History 1960s

1960 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Known for its blinding speeds and airborne crests, the 1960 1000 Lakes Rally was Finland’s crown jewel of motorsport. Taking place on loose gravel through thick forests and lakeside trails, the rally demanded a perfect balance of bravery, throttle control, and local road knowledge.

Event Name: 1960 1000 Lakes Rally (Jyväskylän Suurajot)

Date: August 1960

Start/Finish Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Total Distance: Approximately 1,800 kilometers

Surface: Predominantly gravel and forest roads

Entrants: Around 100 crews

Route

Gravel High-Speed Sections: Long straights with minimal braking zones.

Jumps and Crests: Frequent blind rises challenged suspension and driver reflexes.

Forest Tunnels: Narrow tracks through tree-lined corridors required laser-precise navigation.

The rally was based in central Finland and crisscrossed the region’s dense woods and rural countryside. Local drivers held an edge due to their instinctive familiarity with high-speed jumps, pace timing, and road surface changes.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

Esko Keinänen · Škoda Octavia TS

2nd Place

Eino Lahti · Škoda Octavia

3rd Place

Rainer Eklund · Saab 93

Esko Keinänen mastered the flying gravel and flowing forest roads in his Škoda Octavia TS, securing a landmark win for the Czech manufacturer against a field of more powerful rivals.

Navigation & Challenges

The 1960 1000 Lakes Rally showcased the raw essence of rallying — fast, fearless, and unforgiving — a proving ground for Finnish legends and a test few could conquer cleanly.

Blind Jumps: Timing and bravery were essential to land straight and carry momentum.
Gravel Slip: Drivers had to master controlled oversteer and weight transfer to maintain speed.
Variable Grip: Changing weather and soft shoulders could catch out even the best crews.

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