It has been five years since Pentti passed away

[Mirek]

It has been five years today since Pentti Airikkala passed away. I know a lot of you guys here on forum have some nice memories of him. Maybe it's time to remember him a bit and refresh some old stories. I think he deserves that. What do You think?

[AndyRAC]

So many to go through; but, he was extremely forthright in his views; especially on the way cars were developed, and how the sport was being run. I wonder what he'd make of the 'shoot out'.

His testing of the Chevette in the snow, and scaring poor Harry Carpenter is particularly memorable.

[Mintexmemory]

Watching on TV the way he took Appleby-Frodingham steelworks stage in the Gallant on his way to finally win the RAC

[GigiGalliNo1]

Can I ask who he was?

[Franky]

Can I ask who he was?

Member of this forum and a rally driver - http://www.juwra.com/airikkala_pentti.html

[turves]

I have been chatting on Facebook with someone who lived for many years in Pentti's Granny Flat (a flat above his garage). He was telling me Pentti used to have a remote controlled swan, with a speaker in the mouth. He would "send" it out on the Thames at night and he had a mic on shore and would start talking to people in their boats - frightening the life out of many!

Personally, I have many memories. Most of my youth was spent in a Forest somewhere in the UK so I saw him on many occassions, and was lucky enough to be taken out in one of his old Chevette HSR's for a 10th birthday treat (many many years ago now!). I used to work for a rallyschool also, and from time to time Pentti would run his LeftFootBraking school from the same venue.

[noel157]

I saw Pentti many times. Spoke to him, always friendly. A true gentleman.

[Talbot]

I was fortunate to have met Pentti of several occasions, including helping him out at his rally school, which meant I was able to enjoy gratis sessions with the master of left foot braking.
Enjoyed a good few drinks with him too. The inside stories he recalled in detail were amazing to hear!
Sad loss!

[OldF]

Few videos with Pentti.

Pentti Airikkala first year with the Chevette part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L022omgZrWU

Pentti Airikkala first year with the Chevette part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuVdGFQFk8o

Pentti Airikkala Tribute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZucXid-_ZDE

WRC top ten positions

1976	Finland	2	Airikkala, Pentti	Ford Escort RS1800
1978	Finland	3	Airikkala, Pentti	Vauxhall Chevette 2300
1979	Sweden	3	Airikkala, Pentti	Vauxhall Chevette 2300
1979	Great Britain	7	Airikkala, Pentti	Vauxhall Chevette 2300
1980	Sweden	6	Airikkala, Pentti	Vauxhall Chevette 2300
1981	Sweden	3	Airikkala, Pentti	Ford Escort RS
1981	Finland	5	Airikkala, Pentti	Ford Escort RS
1981	Great Britain	4	Airikkala, Pentti	Ford Escort RS
1982	Finland	3	Airikkala, Pentti	Mitsubishi Lancer 2000 Turbo
1983	Finland	5	Airikkala, Pentti	Lancia Rally 037
1988	Great Britain	4	Airikkala, Pentti	Lancia Delta Integrale
1989	Great Britain	1	Airikkala, Pentti	Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

[WRCfan]

Little bit late to chime in here, although he was certainly a character. No one drove a Chevette like Pentti. A true legend and a really nice guy!