Keimola Motor Stadium
Encyclopedia
Race track
A race track is a purpose-built facility for racing of animals , automobiles, motorcycles or athletes. A race track may also feature grandstands or concourses. Some motorsport tracks are called speedways.A racetrack is a permanent facility or building...
located in Vantaa
Vantaa
Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there...
, Finland. It was founded by Finnish racing driver Curt Lincoln
Curt Lincoln
Curt "Curre" Richard Lincoln was one of the most famousrace car drivers in Finland. His racing career started with hydroplanes in 1947. In 1949 he changed to a 500 cc Effyh, later he also drove cars such as Jaguar D types, Ferraris and Formula 3 Coopers.During his career he drove around 400 races...
after the closure of the Eläintarha track in 1963. Construction started in 1965 and the track was opened on 12 June 1966. The track was 3.3 km (2.1 mi) long, consisting of eight turns and a 1 km (0.621372736649807 mi) home straight. Multiple racing series, including Formula Two
Formula Two
Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, is a type of open wheel formula racing. It was replaced by Formula 3000 in 1985, but the FIA announced in 2008 that Formula Two would return for 2009 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship...
, Formula Vee
Formula Vee
Formula Vee is a popular open wheel, single seater junior motor racing formula, with relatively low costs in comparison to Formula Ford or Formula BMW....
and Interserie
Interserie
Interserie is the name of a European-based motorsport series started in 1970 that allows for a wide variety of racing cars from various eras and series to compete with less limited rules than in other series....
, raced on the track during the years it was used. After many years of financial difficulties, the track was abandoned in late 1978. Since many years of decay, there are plans to transform it into a residential area.
History
Following a fatal accident at Eläintarha racetrack in 1963, the street circuit was closed for good and a need for a permanent racetrack was born in Finland. While the Finnish national motor racing association AKK was planning a new track at Tattarisuo in Helsinki, Curt Lincoln, a Finnish motorsport legend, leased a better suited place near the village of Keimola, VantaaVantaa
Vantaa is a city and municipality in Finland. Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen make up the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.Vantaa, with its population of , is the fourth most populated city of Finland. The biggest airport in Finland, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, is located there...
. The area of 52 hectares (128.5 acre) was more than enough to build a racetrack of international proportions. The track was opened on with races of various classes.
The track was designed to fit Formula Two
Formula Two
Formula Two, abbreviated to F2, is a type of open wheel formula racing. It was replaced by Formula 3000 in 1985, but the FIA announced in 2008 that Formula Two would return for 2009 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship...
specifications, being too short for Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
cars. Because Formula One drivers could also participate in Formula Two races during the late 1960s, the track saw legends like Jim Clark
Jim Clark
James "Jim" Clark, Jr OBE was a British Formula One racing driver from Scotland, who won two World Championships, in 1963 and 1965....
, Graham Hill
Graham Hill
Norman Graham Hill was a British racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion. He is the only driver to win the Triple Crown of Motorsport — the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Formula One World Championship.Graham Hill and his son Damon are the only father and son pair both to...
, Jack Brabham
Jack Brabham
Sir John Arthur "Jack" Brabham, AO, OBE is an Australian former racing driver who was Formula One champion in , and . He was a founder of the Brabham racing team and race car constructor that bore his name....
, Jochen Rindt
Jochen Rindt
Karl Jochen Rindt was a German racing driver who represented Austria during his career. He is the only driver to posthumously win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship , after being killed in practice for the Italian Grand Prix...
and Denny Hulme
Denny Hulme
Denis Clive "Denny" Hulme, OBE was a New Zealand racing driver, the 1967 Formula One World Champion for the Brabham team....
in 1966 and 1967. The track raised interest into Formula Vee
Formula Vee
Formula Vee is a popular open wheel, single seater junior motor racing formula, with relatively low costs in comparison to Formula Ford or Formula BMW....
in the late 1960s.
In addition to race events, the track was used to host music festivals in the 1970s. They included Helsinki Rock Festivals (or Keimola-Rock) in 1972 and 1973. The 1972 event became known as "Keimola mud festival" after a rainstorm transformed the rallycross track into a lake.
Closure
Financial difficulties finally led to the closure of the track at the end of 1978. The last event held on the track was a world record in reverse driving made by journalists of Tekniikan MaailmaTekniikan Maailma
Tekniikan Maailma is one of leading automobile magazines in Finland and biggest all around technology magazine in Scandinavia, published by Otavamedia. The magazine covers all kind of technology but around half is related to automobiles. The magazine started in 1945 as Harrastelija -lehti and was...
and Vauhdin Maailma on 20 and 21 October 1978. They drove a Volvo 343 equipped with a Variomatic
Variomatic
Variomatic is the stepless, fully automatic transmission of the Dutch car manufacturer DAF, originally developed by Hub van Doorne: this consists of a "V" shaped drive belt and two pulleys, each of two cones, whose effective diameter can be changed so that the "V" belt runs nearer the spindle or...
continuously variable transmission
Continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...
, which meant the car could be driven at the same speed in both directions. The total distance was 1770 kilometres (1,099.8 mi) covered during 24 hours.
After the closure, the track remained in a good condition for some time, with local enthousiasts using the track illegally. These were called the "moonlight races" (Finnish: kuutamoajot). These races ended with a moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
accident on , which injuried seriously a young motorist. Deep ditches were then cut through the track at five locations. These were quickly filled with sand by moonlight racers, but the owner of the track area soon learned about this and destroyed the surface of the track with a plough
Plough
The plough or plow is a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil in preparation for sowing seed or planting. It has been a basic instrument for most of recorded history, and represents one of the major advances in agriculture...
in early 1989. This ended the racing for good.
The track has been unsuitable for driving for many years, but some structures are left standing, such as the control tower next to the back straight and a television camera tower near turn seven. The control tower was badly damaged in a fire in 2004 and its door is sealed shut with concrete.
Future
During the next few years, the track will be redeveloped into a residential areaResidential area
A residential area is a land use in which housing predominates, as opposed to industrial and commercial areas.Housing may vary significantly between, and through, residential areas. These include single family housing, multi-family residential, or mobile homes. Zoning for residential use may permit...
with some roads running on the original track. The control tower will also be preserved as a historical monument. The track area is owned by media group Sanoma.
Layout
The track was designed by Curt Lincoln and another Finnish race driver, Fred Geitel, using a ruler and compassCompass (drafting)
A compass or pair of compasses is a technical drawing instrument that can be used for inscribing circles or arcs. As dividers, they can also be used as a tool to measure distances, in particular on maps...
. This resulted in clearly defined corners joined by long straights. The track length was measured to be 3.3 kilometres (2.1 mi) on the center line. Its width varied between 9 metre with height differences of only 14 metres (45.9 ft). The pits were located on the back straight, between turns 1 and 2. Access roads between the front and back straights allowed various layout configurations to be used.
The first Finnish rallycross track was built partly inside of the twistier part of the circuit, partly outside of it, in 1974.
A twisty karting track was built behind the turn two Volkswagen grandstand in 1971. Many well-known Finnish racing drivers, such as Mika Häkkinen
Mika Häkkinen
Mika Pauli Häkkinen is a Finnish racing driver and two-time Formula One World Champion...
, JJ Lehto and Mika Salo
Mika Salo
Mika Juhani Salo is a Finnish racing driver. He competed in Formula One between and . His best ranking was 10th in the world championship in 1999. He also won the GT2 class in the 2008 and 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans....
took on the track in their youth. The track length was 687 metres (2,253.9 ft) and its width 6 m (19.7 ft).
Interserie
Keimola was host to a round of the European prototype series InterserieInterserie
Interserie is the name of a European-based motorsport series started in 1970 that allows for a wide variety of racing cars from various eras and series to compete with less limited rules than in other series....
between 1970 and 1972 after a grid of three cars participated in a round of the Nordic Challenge Cup in 1969. Finnish driver Leo Kinnunen
Leo Kinnunen
Leo Juhani "Leksa" Kinnunen is a Finnish former car racer, the first Formula One driver from his country. He is also remembered for his success in sportscar racing and rallying....
from AAW Racing Team drove three full seasons between 1971–1973 and won the championship in every year, which increased interest into the series. The track record is also hold by Kinnunen who drove it in 1972 Interserie race with Porsche 917
Porsche 917
The Porsche 917 is a racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 variant was capable of a 0- time of 2.3 seconds, 0– in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of over .There are 6...
/10 TC. The lap time was 1:11.74 with an average speed of 165.4 km/h (102.8 mph).
Winners of Keimola Interserie races
| Year | Winner | Car | Laps | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 |  Jochen RindtJochen Rindt Karl Jochen Rindt was a German racing driver who represented Austria during his career. He is the only driver to posthumously win the Formula One World Drivers' Championship , after being killed in practice for the Italian Grand Prix... |
Porsche 908 Porsche 908 The Porsche 908 was a racing car from Porsche, introduced in 1968 to continue the Porsche 906/Porsche 910/Porsche 907 series of models designed under Ferdinand Piech.... |
||
| 1970 |  Gijs van LennepGijs van Lennep Jonkheer Gijsbert van Lennep is a Dutch esquire and former racing driver who gave a good account for himself in his eight Formula One drives.- Career :... |
Porsche 917 Porsche 917 The Porsche 917 is a racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 variant was capable of a 0- time of 2.3 seconds, 0– in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of over .There are 6... |
50 | 1:04:27.750 |
| 1971 |  Leo KinnunenLeo Kinnunen Leo Juhani "Leksa" Kinnunen is a Finnish former car racer, the first Formula One driver from his country. He is also remembered for his success in sportscar racing and rallying.... |
Porsche 917 Porsche 917 The Porsche 917 is a racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 variant was capable of a 0- time of 2.3 seconds, 0– in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of over .There are 6... |
70 | 1:26:07.190 |
| 1972 | Leo Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen Leo Juhani "Leksa" Kinnunen is a Finnish former car racer, the first Formula One driver from his country. He is also remembered for his success in sportscar racing and rallying.... |
Porsche 917 Porsche 917 The Porsche 917 is a racecar that gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971. Powered by the Type 912 flat-12 engine of 4.5, 4.9, or 5 litres, the 917/30 variant was capable of a 0- time of 2.3 seconds, 0– in 5.3 seconds, and a top speed of over .There are 6... |
70 | 1:34:23.350 |
References:
Rallycross
The first Keimola RallycrossRallycross
Rallycross is a form of sprint style automobile racing, held on a closed mixed-surface racing circuit, with modified production or specially built road cars, similar to the World Rally Cars, although usually with about stronger engines, due to e.g. their 45 mm turbo restrictor plates. It is...
race was organised and driven on . It was a round of the Embassy/ERA European Rallycross Championship
Embassy/ERA European Rallycross Championship
The Embassy/ERA European Rallycross Championship was the forerunner of the FIA European Rallycross Championships. It was organised in 1973 and 1974 by automobile clubs from Austria, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland under the supervision of the Thames Estuary Automobile Club ...
that was won by Swede Björn Waldegård
Björn Waldegård
Björn Waldegård from Rimbo is a former Swedish rally driver, and the winner of the inaugural World Rally Championship for drivers in 1979...
. Between 1974 and 1978 there were a total of five ERC rounds at the venue, all organised by the Helsinki based club Helsingin Urheiluautoilijat, and the last three were recognized by the FIA
Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is a non-profit association established as the Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus on 20 June 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users...
as rounds of the FIA European Championships for Rallycross Drivers.
All ERC round winners at Keimola
- 09.06.1974: Björn Waldegård (Sweden), Porsche Carrera RSR
- 01.06.1975: Dick Riefel (Netherlands), VW 1303SVolkswagen BeetleThe Volkswagen Type 1, widely known as the Volkswagen Beetle or Volkswagen Bug, is an economy car produced by the German auto maker Volkswagen from 1938 until 2003...
with Porsche Carrera engine - 30.05.1976: Franz Wurz (Austria), Lancia Stratos HFLancia Stratos HFThe Lancia Stratos HF, widely and more simply known as Lancia Stratos, is a car made by Italian car manufacturer Lancia. The HF stands for High Fidelity...
- 29.05.1977: Herbert Grünsteidl (Austria), Alpine A310 V6Alpine (car)Alpine was a French manufacturer of racing and sports cars that used rear-mounted Renault engines.Jean Rédélé , the founder of Alpine, was originally a Dieppe garage proprietor, who began to achieve considerable competition success in one of the few French cars produced just after World War...
- 28.05.1978: TC Division – Per-Inge Walfridsson (Sweden), Volvo 343 TurboVolvo 300 seriesThe Volvo 300 series is a rear wheel drive automobile sold as both a hatchback and a conventional saloon from 1976-1991. It was launched in the Netherlands shortly after Volvo acquired a major stake in the passenger car division of DAF in 1973...
- 28.05.1978: GT Division – Olle Arnesson (Sweden), Porsche Carrera
Drag racing
Keimola hosted Finland's first ever drag racing competition in 1975. The quarter-mile track was run on the front straight, opposite to the normal running direction.External links
- Keimola Motor Stadium by Heikki Siltala, Martti Alkio and Jari Debner
- A pictorial by Lauri Vartiainen in 1998
- Photos taken in August 2009
- Videos related to the track in YLE's Living Archive