Hans Laine

Hans Laine (April 25, 1945, Helsinki - May 30, 1970, Adenau, West Germany) was a Finnish racer who was killed on the Nürburgring during training sessions.[1]

Hans Laine
Born(1945-04-25)April 25, 1945
DiedMay 30, 1970(1970-05-30) (aged 25)

Hans Laine's career as an athlete was a legacy of his father, Holger Laine, who was the driving force behind motor racing competition Eläintarhan ajot, both on and off the track. Holger Laine worked as a car dealer in Ruskeasuo, Helsinki.

Hans Laine started his racing career as rally driver. He began to gain international reputation when he and his uncle Henry participated in the Acropolis Rally in 1967, where he ranked seventh. In the 1969 Jyväskylä Grand Rally, he was in the lead, with Hannu Mikkola being second, before an interruption due to a gear shift. In the same year, Laine participated in a sports car series for the first time at the Nürburgring with the Porsche 906, together with Sten Axelsson of Sweden.

In 1970, Laine joined the AAW racing team, owned by Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, for which the Porsche 908/02 sports car was purchased. Laine's partner was Gijs van Lennep of The Netherlands. At the start of the season, they achieved success in the UK at the BOAC 500 in Brands Hatch under difficult conditions. The two's successful season continued in the Italian Targa Florio, where they finished fourth with the Porsche 908.[2]

The AAW team announced two cars for the Nürburgring ADAC 1000 km race: the Porsche 917, driven by Pauli Toivonen and Sten Axelsson, and the Porsche 908/02 by Hans Laine and Gijs van Lennep. In qualifying, the couple attained a time of 8 minutes and 14 seconds, which would have justified a starting position of eighth. During free practices, however, on the Nordschleifen Dottinger Höhe straight, Laine jumped off a ramp and lost downforce, causing the car to spin around and catch fire. Despite the efforts of rescuers and other competitors, the fire was not put out in time and Laine died from his injuries.

Hans Laine had become a favorite of the people and his death was a shock to the public as well as to his rivals. Laine's funeral was held at Espoo Cathedral. His coffin was carried by Holger and Henry Laine, and, among others, Timo Mäkinen, Hannu Mikkola and Gijs van Lennep.

Racing results in track competitions
Date Race Car Driver/drivers Team Position
5.6.1966Artukainen [Specials]Plymouth ValiantLaineraced
11.9.1966Artukainen [Specials]Volvo PV544Laineraced
23.4.1967Artukainen [Specials]Alfa Romeo GTALaineDNF
1.6.19691000 km NürburgringPorsche 906Sten Axelsson / LaineSten Axelsson Road Racing13.
24.8.1969Nordic Challenge KeimolaPorsche 906Laine3.
7.9.1969GP FinlandPorsche 906Laine2.
12.10.19691000 km ParisPorsche 908/02Laine / Gérard LarousseAAW Racing TeamDNF
11.1.19701000 km Buenos AiresPorsche 908/02Laine / Gijs van LennepRacing Team AAW9.
18.1.1970200 mile Buenos AiresPorsche 908/02Laine / van LennepRacing Team AAW7.
1.2.197024 h DaytonaPorsche 908/02Laine / van LennepAAW Racing TeamDNF
21.3.197012 h SebringPorsche 908/02Laine / van LennepAAW Racing TeamDNF
12.4.19701000 km Brands HatchPorsche 908/02van Lennep / LaineAAW Racing Team4.
25.4.19701000 km MonzaPorsche 917Laine / van LennepAAW Racing Team11.
3.5.1970Targa FlorioPorsche 917van Lennep / LaineAAW Racing TeamDNA
3.5.1970Targa FlorioPorsche 908/02van Lennep / LaineAAW Racing Team4.
17.5.19701000 km SpaPorsche 917Laine / van LennepAAW Racing Team7.
31.5.19701000 km NürburgringPorsche 908/02van Lennep / LaineAAW Racing TeamDNS
31.5.19701000 km NürburgringPorsche 917In entry list onlyAAW Racing TeamDNS

Racing results in rally competitions
Date Race Co-driver Car Position
13.11.–14.11.1965 Helsinki Rally Hagström Reijo Volvo PV544 13.
5.1.–6.1.1966 Riihimäki-Rally Laine Henry Volvo PV544 6.
25.2.–27.2.1966 Hankiralli Laine Henry Volvo PV544 12.
14.5.–15.5.1966 Salpausselkä Rally Laine Henry Volvo PV544 2.
9.7.–10.7.1966 Itäralli Laine Henry Volvo PV544 7.
19.8.–21.8.1966 Jyväskylä Grand Rally Laine Henry Volvo PV544 DNF
5.1.–6.1.1967 Riihimäki-Rally Laine Henry Datsun 1600 23.
24.2.–26.2.1967 Hankiralli Laine Henry Datsun 1600 DNF
25.5.–28.5.1967 Acropolis Rally Järvi Anssi Datsun 1600 SSS 7.
18.8.–20.8.1967 Jyväskylä Grand Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 20.
9.9.–10.9.1967 Tampere Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 7.
11.11.–12.11.1967 Helsinki Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 5.
20.1.–25.1.1968 Monte Carlo Rally Keskitalo Pekka Porsche 911 S DNF
23.2.–25.2.1968 Hankiralli Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 4.
9.3.–10.3.1968 Arctic Lapland Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 1.
25.5.–26.5.1968 Salpausselkä Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L DNF
5.7.–7.7.1968 Itäralli Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 11.
16.8.–18.8.1968 Jyväskylä Grand Rally Kolari (First name unknown) Porsche 911 S DNF
25.10.–27.10.1968 Northern Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L DNF
4.1.–5.1.1969 Riihimäki-Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 3.
17.1.–24.1.1973 Monte Carlo Rally Aho Atso Porsche 911 L DNF
21.2.–23.2.1969 Hankiralli Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 5.
14.5.–15.5.1969 West-Coast Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1600 L 6.
15.8.–17.8.1969 Jyväskylä Grand Rally Laine Henry Porsche 911 S DNF
30.8.–31.8.1969 Tott-Porrassalmi Rally Laine Henry Porsche 911 S 1.
28.11.–30.11.1969 Northern Rally Laine Henry Porsche 911 S DNF
6.2.–8.2.1970 Arctic Lapland Rally Laine Henry Volkswagen 1500 DNF
20.2.–22.2.1970 Hankiralli Laine Henry Volkswagen 1500 9.
7.3.–8.3.1970 Teekkariralli Laine Henry Volkswagen 1500 DNF

Further reading

References
  1. Porsche Road & Race: Porsche 917-021 The Fabulous Story | Porsche Road & Race, accessdate: 20. April 2019
  2. Stuttcars.com: Porsche 908/03 Spyder ’70 - Stuttcars.com, accessdate: 20. April 2019
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