History 1990s

1992 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1992 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)

Date: August 27–30, 1992

Start Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Finish Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Total Distance: 482.42 km of special stages

Surface: Gravel

The 1992 1000 Lakes Rally, famed for its high speeds and massive jumps, saw Finnish legend Markku Alén roll back the years with a spectacular win on home soil. Driving the Subaru Legacy RS, Alén and co-driver Ilkka Kivimäki attacked the flowing forest stages with authority and style. It was a momentous breakthrough for Subaru, marking their first WRC victory and signaling the rise of a new contender in world rallying.

Route

Ouninpohja: The rally’s most iconic stage—full of rhythm, crests, and commitment. A true driver’s test.
Lankamaa and Vaheri: High-speed gravel sweepers with soft shoulders—punished the slightest misjudgment.
Ruuhimäki: Narrower and twistier but with some of the biggest jumps of the rally—car control under pressure was essential.

The rally wound through central Finland’s lakes and woods, featuring fast gravel roads, blind crests, and precision jumps:

Dry weather allowed maximum attack throughout, with average stage speeds approaching 130 km/h. Alén’s fearlessness and experience made all the difference.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Markku Alén & Ilkka Kivimäki · Subaru Legacy RS
2nd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Celica GT-Four ST185
3rd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Piironen · Lancia Delta HF Integrale

The victory was not only a personal triumph for Alén, but a defining moment for Subaru—firmly establishing the Japanese manufacturer as a serious force in WRC competition.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Jump Accuracy: Finnish stages required absolute belief in pacenotes—incorrect jump speed or line could ruin a run.
  • Flow Maintenance: Rally Finland is about momentum—drivers who braked too often lost seconds every kilometer.
  • High-Speed Courage: The 1000 Lakes separates the brave from the bold—Alén knew every crest, every cut, every risk worth taking.

The 1992 1000 Lakes Rally was a perfect storm of speed, local knowledge, and breakthrough performance—Markku Alén and Subaru delivered one for the history books.

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