Harri Toivonen

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Harri Toivonen (b. October 22, 1960) was a Finnish rally and race car driver. He is the younger brother of Henri Toivonen and son of Pauli Toivonen.

His first World Rally Championship outcome was at the 1980 1000 Lakes Rally in a Chrysler Avenger, former car of his brother Henri.

In 1983 he drove a Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo, mainly for the Finnish Junior Rally Team. In 1986 he came to a deal with the Austin Rover works team to drive the British Rally open in an MG Metro 6R4. While competing at the Wales Rally in early May, he heard the news of his brother's unfortunate accident at the Tour de Corse which cost Henri and fellow co-driver Sergio Cresto their lives.

However he continued in competing later that year. He drove his Metro to a respective 8th place at the 1000 Lakes Rally, but retired at the RAC Rally in November. The rally his brother Henri won one year earlier.

After some unsuccessful years in rallying after 1986 he switched to circuit racing. He drove in several racing classes in which he managed some successes. He participated 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 finishing 9th overall driving Porsche with JJ Lehto and Manuel Reuter.

In 2002, Toivonen hung up his helmet. In 2006, he opened an exhibition to tribute to his brother Henri at the Neste Oil Rally Finland.

[edit] External links

• (Italian) Site dedicated Henri Toivonen