as a Ford works crew, winning the British Rally Championship in an Escort. In 1979 he made a serious challenge for the World Rally Championship title, ultimately While he was in the works Ford finishing runner-up, just one point behind Ford team, Hannu visited the Bridgend team-mate Björn Waldegård and in 1980 was Engine plant and stayed at the runner-up with Ford again to Röhrl’s Fiat.
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