History 1970s

1978 Hankiralli (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1978 Hankiralli

Date: February 17–19, 1978

Host Country: Finland

Surface: Snow

Total Distance: ~1,050 km

Total Starters: Approx. 85 crews

Total Finishers: N/A

The 1978 Hankiralli, also known as the 'Snow Rally,' brought fierce competition to the snow-covered backroads of central Finland. Markku Alén, partnered with Ilkka Kivimäki, showed both speed and control in his Fiat 131 Abarth, outpacing a strong field of local specialists to take an impressive win for Fiat on a surface traditionally dominated by Scandinavian drivers.

Route

Jyväskylä Loops: High-speed forest stages with deep snow and sweeping bends.
Keuruu and Jämsä Regions: Tight technical sections requiring delicate throttle control and smooth weight transfer.
Night Sections: Foggy visibility and icy transitions kept co-driver precision and headlight performance crucial.

Based around Jyväskylä, the rally featured a mix of classic Finnish winter stages—fast, flowing, and lined with snowbanks that punished any mistake.

Stable winter weather allowed studded tires to bite into compact snow, providing excellent grip—but only to those who could maintain momentum and commit through blind crests.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Atso Aho · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Timo Salonen & Seppo Harjanne · Datsun 160J

Alén’s commanding pace and the Fiat’s growing reputation in winter conditions helped the Italian brand achieve a rare snow rally victory against a stacked Finnish lineup.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Snowbank Management: Driving close to the edges helped cornering but left no room for error in high-speed turns.
  • Temperature Effects: Extreme cold impacted tire pressure, oil viscosity, and crew stamina on long stints.
  • Pace vs. Patience: Finding the right rhythm was essential—too aggressive, and the snow would bite back.

The 1978 Hankiralli was a major winter win for Fiat and Alén—proving they could challenge the Nordic elite even in their own snowy backyard.

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