"The purpose of historic racing and rallying is not winning, but dedication to cars and their history. The aim of historic motorsport is to respect automotive history."

The story of Hytönen Racing and historic rallying

Hytönen Racing has been active in historic rallying since 1995 when Timo Hytönen, younger brother of team leader Kari Hytönen, started rallying with a Group 1 Isuzu Bellett. His co-driver was Antti Pellonpää, long time chairman of the Isuzu Owners Club Finland. A new Isuzu Bellett GT was built for the next season. During 1996 Timo drove some national historic -rallies and also the legendary Thousand Lakes Historic Rally.

For year 1997 older brother Kari was engaged as co-driver. His agenda was full national historic rally championship with an Isuzu Bellett GTR. The season was finished in RAC Historic Rally in Great Britain. The international experience was great and for season 1998 there was plans for some European rallies in addition to the national historic rally series. This time the team headed for theEuropean Historic Rally Championship event which was driven in Czech Republic.

Season 1999 included not only full national historic rally championship and a European Championship event, but also the WRC Rally Finland with a Group A Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16.

The new Millennium continued in familiar form as the team drove the national series and also international historic championship events in Czech Republic and San Remo. For the 2002 season there were new challenges waiting for both brothers. The unique Isuzu Bellett GTR was retired as Timo stared rallying a Ford Escort RS 2000 in historic rallies and Kari moved on to drive a Group N Volkswagen Polo in the Finnish rally championship.

The 2003 season provided good results for Timo and his co-drivers Ismo Pietiläinen and his wife Minna Tuominen who co-drove a couple of rallies. After the 2004 European Historic Championship Rally in Lahti, Mika Rahkonen made an offer Timo could not refuse and the RS 2000 changed owner. This decision caused a break for historic part of Hytönen Racings rally activities. The result was not only seven class win in European Championship level, but also numerous class and overall wins in national rallies and rally sprints.

The dream plan is to have one more memorable international historic rally experience

The 2008 season was more relaxed for Hytönen Racing as there have been more important things in life. A new daughter for Kari and a building project for Timo has kept the brothers away from rallies. This has not meant a totally calm atmosphere in Hytönen Racings garage - the Isuzu Bellett GTR is making a comeback - at least for one memorable international event.

- The break from rallying has been successful and Timo's return to rallying is only a matter of time. The international events have always been highlights of our careers and therefore we would like to experience it one more time. Timo has about a hundred historic rallies with Isuzu cars under his belt, so the urge to continue is strong.

Images Izuzu Bellet GTR



Images of our other historic -projects



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