In the motorsports world, specifically the rallying side, Rauno Aaltonen is known as the ‘rally professor’, but too much theory eventually spoils even the happiest of experts. He has had to spend the past 8 months at home in his Finnish homeland due to the applicable lockdown regulations. No excursions on the rally slopes, no trial of strength in historical races, no practical courses with enthusiastic students… very boring.
Aaltonen is now 82 years old, but his impressive level of fitness still allows him to grapple with the steering wheel. Never before, he says, has he had to do without driving for as long as in the pandemic year 2020. And, no, he was really not made for retirement.
A special present for an old friend
Loyal friends at MINI thought of what exactly would against such boredom, and came up with the idea of a special kind of pre-Christmas present. It was clear what the experienced rally driver and long-time companion of the British brand was missing most – it wasn’t just a package laced up, but also a ‘sledge’ set in motion.
A closed vehicle transport trailer containing a classic Mini was hooked up to a modern MINI Cooper S Countryman ALL4 which had the destination of Rovaniemi set into its navigation system. That’s a city in Finland and besides being the place that Aaltonen stays, it is also known globally as the ‘official home of Santa Claus’.
By land to the home of Santa Claus
From Munich, the trailer and the Cooper S Countryman ALL4 initially headed straight for the Baltic Sea, and after a 30-hour ferry ride, made its way for another 14 hours on the roads of Finland, some of which were already snowy in winter.
While Santa would have been preparing to send presents to children all over the world (we’re told he got priority for the COVID-19 vaccine), the present from the MINI team arrived in Rovaniemi which lies almost on the Arctic Circle. With the New Normal, the delivery had to be contactless so upon arrival, the rear of the trailer opened and a classic red Mini – just like the one used by Aaltonen – came rolling out.
The Professor didn’t waste time getting behind the wheel and a little later, snow was flying in a high arc as the old master roared away drifting on an extensive tour through deeply snow-covered Finnish forests. The forced break was finally over and he was finally able to ‘play the piano with his feet’ again.
“Rauno has given us so many moving moments in almost 60 years. Now is the perfect moment to give something back,” said Bernd Korber, Head of the MINI brand.
Aaltonen and Mini
The relationship between Aaltonen and the British brand goes back to 1961. At that time, the Finn had just become national rally champion in his home country and was determined to take on the challenge of the famous Monte Carlo rally. He chose the Mini to enter but that first time ended with a spectacular crash. In January 1963, Aaltonen did better in the snow and ice, finishing as class winner and third in the overall standings.
From year to year, the classic Mini and the works team, which Aaltonen was part of, were better and better prepared for the unique requirements of the Monte Carlo Rally. Precise instructions were given by Aaltonen in terms of car set-up, additional equipment and road conditions and even tyre choices for the changing road conditions. “Everything that was allowed and possible within the regulations was also taken into account,” he recalled.
Nevertheless, the great triumph was initially reserved for others. In 1964, Northern Irishman “Paddy” Hopkirk took the first overall victory in the Mini Cooper S, and Aaltonen’s compatriot Timo Makinen achieved the second “trick” the following year.
In 1966, the Mini trio known as ‘the three musketeers’ – comprising Aaltonen, Paddy Hopkirk and Timo Makinen – finished 1-2-3. However, they were disqualified after a controversial decision by the organisers who found the Mini’s lighting system to be illegal. Finally, in 1967, Aaltonen achieved the long-deserved overall victory at the Monte Carlo Rally. With that he had finally made the Mini a rally legend and on top of that put his stamp on the sport as a whole.
‘Inventor’ of left-foot braking
Aaltonen is considered to be the ‘inventor’ of left-hand braking, which enabled him to keep his right foot on the accelerator pedal even when cornering, while the left foot alternated between the clutch and brake pedal. He called it ‘playing the piano with your feet’.
In addition, the Finn introduced detailed notes on the route and was the first to send ‘ice spies’ ahead to report on the conditions. His meticulous preparation and the ability to vividly explain his rapid driving manoeuvres soon also benefited Aaltonen beyond rallying. He was also invited to be the first chief instructor of BMW Driver Training when it began in 1976 (now known as BMW and MINI Driving Experience).
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