1971
1973
1974
1977
1978
1979
1993
1998
2000
2002
2007
In Norg (the Netherlands) the winning streak started that led to a third world title.
unable to get better results. “The mono-shock suspension is so much better. Maico adapted the rear suspension in time while I had to wait till the last Grand Prix before my suspension was improved. In fact, the Huskie riders were lagging in all the technical improvements, we just did not get enough support from the factory.” That Mikkola, despite the lack of support, achieved good results after all is typical for his attitude. The Finn is a true fighter with great dedication and perseverance.
In Norg (the Netherlands) the winning streak started that led to a third world title.
The first world title: Honda seeks contact
In 1974, Heikki Mikkola once more switched to the 500cc. Not until the second heat of the third GP, DeCoster succeeded in stopping the Finn from achieving double victories.
In the German Grand Prix the Finnish domination seemed to have come to an end when Heikki sustained a serious back injury. “During training it was raining. When attempting another track, the rear wheel slipped on the wet grass. I was thrown over the handle bar and fell on my backside. The X-rays taken by the German doctor did not determine the nature of the injury. On Sunday I flew to Finland, where my own doctor diagnosed a fractured vertebrae.” Luckily, there were some weeks between the German and English GP, so that Mikkola recovered in time. The last GP was the decisive one.
Which world title is most precious to Mikkola?
“Apart from that I deserved the world title, I believe that for everyone the first one is the best.”
When Heikki had returned to Finland, he received a call from Honda. They offered him a contract for several years but only for races in the United States. America does not exactly rank high on his wish list, hence the refusal. Mikkola has not been successful either in the US GP or the Trans-AMA. He did not feel happy there and in fact this is every time when he is away from his family for more than ten days. Heikki Mikkola very much values family life with his wife and children Hannah and Antti. As well, in his own opinion he does not speak or understand English too well. Initially, Mikkola only spoke Finnish but these days no journalist has any problem to hold a conversation with him as long as the questions pertain to motocross-English.
Despite setbacks, remained loyal to Husqvarna.
In 1975 as well, there were problems in the relationship with the Swedish factory. One of them concerned the contract with the Girling shock absorbers. The battle with Roger DeCoster was pretty even, although Heikki was far from satisfied with, among other things, the proposed
In 1974, Heikki Mikkola once more switched to the 500cc. Not until the second heat of the third GP, DeCoster succeeded in stopping the Finn from achieving double victories.
In the German Grand Prix the Finnish domination seemed to have come to an end when Heikki sustained a serious back injury. “During training it was raining. When attempting another track, the rear wheel slipped on the wet grass. I was thrown over the handle bar and fell on my backside. The X-rays taken by the German doctor did not determine the nature of the injury. On Sunday I flew to Finland, where my own doctor diagnosed a fractured vertebrae.” Luckily, there were some weeks between the German and English GP, so that Mikkola recovered in time. The last GP was the decisive one.
Which world title is most precious to Mikkola?
“Apart from that I deserved the world title, I believe that for everyone the first one is the best.”
When Heikki had returned to Finland, he received a call from Honda. They offered him a contract for several years but only for races in the United States. America does not exactly rank high on his wish list, hence the refusal. Mikkola has not been successful either in the US GP or the Trans-AMA. He did not feel happy there and in fact this is every time when he is away from his family for more than ten days. Heikki Mikkola very much values family life with his wife and children Hannah and Antti. As well, in his own opinion he does not speak or understand English too well. Initially, Mikkola only spoke Finnish but these days no journalist has any problem to hold a conversation with him as long as the questions pertain to motocross-English.
Despite setbacks, remained loyal to Husqvarna.
In 1975 as well, there were problems in the relationship with the Swedish factory. One of them concerned the contract with the Girling shock absorbers. The battle with Roger DeCoster was pretty even, although Heikki was far from satisfied with, among other things, the proposed
shocks. Eventually he paid himself a set of Hulco’s which tested to be a big improve-ment.
Why then did he stay with Husqvarna after all? Weren’t there any other possibilities?
“Certainly. In July I was once more approached by Yamaha, this time for the GP. I heard that DeCoster, too, had been approached for which reason I postponed further contacts until later. Maybe I had presented myself too cautious. Although at the end of that year in Japan it was suddenly decided to halt all race activities.”
In all, just one more year with Husqvarna and this time in the 250cc class. In the second half of the GP season the Russian Moisseev came very close, the lead narrowed to four points but Heikki Mikkola just managed to secure a world title in the 250cc class as well.
Is there any difference between the 250cc and the 500cc?
“In the 500cc class the top is more comprehensive and in the publicity the emphasis centres on that heavy class. In the years that I raced the 500cc GP there was this incessant battle with DeCoster, which obviously positively influenced the interest given by the press to these Grand
Why then did he stay with Husqvarna after all? Weren’t there any other possibilities?
“Certainly. In July I was once more approached by Yamaha, this time for the GP. I heard that DeCoster, too, had been approached for which reason I postponed further contacts until later. Maybe I had presented myself too cautious. Although at the end of that year in Japan it was suddenly decided to halt all race activities.”
In all, just one more year with Husqvarna and this time in the 250cc class. In the second half of the GP season the Russian Moisseev came very close, the lead narrowed to four points but Heikki Mikkola just managed to secure a world title in the 250cc class as well.
Is there any difference between the 250cc and the 500cc?
“In the 500cc class the top is more comprehensive and in the publicity the emphasis centres on that heavy class. In the years that I raced the 500cc GP there was this incessant battle with DeCoster, which obviously positively influenced the interest given by the press to these Grand
An ecstatic Mikkola makes the champagne flow. In Belgium the title became fact.
Prix events.
Added to that is that the difference in the quality of equipment in the 500cc class from Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda is not all that big. In the 250cc, in 1976 the factory KTMs already were much better than all the other makes. In that year I have had to work very hard to win this title. That observation proved to be correct last year with KTMs winning the first three placing and the two Russians far ahead. KTM won 75% of all heats.
After twelve years a new employer
At the end of 1976, you finally changed brands. I can remember that at that time you visited the Puch works. Did you want to change brands and how did the contract with Yamaha eventuate?
“Indeed, I did test the Puch, a good machine. Nevertheless, via the Finnish importer Arwidson, in November I tried to make contact with Yamaha Motor NV in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Until that time they weren’t all that much interested in the GP because it was considered that no suitable riders were available. My offer therefore came at the right moment. I got on the plane to Holland and within a day the contract was signed.”
Why once again a contract for one year?
“You don’t know whether next year the factory once again will have the best material. Besides, I never plan ahead for more than a year. How long I will be able to stay at the top of this sport still remains an open question, at the end of this year I will decide about 1979.”
But after your sports career has ended, a different life starts. Have you given thought to that?
“Of course I have. But you don’t expect too much. Motocross has given me a reasonable income that enabled me to buy, among other things, an 80 hectares property with a small farmhouse. I plan to move there and with some cattle for our own use we should be able to live quite comfortable.”
The Hechtel fiasco
At the time when Heikki signed with Yamaha, he had no idea what the GP machine would look like. But they had agreed that all his wishes would be met.
Added to that is that the difference in the quality of equipment in the 500cc class from Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda is not all that big. In the 250cc, in 1976 the factory KTMs already were much better than all the other makes. In that year I have had to work very hard to win this title. That observation proved to be correct last year with KTMs winning the first three placing and the two Russians far ahead. KTM won 75% of all heats.
After twelve years a new employer
At the end of 1976, you finally changed brands. I can remember that at that time you visited the Puch works. Did you want to change brands and how did the contract with Yamaha eventuate?
“Indeed, I did test the Puch, a good machine. Nevertheless, via the Finnish importer Arwidson, in November I tried to make contact with Yamaha Motor NV in Amstelveen, the Netherlands. Until that time they weren’t all that much interested in the GP because it was considered that no suitable riders were available. My offer therefore came at the right moment. I got on the plane to Holland and within a day the contract was signed.”
Why once again a contract for one year?
“You don’t know whether next year the factory once again will have the best material. Besides, I never plan ahead for more than a year. How long I will be able to stay at the top of this sport still remains an open question, at the end of this year I will decide about 1979.”
But after your sports career has ended, a different life starts. Have you given thought to that?
“Of course I have. But you don’t expect too much. Motocross has given me a reasonable income that enabled me to buy, among other things, an 80 hectares property with a small farmhouse. I plan to move there and with some cattle for our own use we should be able to live quite comfortable.”
The Hechtel fiasco
At the time when Heikki signed with Yamaha, he had no idea what the GP machine would look like. But they had agreed that all his wishes would be met.