Anybody thinking the Arctic Rally’s history begins with its debut in the World Rally Championship this weekend better think again.
McKlein’s Colin McMaster has delved deeper than usual into the very depths of a deep archive to pluck out these absolute gems, taking us on a fabulous trip back through half a century of frozen fever in the Arctic Circle. The progression of cars is obvious, but it’s also interesting to note the decline of the overcoat down the decades.
Enjoy what’s likely to be the first and only gallery to include both Risto Einto in a Volkswagen Beetle and Kimi Räikkönen in a Citroen:
Had he not been distracted by the man with very large hands and a rabbit on his head, Pentti Airikkala might have got his Renault 8 Gordini higher than fifth in 1970
A tall Finn called Grönholm hustling a Beetle 1302 towards second place on the 1971 Arctic. This is, of course, Ulf. Baby ‘Bosse’ was three at the time
A particularly stunning sunrise (equally, it might be setting) on the 1973 Arctic Rally
Pentti Airikkala bound for a snowy 1973 Arctic podium aboard a Renault 12 Gordini
Moose on the run, and at some speed. The pair were on the rev limiter at an impressive 35mph on the 1974 Arctic. And here’s an interesting one… moose can swim at 6mph as well. Must be the feet. They’re big, (and called hooves)
A man in a hat stands in the snow to take pictures. Probably not one for the WRC’s modern-day photographer safety manual…
A Swedish corner of Finnish Lapland in 1974. A brace of Saabs and a Volvo warm themselves against a parc fermé fire in 1974
Found it! We knew there must be a picture of Ari Vatanen in an RS1800 with the wheel’s straight and here it is. And that style clearly worked, he beat famous fellow Finns Hannu Mikkola and Henri Toivonen to a 1977 Arctic win
Iceman by name, Kimi Räikkönen wasn’t exactly a man of the ice on the 2010 Arctic. A second-stage tree spoiled his Citroen Junior Team debut, but he returned to post solid times in the C4 WRC
Dani Sordo came, saw and completely conquered the 2010 Arctic Rally. The amiable Spaniard found his feet on the snow to win every stage and clinch a six-minute win
