Heikki Mikkola | |
---|---|
Nationality | Finnish |
Born | 6 July 1945 Mikkeli, Finland | (age 79)
Motocross career | |
Years active | 1967–1979 |
Teams | Husqvarna, Yamaha |
Championships | 500cc – 1974, 1977, 1978 250cc – 1976 |
Wins | 34 |
Heikki Antero Mikkola (born 6 July 1945) is a Finnish former professional motocross racer and motocross team manager. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1967 to 1979, most prominently as a member of the Husqvarna factory racing team where he became the first competitor to win both the 250cc and 500cc world championships.[1][2]
During the 1970s, Mikkola challenged perennial champion Roger De Coster for supremacy of the 500cc motocross world championships.[1] After 12 seasons racing for Husqvarna, he joined the Yamaha factory racing team where he won two more 500cc world championships.[1] As with many Finns involved in racing activities, he was nicknamed the Flying Finn and, was known for his trademark goatee beard and his fierce mein.[1][3]
After his racing career, he became a Yamaha race team manager. In 2006, Mikkola was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame and, in 2015, he was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycle racing achievements.[1][4]