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Leo Kinnunen

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Leo Kinnunen
Kinnunen in 1966
Born(1943-08-05)5 August 1943
Tampere, Finland
Died26 July 2017(2017-07-26) (aged 73)
Turku, Finland
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityFinland Finnish
Active years1974
TeamsAAW Racing Team (non-works Surtees)
Entries6 (1 start)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1974 Belgian Grand Prix
Last entry1974 Italian Grand Prix

Leo Juhani "Leksa" Kinnunen (5 August 1943 – 26 July 2017)[1] was a Finnish racing driver, and the first Formula One driver from Finland.

Kinnunen won the Nordic Challenge Cup in 1969, the Interserie from 1971–1973, and helped Porsche to take the World Sportscar Championship for manufacturers in 1970 (drivers championships were not awarded until 1981). In 1974, he switched to Formula One, but in addition to the problems with the underpowered Surtees TS16, his team soon ran into financial problems. He was the last driver to compete in Formula One using an open-face helmet.[2]

Early career

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Kinnunen (left) at the 1964 1000 Lakes Rally
Kinnunen in 1968

Kinnunen started his racing career on motorcycles, but switched to four wheels after receiving his driver's license in the early 1960s. He quickly gained success in rallying, autocross and ice racing. He finished runner-up in the Finnish Rally Championship and matched the points total of the winner Simo Lampinen. Kinnunen also participated in the Finnish F3 Championship with an outdated Brabham in 1967, and a Titan which he drove to several victories in 1968, including one at Ahvenisto Race Circuit in which he managed to beat Swedish future Formula One star Ronnie Peterson.[3]

International breakthrough

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In 1969, Kinnunen made a complete switch to circuit racing and won the Nordic Challenge Cup, predecessor of the popular Interserie, with two wins and a second place at Keimola Motor Stadium after a close battle with Jochen Rindt. He was then invited to test a Porsche 917 at Österreichring and made such an impression that he was hired to partner Pedro Rodriguez in the World Sportscar Championship. The pair surprised the racing world by winning the first race, 24 Hours of Daytona, and went on to win the overall championship for Porsche. For Kinnunen, however, this was unsatisfying time. The car was built for Rodriguez' measurements and driving style, and after Kinnunen managed to quickly outpace him with his own set-ups, he wasn't allowed to modify the car to suit his style anymore.[3] His chance to shine finally came at Targa Florio with the new Porsche 908/03 as Rodriguez was ill on the race day. On the final lap of the race, Kinnunen set a time of 33'36min, breaking the old lap record by 1½ minutes. This is still the fastest ever time recorded for the Sicilian road circuit.[3]

Interserie

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Kinnunen then moved on to drive Porsche 917 for Finnish AAW Racing Team in the Interserie. He won the championship in his debut year, despite withdrawing from the race at Norisring after seeing his former team-mate Rodriguez crash into the barriers and lose his life. He eventually went on to win the championship three times in a row, in 1971, 1972 and 1973, with a total of 18 heat and 11 outright wins. In 1973, he also participated in the World Rally Championship event 23rd 1000 Lakes Rally and finished third with his Porsche Carrera, behind Timo Mäkinen and Markku Alén.[4]

Formula One

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Kinnunen was close to moving to Formula One already for the 1971 season. With the help of Jochen Rindt he was negotiating for a race seat with Team Lotus, which was dominating the series at the time and eventually won the World Constructors' Championship that season. After Rindt's sudden death at Monza, the negotiations came to a halt. According to Kinnunen, Bernie Ecclestone wanted him to drive for free. Kinnunen turned down the offer and demanded a wage for his services, as he was a professional racer.[3]

In 1974, Kinnunen was looking for a job and John Surtees offered him one of his new Formula One cars, Surtees TS16, on lease. Kinnunen accepted the offer since the Surtees TS14 had done well the previous season. After finally finding sponsorship, Kinnunen entered the series with a new team and a Cosworth DFV V8 3.0 litre engine. Antti Aarnio-Wihuri allowed the team to use the AAW Racing Team name, which was recognized and had a good reputation in racing circles.

AAW Racing's first Grand Prix at Nivelles turned out to be a disaster. The TS16 arrived in time for the race weekend, but Kinnunen had never even sat in the car before. It also turned out that the car had been used as a mobile testbed by the factory, and it already had a damaged monocoque and rear suspension. On top of that, it was 80 kilos overweight, the engine lacked power and the team was not allowed to get the top quality tires used by the top teams. When Kinnunen took the car on track, its gearbox broke after three laps. The team, consisting of only three mechanics, had no spare parts and repair work turned out to be unsuccessful, as the gearbox broke again in qualifying, leaving Kinnunen without a recorded time and the only driver not to qualify for the race.[3]

After Nivelles, the team concentrated on testing and fixing the car. They did not travel to Monaco but entered the next race in Sweden. Kinnunen qualified 25th, and while usually only 24 drivers would be allowed to start, Kinnunen's good standing within the Swedish motorsport circle meant an exception was made for him and he was allowed to start.[citation needed]

The AAW team knew that the car would not last the whole race, so they fueled it for only ten laps in order to make a quick press run. This compensated for the TS16's heavy weight, and Kinnunen managed to overtake five cars in eight laps before a spark plug problem forced him to retire.[3] Kinnunen later stated that a spark plug thread in the cylinder head had been stripped prior to the race. A Ferrari mechanic had loaned them a threaded insert kit to fix it, but a mechanic inadvertently damaged the threads while installing the plug and it never seated properly.

The rest of the season did not go well for the team either. They were not allowed to take part in the Dutch Grand Prix, and failed to qualify for the races in France, Great Britain, Italy or Austria. Lack of funding then forced the team to retire from Formula One.

Later career

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Kinnunen driving a Porsche 935 at the 1977 1000 km Nürburgring

After his short stint in Formula One, Kinnunen went back to the Interserie for the series' last event in Hockenheim. He won both heats, and placed sixth overall in the championship just for the points from this race. Kinnunen was then hired by Martini Racing to drive a Porsche 908 Turbo in the World Sportscar Championship in 1975. Partnered with Herbert Müller, his best result of the season was third at Nürburgring. In 1976, he switched teams and raced a Porsche 934 Turbo with Egon Evertz. They managed to collect three podium places and the highlight of the season was a second place at Watkins Glen. After the season the team quit in racing due to financial problems. Kinnunen quit his circuit racing career in 1977, but still raced in a few rally events in Finland, winning the 1979 Arctic Rally.[5] He remained in the sport in administration and lived in Turku.

Kinnunen was asked to drive in the film Le Mans personally by actor and racing enthusiast Steve McQueen, who himself drove for Porsche in North America. Kinnunen's contract with Porsche did not allow the performance and he was replaced by David Piper, who was severely injured during the filming.[6]

Racing record

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Complete Formula One World Championship results

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(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 WDC Points
1974 AAW Racing Team Surtees TS16 Ford V8 ARG BRA RSA ESP BEL
DNQ 		MON SWE
Ret 		NED FRA
DNQ 		GBR
DNQ 		GER AUT
DNQ 		ITA
DNQ 		CAN USA NC 0

Complete WRC results

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Year Entrant Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 WDC Points
1973 Leo Kinnunen Porsche Carrera MON SWE POR KEN MOR GRE POL FIN
3 		AUT ITA USA GBR FRA N/A N/A
1974 Fiat S.p.A. Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye MON
C 		SWE
C 		POR KEN GRE
C 		FIN
6 		N/A N/A
Fiat ITA CAN USA GBR
14 		FRA
1977 Leo Kinnunen Porsche 911 MON SWE POR KEN NZL GRE FIN
Ret 		CAN ITA FRA GBR - 0
1979 Leo Kinnunen Porsche 911 MON SWE POR KEN GRE NZL FIN
Ret 		CAN ITA FRA GBR CIV - 0
1981 Leo Kinnunen Porsche 911 SC MON SWE POR KEN FRA GRE ARG BRA FIN
Ret 		ITA CIV GBR - 0
1982 Leo Kinnunen Porsche 911 SC MON SWE POR KEN FRA GRE NZL BRA FIN
Ret 		ITA CIV GBR - 0

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

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Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1970 United Kingdom J.W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. Mexico Pedro Rodriguez Porsche 917K S
5.0 		22 DNF DNF
1976 Germany Egon Evertz K.G. Germany Egon Evertz Porsche 908/3 Turbo Gp.6
3.0 		124 DNF DNF

Other results in track racing (not Formula 1 or Le Mans)

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Day Race Car Drivers Manufacturer Classification
19.6.1966 Keimola [GT/S] Porsche 911 Kinnunen
11.9.1966 Artukainen [Specials] VW MAC-1 Kinnunen 4.
5.5.1967 II Helsingin Vauhtikisat Brabham BT21 Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen 4.
28.5.1967 I Helsingin Suurajot Leo Kinnunen (AAW Racing ?) 4.
6.8.1967 II Hämeenlinna Ajot Leo Kinnunen 2.
3.9.1967 Keimola Brabham BT18 Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen 11.
5.9.1967 Ahvenisto DNF
7.6.1968 Hämeenlinna Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen 1.
28.7.1968 Djursland Ring AAW Racing Team 2.
4.8.1968 XV Västkustloppet AAW Racing Team 3.
18.8.1968 VI Hämeenlinnan Ajot AAW Racing Team 2.
1.9.1968 Stockholmsloppet DNF
15.9.1968 Suomen Grand Prix DNF
11.5.1969 IV Helsingin Vauhtikisat AAW Racing Team 3.
15.6.1969 Hämeenlinnan Kansainväliset Ajot AAW Racing Team 3.
24.8.1969 Nordic Challenge Keimola Porsche 908/02 Kinnunen AAW 2.
31.8.1969 Nordic Challenge Mantorp Park AAW 1.
2.9.1969 Suomen Grand Prix Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen 2.
14.9.1969 Nordic Challenge Anderstorp Porsche 908/02 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1.
18.1.1970 200 mile Buenos Aires Kinnunen / van Lennep DNA
1.2.1970 24 Hours of Daytona Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen / Redman J. W. Engineering 1.
21.3.1970 12 h Sebring Rodriguez / Kinnunen / Siffert J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 4.
12.4.1970 1000 km Brands Hatch Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 1.
25.4.1970 1000 km Monza J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 1.
3.5.1970 Targa Florio Porsche 908/03 Kinnunen / Rodriguez J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 2.
17.5.1970 1000 km Spa Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. DNF
31.5.1970 1000 km Nürburgring J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. DNF
11.7.1970 6 h Watkins Glen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 1.
19.7.1970 GP Mugello Abarth 2000 SP Kinnunen Abarth & C. 2.
23.8.1970 Interserie Keimola McLaren M12 Kinnunen Bill Bradley Racing 8.
6.9.1970 500 km Nürburgring Abarth 2000 SP Kinnunen Abarth & Co. 3.
11.10.1970 1000 km Zeltweg Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. DNF
2.5.1971 Interserie Imola Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen A.A.W. Racing Team 3.
16.5.1971 Targa Florio Alfa Romeo T33/3 Stommelen / Kinnunen Autodelta S.p.a. DNF
30.5.1971 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 911 S Kinnunen / Waldegård Leo Kinnunen 16.
6.6.1971 Interserie Zolder Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 2.
4.7.1971 Interserie Hockenheim Racing Team AAW 2.
11.7.1971 Interserie Norisring AAW Racing Team DNF
22.8.1971 Interserie Keimola AAW Racing Team 1.
12.9.1971 500 km Imola A.A.W. Racing Team 4.
3.10.1971 Interserie Hockenheim A.A.W. Racing Team. 3.
17.10.1971 1000 km of Paris Larrousse / Kinnunen A.A.W. 2.
3.4.1972 Interserie Nürburgring Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW (Keimola Racing) 4.
1.5.1972 Interserie Imola Racing Team AAW DNF
21.5.1972 Interserie Silverstone Racing Team AAW 1.
9.7.1972 Interserie Zeltweg Racing Team AAW 9.
16.7.1972 Interserie Hockenheim Racing Team AAW 1.
6.8.1972 Interserie Norisring Racing Team AAW 1.
27.8.1972 Interserie Keimola Racing Team AAW 1.
24.9.1972 Interserie Nürburgring Racing Team AAW 1.
1.10.1972 Interserie Hockenheim Racing Team AAW 1.
1.4.1973 Interserie Nürburgring Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsportclub Stuttgart – Racing Team AAW 2.
1.5.1973 Interserie Imola Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 2.
13.5.1973 Targa Florio Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Kinnunen / Haldi Martini Racing 3.
20.5.1973 Interserie Silverstone Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 1.
24.6.1973 Interserie Norisring Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 1.
1.7.1973 Mainz-Finthen [S+1.6] Leo Kinnunen 1.
15.7.1973 Interserie Hockenheim Motorsport-Club Stuttgart e. V. Racing Team AAW 9.
19.8.1973 Interserie Misano Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 1.
30.9.1973 Interserie Hockenheim MSC Stuttgart 1.
29.9.1974 Interserie Hockenheim Martini Racing Team 1.
23.3.1975 1000 km Mugello Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen / Müller / van Lennep Team Dr. Dannesberger 16.
6.4.1975 800 km Dijon Kinnunen Julio Gargallo DNA
4.5.1975 1000 km Spa Müller / Kinnunen Martini Racing DNF
18.5.1975 Coppa Florio Kinnunen / Müller Dr. H. Dannesberger 7.
1.6.1975 1000 km Nürburgring Müller / Kinnunen Martini-Racing-Team Dr. H. Dannesberger 3.
15.6.1975 24 h Le Mans Herbert Müller DNA
29.6.1975 Interserie Misano Dr. H. Dannesberger 9.
21.3.1976 6 h Mugello Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz Solingen 3.
4.4.1976 6h Vallelunga Egon Evertz K.G. DNF
25.4.1976 4h Monza Porsche 908/3 Egon Evertz DNS
9.5.1976 6h Silverstone Porsche 934 Egon Evertz 3.
30.5.1976 1000 km Nürburgring Egon Evertz KG, Sollingen DNF
27.6.1976 6h Zeltweg Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Schurti / Evertz Egon Evertz KG DNF
10.7.1976 6h Watkins Glen Kinnunen / Hezemans / Evertz Egon Evertz K.G. 2.
1.8.1976 Euro GT Misano Kinnunen NC
29.8.1976 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen Egon Evertz KG. DNA
4.9.1976 6h Dijon Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz 4.
5.9.1976 500 km Dijon Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen Egon Evertz DNF
12.9.1976 DRM Nürburgring Supersprint Porsche 934 Kinnunen Egon Evertz KG Schwießtechnik 2.
19.9.1976 200 mile Salzburgring Porsche 908/3 Evertz / Kinnunen Evertz KG DNA
26.9.1976 DRM Hockenheim Porsche 934 Kinnunen Egon Evertz Schwießtechnik Solingen 6.
31.10.1976 Euro GT Hockenheim Schweißtechnik Egon Evertz KG DNA
20.3.1977 6h Mugello Evertz / Kinnunen Egon Evertz DNA
29.5.1977 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 935 Kinnunen / Neuhaus / Krebs Josef Brambring DNF
5.5.1985 National SS Ahvenisto Saab 900 Kinnunen DNA
26.5.1985 Nordic SS Kemora DNA
26.5.1985 National SS Kemora 11.
9.6.1985 National SS Ahvenisto II TUA DNF
1985 Kemora 6.
9.6.1985 Nordic SS Ahvenisto II DNS
11.8.1985 National SS Ahvenisto III DNS
11.8.1985 Nordic SS Ahvenisto III 9.
1.9.1985 National SS Kemora II DNA

Complete Rally results (including WRC races mentioned before)

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Day Race Co-driver Car Classification
18.7.–19.7. 1964 Kuopio Ralli Charles Lindholm Volvo PV544 2.
14.8.–16.8. 1964 Jyväskylän Suurajot Lindholm 35.
16.1.–25.1. 1965 Monte Carlo Rally Timo Karlsson Volvo 122 S DNF
10.7.–11.7. 1965 Itäralli Ilkka Repo Fiat Abarth 1000 DNF
5.1.–6.1. 1966 Riihimäki-Ralli Tapio Klen Volkswagen 1600 TL 1.
25.2.–27.2. 1966 Hankiralli Klen 6.
14.5.–15.5. 1966 Salpausselkä Ralli Klen DNF
9.7.–10.7. 1966 Itäralli Klen DNF
19.8.–21.8. 1966 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kalevi Leivo Volkswagen 1600 L 37.
29.10.–3010. 1966 Pohjola Ralli Leivo DNF
5.1.–6.1. 1967 Riihimäki-Ralli Leivo Volkswagen 1500 3.
24.2.–26.2. 1967 Hankiralli Klen 4.
8.7.–9.7. 1967 Itäralli Martti Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L 1.
18.8.–20.8. 1967 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kolari DNF
9.9.–10.9. 1967 Tampere Ralli Kolari DNF
11.11.–12.11. 1967 Helsinki Ralli Kolari 3.
23.2.–25.2. 1968 Hankiralli Kolari 2.
9.3.–10.3. 1968 Tunturiralli Jyrki Ahava DNF
25.5.–26.5. 1968 Salpausselkä Ralli Ahava DNF
5.7.–7.7. 1968 Itäralli Kolari DNF
16.8.–18.8. 1968 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kolari Porsche 911 T DNF
25.10.–27.10. 1968 Pohjola Ralli Ahava Volkswagen 1600 L 5.
4.1.–5.1. 1969 Riihimäki-Ralli Ahava 21.
21.2.–23.2. 1969 Hankiralli Kolari 4.
14.5.–15.5. 1969 Länsirannikon Ralli Kolari DNF
15.8.–17.8. 1969 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kolari Porsche 911 S DNF
28.11.–30.11. 1969 Pohjola Ralli Kolari 1.
20.2.–22.2. 1970 Hankiralli Erkki Salonen Saab 96 DNF
20.8.–23.8. 1970 Jyväskylän Suurajot Salonen DNF
12.9.–13.9. 1970 Kesoil Ralli Salonen 11.
26.2.–28.2. 1971 Hankiralli Urpo Vihervaara Datsun 1600 DNF
26.11.–28.11. 1971 Pohjola Ralli Atso Aho Volkswagen 1302 S 1.
4.2.–6.2. 1972 Arctic Tunturiralli Aho Porsche 911 S 1.
3.3.–5.3. 1972 Hankiralli Aho DNF
2.2.–4.2. 1973 Arctic Tunturiralli Jaakko Markula Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV DNF
3.8.–5.8. 1973 Jyväskylän Suurajot Aho Porsche Carrera 3.
24.11.–25.11. 1973 Pohjola Ralli Aho Volkswagen 1302 S DNF
31.1.–2.2. 1974 Marlboro Arctic Rally Aho DNF
2.8.–4.8. 1974 Jyväskylän Suurajot Aho Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye 6.
16.11.–20.11. 1974 Lombard RAC Rally Aho 14.
31.1.–2.2. 1975 Marlboro Arctic Rally Vihervaara Toyota Corolla DNF
28.2.–2.3. 1975 Hankiralli Vihervaara Datsun 160J DNF
20.9.–21.9. 1975 Kesoil Ralli Tapio Pinomäki Volkswagen 1302 S DNF
29.1.–1.2. 1976 Marlboro Arctic Rally Aho Volvo 66 DNF
14.2.–15.2. 1976 Mänttä 200-ajo Jorma Pulkkinen DNF
5.3.–7.3. 1976 Hankiralli Pulkkinen DNF
19.6.–20.6. 1976 Oulujärven Ralli Pulkkinen 7.
13.11.–14.11. 1976 Pohjola Ralli Pulkkinen 1.
8.1.–9.1. 1977 Riihimäki-Ralli Pulkkinen 63.
4.2.–6.2. 1977 Marlboro Arctic Rally Roman Fehrmann DNF
18.2.–20.2. 1977 Hankiralli Fehrmann 11.
26.8.–28.8 1977 Jyväskylän Suurajot Pulkkinen Porsche 911 DNF
17.9.–18.9. 1977 Länsirannikon Ralli Fehrmann 2.
29.10.–30.10. 1977 Teboil Ralli Fehrmann DNF
12.11.–13.11. 1977 Helsinki Ralli Fehrmann DNF
26.11.–27.11. 1977 Pohjola Ralli Fehrmann 3.
3.2.–5.2. 1978 Marlboro Arctic Rally Fehrmann DNF
2.2.–3.2. 1979 Arctic Rally Jussi Kuukkala 1.
24.8.–28.8. 1979 Jyväskylän Suurajot Salonen DNF
15.9.–16.9. 1979 Länsirannikon Ralli Salonen Porsche Carrera DNF
20.10.–21.10. 1979 Teboil Ralli Pentti Kuukkala 3.
24.11.–25.11. 1979 Pohjola Ralli Kuukkala DNF
2.2.–3.2. 1980 Arctic Rally Salonen DNF
29.2.–2.3. 1980 Hankiralli Kuukkala DNF
31.1.–1.2. 1981 Arctic Rally Kuukkala DNF
28.8.–30.8. 1981 1000 Lakes Rally Risto Anttila Porsche 911 SC DNF
27.8.–29.8. 1982 1000 Lakes Rally Anttila DNF

References

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  1. ^ Lempinen, Marko; Koivunen, Tommi (26 July 2017). "Ensimmäinen suomalainen F1-kuljettaja Leo Kinnunen on kuollut" [Finland's first F1 driver Leo Kinnunen is dead]. Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Tiesitkö? Leo Kinnunen oli F1-historiassa lajinsa viimeinen – "Ihmiset olivat hulluja"". MTV. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Liikanen, Sami. "8W – Who? – Leo Kinnunen". Forix. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  4. ^ "23rd 1000 Lakes Rally". RallyBase. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  5. ^ "14th Arctic Rally". RallyBase. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
  6. ^ Keranen, Jouko. "Leo Kinnunen". VPRacing.com. Retrieved 2007-01-28.
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