It would be right to say that rallying is in Mikko Hirvonen's blood, because his first rally memories are from his childhood - A young rally driver sat on his fathers knee driving a car on a frozen lake beside his home house.
Determine and realistic for his rally career young Finn decided to learn rallying with front wheel drive rally car as in 1998 he bought his first rally car, two litre Opel Kadett. At the same moment he participated to rally competition with his cousin. Despite two off roads, time penalty and transmission problems happy Hirvonen finished the rally.
Next two years were true family celebration around rallying as once Mikko's cousin and sister sat as co-driver while other memebers of his family surrounded and serviced the car. In millenium Mikko felt ready to take a new step and challenge by participating into Finnish Junior Rally Championship with Opel Astra. At the end of the serie he was 7th.
| Season 2000: |
Rally car: |
Placement |
Lahti NuSM |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, technical |
Laihia NuSM |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
7th overall |
Kiuruvesi NuSM |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, offroad |
Tuupovaara NuSM |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
6th overall |
Tervakoski NuSM |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
3rd overall |
| Raisio NuSM |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, offroad |
SM-Lapua ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
2nd overall (A-juniors) |
| SM-Kuopio ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, technical |
| SM-Valkeakoski ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, technical |
| SM-Uusikaupunki ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
15th in class |
| SM-Hämeenlinna ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
5th in class |
| SM-Exide ralli, Tampere |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
2nd in class, 10th overall |
| Mänttä 200 ajo |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, technical |
| Ruuhimäki rallisprint |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, technical |
For season 2001 Hirvonen set his goals for Finnish Rally Championship wit rebuild Opel Astra. It was time to learn pace notes with Sirpa Jokinen. Her husband, Kari Jokinen is one of the experienced co-drivers in Finnish national rally sport.
Mikko showed good pace until final leg of final rally his Astra hit rocks and gold medal turned into silver. At the end of the season it was time to start an international rally career from Italy.
| Season 2001: |
Rally car |
Placement |
SM-Arctic Lapland Rally |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
6th in class |
SM-Kaloppiralli, Loppi |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
3th in class |
SM-Heinolaralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
2nd in class |
SM-Pohjanmaa ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
5th in class |
SM-Exide ralli, Tampere |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
2nd in class |
| SM-Uusikaupunki ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
2nd in class |
| SM-Valvoline ralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
11th in class |
| Miljoonaralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, technical |
| Jyväskylän talviralli |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
Retirement, offroad |
| Kannonkoski rallisprint |
Opel Astra GSi 16V gr. N |
1st in class, 2nd overall |
| Prealpi Trevigiane Asfaltto, Italia |
Nissan Sunny GTi |
3rd in class, 7th overall |
In just three years Hirvonen had gained the speed required for Finnish Rally Championship. His talent was noticed by the appreciated manager Timo Jouhki, who made a 12 month deal with Hirvonen to enter Hirvonen into WRC for season 2003.
In season 2002 Mikko participated over 20 rallies as he gained experience to reach his goal with his co-drivers Miikka Anttila and Jarmo Lehtinen. Season ended group-F2 Championship with Volkswagen Golf Kit Car.
Hirvonen gained international experience from Subaru Cup of Italy and from selected WRC-events.
| Season 2002 |
Rally Car |
Placement |
SM-Arctic Lapland Rally |
Volkswagen Golf IV KitCar |
1st in class |
SM-Osuuspankki ralli, Lapua
|
Volkswagen Golf IV KitCar |
3rd in class |
SM-Nilsiä ralli |
Volkswagen Golf IV KitCar |
1st in class |
SM-Waltikka ralli, Valkeakoski |
Volkswagen Golf IV KitCar |
3rd in class |
SM-Exide ralli, Tampere |
Volkswagen Golf IV KitCar |
1st in class |
| SM-Uusikaupunki ralli |
Volkswagen Golf IV KitCar |
Retirement, technical |
| Prealpi Trevigiane Terra, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
25th overall |
| Coppa Liburna, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
1st in Cup, 7th overall |
| Rally Dell'Adriatico, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
Retirement, offroad |
| Rally San Marino, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
5th in class, 16th overall |
| Golfo dell'Asinara, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
1st in Cup, 7th overall |
| Costa Smeralda, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
1st in Cup, 7th overall |
| Altopiano 7 Comuni, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRX STi |
Retirement, technical |
| Rally San Crispina, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRC STi |
Retirement, offroad |
| Rally of Alba, Italia |
Ford Puma Super 1600 |
Retirement, technical |
| Rally Auxerre, Ranska |
Ford Puma Super 1600 |
Retirement, offroad |
| Coppa di Luca, Italia |
Citroen Saxo Super 1600 |
2nd in class, 5th overall |
| Rally Citta di Luca, Italia |
Citroen Saxo Super 1600 |
Retirement, technical |
| Neste Rally Finland |
Renault Clio Super 1600 |
1st in class, 15th overall |
| Rally San Remo, Italia |
Renault Clio Super 1600 |
Retirement, technical |
| Prealpi Trevigiane Asfalto, Italia |
Subaru Impreza WRC -01 |
1st overall |
| Cumbrian Rally, Englanti |
Subaru Impreza WRC -99 |
1st overall |
| RAC Rally, Englanti |
Subaru Impreza WRC -99 |
Retirement, technical |
Hard work made results as season 2003 Mikko and Jarmo was rallying with 2002 specs Ford Focus RS WRC by participating in total of 14 WRC-events. Season best result was from Cyprus as Finnish duo gained 6th place.
| Season 2003 |
Rally Car |
Placement |
Rally Monte Carlo |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
Retirement |
|
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
11. |
Rally Turkey |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
Retirement |
Rally New-Zealand |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
10. |
Rally Argentina |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
16. |
| EOS Rally, Estonia |
Toyota Corolla WRC |
Retirement |
| Rally Greece |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
Retirement |
| Rally Cyprus |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
6. |
| Rally Germany |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
13. |
| Rally Finland |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
Retirement |
| Rally Australi |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
9. |
| Rally Italy |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
Retirement |
| Rally France |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
10. |
| Rally Spain |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
14. |
| Rally Great Britain |
Ford Focus RS WRC'02 |
Keskeytys |
| Kannonkoski ralliysprint |
Toyota Corolla gr. F |
2. |
In season 2005 Hirvonen joined famous Subaru World Rally Team and gained valuable experience in 16 WRC-events. Season best performance was in Argentina and Australia as Flying Finn was 4th fastest driver.
| Season 2004 |
Rally Car |
Placement |
Rally Monte Carlo |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
Retirement |
|
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
9. |
Rally Mexico |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
5. |
Rally New-Zealand |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
7. |
Rally Cyprus |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
5. |
| Rally Greece |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
Retirement |
| Rally Turkey |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
6. |
| Rally Argentina |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
4. |
| Rally Finland |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
Retirement |
| Rally Germany |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
8. |
| Rally Japan |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
7. |
| Rally Great Britain |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
7. |
| Rally France |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
10. |
| Rally Spain |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
8. |
| Rally Australia |
Subaru Impreza WRC2003 |
4. |
In season 2005 Hirvonen and his co-driver Lehtinen rallied five WRC-events with privately funded Ford Focus RS WRC and one WRC event with Skoda Fabia WRC.
Seasons best (and his current rally career best) performance was from Rally Spain where Mikko fought himself to podium - 3rd in overall classifications. He was also first private rally driver who have lead WRC event since 2001 Rally Greece. Due strong performance Hirvonen gained three years manufacturers contract with Ford starting from season 2006.
| Season 2005: |
Rally car |
Placement |
|
Ford Focus RS WRC03 |
Retirement |
Rally Italy |
Ford Focus RS WRC03 |
Retirement |
Rally Greece |
Ford Focus RS WRC03 |
5. |
Rally Finland |
Ford Focus RS WRC03 |
5. |
| Rally Japan |
Skoda Fabia WRC05 |
Retirement |
| Rally Spain |
Ford Focus RS WRC03 |
3. |
| Rally Portugal |
Subaru Impreza WRC Sti |
2. |
| SM-Uusikaupunki rally |
Subaru Imprexa WRX STi Spec-C |
2. |
Season 2006 was the first year of three years contract with Ford manufacturer team. The contract gave best possible chances for battling for victories in each rally alongside double World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm. In season 2006 Mikko rallied in all World Rally Championship events with Ford Focus RS WRC'06 rally car.
During the season Mikko with his co-driver Jarmo rallied excellent positions. The top moment of the season was in WRC Australia - Mikko and Jarmo rallied their first ever victory and sealed Manufacturers title for Ford in next event at New Zealand. In drivers Championship Mikko was third.
| Time of rally |
Rally event |
Position |
Rally report |
| 20-22.01.2006 |
Monte Carlo |
7. |
Report |
| 03-05.02.2006 |
Ruotsi |
12. |
Report |
| 03-05.03.2006 |
Meksiko |
15. |
Report |
| 24-26.03.2006 |
Espanja |
9. |
Report |
| 07-09.04.2006 |
Ranska |
4. |
Report |
| 28-30.04.2006 |
Argentiina |
Retirement |
Report |
| 19-21.05.2006 |
Italia |
2. |
Report |
| 02-04.06.2006 |
Kreikka |
3. |
Report |
| 11-13.08.2006 |
Saksa |
8. |
Report |
| 18-20.08.2006 |
Suomi |
3. |
Report |
| 01-03.09.2006 |
Japani |
3. |
Report |
| 22-24.09.2006 |
Kypros |
3. |
Report |
| 13-15.10.2006 |
Turkki |
2. |
Report |
| 27-29.10.2006 |
Australia |
1. |
Report |
| 17-19.11.2006 |
Uusi-Seelanti |
2. |
Report |
| 01-03.12.2006 |
Iso-Britania |
Retirement |
Report |
For season 2007 stakes were risen into new level. First WRC victory made Mikko very hungry for more success as his rallying speed had also increased. Hirvonen gained next level of performance in Norway as he gained his careers second overall victory. Mikko and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen collected Championship points from 15 of 16 rallies and the season finale happened in WRC Wales as Mikko was victorious again. Season was finished into 3rd position in World Rally championship.
For season 2008 the stakes are going to be a lot higher again as Mikko takes his top position in BP Ford Rally Team. Mikko steps into big boots of Marcus Grönholm and gets ultimate chance for challenging Loeb and his fellow competitors for Championship title.
