Heikki Mikkola
| Heikki Mikkola | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Born |
6 July 1945 (age 71) Mikkeli, Finland |
| Motocross career | |
| Years active | 1969 - 1979 |
| Teams | Husqvarna, Yamaha |
| Championships |
500cc - 1974, 1977, 1978 250cc - 1976 |
Heikki Antero Mikkola (born 6 July 1945) is a Finnish former professional motocross racer. He was a four-time World Champion.[1]
Born in Mikkeli, Finland, he became known as the "Flying Finn", and was characterized by a fierce, determined riding style. He was the first Finn to win a Motocross World Championship.[2] He won his first 500 cc Motocross World Championship on a Husqvarna in 1974, defeating the defending World Champion Roger DeCoster in what would be remembered as one of the tightest battles in motocross history.[3][4]
In 1976, he won the 250 cc World Championship, also aboard a Husqvarna, becoming the first person to win a 250 cc and a 500 cc Motocross World Championship. For the 1977 season, Mikkola was signed by Yamaha and he rewarded them with a 500 cc World Championship.[2] He repeated as 500 cc champion in 1978. After a fifth-place finish in the 1979 season, the 34-year-old Mikkola decided to retire. Throughout his entire racing career, Mikkola represented the Hyvinkää Motor Club (Hyvinkään Moottorikerho - HyMk). He currently enjoys retirement living in Finland. In 2006 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.[2]
Motocross Grand Prix Results
| Year | Class | Team | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 250cc | Husqvarna | 14th |
| 1970 | 250cc | Husqvarna | 4th |
| 1971 | 250cc | Husqvarna | 4th |
| 1972 | 500cc | Husqvarna | 3rd |
| 1973 | 250cc | Husqvarna | 3rd |
| 1974 | 500cc | Husqvarna | 1st |
| 1975 | 500cc | Husqvarna | 2nd |
| 1976 | 250cc | Husqvarna | 1st |
| 1977 | 500cc | Yamaha | 1st |
| 1978 | 500cc | Yamaha | 1st |
| 1979 | 500cc | Yamaha | 5th |
References
- ↑ "Heikki Mikkola career profile". bestsports.com.br. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Heikki Mikkola". motorcyclemuseum.org. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ↑ "1974 500cc motocross world championship final standings". memotocross.fr. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ↑ Pratt, Terry (1975). Grand Prix Wrap-Up. Cycle World. Books.Google.com. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
External links
- Heikki Mikkola official fansite
- Heikki Mikkola The Lone Wolf
- Heikki Mikkola at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame