Finnish rally hero Hannu Mikkola drives towards the world championship in a film with Hollywood actors.
Hannu Mikkola became world champion in 1983. IL ARCHIVE
A rally film based on true events that will premiere in January Race for Glory: Audi vs Lancia tells the dramatized story of the rise of the Italian team towards the manufacturers’ world championship.
The film is interesting from a Finnish point of view, because at least a rally legend appears in it Hannu Mikkolaa acting character. Mikkola is played by an Italian actor Gianmaria Martini.
The son of the late Mikkola, who lives in the United States Juha Mikkola says that he also heard about the film adaptation of the story that influenced his life. He saw the latest trailer on Tuesday.
Mikkola was satisfied with what he saw and is waiting for the film to arrive in movie theaters.
– It will be interesting to see what kind of story this will turn out to be, the good-natured Juha Mikkola says on the phone.
He was only two years old in the championship year. So Mikkola doesn’t remember anything about the legendary rally moments, but he understood when he grew up what a great time it was for his father.
– In retrospect, I’ve thought about his career and how long it was. I’ve always been surprised that he started his rally career with a neighbor’s borrowed Volvo and basically won races right away, says Juha Mikkola.
– The year 1983 was incredible. Back then, the speeds were crazy, the risks were big, and he stayed very involved in the development. Hannu was over 40 years old at that point. At that point, many people’s careers are over.
“We won fairly”
Hannu and his wife Arja Mikkola participated in Linna’s celebrations in 2017. Jenni Gästgivar
Hannu Mikkola won the world championship with his four-wheel-drive Audi, but the rear-wheel-drive Lancia won Markku Alénin and Walter Röhrlin with the brand championship by only two points.
The new film focuses on Lancia’s feat in dethroning the previously stronger Audi and not so much on Mikkola’s performance.
Hannu Mikkola died in February 2021 of cancer at the age of 78. The first-born son believes that his father would not have cared so much about the content of the film.
– It’s hard to say what he would think about this. Hannu loved driving. That was important to him. It was also important that when we competed, we won fairly or congratulated the winner fairly.
The movie is of more interest to other members of the family.
– For me, my mother and (little brother) To Vesa this is a finer thing. It was more interesting for Hannu to drive and enjoy his career.