History 1980s

1989 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1989 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Date: September 1–3, 1989

Start Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Finish Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Total Distance: 386 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1989 1000 Lakes Rally saw Juha Kankkunen dominate on home soil, flying through the forests of central Finland in spectacular fashion. Known for its incredible speed and rhythm, Finland’s rally rewarded bravery, knowledge, and flawless pacenotes. Kankkunen delivered all three in perfect balance, giving Toyota another major win and strengthening his title charge late in the season.

Route

Ouninpohja: Legendary stage with countless jumps and flat-out corners—perfect for experienced locals.
Lankamaa: Fast and flowing, with deep ruts forming by the second pass and minimal braking zones.
Ruuhimäki: Known for its dramatic finishing jump and long, sweeping approach roads.

The rally featured high-speed gravel routes through pine-lined forest roads with numerous jumps and crests:

Dry weather and firm surface conditions allowed drivers to push to the absolute limit—spectacular action was guaranteed throughout the weekend.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Toyota Celica GT-Four
2nd Place
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Lancia Delta Integrale
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four

Kankkunen’s performance was clinical and fearless—his speed over crests and commitment through the forests left no doubt who ruled the Finnish gravel.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Jump Management: Drivers needed perfect throttle control over crests—bad landings meant lost time or broken suspension.
  • Note Accuracy: Finland’s pace and blind corners made co-driver timing and pacenote quality absolutely vital.
  • Local Pressure: Kankkunen carried national expectations but delivered flawlessly under pressure.

The 1989 1000 Lakes Rally was a high-speed symphony of skill and trust—Kankkunen’s win was a showcase of fearless speed and perfect control on rallying’s most iconic gravel stage.

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