History 1970s

1979 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 29th 1000 Lakes Rally

Date: August 24–28, 1979

Host Country: Finland

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~1,600 km

Total Starters: Approx. 120 crews

Total Finishers: 54 crews

The 1000 Lakes Rally, now known as Rally Finland, is famed for its high-speed gravel roads and airborne crests. The 1979 edition lived up to its reputation, with lightning-fast stages and precision pacenoting separating the best from the rest. Local favorite Markku Alén, with co-driver Ilkka Kivimäki, delivered a stunningly fast and controlled drive in their Fiat 131 Abarth, winning against one of the strongest lineups of the season on home soil.

Route

Ouninpohja: Fast crests and tight landings demanded bravery and precise pacenotes.
Lankamaa & Laukaa: Flowing corners and thick forests at full throttle made for thrilling competition.
Ruuhimäki: Famous for its final jump and flat-out approach—ideal for photo finishes and split-second time gaps.

Based in Jyväskylä, the route flew through central Finland’s forests and countryside, with classic stages like Ouninpohja, Laukaa, and Ruuhimäki testing commitment and rhythm.

Conditions were near-perfect: dry, hard-packed gravel and long summer days provided maximum grip and visibility across all stages.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Fiat 131 Abarth
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Ford Escort RS1800
3rd Place
Ari Vatanen & Peter Bryant · Ford Escort RS1800

Alén’s superior commitment and deep local knowledge gave him the edge over Mikkola and Vatanen, with near-flawless stage times and maximum attack over every crest.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Flat-Out Rhythm: High average speeds demanded precise notes and trust between driver and co-driver.
  • Jumps & Compression: Long airborne sections stressed suspension setups and landing alignment.
  • Split-Second Margins: Dozens of stage wins were decided by under a second—mistakes were costly and rare.

The 1979 1000 Lakes Rally was a showcase of Finnish rally mastery—Markku Alén’s fearless commitment and car control made him untouchable on the world’s fastest gravel rally.

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