History 1980s

1986 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1986 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Date: August 29–31, 1986

Start Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Finish Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Total Distance: 478 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

Finland’s legendary 1000 Lakes Rally once again delivered high-speed thrills, massive jumps, and precise rhythm. Markku Alén, at home on these blisteringly fast stages, combined local knowledge with the Peugeot 205 T16’s agility to fend off a talented field and claim victory. His performance on familiar ground highlighted the razor-edge commitment required to win in the land of crests and corners.

Route

Ouninpohja: Iconic and deadly—flat-out jumps, blind crests, and unforgiving high-speed descents.
Laukaa: Fast and smooth with sweeping rhythm-based sections ideal for experienced Finnish drivers.
Ruuhimäki: Natural jumps and cambered bends challenged suspension setup and throttle control.

The rally featured Finland’s signature mix of flow, precision, and bravery:

Weather was dry and consistent, making maximum attack viable for those willing to push the limits with courage and trust in their pacenotes.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Peugeot 205 T16
2nd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Peugeot 205 T16
3rd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Audi Quattro E2

Alén’s victory gave the home fans a reason to cheer, as he held off Kankkunen in a tight intra-team battle while demonstrating total mastery of Finland’s flowing stages.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Absolute Commitment: Many corners and jumps were taken flat-out based solely on pacenote memory.
  • Jump Management: Drivers had to position cars perfectly on takeoff to avoid loss of control on landing.
  • Home Pressure: For Finnish drivers, the rally was both a showcase and a proving ground—with no margin for error.

The 1986 1000 Lakes Rally rewarded bravery, rhythm, and precision—and Markku Alén delivered all three in a flawless performance before an ecstatic home crowd.

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