Eläintarhan ajot

The Grand Prix of Finland (Finnish Eläintarhan ajot ) is an organized regularly 1932-1963 race for cars of different classes. The event took place about two- kilometer circuit in the park of Eläintarha, Helsinki. The initiator of the race was the Finnish racer SPJ Keinänen. The Grand Prix of Finland was until 1963, with the exception of 1938 and 1940 to 1946 discharged.

The first race

The first race was held on 8 May 1932 of Title I Suomen Suurajo place before the eyes of about 21,000 spectators. At the start, were exclusively Finnish and Swedish driver. Winner of the race was the Swede Per Viktor Widengren on Mercedes -Benz SSK.

The last race

The last race was held in 1963. Winner of the 1150 cc class was the Finn Timo Mäkinen on a Morris Mini Cooper. The main event on this day was to be the race of the Formula Junior, but shortly after starting it came to disaster: The Brabham BT6 by Curt Lincoln was hit by another vehicle and put across yourself. Most drivers were the damaged cars to dodge, but the Swede Örjan Atterberg met during evasive attempt his compatriot Freddy Kottulinsky and overturned. Atterberg was thrown from the cockpit and buried under the wreckage of his Focus MkIV. At the hospital, the 19 -year-old succumbed to his head injuries. The race was stopped first, then stopped a short time later. After this accident, no races were started more on the course.