Henri Toivonen (1956 – 1986)

[vvvvv]

It’s been 30 years.

What really happened that day?
The accident was a mystery – simple corner, there were no witnesses, next drivers haven’t seen the crashed car, nobody knew what happened – at least that’s generally accepted version. But some time ago I’ve found that there were witnesses, there even was a video of the crash. There were two bangs and the car burst into flames immidiatelly with high smoke – clearly visible from the road. The next driver was stopped by fans up on the road and drove back to the place of the crash. There’s even video of the car still burning.
http://oi64.tinypic.com/106edu1.jpg

For me it looks like a driver mistake. The corner isn’t so easy as people say – it was a little deceptive, tightening before turning right (the road was rebuilt and nowadays it has different profile than back then).
Why there was never a proper investigation? Everybody talks about Senna’s crash even today, and Toivonen is forgotten by general public (and back then WRC was as popular as F1).

http://oi66.tinypic.com/2rh2sdv.jpg

[stefanvv]

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xty1w4_bbc-madness-on-wheels-rallying-s-craziest-years_shortfilms

[KiwiWRCfan]

Rally historian Lindsay Weston has written a very detailed article remembering Henri Toivonen
http://viewfrompitlane.wix.com/viewfrompitlane#!Feature-Henri-Toivonen-%E2%80%93-Made-for-Machines/f5l4c/5727bf820cf2265cabe62b04

[vvvvv]

Interesting article. But photographical evidence shows that only one car passed the crash scene (and was turned back by spectators) and other stopped at the scene. And radio transmission with the team was recorded when the car was still burning. Also the crew probably died immediately from the crash, not from fire (see the flattened windshield).

I've found a thread with some pictures from the crash.
http://www.f1-forum.fi/vb/showthread.php?t=30671
But I don't know Finnish at all. Is anything worthwhile written there?

Is there any animation how the crash might have happened? It looks like the car first hit with winshield (first bang) and then with the tank (second bang and explosion). Why there was never a proper investigation (like with Senna)?

[bowler]

There was lots of talk at the time about what happened, and lots of private talks within the team (and other teams) about what really happened (there was no difference), and the feeling was that there was no conspiracy, just a tragic fatal crash. The FIA (Then FISA) investigated also, and the result was the change to Group A cars.

If the same accident happened today the drivers would walk away most likely.

Without a doubt a great driving team was lost. RIP.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Still remembered every time I drive the S4....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/EddieFocus/Henri_zpsz5jdupwh.jpg~original

RIP Henri.

[vvvvv]

I guess the accident has been stripped of the mystery. It was just a (very tragic) crash. With legend built around it by rally fans.

Too bad they killed Group S with Group B.

[moto99]

Were there any remains of the crew on the crash site? Or were they burned to ashes (despite fireproof clothing)? I've heard there were some remains.

[N.O.T]

Were there any remains of the crew on the crash site? Or were they burned to ashes (despite fireproof clothing)? I've heard there were some remains.

why you are interested in such kind of information ?

[AL14]

Were there any remains of the crew on the crash site? Or were they burned to ashes (despite fireproof clothing)? I've heard there were some remains.

Man this is creepy.

[moto99]

Because I would like to know what happened.
There are so many stories, each saying completely different story.
The crew died on impact but I've read stories for example claiming that Henri was thrown from the car and then tried to save Sergio.
Or even that it was Italian mafia who was targeting Cresto...
It's very hard to find any reliable information. For the long time I belived it was mysterious crash with no vitnesses (that's what I read) until by chance I found video from the crash on YouTube.

[N.O.T]

Because I would like to know what happened.
There are so many stories, each saying completely different story.
The crew died on impact but I've read stories for example claiming that Henri was thrown from the car and then tried to save Sergio.
Or even that it was Italian mafia who was targeting Cresto...
It's very hard to find any reliable information. For the long time I belived it was mysterious crash with no vitnesses (that's what I read) until by chance I found video from the crash on YouTube.

i can assure you it was a painful death, happy now ?

[Grundo Farb]

Because I would like to know what happened.
There are so many stories, each saying completely different story.
The crew died on impact but I've read stories for example claiming that Henri was thrown from the car and then tried to save Sergio.
Or even that it was Italian mafia who was targeting Cresto...
It's very hard to find any reliable information. For the long time I belived it was mysterious crash with no vitnesses (that's what I read) until by chance I found video from the crash on YouTube.

I heard just the one story. They crashed and the car burst into flames. Pretty simple really.

If Henri survived then died saving Cresto that's a shame but such details in the big scheme of life and death aren't terribly important.

[MrJan]

I heard just the one story. They crashed and the car burst into flames. Pretty simple really.

Same for me, never heard any conspiracy or even a suggestion that there should be one. I've seen the video that's shot from across the valley, even though you can hardly see the car it still gives me chills and is not something that I want to watch again.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Let them rest in peace... nothing else matters now.