On the occasion of Yamaha's 65th anniversary, let's look back at six riders, who, in six different decades, made the tuning fork brand shine. Let's continue our exploration of the past with Teuvo Länsivuori. A very talented pilot with a poignant destiny.
Very objectively, Kenny Roberts is the worthy representative of the 1970s in this retrospective. But a lot of documentation is already available on “King Kenny”, remember, triple 500cc world champion on Yamahas only. Teuvo, unknown to most people, deserves his story and has his place in the history of Yamaha. Indeed, he shared its darkest hours.
It all starts in Finland. Because yes, Länsivuori is a native of the land of a thousand lakes, of Iisalmi more precisely. Very quickly interested in motorcycles and competition, he took part in ice racing, a popular sport in the North. There he met a certain Jarno Saarinen, who also developed his style on the frozen slopes. The two get along well, and quickly become friends. They were born only two days apart in the year 1945, a first sign of destiny in short.
Länsivuori is very little known, but had great talent. Here in front of Phil Read and Giacomo Agostini (!) at Assen in 1973. Photo: Bert Verhoeff – Anefo
Quickly, he is stung. His future in the family funeral business gives him time to devote himself to various challenges and disciplines. Thus, the duo Jarno and Teuvo moved towards track racing. He competed in small events on Montesa before participating in his first Grand Prix at Imatra in 1969, on a Yamaha TD2 250cc. He finished eighth, an honorable place for a debut at home.
For the rest of his career, he decided to continue with the tuning fork firm, which offers competitive machines with reasonable maintenance. He raced in 1970 in two categories, 125cc and 250cc, without much success but things changed a year later. When he competed in the 350cc races, he felt much more comfortable. Thus, he had a string of interesting results, winning the first race of his young career at Jarama in 1971.
“Tepi” is only progressing. In 1972, still on a private Yamaha, he scored a podium in 250cc and one in 350cc and demonstrated consistency and versatility. Certainly, impossible to compare him to his great friend Jarno (titled that year) but everyone recognized the talent and character of Länsivuori.
Jarno and Teuvo weren't done entertaining the crowds... But that will be for the second part.
