Retro: The story of a great Finnish pilot, but not the one you think of

The 1970s were full of great talents. A rather forgotten period nowadays, it helped to define the world speed championship motorcyclist that we know today. Let us return, without further ado, to the story of one of the actors of this golden era, marked by the sweet song of the machines of the Continental Circus.

It all starts in Finland. Because yes, Teuvo 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 meets a certain Jarno Saarinen, who also develops his style on 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.

Quickly, he is stung. His future in the family funeral business gives him the time to devote himself to various challenges and disciplines. Thus, the duo Jarno and Teuvo are moving 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.

 

 

He decided, for the rest of his career, to continue with the tuning fork firm, which offers competitive machines with reasonable maintenance. He competed in 1970 in two categories, 125cc and 250cc, without much success. But things changed a year later. When he competes in the 350cc races, he feels 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 another in 350cc, in addition to demonstrating regularity and versatility. Certainly, impossible to compare him to his great friend Jarno (titled that year) but everyone recognizes the talent and character of Länsivuori. Thanks to these convincing results, he was contacted by Yamaha through the Finnish importer, Arwidson. This takes Finnish to another dimension. He joins his friend, also riding Yamahas from the same group. Isn't destiny incredible?

 

 

The start of the season is going wonderfully for the two thieves, entered in 250cc and 350cc. While Jarno shines brightly in both categories, Teuvo performs honorably and even manages to get on the podium in Germany, alongside his friend.

Then comes the Grand Prix des Nations, at Monza. The departure, the fall of Renzo Pasolini. Screams. The fear. The world stoppage. Two great pilots had just left the world, provoking reactions all over the globe. Jarno Saarinen, considered a future legend, succumbed to his injuries leaving his friend, with whom it all started, alone. While Yamaha shows all its respect to the deceased and their families, Länsivuori wonders. A part of him had just died, right there, before his eyes. For a while, he went into a dark period and seriously considered stopping all forms of competition. And so what ? Why not try to honor the memory of your friend?

 

 

With barely credible determination, he decided to finish the season by remaining loyal to Yamaha. He was a different man from that moment on. Victory in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Sweden, whatever the category: he is racing for something bigger.

But there comes a round like no other. That of Imatra, in Finland, where it all began. Teuvo puts his emotions aside, and flies to one of the most symbolic victories in Grand Prix history. Everyone is behind him, including Dieter Braun, winner of a title he could have done without. A moment filled with emotions like few others during the Yamaha epic. “Tepi” finished second in the two championships in which he participated, punctuating this dark season with a good statistical record.

Freed from a weight, he raced again in the following years and managed to accumulate other good results for Yamaha. In 1974, he even placed third in the 500cc championship. Subsequently, he decided to go to Suzuki's heyday in 500cc, continuing to perform despite the change of machine. But his six years of good and loyal service, coupled with an extraordinary fraternal history make him a character apart in the history of Yamaha.

Did you know this story? Tell us in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: ANEFO