History Driver 1980s

Pentti Airikkala

Overview

Finnish driver Pentti Airikkala spent much of his career in British rallying and achieved his greatest result near the end of the 1980s.

His late-career victory is more precise than describing him simply as a consistent threat throughout the decade.

🏆 Major Achievements

Won the 1979 British Rally Championship in a Vauxhall Chevette HS.
Won the 1989 RAC Rally with Ronan McNamee in a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4.
The RAC victory was his only WRC event win.

Vehicle Highlights

  • Vauxhall Chevette HSR: His signature car during much of the British rally scene in the early 1980s.
  • Opel Manta 400: Delivered strong results in Group B tarmac and gravel events during the mid-1980s.
  • Mitsubishi Galant VR-4: Drove this AWD turbocharged Group A car to victory at the 1989 RAC Rally.

Airikkala’s adaptability to rear-wheel drive and AWD platforms helped him compete across multiple rally eras with equal competence.

Driving Style & Legacy

Airikkala drove with calculated aggression and exceptional car control, especially on gravel. He was less flashy than some of his Finnish peers, but his technical mastery and focus made him highly effective. His legacy also includes the renowned rally driving school he ran in the UK, where he helped train future stars, including a young Colin McRae. Airikkala remains a symbol of persistence, skill, and dedication to the sport.

Watch rallies anywhere — bypass region blocks with NordVPN.

Fast servers for HD streams Servers in 60+ countries 30-day money-back

Sponsored link. Using our partner links helps support Compromised Internals at no extra cost to you.