Finally ! The Finnish Grand Prix will finally return to the calendar next year. Initially announced for 2019, the newly built KymiRing facilities will finally be ready for 2020. But there was a time when Finland was a highlight of the championship.
Finland was a man's land. His territory, which he defended every year, and always emerged victorious. A King named Agostini. “Ago” has an absolutely staggering winning record: He won 16 races there, 12 more than his rival Mike Hailwood. This record of victories in 500CC – six victories – and in 350CC – six victories – is unmatched.
Moreover, the Italian holds the record for the number of victories in the same Grand Prix in the premier category, followed by Valentino Rossi who has eight victories in the Netherlands. Do you think that Marc Márquez, with his total of seven victories in Germany, will one day be able to get Ago? Probably, but the Nordic exploit does not stop there.
Agostini was untouchable in Finland. Photo: Panini
Carried by his legendary MV Agusta, he flew on the track. The Finnish Grand Prix passed through two locations. Firstly via the Pyynikki road circuit (also known as Tampere). This narrow and dangerous circuit hosted the World Cup tents two years in a row, in 1962 and 1963.
The first year, the British Allan Shepherd – on Matchless – took the best of the Swede Sven-Olof Gunnarsson and his Norton. This same Shepherd had to bow to the great “Mike the Bike” the following year.
For safety reasons, the circuit changes for the following years: the races will take place on the now legendary Imatra track. What follows is undivided Italian domination. From 1965 to 1973, Agostini won the prize. Nine victories in a row on the same track is unheard of. Only Phil Read managed to break the reign in 1974, also on MV Agusta while "the King" tried as best he could to make Yamaha's glory days.
In 1976, an exploit occurred. Non-factory rider Pat Hennen becomes the first American to win a 500CC Grand Prix, well before Roberts, Lawson and others. He then beat the local Teuvo Länsivuori, who could not have been the most delighted. The latter had won the 250CC round two years earlier, but never managed to win in the big ones.
Jarno Saarinen, Finnish legend was unfortunately never able to add his name to the prize list of his 500CC Grand Prix. The national hero managed to win the 250CC category in 1972, a year before his terrible accident.
Finnish driver Teuvo Länsivuori is much less known than his compatriot Saarinen. But he remains a triple vice-world champion in three different categories.
The circuit was rather successful for the French, since two different drivers won there in 250CC: Michel Rougerie in 1975 – winning the first of his three world victories – and Christian Sarron in 1982.
But even the best things come to an end. And although the circuit attracted its number of passionate spectators, the races were often decided in advance or not very interesting. Gaps of 20 or 40 seconds were commonplace on the track. In addition, the danger pushed the authorities to simply remove it from the calendar. Indeed, the 1982 edition saw the death of Jock Taylor, side car driver (which was then a category Grand Prix). The latter, entangled in a double accident on a wet track, was unable to escape.
Regardless, Finnish fans are waiting for the return of a round at home, and it will be done in the coming season. What can we hope for, other than a wonderful race in a wonderful country? Let's hope, however, that it brings luck to our French like back then... Fingers crossed.
Cover photo: Tom Margie
