Markku Alèn

Born: 15 February 1951
Helsinki

Markku Alen is one of the most successful rally drivers of all time. He has won 20 rounds of the World Rally Championship, including six victories on Finland's Rally of 1000 Lakes, his home event.

However, despite all his victories, Alen never won the championship. He won the 1978 FIA Drivers Cup, which was the top prize for drivers before they got their own World Championship in 1979. Alen was with Lancia for most of the Group B era, and he was able to keep the Audi team honest despite driving the inferior 037. His performances were valuable parts of Lancia's 1983 Manufacturer's Championship.

He came within one rally of winning the 1986 World Championship, after a protest was lodged against title rivals Juha Kankkunen and Peugeot at the San Remo rally. Alen was confident of winning the protest, so after winning the final round of the championship, the Olympus rally in the USA, he stood on the car and declared himself champion.

However, his reign as champion lasted two weeks. FISA rejected the protest, and as a result, Kankkunen and Peugeot were world champions. Alen lost the title after a long and difficult season by a very narrow margin. He continued to drive for the Lancia team following the end of Group B, and came third and second in the 1987 and 1988 championships, respectively. Alen won 19 WRC events out of 130 starts.

Alen now competes in the ANDROS ice racing championship, driving for the Opel team.