twelve heats (while DeCoster won four heats) he became world champion with 50 points ahead.
Initially, it didn’t look good for Mikkola.  After 13 years with Husqvarna he switched to Yamaha and in his first race broke his collarbone. “No racing for seven weeks”, Mikkola remembers. “Because of that I totally lost my form! And I just wanted to make a start adapting my brand new machine and improve my physical condition for the G.P. season.”

After Sittendorf the victory started.

promising machine.”

Hunting with Vino

This year too, Mikkola who like most Finns is of a somewhat reserved nature is not participating in the dollar rich Trans-AMA series in the United States. Instead, he relaxes in Hyvinkää, about 50 kilometres from Helsinki. He indulges in blissful idleness or gets out with his dog Vino.

“When the Grand Prix season ends,” Mikkola says, “I have had enough of motor bikes. Occasionally one has to be able to take a break. Just let Bob Hannah and Pierre Karsmakers in the United States do their bit for Yamaha!”

Heikki “Hessu” Mikkola, who

blem.
When Roger finally regained his form, as far as being ahead in points was concerned, Mikkola was unbeatable. One year later Mikkola was beaten by the Belgian, after which in 1976 he beat Moisseev by the smallest of margins (one point) to win the 250cc world title. Little wonder that DeCoster was considered by everybody to be the best motocross rider of all time.
But now the image of the Suzuki factory rider is severely diminished: this year Mikkola came out on top, no doubt about it. “Because he has been world champion so often, you all believe that Roger DeCoster can’t make mistakes. But you’re all wrong.
It’s true; during the past

by  Günther Wiesinger

In 1974 Heikki Mikkola took the 500cc-title from the Belgian Roger DeCoster, only to lose it again in 1975. After that the Finn joined the 250cc-class where he gained his second world title. This year he returned and once again he beat DeCoster. In 1977 DeCoster had wanted to win his sixth world title to equal the record of his compatriot Joël Robert.

But after a slow start (a third and fourth placing in the Austrian Sittendorf Grand Prix) Mikkola stormed from one victory to the other and after victories in

frame was nothing to write home about. Because I had to miss the spring season’s opening races, my form was lacking.” But: “Already in Sittendorf I realized that I had little to fear from DeCoster. His form was far below that of Wolsink.” Three weeks later, at the Dutch GP at Norg, Mikkola then proved that the Mikkola-Yamaha combination was unbeatable: a double victory.
Why, after 13 successful years, did Mikkola desert Husqvarna?
“For 1977 they were going to drastically cut their expenditure. And because this is not the ideal situation to gain a world title, I packed my bags. On the other hand Yamaha was determined to teach Suzuki a lesson. They made a very mighty effort to build a

became 32 in July, is the only motocross rider ever to become world champion in two classes.
Which class does he prefer?
“I very much liked the 250,” he admits, “Nevertheless I’m happy that I have returned to the 500cc class. Here I am more familiar with the riders and besides, I prefer the more powerful engines.”

Who is the best?

In 1974, when Heikki Mikkola thwarted the plans of Roger DeCoster who had wanted to win his fourth consecutive world title, luck was on his side. From the beginning of the season DeCoster was bothered by a shoulder pro-

season he repeatedly had bad starts. But is that my fault? They also say that his Suzuki isn’t as good as my Yamaha. But on the other hand, in the previous six years he always had the best material.”
When Mikkola signed a 300.000 guilder contract with Yamaha, did he count on winning a new world title?
“I did set myself a goal. In every Grand Prix I wanted to grab 20 world champion points and I believed that to be sufficient.”

Indeed, this would have been sufficient but Mikkola exceeded his goal by a total of 32 points.