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TO ANYONE INVOLVED in motocross in the 1970s, Heikki Mikkola was a formidable presence. The Finnish rider was crowned 500cc World Champion three times (1974, ’77 and ’78) and claimed the 250cc world championship in 1976. He also seemed the only rider capable of consistently beating the great Roger DeCoster. DeCoster, in fact, recently described Mikkola as perhaps the toughest competitor he faced throughout his long career. Those of us who watched the annual USGP races at Carlsbad on ABC’s Wide World os Sports – the only televised motocross race at that time – remember Mikkola as the fierce, tireless, no-nonsense motocross racer on a Husqvarna and later a Yamaha. Unlike DeCoster,
Mikkola did not ride with super-natural grace. His signature style to win, period. Pure determination and willpower gave him astonishing speed.
Mikkola retired from racing in1979 after a severe knee injury. After spending three years working with Yamahas GP motocross team as a manager and consultant, Mikkola disappeared from the motocross scene altogether in 1982. As someone who started racing in the 1970s and admiring the "Flying Finn" from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, I'd always wondered what happened to this quiet hero.
The following interview took place on March 31, 2000, at Heikki Mikkola's home just outside Layliainen, Finland. Located about 30 miles north of Helsinki, Layliainen is a small town nestled in a large birch forest. The landscape is
Mikkola retired from racing in1979 after a severe knee injury. After spending three years working with Yamahas GP motocross team as a manager and consultant, Mikkola disappeared from the motocross scene altogether in 1982. As someone who started racing in the 1970s and admiring the "Flying Finn" from the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, I'd always wondered what happened to this quiet hero.
The following interview took place on March 31, 2000, at Heikki Mikkola's home just outside Layliainen, Finland. Located about 30 miles north of Helsinki, Layliainen is a small town nestled in a large birch forest. The landscape is
stark and beautiful, punctuated by wheat fields. For the last 21 years, Mikkola has lived here in a large, tum-of-the-century farmhouse he restored himself; and has operated a successful vegetable farm and bakery. With his wife Kaija, he has also raised a family here: daughters Hanna, now 30, and Elina, 18, and son Antti, 25. (Antti inherited his father's competitive drive. See www.mikkolaracing.com for a peek at Antti's forays into rallycar racing.) Rounding out the family is Oona, their six-year-old black Lab who, underneath the kitchen table, lay down on my feet throughout the interview.
Racer X: What have you been doing since retiring from motocross?
Mikkola: I've been here in Finland, farming, selling vegetables, raising my family.
Racer X: What have you been doing since retiring from motocross?
Mikkola: I've been here in Finland, farming, selling vegetables, raising my family.
We used to only sell corn, but in 1991 we started growing strawberries, peas, onions, potatoes, many things. And we started selling directly to customers. That way we could ensure much better quality than what large companies offer. Then we added a bakery. Our business is doing very well.
Do you still ride at all - on the street or off-road?
No, I don't own a bike. Two years ago, a Husqvarna representative loaned me a modern bike for the Paijanne Enduro.
What's the Paijanne Enduro?
It's a 1000-kilometer race that starts in Helsinki. You ride north to Lake Paijanne, ride around the lake, then back to Helsinki. 1000 kilometers. The course is through thick forests. There's usually a lot of snow and mud. When I raced there was one meter of snow! That was the first race I'd been in since 1987, when I rode in a race of former motocross
Do you still ride at all - on the street or off-road?
No, I don't own a bike. Two years ago, a Husqvarna representative loaned me a modern bike for the Paijanne Enduro.
What's the Paijanne Enduro?
It's a 1000-kilometer race that starts in Helsinki. You ride north to Lake Paijanne, ride around the lake, then back to Helsinki. 1000 kilometers. The course is through thick forests. There's usually a lot of snow and mud. When I raced there was one meter of snow! That was the first race I'd been in since 1987, when I rode in a race of former motocross