R8 Gordini R1135 of Jukka Suvisalmi

1967: The 1000 Lakes Rally ended on SS17 for Antti Suvisalmi after driving onto a big stone. He could never forget this...

1989: Antti's son Jukka drove the 1000 Lakes in a Lancia Integrale (Gr. N) and Antti was in charge of service. "You are better than your father as you finished and are on the podium, too", said Antti to his son after the rally. That sentence was the starting point to the project "Antti to the 1000 Lakes Rally again".

12.05.1998: Antti Suvisalmi and Renault 8 Gordini VIB-12 met again after 31 years, at his 60th birthday. Jukka had renovated the Gordini in secrecy for his father! The whole birthday gift was: Antti would participate - after 31 years - in a 1000 Lakes Historic Rally with the Gordini, and his son Jukka would be the co-driver. Antti accepted the gift immediately!!!!!

Later in 1998: The 1000 Lakes Historic Rally. Driver Antti Suvisalmi / co-driver Jukka Suvisalmi, Renault 8 Gordini Gr2. This time it was other people in charge of servicing the car, so Antti and Jukka could socialize with people like any world class stars... ;-) But it wasn't too bad for the mechanics either, as you know, there's not much that goes wrong when it's a Renault! Antti and Jukka finished the rally without hitting anything this time :-) and were the fastest R8 Gordini crew.