Harri Toivonen (born 22 October 1960) is a former rally and race car driver from Finland. He is the younger brother of the late Henri Toivonen and son of Pauli Toivonen.

Rally career edit

His first World Rally Championship outcome was at the 1980 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland driving 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 accident at the Tour de Corse which cost Henri and co-driver Sergio Cresto their lives.

Harri continued competing later that year. He drove his Metro to 8th place at the 1000 Lakes Rally, but retired at the UK's 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 with some successes. He participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 finishing 9th overall, driving a Porsche 962 for Kremer Racing with JJ Lehto and Manuel Reuter.

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

Harri is now involved with Ian's Dawsons Le Mans Prototype Eco Racing Team.

Racing record edit

Complete WRC results edit

Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 WDC Points
1980 Harri Toivonen Chrysler Avenger MON SWE POR KEN GRC ARG FIN
Ret
NZL ITA FRA GBR CIV NC 0
1981 Harri Toivonen Talbot Sunbeam Lotus MON SWE POR KEN FRA GRC ARG BRA FIN
Ret
ITA CIV GBR NC 0
1982 David Sutton Cars Ltd. Ford Escort RS1800 MON SWE POR KEN FRA GRC NZL BRA FIN
Ret
ITA CIV GBR NC 0
1983 Harri Toivonen Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo MON SWE POR KEN FRA GRC NZL ARG FIN
Ret
ITA CIV NC 0
Mitsubishi Ralliart GBR
Ret
1986 Austin Rover WRT MG Metro 6R4 MON SWE POR KEN FRA GRC NZL ARG FIN
8
CIV ITA GBR
Ret
USA 49th 3
1987 Harri Toivonen Mazda 323 4WD MON SWE
Ret
POR KEN FRA GRC USA NZL ARG FIN
Ret
CIV ITA GBR NC 0
1988 Harri Toivonen Lancia Delta Integrale MON SWE POR KEN FRA GRC USA NZL ARG FIN
Ret
CIV ITA GBR NC 0

24 Hours of Le Mans results edit

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1991   Porsche Kremer Racing   Manuel Reuter
  JJ Lehto
Porsche 962CK6 C2 343 9th 9th
1992   British Racing Motors   Wayne Taylor
  Richard Jones
BRM P351 C1 20 DNF DNF
1996   Kremer Racing   Christophe Bouchut
  Jürgen Lässig
Kremer K8 Spyder LMP1 110 DNF DNF
1997   Pacific Racing Ltd.   Eliseo Salazar
  Jesús Pareja
BRM P301-Nissan LMP 6 DNF DNF
2001   Team Ascari   Werner Lupberger
  Ben Collins
Ascari A410-Judd LMP900 134 DNF DNF

External links edit