Simo Lampinen

Simo Lampinen (born 22 June 1943) is a Finnish former rally driver, and one of the first of the "Flying Finns" who came to dominate the sport.

Lampinen (on the left) at the 1964 1000 Lakes Rally with co-driver Jyrki Ahava
Lampinen drives a Saab Sport at the 1965 1000 Lakes
Lampinen's Triumph TR7 of the 1978 RAC Rally driven at the Race Retro 2008.

Biography
Lampinen's Lancia Beta Coupé of the 1975 RAC Rally.

Lampinen was born in Porvoo. Having contracted polio at a young age, he was left with a pronounced limp, and as a result he was granted a driving licence aged 17 so he could travel to and from school more easily. He quickly graduated to competitive driving, and won the Finnish Rally Championship twice in succession in 1963 and 1964.

His early victories were in the Saab 96, before being lured to Lancia in 1970 where he continued his winning ways. He also drove for Peugeot, Fiat and Triumph, though without the same success.

More recently, he has been Clerk of the Course at the Rally Finland, the event he won three times himself, and he has also assisted Saab in two racing events; their Saab 900 Talladega Challenge in Alabama in 1996 where several speed records were set, and the 2000 Pikes Peak race, when Per Eklund won in a race-prepped Saab 9-3 Viggen.

International victories

1963
13th 1000 Lakes Rally (Saab 96)

1964
14th 1000 Lakes Rally (Saab 96)

1968
17th RAC Rally (Saab 96 V4)

1970
3º TAP Rallye de Portugal (Lancia Fulvia)

1972
15ème Rallye du Maroc (Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF)
22nd 1000 Lakes Rally (Saab 96 V4)

Complete IMC results
Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1970 Lancia HF Squadra Corse Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF MON
Ret		 SWE
Ret		 ITA
Ret		 KEN
Ret		 AUT
Ret		 GRE GBR
Ret
1971 Lancia HF Squadra Corse Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF MON
6		 SWE ITA
Ret		 KEN
Ret		 MAR AUT GRE
3		 GBR
6
1972 Lancia HF Squadra Corse Lancia Fulvia 1.6 Coupé HF MON
4		 SWE KEN MAR
1		 GRE
2		 AUT
Ret		 ITA
Ret		 USA GBR
5

References
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