History 1970s

1974 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 24th 1000 Lakes Rally

Date: August 2–4, 1974

Host Country: Finland

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: 363.8 km (competitive)

Total Starters: 96 crews

Total Finishers: 49 crews

The 1974 1000 Lakes Rally showcased Finland’s signature rallying spectacle—ultra-fast gravel stages, countless jumps, and breathtaking forest scenery. Hannu Mikkola, a local hero, dominated the rally alongside British co-driver John Davenport, combining fearless speed with perfect pace note execution in the ever-trusty Ford Escort RS1600 Mk I. Their performance cemented Mikkola’s status as one of Finland’s all-time greats.

Route

Ouninpohja: Legendary stage filled with high-speed jumps and technical crests.
Lankamaa: Smooth-flowing gravel with sweeping bends and quick direction changes.
Saarijärvi: Mixed-speed terrain testing both bravery and balance through tight forests.

The rally ran through the Finnish lake district, based around Jyväskylä, featuring fast-flowing gravel roads, crests, and unforgiving corners that demanded absolute precision at high speeds.

Dry conditions allowed for maximum pace across most stages, but the ever-present dust clouds posed visibility hazards for following crews.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & John Davenport · Ford Escort RS1600 Mk I
2nd Place
Timo Mäkinen & Henry Liddon · Ford Escort RS1600 Mk I
3rd Place
Simo Lampinen & Johnstone Syer · Lancia Beta Coupé

Mikkola’s familiarity with Finland’s terrain and Davenport’s smooth coordination allowed them to dominate the event from early stages, leading a Ford 1–2 and holding off strong challenges from Lancia and Saab drivers.

Navigation & Challenges

  • High-Speed Crests: Perfect pacenote timing was essential to avoid overshooting or launching into ditches.
  • Ruts and Dust: Deepening gravel ruts and lingering dust clouds caused difficulty for cars running further back.
  • Jump Landings: Incorrect angles could destroy suspensions or send cars spinning off course.

The 1974 1000 Lakes Rally reaffirmed Finland’s status as the ultimate test of gravel rallying—and Mikkola’s brilliance lit up the forests in a crowd-pleasing home victory.

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