Just found out that Pentti has passed away after a long battle with illness. A fine driver who was a frequent visitor to these shores and provided great entertainment.

One of the great flyin finns.

From another forum - "Pentti Airikkala (September 4, 1945 in Helsinki, Finland – September 30, 2009 in Bray, was one of the 'Flying Finns' who have dominated world rallying for the past four decades.[1] His career was more sporadic than many of his contemporaries, and he competed in only three World Rally Championship (WRC) events regularly; the two Scandinavian rallies (the 1000 Lakes and the Swedish Rally) and the RAC Rally in the United Kingdom.
Most of his top flight competitive experience was behind the wheel of various rear wheel drive Vauxhall/Opels like the Chevette HS and Magnum coupé, but his greatest success came in the twilight of his career, when he exploited his local knowledge as a longtime UK resident to win the 1989 RAC Rally in a Group A Mitsubishi Galant VR-4.[2] He is still the third oldest driver to win a WRC event.
Altogether he competed in 36 WRC events between 1973 and 1990, and a 37th in 2003, scoring 102 points and achieving a best of 9th overall in the 1981 Drivers' Championship.[3] He also contested the British Rally Championship in the '70s and '80s, becoming British Rally Champion in 1979.
Since retiring from full-time international competition Airikkala operated a highly successful race driving school in Oxfordshire, where his roster of pupils included subsequent World Champions Colin McRae and Richard Burns.[4] Airikkala died on September 30, 2009 aged 64 after a year-long battle with illness. "

Bugger......

Wow Didn't know that.

What a shame. I had the privilage of meeting him on the RAC rally many moons ago. A very aproachable and "down to earth" guy.

He'll be missed

Another rallying legend gone RIP.

Pennti was fantastic.

Old enough to have experienced rallying's best era when a Manta or an Escort was as sophisticated as it got and before 4wd and turbochargers changed it forever.

Fast enough to be a superstar.

A great hero of mine very sad to here the news

RIP