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'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.