He was one of the awe-inspiring Flying Finns
Timo Mäkinen died at the age of 79, leaving behind a rally legacy that thrilled spectators in the 1960s.
Together with Rauno Aaltonen and Simo Lampinen, Timo Mäkinen opened the account for the Flying Finn nickname, which would later be passed on to a new generation of drivers, like Juha Kankkunen and Tommi Mäkinen.
Timo Mäkinen was born in Helsinki, March 18, 1938, and during his glittering career won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1965 in a Mini Cooper S and dominated the 1000 Lakes Rally on his home turf for three years in a row, between 1965 and 1967.
He then went on to win the Wales Rally (also three times in a row) between 1973 and 1975, behind the wheel of a Ford Escort.
During the 1967 edition of the 1000 Lakes Rally, Mäkinen had to race 12 out of 25 kilometers on the Ouninpohja stage with the open hood blocking his view after the leather straps holding it in place gave up. He was forced to constantly slide the car in the hunt for visibility, but managed to finish third and clinch the overall victory.
Timo Mäkinen is also credited for perfecting the art of left foot braking – together with Aaltonen's input and creating the sideways Minis "trademark" in the process.
May he rest in peace.