FINNISH RALLY CO-DRIVING LEGEND TIMO HANTUNEN DIES AGED 76

RALLY COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF ONE OF FINLAND'S MOST EXPERIENCED CO-DRIVERS

The international rally community is mourning the loss of legendary Finnish co-driver Timo Hantunen, who passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 76.

His son, Ville Hantunen, confirmed to Finnish newspaper Keskisuomalainen that Hantunen died after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just one week before his death.

Hantunen remained actively involved in rallying until the final stages of his life. He contested his last international event at Rally Finland in 2024 alongside Juha Liimatainen and later co-drove for Markku Hakkarainen in the Reeti Rally.

During a rally career spanning more than seven decades, Hantunen partnered over 70 different drivers and became one of Finland's most respected co-drivers. Among those he worked with were Sebastien Lindholm, Juha Kankkunen, Tommi Mäkinen, Minna Sillankorpi and Antero Laine.

He also played an important mentoring role for younger competitors, reading pace notes for Emil Lindholm early in his career while also working alongside Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala.

Hantunen started Rally Finland 38 times and recorded more than 1,100 official rally starts, making him one of the sport's most experienced co-drivers.

His passion for rallying never faded. Even after decades in the sport, he continued competing and looked forward to extending his remarkable career across seven different decades.

Quote

"Next year I still need to compete in at least one rally so I can say I've competed across seven different decades. It would be wonderful to take part in Rally Finland's 70th anniversary edition at the age of 70."

Key Points

• Finnish co-driver Timo Hantunen has died at the age of 76.

• He passed away after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer one week earlier.

• Hantunen competed in his final international rally at Rally Finland in 2024.

• He co-drove for more than 70 different rally drivers during his career.

• Hantunen started Rally Finland 38 times and recorded more than 1,100 official rally starts.

• He mentored several leading Finnish rally drivers and co-drivers.

• Hantunen remained active in rallying until the end of his life.