Timo Salonen
Timo Salonen (born 8 October 1951) is a Finnish former professional rally driver renowned for securing the 1985 FIA World Rally Championship title driving the Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 2, during the high-stakes Group B era of the sport.[1] Over his extensive career spanning from the mid-1970s to the early 2000s, Salonen amassed 11 World Rally Championship (WRC) victories, 24 podium finishes, and 258 stage wins across 95 starts, establishing himself as one of Finland's most accomplished rally competitors.[1][2] Salonen's early career began modestly in 1970 at age 18, with his World Rally Championship debut in 1974 at the 1000 Lakes Rally (now Rally Finland) in a Mazda 1300.[3] He gained prominence in the late 1970s driving for Datsun, finishing sixth at home events in 1975 and 1976 before switching to Fiat in 1977, where he achieved runner-up positions at the 1000 Lakes Rally in both 1977 and 1978, and claimed his first WRC win at the 1977 Rallye du Quebec.[4] By 1979, as a full-time Datsun works driver, he finished fourth overall in the championship, followed by additional victories in New Zealand (1980) and Ivory Coast (1981), showcasing his versatility on diverse surfaces.[4][3] His ascent to stardom came in 1985 with Peugeot, initially as the number two driver to Ari Vatanen, but he assumed the lead role after Vatanen's severe injuries from a testing crash.[4] Salonen dominated the season with a record-setting four consecutive WRC wins in Portugal, Greece, New Zealand, and Argentina— a streak unmatched until Sébastien Loeb's six in 2005—before clinching the drivers' title at his home rally in Finland, also securing the manufacturers' championship for Peugeot.[4][5] This triumph, aboard the mid-engine turbocharged 205 T16, highlighted his precise driving style and adaptability in the turbo era's powerful machinery.[1] Post-1985, Salonen continued with Peugeot in 1986, partnering Juha Kankkunen and winning the 1000 Lakes Rally, before moving to Mazda in 1987 where he triumphed in Sweden.[4] He later competed for Mitsubishi until retiring from full-time rallying in 1992, though he made a ceremonial return in 2002 at the Neste Rally Finland driving a Peugeot 206 WRC, around the time of his 50th birthday.[4] Additionally, Salonen ventured into rally raid events from 1992 to 1995 and participated in the inaugural 1988 Race of Champions.[1] Today, he owns a car dealership in Finland and occasionally engages in historic rallying, leaving a legacy as a pivotal figure in rallying's golden age.[4]Early Life and Background
Birth and Upbringing
Timo Salonen was born on October 8, 1951, in Helsinki, Finland.[6][7] He grew up in a working-class family that operated a local garage, providing early exposure to automobiles and mechanics without any established ties to professional motorsport.[4] Born shortly after World War II, Salonen's childhood unfolded in post-war Finland, a period of economic recovery and rebuilding where mechanical skills like those in his family's business were common among ordinary households. His initial fascination with cars emerged young; at age seven, he was reportedly stopped by police while driving home from the family garage, hinting at an innate interest in vehicles fostered by his surroundings.[4] Salonen's physical traits, which later became part of his distinctive public persona in rallying, were evident from his youth: he was overweight, required thick glasses for vision, and developed a habit of heavy smoking.[8] These characteristics contrasted with the typical athletic build of fellow drivers but did not hinder his grounded, laid-back upbringing in Helsinki's modest environment.[4]Entry into Rallying
Timo Salonen's first exposure to rallying came through local Finnish events in the early 1970s, sparked by an early fascination with driving that began at age seven when he practiced near his family's garage in Helsinki, an activity halted by police intervention. Born and raised in the capital, Salonen's upbringing in this urban yet motorsport-enthusiastic environment fostered a resilience that propelled him toward competitive pursuits. By 1970, shortly after turning 18, he entered his debut rally, marking the start of his amateur involvement in national competitions.[4] As an amateur, Salonen competed in Finnish national rallies using entry-level modified road vehicles, such as a Group 1 Mazda 1300 for his World Rally Championship debut at the 1000 Lakes Rally in 1974, where he finished 22nd overall.[9] This performance elevated his profile, securing him a spot in the Finnish Volvo team and transitioning him toward semi-professional status. His early drives emphasized skillful navigation of Finland's demanding forest stages, honing techniques on gravel and tarmac with basic modifications to standard cars.[10] Salonen's pursuit of rallying was deeply motivated by the sport's immense popularity in Finland, a nation renowned for producing rally legends and hosting high-stakes events that captivated the public. His personal passion for speed, evident from childhood escapades, aligned perfectly with this cultural fervor, driving him to dedicate time and resources to local competitions despite initial financial constraints. Influences from the Helsinki area's vibrant rally clubs and established drivers provided crucial guidance, encouraging his progression from novice to competitive contender through shared knowledge and community support.[4][10]Professional Rallying Career
Debut and Early Competitions (1974–1983)
Timo Salonen made his World Rally Championship (WRC) debut at the 1974 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland, driving a privateer Mazda 1300 and finishing 22nd overall alongside co-driver Seppo Harjanne.[11] This marked his entry into international competition after local successes, though he struggled with the demands of the event's high-speed gravel stages, ending outside the top 10.[2] In his early years from 1975 to 1976, Salonen drove Datsun Violets, achieving consistent top-10 finishes at home events, including sixth places at the 1000 Lakes Rally in both seasons with co-driver Jaakko Markkula.[11] He transitioned to Fiat 131 Abarth machinery in 1977, securing his first WRC podium with second place at the 1000 Lakes Rally and a breakthrough victory at the Rally Canada that year, still partnered with Markkula.[11] The following year, he added another runner-up at the 1000 Lakes but faced setbacks like engine failure in Sweden and differential issues in Canada, highlighting reliability challenges with the Fiat.[11] Salonen switched to Datsun and later Nissan support from 1979 to 1983, often competing in up to nine WRC events annually and building a reputation for steady performances amid frequent mechanical woes.[11] Notable results included podiums such as second at the 1979 Acropolis Rally and Rally Canada, a win at the 1980 Rally New Zealand, and second at the 1983 Rally New Zealand, all with long-term co-driver Seppo Harjanne starting that year.[11] However, retirements plagued his campaigns—due to accidents, gearbox failures, engine problems, and transmission issues across events like the Safari Rally and Sanremo—resulting in over 40 WRC starts in this period without dominating success, as he adapted to diverse international terrains and manufacturer pressures.[11] His relaxed, one-handed driving style during these years earned him the Finnish nickname "Löysä," reflecting a composed approach that prioritized consistency over aggressive risks.[4]Breakthrough with Peugeot (1984–1986)
Following a solid but winless 1984 season with Nissan, where he scored 27 points and finished 10th in the drivers' standings across five events, Timo Salonen transitioned to Peugeot Talbot Sport ahead of the 1985 World Rally Championship. Signed to partner Ari Vatanen and bolster the team's assault on both drivers' and manufacturers' titles, Salonen took the wheel of the revolutionary Group B Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 1, a mid-engine, turbocharged four-wheel-drive machine producing over 400 horsepower. This move marked his entry into the pinnacle of the era's high-stakes rallying, leveraging his prior experience on diverse surfaces to adapt to the car's demanding power delivery.[12][13][2] Salonen's breakthrough came swiftly in 1985, with his debut victory at the Rally de Portugal, where he outpaced rivals on the gravel stages to secure Peugeot's first win of the season and signal the 205 T16's potential dominance in Group B. This triumph, followed by strong performances that included multiple podiums, highlighted his emergence as a top contender, as he tallied 127 points to claim the drivers' championship. His smooth, relaxed driving style—often characterized by precise control and minimal errors, even while steering one-handed—proved ideal for taming the 205 T16's twitchy handling on high-speed gravel rallies, allowing him to extract consistent pace without the aggressive risks that plagued flashier drivers.[1][7][13] In 1986, Salonen continued with the evolved Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 2, securing victories at the Rally Finland (Thousand Lakes Rally) and the Lombard RAC Rally, demonstrating sustained mastery on fast gravel and mixed-surface events. Despite these successes and three podium finishes overall, reliability woes and four retirements—stemming from mechanical failures and accidents—limited his campaign, resulting in 63 points and a third-place championship finish behind teammate Juha Kankkunen. These team challenges underscored the intense competition of the Group B era, yet Salonen's error-free approach on gravel solidified his reputation as one of its most reliable performers.[13][2][14]1985 World Championship Season
The 1985 World Rally Championship season was a dominant campaign for Timo Salonen, who drove the Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 2 to secure the drivers' title with five victories across the 12-round calendar, accumulating 127 points and establishing a 52-point lead over runner-up Stig Blomqvist of Audi.[15] Salonen's consistency proved decisive in the high-stakes Group B era, where mechanical failures and accidents claimed many contenders, allowing him to capitalize on rivals' misfortunes while delivering flawless performances on diverse surfaces from gravel to tarmac.[16] This triumph also propelled Peugeot to its first constructors' championship under team principal Jean Todt, who strategically shifted resources to Salonen following a major setback for the squad early in the year.[17] Salonen's season began solidly but without a win, finishing third in the Rallye Monte-Carlo behind teammate Ari Vatanen and third again in the Swedish Rally, where Vatanen repeated his victory on snow and ice.[18] His breakthrough came at the Rally de Portugal, the third round, where he claimed his first win of the year by navigating the demanding gravel and tarmac stages with precision, marking the start of an unprecedented streak. A seventh-place finish in the Safari Rally followed, hampered by the event's notorious unpredictability, but Salonen retired from the Tour de Corse due to mechanical issues, keeping his title hopes intact without major point loss.[18] The heart of Salonen's dominance unfolded in a record-setting four consecutive victories from rounds six to nine, a feat unmatched until 2005.[4] He mastered the rocky terrain of the Acropolis Rally in Greece, fending off Audi's Walter Röhrl to win by over four minutes, then triumphed on the fast, flowing gravel of Rally New Zealand, extending his lead with superior pace notes and car setup. The streak continued at the Rally Argentina, where Salonen assumed control after Vatanen's catastrophic crash on the opening stage—a 200 km/h impact that sidelined the favored Finn with serious injuries—allowing Salonen to cruise to victory and solidify his championship position. He completed the streak with a win at his home event, the Rally of the 1000 Lakes in Finland, finishing 48 seconds ahead of Lancia's Henri Toivonen to mathematically secure the crown with three rounds remaining, a margin that highlighted his unflinching reliability. This run propelled him to 96 points by mid-season, far ahead of pursuers, for a total of five wins that season. He followed with a strong second place at Rallye Sanremo, narrowly behind Röhrl, before skipping the Rallye Côte d'Ivoire and retiring from the Lombard RAC Rally due to electrical failure—yet the title was already his.[19] Throughout the season, Salonen's rivalries intensified the competition, particularly with Vatanen, whose early wins positioned him as the pre-season favorite until the Argentina shunt shifted the dynamic entirely.[20] Audi's Blomqvist and Röhrl mounted consistent challenges, with Blomqvist's steady gravel performances keeping him in contention, while Michèle Mouton's sporadic Audi entries added pressure on select events like Sweden, though Salonen's error-free driving outlasted their aggressive styles amid Group B's lethal speeds.[16] Lancia's Toivonen emerged late as a threat, winning the RAC Rally, but Salonen's avoidance of the crashes and retirements that plagued the field—such as Vatanen's wreck and multiple Audi mechanical woes—underscored his tactical maturity.[17] Peugeot's strategy, orchestrated by Todt, emphasized reliability over raw power after refining the 205 T16 from its 1984 introduction, pairing Salonen with co-driver Seppo Harjanne for meticulous stage analysis that maximized the car's mid-engine layout on technical sections. With Vatanen out, Todt consolidated the team's efforts around Salonen, ensuring optimal tire choices and suspension tweaks that contributed to Peugeot's constructors' success by 104 points over Audi.[15] Salonen's role as the steady anchor, contrasting the era's high-risk protagonists, not only delivered the title but also cemented Peugeot's reputation in rallying's most perilous chapter.| Event | Salonen's Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rallye Monte-Carlo | 3rd | Behind Vatanen (1st) |
| Swedish Rally | 3rd | Behind Vatanen (1st) |
| Rally de Portugal | 1st | Start of winning streak |
| Safari Rally | 7th | Unpredictable conditions |
| Tour de Corse | Ret. (mechanical) | - |
| Acropolis Rally | 1st | - |
| Rally New Zealand | 1st | - |
| Rally Argentina | 1st | Vatanen crashes out |
| Rally of the 1000 Lakes | 1st | Title clinched |
| Rallye Sanremo | 2nd | Behind Röhrl (1st) |
| Rallye Côte d'Ivoire | DNP | - |
| Lombard RAC Rally | Ret. (electrical) | Title already secured |
Later WRC and Return (1987–2002)
Following the end of the Group B era at the close of the 1986 season, Salonen transitioned to the Mazda Rally Team Europe, driving the Mazda 323 4WD in the inaugural years of Group A regulations.[21] The ban on Group B cars, implemented by the FIA due to safety concerns after fatal accidents, forced manufacturers like Peugeot to withdraw, leaving Salonen to join less dominant teams and adapt to slower, more production-based vehicles.[22] In 1987, he secured Mazda's first and only WRC victory at the Swedish Rally, navigating snowy conditions to finish ahead of Audi and Lancia rivals, marking a highlight in an otherwise challenging season plagued by mechanical reliability issues with the 323 4WD.[23] Despite this win, inconsistencies in car performance limited his results across six WRC events, culminating in a fifth-place finish in the drivers' standings with 20 points.[13] Salonen remained with Mazda through 1989, but the team struggled to replicate the Swedish success, as the 323 4WD proved uncompetitive on gravel and tarmac surfaces against evolving Group A machinery from Lancia and Toyota.[21] These difficulties, compounded by Salonen's age—he turned 36 in 1987—and the shift to underfunded programs, contributed to declining results, with no further podiums that year.[4] Over his Mazda tenure from 1987 to 1989, Salonen added just one victory to his tally, bringing his post-1985 total to three wins in the late 1980s, though the team's overall program faltered amid reliability woes and limited development resources.[7] In 1990, Salonen switched to Mitsubishi Ralliart Europe, piloting the Galant VR-4 in a bid for renewed competitiveness.[24] He achieved a strong second place at his home event, the 1000 Lakes Rally (now Neste Rally Finland), leveraging local knowledge on the fast gravel stages, but the car suffered from handling issues and lacked the pace for outright wins.[3] Over three seasons through 1992, Salonen recorded occasional top-five finishes but no victories, as Mitsubishi prioritized emerging talents and the Galant proved outpaced by Toyota and Lancia entries.[24] At age 41, and facing mounting challenges from younger drivers and less reliable machinery, he retired from full-time WRC competition after the 1992 Rally Portugal, where he finished outside the points.[13] Salonen made a brief one-off return in 2002 at the Neste Rally Finland to celebrate his 50th birthday, entering a privateer Peugeot 206 WRC.[25] Despite the decade-long hiatus, he completed the event without major incidents, finishing 14th overall in the demanding gravel conditions, a respectable result given the evolution of the sport and his age of 50.[26] This appearance underscored his enduring connection to rallying but marked the end of his competitive WRC involvement.[1]Rally Raid Ventures (1992–1995)
After concluding his full-time commitments in the World Rally Championship, Timo Salonen transitioned to rally raid events in 1992, joining Citroën Sport's team under team principal Guy Fréquelin and piloting the Citroën ZX Rallye-Raid, a purpose-built four-wheel-drive prototype optimized for long-distance desert racing.[27] His debut came at the 1992 Paris-Dakar Rally, where he competed alongside co-driver Fred Gallagher, though mechanical issues limited his finishing position.[13] This marked Salonen's entry into the demanding rally raid discipline, supported by Citroën's factory effort that emphasized vehicle durability for multi-day marathons across varied terrains.[28] Salonen's adaptation to rally raids was aided by his prior experience on gravel stages in the WRC, which helped him navigate the extended special stages and unpredictable conditions. Unlike the shorter, high-speed forest and gravel events of the WRC, rally raids prioritized endurance over outright pace, with races spanning thousands of kilometers and demanding precise navigation through vast deserts, often using roadbooks to avoid unmarked dunes and rocky outcrops. Vehicle reliability became paramount, as the Citroën ZX Rallye-Raid's hydropneumatic suspension and turbocharged engine were engineered to withstand sand ingestion, overheating, and prolonged mechanical stress in environments far harsher than European rally circuits.[28] In 1993, Salonen achieved a standout victory at the Pharaohs Rally in Egypt, securing first place overall with Gallagher after a consistent performance across the event's grueling 4,000-kilometer route through the Sinai Desert and Nile Valley.[28] He also recorded strong results that season, including second at the Atlas Rally in Morocco and the Portuguese Baja 1000, contributing to Citroën's success in the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup for manufacturers. By 1995, Salonen finished third overall in the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup standings, highlighted by podiums such as third at the Tunisia Rally and Atlas Rally, again with Gallagher as co-driver and backed by Citroën Sport's logistical expertise.[13][28]Achievements and Records
WRC Victories
Timo Salonen secured 11 victories in the World Rally Championship across his career, spanning from 1977 to 1987, with the majority achieved during the high-stakes Group B era. These wins highlighted his versatility on diverse surfaces and his ability to deliver consistent results for factory teams, particularly Peugeot, where he piloted the formidable 205 T16 rally car. His triumphs contributed significantly to his 1985 drivers' championship and established him as the most successful driver of the Group B period with seven victories in that category.[13] Salonen's early successes came with privateer efforts before transitioning to manufacturer support. His first WRC win arrived at the 1977 Critérium du Québec, navigating a Fiat 131 Abarth to victory on gravel, marking a breakthrough for the young Finn. In 1980, he claimed the Rally New Zealand aboard a Datsun 160J, excelling on gravel stages that suited his precise driving style. The following year, Salonen triumphed at the 1981 Rallye Côte d'Ivoire with a Datsun Violet GT, again on gravel, demonstrating his adaptability in endurance-style events. These initial wins laid the foundation for his professional ascent.[2][7] The bulk of Salonen's victories occurred during his Peugeot tenure, where he achieved seven wins, including a remarkable streak of four consecutive rallies in 1985 that propelled him to the world title. That year, he dominated with successes at the Rally de Portugal on mixed tarmac and gravel, the gravel-focused Acropolis Rally of Greece, the fast gravel roads of Rally New Zealand, and the demanding Rally Argentina, all in the Peugeot 205 T16. His fifth win of the season came at his home event, the Rally Finland (also known as the 1000 Lakes Rally), securing the championship with a narrow 48-second margin after 50 stages. In 1986, Salonen added two more Peugeot victories: another home win at the Rally Finland on gravel and a dramatic triumph at the RAC Rally in Great Britain (contemporary Wales Rally GB), beating teammate Markku Alén by just over a minute on gravel. These results underscored Peugeot's engineering prowess and Salonen's tactical acumen in the final Group B season.[29][18][30] Salonen's final WRC victory came in 1987 with Mazda, winning the Swedish Rally on snow-covered stages in the 323 4WD, providing the Japanese marque with its first WRC success and showcasing his skill in winter conditions. This win capped his competitive peak before shifting focus to rally raids. Overall, Salonen's 11 triumphs comprised nine on gravel, one on snow, and one on mixed surfaces, with notable home dominance at the Rally Finland, where he won twice. His Group B record of seven wins remains unmatched, emphasizing his role in one of rallying's most intense eras.[23][7]| Year | Rally | Car | Surface | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Critérium du Québec | Fiat 131 Abarth | Gravel | First WRC win, privateer effort |
| 1980 | Rally New Zealand | Datsun 160J | Gravel | Early manufacturer support breakthrough |
| 1981 | Rallye Côte d'Ivoire | Datsun Violet GT | Gravel | Endurance event mastery |
| 1985 | Rally de Portugal | Peugeot 205 T16 | Mixed | Start of title-winning streak |
| 1985 | Acropolis Rally | Peugeot 205 T16 | Gravel | Second consecutive win |
| 1985 | Rally New Zealand | Peugeot 205 T16 | Gravel | Third in streak, consistent gravel pace |
| 1985 | Rally Argentina | Peugeot 205 T16 | Gravel | Fourth straight victory, record at the time |
| 1985 | Rally Finland | Peugeot 205 T16 | Gravel | Home win clinching championship |
| 1986 | Rally Finland | Peugeot 205 T16 | Gravel | Repeat home success |
| 1986 | RAC Rally | Peugeot 205 T16 | Gravel | Season finale thriller |
| 1987 | Swedish Rally | Mazda 323 4WD | Snow | Mazda's debut WRC victory |
Career Statistics
Timo Salonen competed in 95 World Rally Championship (WRC) events from 1974 to 2002, spanning a 28-year career marked by consistent participation in his early years and sporadic entries later on.[1] Over this period, he secured 11 outright victories, 24 podium finishes, and 258 stage wins, accumulating a total of 524 championship points.[2][1] His best drivers' championship results came during the Group B era: tenth place in 1984 with 27 points driving for Nissan, first place in 1985 with 127 points, and third place in 1986 with 63 points.[2] The 1985 season represented his statistical peak, with seven victories contributing to both the drivers' and manufacturers' titles for Peugeot.[12] Salonen's wins were distributed across multiple manufacturers, reflecting his adaptability. He achieved seven victories with the Peugeot 205 T16 (1985–1986), one with the Mazda 323 4WD in the 1987 Rally Sweden, and the remaining three in earlier cars: the Fiat 131 Abarth (1977 Critérium du Québec), Datsun 160J (1980 Rally New Zealand), and Datsun Violet GT (1981 Rallye Côte d'Ivoire).[12][23][3] In rally raid competition, Salonen ventured into cross-country events from 1993 to 1995 with Citroën, finishing second in the 1993 FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies with 87 points and one victory that year.[31] He placed fourth in 1994 (63 points) and sixth in 1995 (214 points), with no further wins in the series.[31]| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| WRC Starts | 95 (1974–2002) |
| WRC Wins | 11 |
| WRC Podiums | 24 |
| WRC Stage Wins | 258 |
| WRC Points | 524 |
| Best Championship Finishes | 1st (1985), 2nd (1984), 3rd (1986) |
| Rally Raid WC Finishes | 2nd (1993), 4th (1994), 6th (1995) |
| Rally Raid Wins | 1 (1993) |