History 1970s

1975 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 25th 1000 Lakes Rally

Date: August 29–31, 1975

Host Country: Finland

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~1,300 km

Total Starters: 91 crews

Total Finishers: 44 crews

The 1975 1000 Lakes Rally—Finland’s flagship rally event—delivered its trademark spectacle of flat-out forest stages and massive jumps. Hannu Mikkola, already a legend on home soil, returned with Atso Aho and the upgraded Ford Escort RS1800. Their victory came through a combination of blistering pace, fearless driving, and machine control over some of the most demanding gravel roads in the world.

Route

Ouninpohja: Legendary for its speed, jumps, and rhythm—one of the most iconic rally stages worldwide.
Lankamaa: A flowing and technical challenge requiring pinpoint braking and clean lines.
Saarijärvi: Tight forest corridors with sudden dips and blind junctions testing co-driver reaction time.

Based out of Jyväskylä, the rally’s stages snaked through Finland’s lake region with high-speed forest routes filled with crests, jumps, and sudden corner changes.

Cool late summer weather made for ideal driving conditions, with minimal dust and consistent grip on the loose surfaces.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Hannu Mikkola & Atso Aho · Ford Escort RS1800
2nd Place
Timo Mäkinen & Henry Liddon · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye

Mikkola’s victory further entrenched his status as the master of Finnish gravel, while the RS1800 platform proved its world-class competitiveness ahead of its WRC prime.

Navigation & Challenges

  • High-Speed Jumps: Perfect pacenote timing was critical to land safely and maintain momentum.
  • Gravel Consistency: Crews had to adjust quickly between soft edges and hard-packed central lines.
  • Rhythm and Flow: Finland’s unique pace meant one missed call or hesitation could result in massive time loss—or retirement.

The 1975 1000 Lakes Rally highlighted everything that makes Finnish rallying iconic—and Mikkola once again delivered a masterclass in high-speed gravel dominance.

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