(25 April 1945 – 30 May 1970) was a Finnish auto racer. He died during training sessions at the Nürburgring.
Life and career Laine followed in the footsteps of his father, Holger Laine, who played a significant role in organizing the Eläintarhan ajot motor racing competition in Helsinki. Holger worked as a car dealer in Ruskeasuo, Helsinki, and his passion for motorsports had a profound impact on Hans's career as an athlete.
Laine's racing career took off as a rally driver. He made a name for himself on the international stage when he and his uncle Henry participated in the Acropolis Rally in 1967, where he achieved an impressive seventh-place ranking. In the 1969 Jyväskylä Grand Rally, he held the lead position, with Hannu Mikkola in second place, before being forced to retire due to gearbox issues. That same year, Laine ventured into sports car racing for the first time, competing at the Nürburgring with a Porsche 906 alongside Sten Axelsson from Sweden.
In 1970, Laine joined the AAW racing team, which was owned by Antti Aarnio-Wihuri. The team acquired a Porsche 908/02 sports car, and Laine's partner for the season was Gijs van Lennep from the Netherlands. They enjoyed early success at the BOAC 500 in Brands Hatch, UK, triumphing under challenging conditions. Their fruitful season continued with a fourth-place finish in the Italian Targa Florio, where they were driving the Porsche 908.
The AAW team entered two cars for the Nürburgring ADAC 1000 km race: a Porsche 917, driven by Pauli Toivonen and Sten Axelsson, and a Porsche 908/02 driven by Laine and Gijs van Lennep. During the qualifying session, Laine and van Lennep achieved a time of 8 minutes and 14 seconds, which would have secured them the eighth starting position. However, tragedy struck during free practice on the Dottinger Höhe straight. Laine's car experienced a loss of downforce when it hit a bump, causing it to crash and catch fire. Despite the rescue efforts of responders and fellow competitors, the fire could not be extinguished in time, and Laine succumbed to his injuries.
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 June 1966 Artukainen [Specials] Plymouth Valiant Laine raced 11 September 1966 Artukainen [Specials] Volvo PV544 Laine raced 23 April 1967 Artukainen [Specials] Alfa Romeo GTA Laine DNF 1 June 1969 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 906 Sten Axelsson / Laine Sten Axelsson Road Racing 13. 24 August 1969 Nordic Challenge Keimola Porsche 906 Laine 3. 7 September 1969 GP Finland Porsche 906 Laine 2. 12 October 1969 1000 km Paris Porsche 908/02 Laine / Gérard Larrousse DNF 11 January 1970 1000 km Buenos Aires Porsche 908/02 Laine / Gijs van Lennep Racing Team AAW 9. 18 January 1970 200 mile Buenos Aires Porsche 908/02 Laine / van Lennep Racing Team AAW 7. 1 February 1970 24 h Daytona Porsche 908/02 Laine / van Lennep AAW Racing Team DNF 21 March 1970 12 h Sebring Porsche 908/02 Laine / van Lennep AAW Racing Team DNF 12 April 1970 1000 km Brands Hatch Porsche 908/02 van Lennep / Laine AAW Racing Team 4. 25 April 1970 1000 km Monza Porsche 917 Laine / van Lennep AAW Racing Team 11. 3 May 1970 Targa Florio Porsche 917 van Lennep / Laine AAW Racing Team DNA 3 May 1970 Targa Florio Porsche 908/02 van Lennep / Laine AAW Racing Team 4. 17 May 1970 1000 km Spa Porsche 917 Laine / van Lennep AAW Racing Team 7. 31 May 1970 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 908/02 van Lennep / Laine AAW Racing Team DNS 31 May 1970 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 917 In entry list only AAW Racing Team DNS
Racing results in rally competitions +DateRaceCo-driverCarPosition13–14 November 1965Helsinki RallyHagström, ReijoVolvo PV54413.5–6 January 1966Riihimäki-RallyLaine, HenryVolvo PV5446.25–27 February 1966HankiralliLaine, HenryVolvo PV54412.14–15 May 1966Salpausselkä RallyLaine, HenryVolvo PV5442.9–10 July 1966ItäralliLaine, HenryVolvo PV5447.19–21 August 1966Jyväskylä Grand RallyLaine, HenryVolvo PV544DNF5–6 January 1967Riihimäki-RallyLaine, HenryDatsun 160023.24–26 February 1967HankiralliLaine, HenryDatsun 1600DNF25–28 May 1967Acropolis RallyJärvi, AnssiDatsun 1600 SSS7.18–20 August 1967Jyväskylä Grand RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L20.9–10 September 1967Tampere RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L7.11–12 November 1967Helsinki RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L5.20–25 January 1968Monte Carlo RallyKeskitalo, PekkaPorsche 911 SDNF23–25 February 1968HankiralliLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L4.9–10 March 1968Arctic Lapland RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L1.25–26 May 1968Salpausselkä RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 LDNF5–7 July 1968ItäralliLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L11.16–18 August 1968Jyväskylä Grand RallyKolari (First name unknown)Porsche 911 SDNF25–27 October 1968Northern RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 LDNF4–5 January 1969Riihimäki-RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L3.17–24 January 1973Monte Carlo RallyPorsche 911 LDNF21–23 February 1969HankiralliLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L5.14–15 May 1969West-Coast RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1600 L6.15–17 August 1969Jyväskylä Grand RallyLaine, HenryPorsche 911 SDNF30–31 August 1969Tott-Porrassalmi RallyLaine, HenryPorsche 911 S1.28–30 November 1969Northern RallyLaine, HenryPorsche 911 SDNF6–8 February 1970Arctic Lapland RallyLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1500DNF20–22 February 1970HankiralliLaine, HenryVolkswagen 15009.7–8 March 1970TeekkariralliLaine, HenryVolkswagen 1500DNF
References
External links
Complete results of Hans Laine