I had the great pleasure of interviewing Simo again yesterday (I have been writing an article series of his career for the Saabisti magazine with Tikkis). As it happened the only time to catch up with him was during the WRC Neste Rally Finland at Jämsä.
The interview went great but the day turned out to be even nicer as Simo invited me to the VIP tent that a local bank (Helmi Säästöpankki) sponsored. There were also some of Simos old time friends from the racing days:
Saab is something of a legend of the 1000 Lakes rally, but I was still surprised that my car got a whole lot of attention. A lot of Thumbs Ups…
Simo showing the replica TR7 to Veikko Partanen. Veikko was the clerk of course of Jyväskylän Suurajot (Neste Rally Finland) before Simo took over in 2001.
Simo receiving his 70th birthday present – a Bosch ditch light – from his former co-driver Juhani Markkanen.
Simo and two of his former co-drivers. On the left Jyrki Ahava with whom Simo raced many a two stroke Saab. On the right Juhani Markkanen from the seventies era and the V4 times.
Some more “rally royalty” popped in. Here is Hannu Mikkola.
And here’s Ari Vatanen and Simo with some sponsors.
Dani Sordo and the Citroen on the Torittu special stage at Neste Rally Finland.
And ofcourse there were plenty of opportunities to spot rally cars on the open road also as they were making their way back to Jyväskylä.
Good morning from a locked down sunny South Africa. I am new to Saabs and I an buisy with a 1960 93f which I purchased about 1 month ago. Thank you for the great amount of information on your site as well as all the great pics.
Regards Byron
Good morning from a locked down sunny South Africa. I am new to Saabs and I an buisy with a 1960 93f which I purchased about 1 month ago. Thank you for the great amount of information on your site as well as all the great pics.
Regards Byron