Simo Lampinen

Lampinen's Triumph TR7 of the 1978 RAC Rally driven at the Race Retro 2008. Simo Lampinen (born 22 June 1943) is a Finnish former rally driver, and one of the first of the "Flying Finns" who came to dominate the sport.

Biography

Lampinen was born in Porvoo. Having contracted polio at a young age, he was left with a pronounced limp, and as a result he was granted a driving licence aged 17 so he could travel to and from school more easily. He quickly graduated to competitive driving, and won the Finnish Rally Championship twice in succession in 1963 and 1964.

Lampinen's early victories were in the Saab 96, before being lured to Lancia in 1970 where he continued his winning ways. He also drove for Peugeot, Fiat and Triumph, though without the same success.

More recently, Lampinen has been Clerk of the Course at the Rally Finland, the event he won three times himself, and he has also assisted Saab in two racing events; their Saab 900 Talladega Challenge in Alabama in 1996 where several speed records were set, and the 2000 Pikes Peak race, when Per Eklund won in a race-prepped Saab 9-3 Viggen.

International victories

1963 13th 1000 Lakes Rally (Saab 96)

1964 14th 1000 Lakes Rally (Saab 96)

1968 17th RAC Rally (Saab 96 V4)

1970 3º TAP Rallye de Portugal (Lancia Fulvia)

1972 15ème Rallye du Maroc (Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF) 22nd 1000 Lakes Rally (Saab 96 V4)

Complete IMC results Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1970 Lancia HF Squadra Corse Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF MONRet SWERet ITARet KENRet AUTRet GRE GBRRet 1971 Lancia HF Squadra Corse Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF MON6 SWE ITARet KENRet MAR AUT GRE3 GBR6 1972 Lancia HF Squadra Corse Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF MON4 SWE KEN MAR1 GRE2 AUTRet ITARet USA GBR5