Five cars that marked Juha Kankkunen's career

5. Toyota Celica TCT

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Ce n’est certes pas la plus puissante ni la plus séduisante des Groupe B, mais la Toyota Celica TCT (pour Twin Cam Turbo) occupe une place à part dans la carrière de Juha Kankkunen. Le Finlandais, auteur d’apparitions épisodiques en Mondial en 1984, passe à la vitesse supérieure l’année suivante.

More accustomed to northern forests, Juha Kankkunen is launched into the African savannah, in the Safari Rally of Kenya. With its car clad in bull bars and spotlights at the level of the mirrors, the Celica avoids various obstacles such as wildlife and potholes. Compared to the most aggressive Peugeot 205 and Audi Quattro, the Japanese car is a solid guy!

Not yet nicknamed "The Queen of Africa", the rear-wheel drive Toyota took Juha Kankkunen directly to the top of the podium, from her first participation, with 34 minutes ahead of her teammate Björn Waldegard.

4. Subaru Impreza WRC 99

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The career of the mustachioed Finn is an example of longevity. Indeed, 14 years passed between the first victory and his last success in WRC. This one was acquired at home, aboard a Subaru Impreza WRC 99, in 1999 (yes, that makes sense).

But it is undoubtedly his victory a few months earlier in Argentina which is more anchored in the memory of enthusiasts. Indeed, Juha Kankkunen was sailing in second place, 17'' behind his teammate Richard Burns at the start of the last stage. David Richards, boss of Prodrive, advised his men to calm down to secure the double. Simple, right?

Richard Burns does so, and slows down as the finish approaches. The Briton begins the final special with just 1”2 ahead. At the service park, it's anxiety. Finally, Juha Kankkunen stays on the floor, and overtakes him for 2”4! " What ?! It is serious ? », the phlegmatic English boss instantly asks. “This is my first victory in four and a half years », congratulated the Finn, without effusion of joy. We do not deny its Nordic origins!

3. Peugeot 205 T16 Grand Raid

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It's not just the rally in life, there is also… the rally-raid! Under contract with the French firm for major events, Juha Kankkunen discovered the Paris-Dakar in January 1988. He then had a 206 T16 from Group B whose wheelbase had been extended by 30 cm to accommodate the 350 tank. liters. The ground clearance is raised.

This 10th edition goes down in legend thanks to the mysterious and incredible affair of the theft of leader Ari Vatanen's Peugeot 405 T16 Grand Raid in Bamako (Mali). While the driver was put out of the race after recovering his mount late, Juha Kankkunen took the opportunity to take the lead. He will not leave it until the Pink Lake of Dakar.

2. Lancia Delta HF

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Once Group B was banned at the end of 1986, one car became the steamroller of the new Group A: the Lancia Delta HF. It was on board that Juha Kankkunen, associated with Juha Piironen, collected two of his four world crowns, the first in 1987.

In its 4WD version, we can only see the wisdom of the exterior style and the technical sheet (240 horsepower at 6 rpm). Things really changed with the Integrale 000V and its power of between 16 and 300 horsepower from 330. With the famous Martini Racing colors, Juha Kankkunen went on to score five victories in 1990, the year of his third title.

1. Peugeot 205 T16

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How to get past the Sochaux monster? Introduced by Peugeot Talbot Sport in the first half of the 1980s, the 206 T16 was based on a daring concept for the time: placing the engine at the rear and combining it with four-wheel drive.

In order to compensate for Ari Vatanen in rehabilitation after a terrible accident in Argentina in 1985, Jean Todt drew from the Finnish talent pool and chose Juha Kankkunen. And as if the initial version of the 205 T16 was too wise, the engineers added a pie server at the rear and fins on the bumper.

Above all, they push the engine to around 500 horsepower with a new Garrett turbo! In the surrounding area, because at the time, the measures were not as rigorous as today during rallies. Some sources indicate 550 horses, or even a tad more, 560 horses… We would almost forget the performances of Juha Kankkunen. He won on his second outing with the Peugeot, in Sweden. He received other laurels at the Acropolis (Greece) and in New Zealand and won his first world title.

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