Harri Toivonen
Encyclopedia
Harri Toivonen is a former Finnish
rally
and race car driver. He is the younger brother of Henri Toivonen
and son of Pauli Toivonen
.
His first World Rally Championship
outcome was at the 1980 1000 Lakes Rally in a Chrysler Avenger, former car of his brother Henri.
In 1983 he drove a Mitsubishi Lancer
Turbo, mainly for the Finnish Junior Rally Team. In 1986 he came to a deal with the Austin Rover works team to drive the British Rally open in an MG Metro 6R4. While competing at the Wales Rally in early May, he heard the news of his brother's unfortunate accident at the Tour de Corse which cost Henri and fellow co-driver Sergio Cresto
their lives.
However he continued in competing later that year. He drove his Metro to a respective 8th place at the 1000 Lakes Rally, but retired at the RAC Rally in November. The rally his brother Henri won one year earlier.
After some unsuccessful years in rallying after 1986 he switched to circuit racing. He drove in several racing classes in which he managed some successes. He participated 24 Hours of Le Mans
in 1991 finishing 9th overall driving Porsche
with JJ Lehto and Manuel Reuter
.
In 2002, Toivonen hung up his helmet as a full-time driver. In 2006, he opened an exhibition to tribute to his brother Henri at the Neste Oil Rally Finland.
Harri is now involved with Ian's Dawsons Le mans Prototype Eco Racing Team.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
rally
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
and race car driver. He is the younger brother of Henri Toivonen
Henri Toivonen
Henri Pauli Toivonen was a Finnish rally driver born in Jyväskylä, the home of Rally Finland. His father, Pauli Toivonen, was the 1968 European Rally Champion for Porsche and his brother, Harri Toivonen, became a professional circuit racer.Toivonen's first World Rally Championship victory came...
and son of Pauli Toivonen
Pauli Toivonen
Pauli Toivonen was a Finnish rally car driver. He drove for Citroën, Lancia and Porsche and had many successes to his credit...
.
His first World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
outcome was at the 1980 1000 Lakes Rally in a Chrysler Avenger, former car of his brother Henri.
In 1983 he drove a Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Lancer
The Mitsubishi Lancer is a family car built by Mitsubishi Motors. It has been known as the Colt Lancer, Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Chrysler Valiant Lancer, Chrysler Lancer, Eagle Summit, Hindustan Lancer, Soueast Lioncel, Mitsubishi Carisma, and Mitsubishi Mirage in various countries at different times,...
Turbo, mainly for the Finnish Junior Rally Team. In 1986 he came to a deal with the Austin Rover works team to drive the British Rally open in an MG Metro 6R4. While competing at the Wales Rally in early May, he heard the news of his brother's unfortunate accident at the Tour de Corse which cost Henri and fellow co-driver Sergio Cresto
Sergio Cresto
Sergio Cresto was the co-driver of Henri Toivonen at the Lancia Martini team for the 1986 World Rally Championship season. He was also a former co-driver for fellow Lancia employee, the Italian driver Attilio Bettega....
their lives.
However he continued in competing later that year. He drove his Metro to a respective 8th place at the 1000 Lakes Rally, but retired at the RAC Rally in November. The rally his brother Henri won one year earlier.
After some unsuccessful years in rallying after 1986 he switched to circuit racing. He drove in several racing classes in which he managed some successes. He participated 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
in 1991 finishing 9th overall driving Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
with JJ Lehto and Manuel Reuter
Manuel Reuter
Manuel Reuter is a German former race car driver.He has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice:*in 1989 24 Hours of Le Mans for Sauber-Mercedes*in 1996 24 Hours of Le Mans for Joest Racing...
.
In 2002, Toivonen hung up his helmet as a full-time driver. In 2006, he opened an exhibition to tribute to his brother Henri at the Neste Oil Rally Finland.
Harri is now involved with Ian's Dawsons Le mans Prototype Eco Racing Team.