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Well it's 50 years this weekend since Timo drove for the works for the last time in his attempt to win the 1000 Lakes Rally of Finland for the fourth consecutive time. I'm sure most have seen this but captured here in glorious colour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McsRYqKRRLs

Still amazed as to how the Price and Browning books made such a mess of it for history.

Was he using a higher diff ratio than the "normal" 4.2? His second gear corners seem somewhat open/fast, even if 8000rpm used. It was the fastest European rally at one time and maybe still is, despite some stages being shortened/made slower.

LMM76C wrote:Still amazed as to how the Price and Browning books made such a mess of it for history.

Was he using a higher diff ratio than the "normal" 4.2? His second gear corners seem somewhat open/fast, even if 8000rpm used. It was the fastest European rally at one time and maybe still is, despite some stages being shortened/made slower.

It was completely missed from the '68 chapter of Bill Price's book wasn't it? Timo reckoned it was the quickest Mini the works had ever given him by the sounds of it.

Wasn't Aho's car works built aswell?

It looks a fairly recently built car. Red arches? (very rare on a truly private car). Was it an ex-works car "sold" without identity (not sure that Aho would have qualified for one of the "sales" that was effectively a give away to favoured drivers).
What became of the original RBL450F rally car after the Acropolis? (it re-emerged as a race car, which must have been a new car, using the original reg). Not much call for recce cars by then (other than 1000 lakes and TAP).

NOP431F or WOP? I had never looked closely at the reg in the film and had assumed it was Finnish registered. NOB400F, the Crellins' car, is the only remotely close number. I have no record of the reg no appearing in UK on any "significant Minis" - but why re-spray the roof? Suggests work-built for Aho or a UK private owner who rented it to him, or a UK number used to export it for him.

Browning was there (Price probably not). Is there any reference to 68 1000 Lakes in later editions of the Browning book. Price even gets the crew of the second car wrong (Ytterbring, not Lusenius).
Ytterbring was in (own?) yellow car on 68 RAC.

NOP431F or WOP?

It's MOP 431F... I think I've got some pics of it somewhere, taken (by the then owner?) sometime in the '80s. I think in the '80s, going by the pics I was sent it was running with an 8 port head with Amal carbs.

Motorsport October 68:
Aho's Abingdon-built, British registered car was 3rd car in a team entry with the 2 works cars.
(Reporter Geraint Phillips suggests BLMC only went when they knew Castrol were making this film. Were they paid by Castrol to enter? Or was it pressure from Makinen, who had won the last 3 1000 Lakes)

Aho finished 4th, only Mini to finish - which raises the question as to what a full 3 car BLMC works effort might have achieved (only one Escort TC finished).

Thought it was, just couldn't remember where I'd read it.

Great piece of film thanks for posting. I think it is the only film I have seen of Mark 2 works minis rallying, I had seen the “Flying Finns” bit before but not the whole thing. The cars look virtually standard! I spectated on the 1974 1000 Lakes (Rally Finland my arse) and those jumps are hairy. So sorry to find out that the books written have so many inaccuracies/ omissions. thanks again, brilliant! Cheers. Brian

I think it is the only film I have seen of Mark 2 works minis rallying

take a look at 1968 Portugal Rally TAP.
You'll see a few Minis, including Hopkirk on LBL606D around the Sporting football field, on the speed chase special stage... enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTkOAFA3lh4

1st #32 Tony Fall and Ron Crellin, Lancia Fulvia
2nd #71 Paddy Hopkirk and Tony Nash, BMC Mini Cooper
3rd #35 António Peixinho, Mini Cooper
4th #55 Francisco Romãozinho and José Bernardo, Mini Cooper

https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/5914 ... -tap-1968/

https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries/59 ... -tap-1968/

VKA305H wrote:I spectated on the 1974 1000 Lakes

I competed on the 1974 1000 Lakes.

Thanks Mario!