1971
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2007
Wolf Man
Few people take their racing more seriously than Finland’s Heikki Mikkola. He’s a perfectionist who sets about his work with an almost ruthless dedication. A quit, solitary figure in the flamboyant world of international motocross, his tough, ferocious racing style has brought him World Championships in both 250cc and 500cc classes.
The flying Finn has little time for anyone when he’s busy preparing for a race, which makes him not the most popular of champions; outside his own country, where they cheer him on with chants of ‘Hessa, Hessa *1’ (his Finnish nickname) he has enjoyed less popular support than his talents deserve. When the pressure is off, however, he’s a different person – a family man and a great practical joker at heart. When he won Finland’s first 500cc world motocross title in the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1974 he picked up a large tumbler of schnapps, as if to toast his victory..…and tossed the contents over his shoulder! Then there was the time he took over the rider’s hotel and acted as a waiter to the unsuspecting guests. He was
The flying Finn has little time for anyone when he’s busy preparing for a race, which makes him not the most popular of champions; outside his own country, where they cheer him on with chants of ‘Hessa, Hessa *1’ (his Finnish nickname) he has enjoyed less popular support than his talents deserve. When the pressure is off, however, he’s a different person – a family man and a great practical joker at heart. When he won Finland’s first 500cc world motocross title in the Luxembourg Grand Prix in 1974 he picked up a large tumbler of schnapps, as if to toast his victory..…and tossed the contents over his shoulder! Then there was the time he took over the rider’s hotel and acted as a waiter to the unsuspecting guests. He was
still performing his duties at four in the morning. Then, with dawn breaking, he staged an impromptu gunfight with soda siphons.
Born in Sajaniami *2, Finland, in 1945, Mikkola started his riding with Husqvarna *3 in 1964, forming a partnership that was to span thirteen *4 successful years in which he snapped up the 500cc World Championship in 1974 and the 250cc title two years later.
When Mikkola began motocross he was still competing in a number of other sports, including ski-jumping (in which he was an area champion in 1968), ice speedway and car rally driving. Motocross was the sport at which he really excelled however. He won 14 out of 15 races in his first season, scored his first World Championship points in 1967 and finished fourth in the 250cc World Championship three years later – just one point behind his old rival, Roger DeCoster of Belgium. In 1972 he switched to the 500cc class, finishing third at his first attempt; it was Roger DeCoster who won the title. Mikkola took his revenge in 1974, when he clinched the title.
Born in Sajaniami *2, Finland, in 1945, Mikkola started his riding with Husqvarna *3 in 1964, forming a partnership that was to span thirteen *4 successful years in which he snapped up the 500cc World Championship in 1974 and the 250cc title two years later.
When Mikkola began motocross he was still competing in a number of other sports, including ski-jumping (in which he was an area champion in 1968), ice speedway and car rally driving. Motocross was the sport at which he really excelled however. He won 14 out of 15 races in his first season, scored his first World Championship points in 1967 and finished fourth in the 250cc World Championship three years later – just one point behind his old rival, Roger DeCoster of Belgium. In 1972 he switched to the 500cc class, finishing third at his first attempt; it was Roger DeCoster who won the title. Mikkola took his revenge in 1974, when he clinched the title.
Mikkola leads arch-rival Roger De Coster at the Swiss Grand Prix of 1975.