Childhood and Youth

Heikki Mikkola was born in Loppi in 1945. Even as a child, he was extremely athletic and competitive. This was evident in his diverse hobbies, which included ski jumping, Finnish baseball , cross-country skiing, and ice hockey. These sports laid a strong foundation for his motocross career.

Start of Racing Career

1961: At 16 years old, Mikkola secretly acquired his first motorcycle from his parents. Despite his father's opposition, his passion for motocross ignited, even though the purchase ultimately had to be canceled.

1964: Mikkola began racing in Artukainen on a borrowed 250cc Greeves bike from his friend Martti Pesonen. Although his first race was thrilling and included one trip into the bushes, he impressively finished sixth out of over 30 participants. After this, he bought Pesonen's old bike. Alongside motocross, Mikkola also competed in ice racing, where he won the Finnish Championship a few years later, and he also rode enduro.

1965: Mikkola entered 18 races and won a remarkable 11 of them. He switched to riding a Husqvarna and won almost all junior competitions, which solidified his feeling that motocross was "the right sport" for him.

1966: Mikkola made his World Championship debut in Hyvinkää, even leading both heats in the early stages.

1968: Mikkola achieved his first World Championship heat victory in Hedemora, Sweden. This led to support from the Husqvarna factory and eventually a factory rider contract. He rode for Husqvarna for 14 years, winning two world championships with them.

World Championships and Challenges

1972: Mikkola moved up to the 500cc class, finishing third in the series.

1973: He returned to the 250cc GP class, again securing third place. In the same year, he won the Inter AMA Motocross series championship in the United States.

1974: Mikkola rejoined the 500cc class and, after a long battle, won his first world championship. This victory over Roger DeCoster in Luxembourg remains Mikkola's most memorable achievement. Mikkola was renowned for his exceptional physical fitness, which he maintained through cross-country skiing, running, and rowing.

1975: He finished second in the 500cc championship, with Roger DeCoster taking the win.

1976: Mikkola returned to the 250cc class and won the world championship. He became the first rider in the world to win both 250cc and 500cc Grand Prix titles. This year also presented challenges, such as stones being thrown at him during the Soviet Union's World Championship round, as fanatical spectators tried to prevent him from winning.

1977: Mikkola signed with Yamaha and won the 500cc world championship. He rode for Yamaha for the last three years of his professional career.

1978: He successfully defended his 500cc world championship, also winning the United States Grand Prix.

1979: Injuries forced Mikkola to retire from active racing. His professional career spanned eight years.

Life After Racing

Early 1980s: After his racing career, Mikkola served for three seasons as Yamaha's team manager in the World Championship series and ran motocross schools. Once his racing career concluded, Mikkola and his wife, Kaija, bought a farm in Loppi. In a 1999 interview, he described enjoying rural life, nature, and hunting.

2006: Mikkola was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in the United States.