History 1990s

1998 Rally Finland – 1000 Lakes (Finland)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1998 Rally Finland – 1000 Lakes (Finland)

Date: August 21–23, 1998

Start Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Finish Location: Jyväskylä, Finland

Total Distance: ~1,370 km (full route)

Competitive Stages: 340.00 km

Surface: Gravel

The 1998 Rally Finland delivered its usual spectacle of blistering speeds, massive jumps, and precision cornering. Known as the fastest rally on the WRC calendar, the event demanded absolute commitment from every driver. Tommi Mäkinen, a Finnish rally legend, put in a stunning performance in front of his home fans to claim another win on the roads he knew best. His smooth driving and faultless pace notes gave him the edge over a fiercely competitive field.

Route

Ouninpohja: Legendary for its high speeds and frequent jumps, requiring maximum bravery and razor-sharp reflexes.
Lankamaa: A mix of technical and flowing sections, testing the balance between aggression and precision.
Ruuhimäki: Short but fast, with multiple blind crests and final jump finishes that tested landing stability.

Held in the forests and lake regions surrounding Jyväskylä, Rally Finland featured iconic stages such as:

Perfect summer conditions contributed to fast stage times, while the smooth gravel surface rewarded cars with excellent suspension geometry and downforce efficiency.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Tommi Mäkinen & Risto Mannisenmäki · Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
2nd Place
Juha Kankkunen & Juha Repo · Ford Escort WRC
3rd Place
Carlos Sainz & Luis Moya · Toyota Corolla WRC

Mäkinen’s control over Finland’s demanding layout made the difference, with his perfect landings and flat-out pace on the jumps allowing him to edge out local rival Kankkunen and title contender Sainz.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Jump Timing: Rally Finland's signature jumps required total trust between driver and co-driver for safe landings.
  • Line Discipline: Corners often began just after crests, forcing drivers to commit without full sight of the turn.
  • Flat-Out Pacing: Unlike other rallies, Finland allowed little margin for hesitance — one lift off throttle could cost precious seconds.

The 1998 Rally Finland was a high-speed ballet through the woods, and Tommi Mäkinen once again proved he was the undisputed master of rallying at full throttle.

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