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2007
HEIKKI MIKKOLA
Contracting Heikki Penttila (also a Finn) as mechanic proved to be an excellent choice. Together they traveled to Japan to express their wishes. In January the machines arrived at Mr. Tilkens’ in Belgium, who already for years had been making expert changes for Yamaha. The first appearance was at Hechtel in Belgium. Before the eyes of Yamaha Motor’s top executives the worst possible happened. Mikkola got seriously hurt.
“In the second heat I started in first position. Because the rear suspension did not yet function to its maximum capacity, on a jump (in second gear) the bike fell over. My left shoulder hit the frozen ground, which dislocated my arm. As well, something in my shoulder fractured.”
Mikkola is known to be very tough on himself. The following may prove this. When he noticed that his arm had been dislocated he approached a burly Belgian. With both hands he had to take hold of the Finn’s arm while Mikkola himself moved his upper body forward to fix this small annoyance.
Next day a disappointed Mikkola returned to Finland. It would take six weeks for him to recover. Nevertheless, during this period Heikki remained active.
“That’s for sure. Although it was a painful matter, I still trained every day. With the left arm in a sling I was able to do a lot of running and cross-country skiing. After about six days a little weightlifting was added. I raced again for the first time in Sint Anthonis, the Netherlands. That left arm still tired quickly. In my own country, till May
“In the second heat I started in first position. Because the rear suspension did not yet function to its maximum capacity, on a jump (in second gear) the bike fell over. My left shoulder hit the frozen ground, which dislocated my arm. As well, something in my shoulder fractured.”
Mikkola is known to be very tough on himself. The following may prove this. When he noticed that his arm had been dislocated he approached a burly Belgian. With both hands he had to take hold of the Finn’s arm while Mikkola himself moved his upper body forward to fix this small annoyance.
Next day a disappointed Mikkola returned to Finland. It would take six weeks for him to recover. Nevertheless, during this period Heikki remained active.
“That’s for sure. Although it was a painful matter, I still trained every day. With the left arm in a sling I was able to do a lot of running and cross-country skiing. After about six days a little weightlifting was added. I raced again for the first time in Sint Anthonis, the Netherlands. That left arm still tired quickly. In my own country, till May
there is still about half a metre of snow which makes any bike training impossible.” With four races in two days during the Belgian double Easter event, to many competitors Mikkola’s victory was a real eye opener. Yet, in the first Austrian GP things did not go all that well. Anyway, what were Yamaha’s expectations?
“They would be satisfied with a third placing and I did not see any problem with that. In the first Grand Prix the monoshock was incorrectly adjusted and the springs were too taut.” Mikkola’s inevitable advance to the 500cc world championship started in the second Grand Prix in the Netherlands.
American victory snatched away
There is one Grand Prix about which Heikki would like to add a comment, namely the American. He himself finished in fourth and first place, which gave him 8+15=23 World Champion points. Our compatriot Gerrit Wolsink finished in third and second place which would give him 10+12=22 World Champion points. Based on those results both scored 5 race points and Mikkola regarded himself the victor, also because of his victory in the second heat. Deliriously happy with his first victory Mikkola prepared himself for the presentation. The disillusionment came 30 minutes later.
Because of a lesser total score not Mikkola but Wolsink was declared the winner.
“When I was leading in the second heat I just concentrated on that. It would have been very well possible to go faster to increase the time advantage. I was really convinced that the victory, so important for Yamaha and myself, was a certainty.”
Mikkola was furious, his pride sorely tested
“They would be satisfied with a third placing and I did not see any problem with that. In the first Grand Prix the monoshock was incorrectly adjusted and the springs were too taut.” Mikkola’s inevitable advance to the 500cc world championship started in the second Grand Prix in the Netherlands.
American victory snatched away
There is one Grand Prix about which Heikki would like to add a comment, namely the American. He himself finished in fourth and first place, which gave him 8+15=23 World Champion points. Our compatriot Gerrit Wolsink finished in third and second place which would give him 10+12=22 World Champion points. Based on those results both scored 5 race points and Mikkola regarded himself the victor, also because of his victory in the second heat. Deliriously happy with his first victory Mikkola prepared himself for the presentation. The disillusionment came 30 minutes later.
Because of a lesser total score not Mikkola but Wolsink was declared the winner.
“When I was leading in the second heat I just concentrated on that. It would have been very well possible to go faster to increase the time advantage. I was really convinced that the victory, so important for Yamaha and myself, was a certainty.”
Mikkola was furious, his pride sorely tested
and he reacted accordingly to the media. He did not turn up at the presentation.
Nevertheless he practically had his third world title in his pocket.
What had been the GP planning?
“To get 20 points in each Grand Prix. I have planned the same for this year, although a little more is always welcome.”
Will ’78 be a repeat of ’77?
Let’s hope that Roger DeCoster will soon have totally recovered. Mikkola considers only Roger of equal class.
“I expect most competition from a fit DeCoster. After that Wolsink, who lacks consistency. Lackey and Noyce are the young and upcoming duo. I think they may be ready for a title in 2 or 3 year’s time.”
For Mikkola, the racing season ends in October, followed by a long break until February. The Trans_Ama races he purposely avoids.
How can he keep up with all this motocross racing and travel?
“Because I was involved in several sports I was able to choose the sport that suited me best. That is advice that I can pass on to young people.”
But a Grand-Prix season nevertheless is a strenuous task?
“That’s for sure. To me it seems better to hold 3-4 GP each month, to be followed by a month of international races and the national championships. Then once more a series of GP which would make it easier on the mechanics as well.”
Will this year be as easy as ’77?
“Unlike Suzuki, last year Yamaha came up with important technical improvements. After five 500cc world titles, they’ll have
Nevertheless he practically had his third world title in his pocket.
What had been the GP planning?
“To get 20 points in each Grand Prix. I have planned the same for this year, although a little more is always welcome.”
Will ’78 be a repeat of ’77?
Let’s hope that Roger DeCoster will soon have totally recovered. Mikkola considers only Roger of equal class.
“I expect most competition from a fit DeCoster. After that Wolsink, who lacks consistency. Lackey and Noyce are the young and upcoming duo. I think they may be ready for a title in 2 or 3 year’s time.”
For Mikkola, the racing season ends in October, followed by a long break until February. The Trans_Ama races he purposely avoids.
How can he keep up with all this motocross racing and travel?
“Because I was involved in several sports I was able to choose the sport that suited me best. That is advice that I can pass on to young people.”
But a Grand-Prix season nevertheless is a strenuous task?
“That’s for sure. To me it seems better to hold 3-4 GP each month, to be followed by a month of international races and the national championships. Then once more a series of GP which would make it easier on the mechanics as well.”
Will this year be as easy as ’77?
“Unlike Suzuki, last year Yamaha came up with important technical improvements. After five 500cc world titles, they’ll have
The Finnish circuits are sandy circuits. For hard circuits Heikki Mikkola had to travel south.
The Finnish circuits are sandy circuits. For hard circuits Heikki Mikkola had to travel south.
to come up with something.”
As for his training regime, Mikkola won’t go into details.
“No, why should I? After I realized that the muscles of leg, arm, abdomen and back received most of the strain, I developed my own methods. In winter lots of time is spent on hunting and fishing. I run and ski at least ten kilometres every day and make sure that I’m not thinking of motor sport. Thereafter the specific training starts. Running sessions are increased from 7 to 15 or more kilometres. As well, there is the weightlifting with approximately fifteen different exercises. Bike training is only possible in Belgium. For the rest I just eat normal meals and during the winter my weight stays about the same.”
In the ’74 sportsman or sportswoman of the year, Heikki Mikkola made the first four. For the last seven years in Hyvinkää he has been sportsman of the year. Finland is proud of its son of motorsport.
As for his training regime, Mikkola won’t go into details.
“No, why should I? After I realized that the muscles of leg, arm, abdomen and back received most of the strain, I developed my own methods. In winter lots of time is spent on hunting and fishing. I run and ski at least ten kilometres every day and make sure that I’m not thinking of motor sport. Thereafter the specific training starts. Running sessions are increased from 7 to 15 or more kilometres. As well, there is the weightlifting with approximately fifteen different exercises. Bike training is only possible in Belgium. For the rest I just eat normal meals and during the winter my weight stays about the same.”
In the ’74 sportsman or sportswoman of the year, Heikki Mikkola made the first four. For the last seven years in Hyvinkää he has been sportsman of the year. Finland is proud of its son of motorsport.