Timo Salonen
Timo Salonen
© WRC
01
Key Facts & Achievements
Name
Timo Salonen
Nationality
Finnish
Date of Birth
08.10.1951
WRC Titles
1 (1985)
WRC Wins
11
WRC Podiums
24
WRC Starts
95
WRC Stage Wins
258
Last WRC Event
Rally Finland 2002
02
Career Summary
Finnish driver Timo Salonen won the 1985 World Rally Championship behind the wheel of the fearsome Peugeot 205 T16, becoming the most successful driver of the Group B era with seven wins during that period. His aggressive, spectacular style made him a fan favourite during rallying’s most dramatic chapter.
Salonen mastered the fire-breathing Group B monsters that ruled the mid-1980s WRC. After early success with various manufacturers, he joined Peugeot Talbot Sport under Jean Todt’s leadership. In 1985, Salonen edged out Audi’s Stig Blomqvist to claim his sole world title, showcasing remarkable skill taming the 500-plus horsepower Peugeot.
The 1985 championship was the pinnacle of the Group B era, which was controversially cancelled following a series of tragic accidents in 1986. Finland’s Ari Vatanen initially appeared poised to win the title that year, but a terrifying crash at Rally Argentina left him seriously injured, effectively handing the crown to Salonen.
Salonen’s fearless driving and ability to control the most powerful rally cars ever built earned him legendary status. His championship season combined raw speed with the consistency needed to defeat formidable rivals including Blomqvist, Walter Röhrl, and Hannu Mikkola in their Audi Quattros.
After Group B’s demise, Salonen remained competitive and was among the inaugural cast of the 1988 Race of Champions, featuring all world champions from 1979 to 1988.
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 E2, 1985
© WRC / Automobilist
